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5 Easy Day Trips from Florence

One of the best parts about staying in Florence was its close proximity to other breathtaking cities and towns. When deciding whether to plant my feet in one place or spend my time traveling from city to city, what drew me to Florence was precisely this feature. I could enjoy the best of both words - a home base in an enchanting city and the freedom to move around whenever I wanted to! Among the highlights of my time in Italy was being able to catch a train from the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station in Florence and escaping to as many different parts of Italy as I could. Trust me when I say that whenever a free moment arose, I was doing just that. For anyone who is hesitant to travel solo because you are afraid you will get bored or lonely, my advice is stay in a place where you can have the same experience and you'll never feel either!


Often times when people think of day trips from Florence, they think of whisking off to the Tuscan wine country, preferably on a Vespa, to towns like Montepulciano and Chianti, which are undeniably stunning. However, if you have the time and availbility, there are other options to consider. Traveling via train from Florence is not only convenient but also budget-friendly. Personally, I used Rome 2 Rio and Omio to plan all of my train trips, making the process incredibly straightforward.


Here are my top 5 picks for easy day trips from Florence, Italy:


Jaclyn in front of the Coliseum in Rome, Italy

1. Rome

Rome wasn't built in a day, but you could for sure see it in a day (if you have good sneakers, and are feeling a little ambitious, that is!) Rome is just an hour and a half train ride from Florence and the train takes you directly to the city center at Roma Termini station. There are various train lines to choose from, but I found that taking the Italo train was both the quickest and cheapest at the time. It provides assigned seating for an assigned train time, and since the ride is short, there's no need to consider an upgrade. I booked the 'Smart' fare for less than $55 round trip, and it was quite comfortable.


As it was my fourth visit to Rome, I had a specific plan to visit the Travestere neighborhood, which is where I indulged in a Caio e Pepe dish at local favorite, Osteria Nannarella, Of course, I also made time to see the main attractions, with the Roman Forum being a personal favorite.


Leaning tower in Pisa, Italy

2. Pisa and Lucca

Pisa and Lucca may be two separate places, but they can easily be explored in a single day, which is why I decided to visit them together. Despite multiple trips to Italy, I had never set my eyes on the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, so this time around I knew I had to pay a visit to the iconic slanted structure. I had also heard that Lucca was among the most quaint Tuscan towns, and that turned out to be absolutely true! With its beautiful views, cute shops and delicious gelato - the above sweet treat is from Gelateria Veneta in Lucca - my adventure to both of these cities was an absolute delight!


What makes the trips to cities like Pisa and Lucca so convenient is that they are both accessible via the local Trenitalia line. You purchase a ticket to a destination but are not assigned to a specific train or seat, similar to how the Metro North operates for readers familiar with the Tri-state area.


If you manage to catch an express train, the journey to Pisa takes approximately an hour. From there, a direct train to Lucca is about a 30-minute ride. The return trip from Lucca to Florence can vary, taking anywhere from hour and 20 minutes to an hour and 45. I highly recommend opting for direct train to avoid the hassle of transferring during your journey! The entire round trip to both cities cost me less than $25.


Siena, Italy

3. Siena

Siena stands out as one of my favorite Tuscan towns. While wondering through its charming streets, bordered by medieval brick buildings, I couldn't help but sense the history that runs through the city. During my visit, I was enchanted by some of Siena's treasures including the grand Piazza del Campo and Gothic town hall as well as the Duomo. Externally it competes with the one in Florence, but internally, it far surpasses it in beauty. A fascinating fact that I learned is that the city of Siena is divided into 17-different districts, known as contrade, with flags proudly displayed to indicate each district as you stroll through the city. I loved trying to find all of the different flags!


The trip to Siena takes roughly an hour and a half via the Trenitalia line. Similar to the the trips to Pisa and Lucca, securing a ticket is simple, with no time or seat requirement, and my roundtrip fare was approximately $20.


4. Viareggio

If you are staying in Florence during warmer weather and are craving a beach day, you're in luck because the beach isn't that far away, and it's beautiful, too! Along the Tyrrhenian Sea sits Viareggio, a lovely coastal town that is bustling with energy and nestled below the Apuan Alps, which you can actually see from the beach. GORGEOUS!


As a sun-chaser and beach enthusiast, I couldn't resist exploring this popular beach destination. If there's a palm tree and some water, I'm there! Along the main strip you'll find many beach clubs equipped with restaurants, restrooms and beach chairs. I randomly chose one and spent the day lounging at Bagno Milano, where I paid 5 euros for access to the beach + a lounge chair. Note the pricing is tiered, so if you want to sit closer to the water, you'll have to pay more. What truly made Viareggio stand out for me was the sandy beach, a rarity compared to the rocky shores I've encountered on other Italian beaches.


If you are looking to spend a relaxing day in the sun, the trip to Viareggio took just under 2 hours and cost around $22. Purchasing a ticket is similar to Pisa, Lucca and Siena. Fun fact, I always referred to this as the "local train."


Bolognese and Lambrusco from Mercato di Mezzo in Bologna, Italy

5. Bologna

Ahh, beautiful, yummy, DE-licious Bologna! Bologna is closer to Florence than you may think, and the journey is unquestionably worth it, if for the food and wine alone. Even if you don't plan an extended stay, I wholeheartedly recommend setting aside a day to savor in all that Bologna has to offer! (Hint: the best gelato I had in all of Italy is here.)


While I've always enjoyed fresh and delectable food in Italy, Bologna takes it to another level, earning its well-deserved reputation as the food capital of Italy. Nestled in the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is as visually pretty as it is mouthwatering. (Hello fresh pasta. I love you, bolognese. I'm never, ever getting over the best gelato in Italy from Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla.) With medieval towers and portico-covered sidewalks, the city exudes charm. The city was also bustling with students as it is home to one of the oldest universities in the world - it just felt youthful and hip!


To get from Florence to Bologna as quickly as possible, hop on a Frecciarossa Trenitalia train, which will get you there in under 40 minutes. I was able to purchase a roundtrip ticket on Omio for $50. Just as traveling to Rome, you'll need to book and travel on a specific train. There is a local, more budget-friendly option as well but it takes much longer.




I traveled around Italy by train, but you can also reach these beautiful destinations by bus or car. Use Rome2Rio to find the best travel routes and times, regardless of the mode of transportation you choose! If you've ever visited the destinations mentioned above, I would love to hear about your experience! Please be sure to leave a comment.



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Cathleen Byrnes
Cathleen Byrnes
Sep 29, 2023

More great information! Beautiful photos!

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Jaclyn Yarusso
Jaclyn Yarusso
Oct 01, 2023
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Grazie! So glad you liked this post! :)

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