Looking for a scenic drive between Florence and Siena – a way to enjoy the rolling Tuscan hills – instead of traveling on a busy highway while sacrificing little driving time? The most direct way to drive is the Autostrada A2 (highway). But, if you prefer a more relaxing ride, consider driving the scenic SR 222, the Via Chiantigiana, that will take you through charming towns in the famed Chianti region with its stunning verdant landscapes. It is the most famous and beautiful drive in the Chianti region of Tuscany. The views will lure you to stop and take in the beautiful rolling Tuscan hills (I can’t tell you how many pictures I took!), many of which feature Chianti Classico vineyards and groves of olive trees. There are over 173,000 acres/70,000 hectares of Chianti Classico vines in this region, so you’ll be assured of plenty of amazing views wherever you stop along the way!
Granted, the scenic route curves through the countryside and will take a little longer – about 90 minutes – about 15 minutes longer than going via the highway. But to really enjoy the landscapes and towns, choose the scenic option and plan on making it a day. Don’t forget to add time to your itinerary to enjoy stops (see highlighted towns detailed below) along the route! My husband and I traveled SR 222 with friends and were so happy that we decided to go scenic. It was a leisurely day (we need some of these on vacations!) filled with beautiful vistas, picturesque villages, a delicious lunch, and a bit of shopping.
Gorgeous Tuscan Landscapes Along SR 222
One of the drive’s main features is the stunning panoramic views. Think rows of vines marching down a hillside and lines of olive trees standing at attention like soldiers. We were awed by the simple beauty of green hills covered with the essential ingredients that will, once harvested, transform into flavorful wine and tasty olive oil to be served around the world.
Charming Tuscan Towns Along SR 222
There are quite a few alluring towns to visit – along SR 222 or a short detour from it – that you could stop at. Here are some popular ones that are my favorites.
Greve
This is one of my favorite towns along the route from Florence to Siena. Greve’s main attraction is Piazza Matteotti, an expansive public square that’s ringed with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. Greve is a joy to explore. Stop in the shops. Linger over lunch. Admire the atmosphere. A relaxing stroll is the pace you’ll want to achieve while visiting Greve. Located about 19 miles/30 km south of Florence and 28 miles/45 km northwest of Siena.
Within the square is a statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano (born here in 1485), who is credited for being the first European to explore North America’s eastern coast, including the New York Harbor, Block Island, and Narragansett Bay (all in the northeastern United States).
Panzano
Equidistant from Florence and Siena, this tiny hamlet is known for its panoramic views and surrounding wineries that offer tours and tastings. It could be worth stopping if you’re here at lunch or dinner times. Some tourists have been drawn to Panzano for the restaurants—and a panini food truck—run by charismatic butcher Dario Cecchini (featured on some TV shows), although there are several other great spots for a meal. Located about 22 miles/36 km south of Florence and 24 miles/39 km northwest of Siena.
Castellina
Another spot worth a stop is Castellina. Visitors enjoy the Rocca (medieval castle/fortress with views from its 14th-century tower) and the attached Archeological Museum of Chianti displaying some Etruscan finds. (Access the fortress through the museum.) Stroll the Via della Volte, an arched, covered walkway that was a medieval passageway next to the eastern town wall that now shelters restaurants’ tables and chairs for their diners. There’s also an Etruscan necropolis — now empty underground burial chambers. Not to be forgotten are the beautiful landscape views from several roads. Located about 22 miles/35 km south of Florence and 9 miles/15 km northwest of Siena.
Monterrigioni
Monteriggioni was built in the 12th century as a fortification to help protect Siena from warring foes, like the Florentines, who vied for supremacy over other Tuscan towns. Within the medieval walls ringed by 14 towers is Piazza Roma, a large square flanked by restaurants and cafés. There’s a Romanesque church plus small lanes with a hotel, shops, a public garden, and homes. Visitors can pay a small fee to walk some of the ramparts and enjoy the views of the countryside. Like Greve, Monterriggioni is a perfect place to simply relax and savor the experience. Located about 5 miles/7 km west of SR 222; about 37 miles/58 km south of Florence and 13 miles/20 km northwest of Siena.
Tuscan Wineries Along SR 222
There are well-rated wineries all along the route, but you have to make reservations (easy to do on their websites) for guided tours and tastings. Many wineries offer “experiences” like cooking classes, in-depth tours of the facilities (some are renovated castles), or lunch in a vineyard. Do an online search (using sites such as Google or TripAdvisor) to find the winery adventures that interest you.
Driving in Tuscany
- In many historic city centers (like Florence, Greve, Castellina, and Siena), traffic signs with circles ringed in red warn drivers of limited traffic or ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) zones. Suppose you drive on one of those roads. In that case, a camera will most likely record the car’s license plate, and the authorities will issue a hefty traffic fine – that you may only learn about months later when the violation has been processed through the traffic control and rental car company systems to you.
- If you visit Florence for a few days at the beginning or end of your Tuscan stay, it’s advisable NOT to drive in the city. There are ZTL zones and a lot of people in other non-restricted streets. I suggest renting a car after leaving the city; likewise, return it before staying there. Florence is very walkable, and taxis are always available if needed.
- If you visit Siena for a few days, know that driving and parking in the historic center are restricted. It has ZTL limited traffic zones that make these historic towns so walkable, and thus, enjoyable. There are other options to trying to drive in town. First, there are parking lots outside the medieval city walls, but if you’re staying for a night or two, you must walk to your accommodations with your luggage along hilly roads lined with cobblestones. A second option is to reserve a spot with a valet parking service (like Car Valet Leonardo on Via Ricasoli). We did this, which worked well as we stayed in a short-term rental right on the famed Piazza del Campo. We drove to the valet parking spot, and the valet driver drove our rental car into the restricted ZTL zone after registering it for one hour – just enough time to drop us off at our short-term rental and return to the garage. When we needed our car, we texted the car valet’s garage and requested our rental vehicle. It couldn’t have been simpler.
- While often very scenic, rural and country roads are curvy, and the speed limit is lower than in urban areas.
- Wearing seatbelts when riding in a car is mandatory in Italy.
Ideas and Tips for Enjoying the Scenic SR 222 Road
- When you’re planning your trip at home, develop a plan. Do some online searches for exactly what you want to do and see once you leave Florence. This will help you plan your time along the way as you’ll understand how much time you’ll have for each of your planned stops. Plan on two hours of driving time (I padded the time a bit to cover unforeseen delays like construction and stopping for pictures) plus time for lunch, shopping, or a winery stop.
- Assuming you’ll begin your drive in Florence, reserve a rental car there (we picked up our rental at the airport) for your drive and Tuscan countryside experience. Read my article, Top 10 Tips for Renting a Car in Europe, to learn how to find the perfect rental car for your European vacation.
- Make sure you have a reliable GPS app installed and updated on your phone. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all work well. Also, bring along a car phone adaptor and charging cables to keep your phone battery from draining while using the GPS apps. We travel with an adaptor that fits into the car’s cigarette lighter and has two ports, so my husband and I can both have fully charged phones upon arrival.
- Looking to enjoy rustic, local cuisine or a gourmet meal along the way? Maybe a winery tour? Search online (using a site like Google or Tripadvisor) to find a variety of great choices.
- If you want to overnight near one of the charming towns, consider a stay at an agriturismo (like a B&B on a working farm). They offer unique opportunities to experience local cuisine and culture. Do an online search (on TripAdvisor, for example) to explore options. If you decide on this option, I’d suggest booking directly with the agriturismo rather than through third-party booking sites.
- The best times to visit the area are from May through September.
- Open-air market days vary by town but are usually held in the mornings (from about 8:00 am to 1:00 pm) in a main piazza/square. Visiting markets can be a great way to find fresh produce, baked goods, and other locally produced items. Listed from north to south along SR 222, the leading market towns are:
- Greve – Saturday
- Panzano – Sunday
- Castellini – Saturday
- The currency in Italy is the Euro. Covertr+ and XE are popular apps for converting currency. Learn about other great travel apps in my article Must-Have Travel Apps and Websites.
Related Articles
Italy
- Exploring Italy (overview of regions)
- Explore the Best of Sicily (general info on Sicily)
- Sicily: A Perfect 10-Day Itinerary to See the Highlights (detailed info on Sicily)
Trip Planning
- Driving in Europe: What You Need to Know
- Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe for More Fun, Less Stress
- How to Plan a Great Trip
- Renting a Car in Europe
- Stay Powered Up: A Traveler’s Guide to Power Banks
- Travel Lightly: Top Ten Tips to Pack for Your Next Trip
- Travel Planning Timeline
Final Thoughts
My husband and I traveled to Italy to spend a few days in Florence, followed by several days in Siena, and then a week exploring some delightful Tuscan hill towns. When planning to drive our rental car from Florence to Siena, we had a decision to make: Should we take the highway like we did on our last trip to the area, or should we try the scenic SR 222 route through the Chianti countryside? I did some research and decided we should schedule a day to slow down and enjoy the sights and towns between Florence and Siena along SR 222. It resulted in a relaxing day that we consider one of the best of our two-week trip. Factor a day into your itinerary to do the same. I don’t think you’ll have any regrets!
Comments?
Feel free to share your experiences and/or suggestions for other places to visit in Tuscany. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
