Exploring Tuscany by rail sounds like it’s a pretty impossible feat. Surely, there are too many old mountainous towns around there, and shouldn’t you just head to Florence, anyway? However, whilst you may need to be a strategic planner, there are actually many amazing Tuscan towns that you can add to your Eurail trip around Italy, and they’re certainly worth a visit (even if you just want to escape those tourist traps).
Here are the 5 most beautiful ones that you can reach via train.
Monteriggioni
What’s there?
If you’re a history buff, Monteriggioni has to be on your Eurail list. It’s a 13th century walled town, and was once a battleground when fights broke out about who was going to be in control of Tuscany. Because of this, you can take a tour around the castle, and even take part in wine tasting here. In fact, you can go wine tasting pretty much anywhere around here, and we guarantee that you’ll enjoy it.
How do you get there?
Take the train from Siena or Florence to Castellina in Chianti. It’s around a 45 minute walk from the station, but you can look into other transport options once you arrive, too.
Barga
What’s there?
Barga is like nothing that exists anywhere else on earth. Another walled town, this time dating back to the 10th century, there’s something unique about this place. It has strong ties with Scotland, because many of Barga’s residents headed there to find work many years ago. Good news for Eurail travelers: you can visit when the fish and chips festival is on, although you’ll find them here all year long.
How do you get there?
Leave from Lucca or Pisa Centrale, and head to Barga – Gallicano. You’ll have to change at Lucca if you’re traveling here from Pisa.
Montepulciano
What’s there?
Known for its red wine, Montepulciano is another beautiful Tuscan town. There is a scenic valley here, lined with vineyards, and it’s enough to take anybody’s breath away. If you’re a lover of traditional Italian architecture and beautiful Catholic churches – and you want to finish your night off with an amazing glass of wine – then you’ll be right at home here. Explore the Val d’Orcia (the valley) if you can.
How do you get there?
Montepulciano does have its own rail station, but it may be a good idea to head to Chiusi station and get a bus from there (they come hourly). You can easily get to Chiusi from both Florence and Rome.
Lucca
What’s there?
OK, so it may be classed as a city, but Lucca is still a place in Tuscany that you just have to visit. Wander down these cobbled streets and you’ll find markets, some historic and religious buildings, and that old charm that just defines any trip to an Italian town or city. You can also swing by Lake Massaciuccoli, and if you’re looking to embrace your inner child for the day, then head to Pinocchio Park.
How do you get there?
You can get the train from Florence to Lucca, and the links here are a lot better due to the fact that it’s a city. Either way, look into how you can add Lucca into your Eurail trip!
San Gimignano
What’s there?
This is a pretty small town in Tuscany, but one that you should include in your itinerary anyway. San Gimignano boasts 14 medieval towers, so again, it’s one of those places that is bound to please any history buff, or just those who are interested in the history of Tuscany. You can climb the tallest tower as it’s open to the public, and on Thursdays, a market fills the town, leading to a little more hustle and bustle down the town’s streets.
How do you get there?
OK, so it doesn’t strictly have a rail station, but San Gimignano isn’t too far away from one. Take a train to Poggibonsi (from somewhere like Florence) and get a local bus from here. Don’t worry, they come every 30 minutes or so and only cost a few Euros.
So…
If you’re heading to Italy on your Eurorail trip, then don’t forget about these Tuscan towns. Sure, you can go to the cities and have those Leaning Tower of Pisa Instagram photos, but you could also see a different side to Tuscany, where the locals sell their produce in the markets, and even have fish and chips festivals. Enjoy Italy, and your Eurotrip as a whole!