On a hill overlooking the Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia, Montepulciano is one of the prettiest small Tuscan towns and one of the nicest places to visit in Tuscany. I visited with my sister and brother-in-law last June and fell in love with it. We spent several days exploring this small town and the surrounding valleys, and vowed to go again.
The entire area around Montepulciano, with its excellent vineyards, is considered one of the best wine regions in the world. The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Montepulciano’s signature wine – is the perfect pairing to the delicious meat served in local restaurants.
But there’s much more to Montepulciano than the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This is one of the best-preserved small towns in the entire Val d’Orcia, where medieval origins and Renaissance splendor will transport you directly into the past.
The beauty and uniqueness of Montepulciano are such that the town was chosen as the location for many TV series, including New Moon of the Twilight Saga.
Curious to find out more? Continue reading, as I share my best tips for visiting Montepulciano and all the unmissable things to do in Montepulciano.
Traveling to Tuscany soon? Don’t forget to read my post, Best Places To Visit In Tuscany, for inspiration on where to go.
Where Is Montepulciano?
Montepulciano is a historic hill town located in southern Tuscany, in central Italy, close to the border with the region of Umbria. It sits on a limestone ridge at around 600 meters (1,968 feet) above sea level, overlooking the Val di Chiana on one side and the Val d’Orcia on the other—one of the most scenic areas of Tuscany.
Montepulciano is roughly:
- 108 km (67 miles) south of Florence (about 1.35 hours by car)
- 65 km (40 miles) southeast of Siena (a little over one hour by car)
- 184 km (114 miles) and about 2 hours by car from Rome
The town is part of the province of Siena, and it is best known for its Renaissance architecture, steep main street running through the old town, and its famous wine, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Its elevated position makes it both a natural lookout and a strategic settlement that has been important since Etruscan times.
I have written an in-depth Guide To Val d’Orcia you should also read.
Where To Stay In Montepulciano
There are several good options for where to stay in Montepulciano, depending on whether you prefer to be in the city center or if you love waking up in the countryside surrounded by green hills.
Here are my favorite places to stay in Montepulciano:
- Palazzo Nobile di San Donato – A top choice if you want to stay in a spectacular historic building, in the heart of Montepulciano. In addition to breakfast, you can have lunch and dinner at the hotel restaurant, with vegetarian and gluten-free options.
- Salcheto WineHouse – If you rent a car and are keen on staying in the countryside, Salcheto WineHouse will spoil you with an amazing view of its vineyard, just outside Montepulciano. They also offer wine tasting, paired with traditional products, in their cellar.
- ManillaHouse – For longer stays, where a kitchenette and a washing machine may come in handy, Manilla House is a perfect combination of great location, historic building with well-finished interiors, and excellent value for money.
Best Restaurants In Montepulciano
Italian cuisine varies from region to region, so be sure to taste the typical dishes of this area.
I tried several restaurants, and I believe these are the best restaurants in Montepulciano:
Le Logge del Vignola – Located in the historic center, by the loggia attributed to “Vignola”. Its regional cuisine is revisited in an innovative way. We tried the beef tartare and found it delicious. We also enjoyed the traditional Pici with black garlic, and the lamb ribs in a popcorn crust! The tasting menu offers excellent value for money. There’s an excellent selection of wines, too.
Osteria Acquacheta – This is a small and cozy restaurant inside the historic walls. You will most likely share the table with other guests. We enjoyed the experience. The Florentine steak will melt in your mouth. Make sure to book in advance.
Indigeno at Salcheto Organic Winery Estate – Outside of town, this is one of the best wineries in Montepulciano. You will eat in a 13th-century farmhouse converted from a watchtower into a winery. The location is outstanding. In Italy, we usually gauge the chef’s skills by the quality of the bread, and the one here is excellent. The dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients produced in-house or from small local producers nearby.
Not sure what foods are Italian and what aren’t? Then read my post on the Most Common Misconceptions About Italian Food.
How To Get To Montepulciano
Montepulciano can be a bit out of the way, and getting there requires a bit of effort (even more so if you wish to travel by public transport), but I promise you it is all worth it. When we visited, we drove there from Florence, where we had rented a car, since we wanted to explore the rest of Val d’Orcia.
Anyhow, these are the best options to get there.
By Car
The best way to get to Montepulciano is by car. You can rent a car at any airport or city in Tuscany. With a car, you can get around easily, and you are free to choose the stops you want to make, even in the countryside and off-the-beaten-track places.
- From Florence: Montepulciano is about a 1.5-hour drive south from Florence, along the A1 Autostrada.
- From Rome: It’s a 2.5-hour drive north, along the A1 Autostrada.
- From Siena: There are several options, but the quickest is to drive along SS715 (SS means State Road, and it’s a freeway).
Once in Montepulciano, parking may be a bit tricky – don’t worry, I will explain where to park in a bit.
Driving in Italy? Don’t forget to read my post What You Need To Know About Italian Toll Roads.
I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best rental car options – it’s what we used for our road trip in Tuscany, and we were happy with the service. You should also read my post What You Must Know When Renting A Car In Italy for more information.
By Public Transport
There are no direct buses or trains to Montepulciano from Siena, Florence, or Rome, and you may have to change several times.
- From Siena: Take bus 114 to Buonconvento, then bus 112 to Montepulciano Autostazione. You can also take the train to Montepulciano, but the station is 12 km (7.4 miles) from the town center, and you’ll have to take another bus to get there. It takes about 2 hours.
- From Florence: The quickest option is to take the train to Camucia Cortona, then the bus to Capezzine, and from there another bus to Montepulciano. It takes almost four hours.
- From Rome: You’ll have to take the train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme and then the bus to Montepulciano. It takes a little over 3 hours.
There are direct buses to Montepulciano from Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia.
Head over to my post, How To Get Around Italy, for more information on how to travel around the country.
By Guided Tour or Private Transfer
If you are not keen on renting a car and are ok with spending just a few hours in Montepulciano, you can always join a guided tour. There are several good ones departing from Florence, Siena, and even from Rome.
Here are some good options:
From Florence, this guided tour explores the Val d’Orcia region on a day trip. You will visit a family-owned winery in Montalcino. The next stop is in Pienza for lunch, and then you will go for a walk through the medieval town of Montepulciano.
If you are traveling from Siena, there’s this excellent guided tour that stops in Pienza and Montepulciano. It’s a full-day tour that includes lunch with traditional dishes (including pecorino cheese) and wine tasting in Montepulciano.
From Rome, you can take this Tuscany day trip with Montepulciano winery lunch that stops in Montepulciano town, Pienza, and Monticchiello.
My post, A Concise Guide To Pienza, shares the best attractions and tips for visiting. I have also written a Useful Guide To Montalcino.
You also have the option of getting a private transfer, which is more convenient if you are traveling with a small group. If this is the case, I recommend checking Welcome Pickups for a quote.
Where To Park In Montepulciano
Parking in Montepulciano can be a problem. The historic center is a restricted traffic zone (we refer to that as ZTL in Italy: it means only residents of that area can drive and park there), and there are not many parking spaces compared to the number of tourists.
The best thing to do is to park outside the city walls. The town center is best explored on foot, anyway (just make sure to wear comfortable shoes). The best (paid) parking spots are Parcheggio P8 and P6.
Useful tip: When choosing where to stay in Montepulciano, make sure to check if your hotel or guest house has a parking space, and if not, how far the nearest parking spots are located.
Best Time To Visit Montepulciano
The best time to visit Montepulciano depends on what you want from the trip, but late spring and early autumn are generally ideal.
May, June, and September offer the best balance of pleasant weather, open wineries, and manageable crowds. Days in May are warm without being oppressive, making it comfortable to walk Montepulciano’s steep streets and explore the surrounding Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana.
We visited in mid-June and found the days to be rather hot, but the town wasn’t nearly as crowded as Pienza or Montalcino.
July and August are the busiest months. While the town is lively and evenings are enjoyable, daytime temperatures can be high and crowds heavier, especially during Italian holiday periods. On the plus side, summer brings festivals and extended opening hours.
September and October are especially appealing for wine lovers, as the harvest season begins and the countryside is at its most atmospheric.
Winter is quiet and uncrowded, but some wineries and restaurants operate on reduced schedules.
Overall, late spring or early autumn is the best time to visit Montepulciano.
Top Things To Do In Montepulciano
See Piazza Grande
Piazza Grande is the heart of Montepulciano, where locals usually meet. Needless to say, spending time in Piazza Grande is one of the unmissable things to do in Montepulciano.
Walk around the square and observe the Pozzo dei Grifi e dei Leoni, a well designed by Antonio da Sangallo.
The Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta (more about that in a bit). Next to the Church, you will find the Palazzo Comunale, the Town Hall, with its beautiful Gothic facade made of travertine that dominates the square. Reach the top of the crenelated tower and enjoy the view that embraces the surrounding hills.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to go up. Let me know if it’s worth going back to do that.
The main event that takes place in this square is the Bravio delle Botti. In this historic competition, eight districts of Montepulciano compete in rolling 80-kg barrels along a path uphill right in town.
Other important events are the International Art Workshop and the Christmas markets.
Check out Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral
The Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral overlooks one of Italy’s most beautiful squares, Piazza Grande. It was built in the 16th century on a design by Ippolito Scalza, and it’s located where the ancient parish church of Santa Maria used to be.
Only the 15th-century bell tower remains of the previous structure. On the high altar, you can see the triptych of the Assumption, painted by Taddeo di Bartolo.
Enjoy the sunset from Vicolo del Leone
Don’t miss Vicolo del Leone. Next to Piazza Grande, this alley ends with a terrace overlooking one of the most beautiful views from Montepulciano. Come here before sunset to enjoy this special moment of the day when the sun goes down, and the sky turns red, orange, purple, pink, and yellow.
Part of the terrace is taken by Romantico Restaurant: the name is a promise of the atmosphere you’ll enjoy here. Check the time of sunset and book a table about half an hour before, specifying that you want to enjoy the view. You have more chances to find a good table if you book it in advance.
A walk along the Corso
The Corso is Montepulciano’s main street that climbs up from Piazza Savonarola, crosses the eastern ridge of town, and reaches Piazza Grande. Beautiful buildings, fashion boutiques, leather craft shops, and charming cafés overlook this street.
In the lower part of the Corso, visit the Church of Sant’Agostino, dating back to the 13th century. The travertine facade combines Gothic and Renaissance elements. Next to the Church, you can see Pulcinella Tower. At the top of the tower, Pulcinella’s mask regularly strikes the hour on a bell.
Explore the Old Town
In Montepulciano Old Town, you will see many Renaissance and medieval buildings. In Via Ricci, the Palazzo Neri-Orselli houses the Civic Museum and the Crociani Art Gallery. Enjoy the Renaissance paintings, including the famous “Portrait of a Gentleman” by Caravaggio and the Roman and Etruscan artifacts.
Next to the Palazzo Neri-Orselli, the Palazzo Ricci houses the Historical Archives and the Municipal Library with 15,000 volumes.
The Rodi Cellar is in the basement of this palace; here the Nobile wine of Montepulciano is stored. It is definitely worth a visit, as it is considered one of the most scenic cellars among those located under the historic buildings of the city.
Wine tasting
Wine tasting is one of the unmissable things to do in Montepulciano. The town has a centuries-old winemaking tradition that, together with state-of-the-art techniques, has maintained a wine of the highest quality. Its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is well-known and appreciated all over the world.
I recommend getting to know Montepulciano by tasting its red wine and visiting at least one of its cellars. There are several cellars inside the ancient buildings right in the center of town.
Just to mention a few: the Contucci family has produced this delicious wine since the 11th century. Visit the historic palace and the vaulted underground cellars, and enjoy the wine tasting.
Outside the city walls, you will find the Montepulciano Wine Route. This route links many of the region’s top wine estates. Nestled in the green countryside, you can visit the vineyards too and learn about the wine-making process, from harvesting the grapes to bottling.
On the hills, in the countryside, the Fattoria Svetoni vineyard offers an amazing view of its vineyard, a tour of the winery, and wine tasting.
When dining, pair a glass of Nobile di Montepulciano with a succulent Fiorentina steak.
This wine tasting experience and cellar visit in Montepulciano comes highly recommended. Along with wine, you’ll also be able to taste delicious local bread and olive oil.
Visit the Santuario della Madonna di San Biagio
Outside Montepulciano’s city walls but within walking distance, the Temple of San Biagio is an amazing example of Renaissance art.
Designed by Antonio da Sangallo, the Church is surrounded by a large flat lawn. It has a Greek cross plan and is flanked by two bell towers. Take a moment to admire the high altar, which dates back to the late 16th century, and the various frescoes.
And the Medici Fortress
The Medici Fortress is a symbol of Montepulciano. Not far from Piazza Grande, on the highest part of the city, it has a breathtaking view of the valleys.
It was built in 1261 to be a military fortress. Being at the centre of the wars between Siena and Florence, it has been destroyed and reconstructed several times. The last reconstruction is attributed to the Renaissance architect Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio.
Today, it is home to temporary exhibitions and events, to an American University, and to the Consorzio Del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and its Enoliteca. The wine bar offers a wide selection of Vino Nobile that you can taste on the terrace.
Relax at the hot springs and thermal baths
If you need some relaxing moments, you will find some delightful hot springs. Located in Sant’Albino, the sulphurous waters are rich in carbon dioxide, so they have unique therapeutic properties. It’s a wonderful place for some pampering during your trip.
Go down to the Montepulciano Lake Nature Reserve
A short drive from Montepulciano, on the border with Umbria, you will find the Montepulciano Lake Nature Reserve.
The lake is what remains of a vast marshland and is now one of the most important wetlands in central Italy. You can find here water lilies, the rare marsh orchid, and the adder’s tongue fern.
The Reserve is a stopover on the migratory route from Europe to Africa for many birds such as bitterns, ferruginous ducks, and diving ducks.
It’s a great place to visit if you love hiking, nature, and birdwatching.
Tips For Visiting Montepulciano
Here are practical tips for visiting Montepulciano, that will make your time there easier and more enjoyable:
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as the historic center is steep and the streets are cobbled throughout.
- Bring water, especially in warmer months, as walking uphill can be tiring. There are plenty of fountains that you can refill.
- If you are going on a day trip, arrive early in the day to enjoy quieter streets and for easier parking before tour groups arrive. Remember that you’ll have to park outside the historic center.
- Book wine tastings in advance, particularly at well-known cellars, as same-day availability is not guaranteed. I recommend a cellar visit inside the town, as many wine producers have underground tasting rooms in historic buildings.
- Check opening times for museums and churches, as they may close midday. Keep in mind that restaurants also close between lunch hours (12:30 to 2:30 pm) and dinner (from 7:30 pm).
- Stay overnight if possible to enjoy Montepulciano in the evening, when the town is quieter and more atmospheric. We used Montepulciano as a base for our Val d’Orcia trip and found the town to be lovely when the tourist crowds are gone.
FAQs on Montepulciano
Yes, Montepulciano is worth visiting. Wine lovers will appreciate wine tasting at the many wine cellars – the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is an excellent wine. But wine isn’t the only reason to visit. Montepulciano is packed with interesting attractions, beautiful buildings, a unique history, beautiful views, and excellent restaurants.
One day is enough to visit Montepulciano. However, if you want to explore the vineyards, go wine tasting, and enjoy the thermal baths, plan to stay there for two or three days.
Montepulciano can also be an excellent base to explore the Val d’Orcia: in this case, you will need at least five days. Much depends on the pace you want to set, if you like to take it easy or if you are tireless when travelling.
Montepulciano was the filming location of New Moon, the second movie of theTwilight saga by Stephenie Meyer that shares the love story between vampire Edward Cullen and human Bella Swan.
Here’s what to do in Montepulciano for a day:
Walk the main street (the Corso), taking in the town’s Renaissance architecture.
Visit Piazza Grande, the historic heart of Montepulciano.
Tour an underground wine cellar and taste Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Stop at viewpoints overlooking the Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana.
Have dinner at a traditional restaurant featuring local Tuscan cuisine.
Browse small food and wine shops for pecorino, olive oil, and local products.
Montepulciano is famous for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the famous local wine.
Final Considerations
Visiting Montepulciano is an incredibly rewarding experience, especially if you don’t rush your visit. Here you’ll find steep streets, historic buildings, sweeping countryside views, and centuries of wine production and local traditions.
What we loved about it when we visited was the atmosphere, and the fact that, while it’s an increasingly popular place to visit, it still has its local character – which you will enjoy even more if you decide to stay overnight, once the day-trippers leave.
While booking a wine tasting experience is definitely a must, you should also take your time to explore spontaneously: this is a place that deserves slow travel.
Recommended Readings
10 Best Things To Do In Montepulciano, Italy + Tips For Visiting
5 Best Things To Do In Montalcino, Tuscany + Tips For Visiting
Further Readings
For more ideas to help you plan your trip to Tuscany, you may find these posts useful:
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Claudia Tavani
Claudia Tavani was born and raised in Sardinia, and after moving between the United States and the United Kingdom, she's now back living in her hometown, Cagliari. She's a travel blogger and certified travel designer who loves planning trips and publishing guides, travel tips, and packing lists so that you don't have to. Owner of Strictly Italy, cat mom to Minnie. Loves pizza, hiking, archeology, cities, beaches, swimming, and running. Hates peppers.