Montepulciano is a small town tucked away in the heart of Tuscany. Home to only 15,000 inhabitants, it beckons to many tourists worldwide. Surrounded by rolling hills and fields of vineyards, Montepulciano is surely worth a visit. Let’s dive in to see why.
Visting Montepulciano
If you are considering a visit to Montepulciano, you will discover a town with amazing views of the rolling countryside. It’s a quiet town that attracts eager tourists who want to discover a smaller and more tranquil town within the Tuscan Region. Visiting Montepulciano is an open door into one of Tuscany’s hidden gems that doesn’t need to clamor for attention because the attention it attracts from tourists speaks volumes.
Visiting Montepulciano And How To Get There
If you are traveling from Florence, there are a few options for getting there. Find the one that works best for you and your schedule.
CAR: A car rental is the best and easiest way to get there. There are many perks to renting a car for your trip to Montepulciano. The first is that you can go at your own pace. This was perfect for me because I could stop and take amazing pictures of the beautiful countryside. Southern Tuscany has some of the absolute best scenery in all of Tuscany, and if you travel by car, you can easily capture these images by simply pulling off to the side of the road, which is the second reason to rent a car. Please keep in mind that if you do rent a car, you will need to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP), which can be obtained at AAA for $20. The total travel time is approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
BUS/TRAIN: If renting a car is not for you, you can still get there by train and bus. There are no high-speed trains to Montepulciano, so you must take a regional train. The train station that you would arrive in from Florence is Montepulciano Stazione. It’s about 20 minutes outside Montepulciano, and a bus can take you from the station to the town. Total travel time is just under 4 hours. The starting cost for a one-way ticket is around €22.
BUS: You can easily take a bus from Florence and arrive within 40 minutes to 2 hours. Bus tickets are relatively cheap, starting at around €6 one way.
Private Transfer: This is another great option if you want the convenience of door-to-door service and seamless transportation. Private transfers offer efficiency, comfort, and peace of mind on your visit to Montepulciano. Pricing ranges between €200 and € 600 one-way.
If you are traveling from Rome, here is what you can expect:
Car: 2.5 hours
Train/Bus: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Bus: 7 hours
How Much Time Is Needed to See Montepulciano
When planning to visit Montepulciano, allocate at least a full day to fully immerse yourself in its charms. While it’s true that you can cover most of its sights in half a day, I highly recommend slowing down and savoring the experience. This quaint town exudes the ideal Tuscan charm, inviting visitors to explore its winding streets and historic landmarks leisurely. While Montepulciano sees a steady stream of day-trippers, the early morning and late evening hours offer a more serene atmosphere, perfect for indulging in the town’s charming atmosphere.
What To See And Do In Montepulciano
A lot can be done in this quaint Tuscan town, from strolling the charming streets to climbing the clock tower to get a beautiful view of the region, visiting museums that are rich in history, and indulging in some terrific wine tastings.
- Strolling the Streets: The main street in town is Il Corso, which changes names a few times along the way. This street contains many shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and wine shops with wine tastings. I must warn you, however, that Montepulciano is a town with many hills. Some roads are very steep, and anyone with walking issues should take precautions. I highly recommend comfortable shoes with good traction, especially if the roads are wet.
- Climb the Clocktower: If you want amazing views of rolling hills surrounding Montepulciano and the vast expanse of vineyards, climb to the top of the clock tower in Palazzo Comunale. Getting to the top requires an ascend of 150 steps, or if you take the elevator, there will only be 52 steps.
3. Visiting a Museum: Montepulciano has a couple of really good museums worth visiting. The first is the Museu da Tortura de Montepulciano (The Torture Museum). This museum offers a rich history of human cruelty and past times’ darker aspects.
Another museum to visit is Museo Civico Pinacoteca Crociani, located in Palazzo Neri Orselli. This art gallery and museum has five sections of interest: the Montepulciano Section, the Archeological Section, the Glazed Art Section, the Art Gallery, and the Studio. Here, you will find works from the medieval period to the Renaissance.
4. Wine Tasting: Wine tasting is essential to your visit to Montepulciano. The famous grape in this region is the Sangiovese grape. This grape produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one of Itay’s best red wines. This wine offers a rich flavor with notes of red fruits and earthy undertones. It pairs very well with
Tuscan cuisine.
For wine-tasting experiences, I highly recommend stopping in at Cantina Ercolani, also called Azienda Agricola Ercolani (Via di Gracciano nel Corso, 80-82). Here, you can take a below-ground tour of the wine cellars, which showcase oak barrels that help with the aging process. You can also enjoy wine tastings here. It is best to book your tour and tastings in advance through their website.
Another great place for wine tasting is the small shop of Vini Di Toscana (Via di Gracciano nel Corso, 46). There is a small fee to sample, and the prices vary depending on which wines you want to try. There is a good selection of both reds and whites.
Where To Eat A Great Meal While Visiting Montepulciano
My best advice when choosing a place to eat is to ensure it’s filled with locals and not tourists. Avoid pics of food on the menu and menus written in several languages. This will promise you an amazing, authentic Italian feast.
Since I only had one night here, I felt pretty lucky to have stumbled onto the restaurant that I did. Pizzeria Magnola, located at Via dell’Erbe, 1-4, 53045 Montepulciano SI, Italy. The menu was filled with many simple dishes and pizzas. It’s a lively place and brings in a lot of local patrons.
Best Views Of The Rolling Hills Of Tuscany
If you want a breathtaking view of Tuscany’s rolling hills, I highly recommend visiting Palazzo Ricci, the European Academy for Music and Performing Arts. Here, you can wander into the outdoor patio area and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Just don’t forget your camera because you will want to capture images of this scenery to look back on for a lifetime.
See The Tempio di San Biagio
As you exit the town of Montepulciano on the south side, you can easily visit The Tempio di San Biago in a matter of minutes. This beautiful church was constructed between 1518 and 1545 and the exterior was built with travertine stone. Its design is based on a Greek cross layout, creating a balanced and harmonious structure. The interior is a feast for the eyes. I recommend getting a ticket that includes an audio tour that explains everything about the temple. An interesting fact that I learned and, of course, had to do was that if you stand in the center of the church and clap your hands, you will hear the echo of 20 times. I was the last one in there and did this, and it was pretty amazing!
If you do plan to visit, plan on spending about an hour or so there. Tickets are €3.50, and this includes an audio tour. Be mindful of the hours as it closes during the middle of the day for a few hours. The hours of operation are 9 am–12:30 pm & 3:30 pm–7:30 pm daily.
FAQs
Below, you will find some commonly asked questions about Montepulciano.
Is Montepulciano Worth Visiting?
I have traveled to many towns in Tuscany, and I can personally say that Montepulciano is one of the best towns to visit in Tuscany. There are many things to do there.
Can You Drive Into Montepulciano?
Montepulciano has ZTL zones that prohibit driving in historic towns. There is plenty of parking just outside the town center for a fee. Free parking is available at Parcheggio S. Donato, Parcheggio, and Parcheggio 1 – P1.
Should You Book Tours and Wine Tastings In Advance?
Yes! I would book everything in advance. Even in the smaller towns in Italy, it is always best to book in advance. You don’t want to miss out on something simply because you didn’t book beforehand.
Conclusion
Whether it’s the wine tastings of the Vino Nobile, the prized vino of Montepulciano,
the breathtaking views surrounding this amazing town beaming with character, or Tempio di San Biagio, your memories of this place will certainly take a spot in your heart and mind. This is one town in Tuscany that you do not want to miss; Montepulciano’s unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty ensures a captivating Italian adventure.
