📍 Italy

PISA PROVINCE: 10 MEDIEVAL VILLAGES AND TUSCAN HERITAGE

Medieval towers crowning villages, alabaster glowing golden, terracotta roofs warming in the sun. Pisan hinterland, authentic.

≈ 10
Days
143
Km
10
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Cross Calci and its monastery, explore Vicopisano and its fortifications, climb to Lari perched on the hill. Reach Pomaia and its mountain calm, discover Volterra and its alabaster, then Lajatico, Terricciola, Peccioli and Palaia before reaching San Miniato. Each stage blends terracotta, theater and Tuscan memory.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Calci

monastery village spiritual heart

Calci - Photo 1Calci - Photo 2Calci - Photo 3Calci - Photo 4Calci - Photo 5Calci - Photo 6Calci - Photo 7Calci - Photo 8Calci - Photo 9Calci - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Certosa Monumentale (founded in 1336, baroque facade)
2
Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa
3
Largest whale gallery in Italy
🎯

Activities

→
Rocca della Verruca (13th century fortress, 1h hike)
→
Val Graziosa and Monte Serra
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8 km
Travel time: 10min
2
Day

Vicopisano

fortress heritage military post

Vicopisano - Photo 1Vicopisano - Photo 2Vicopisano - Photo 3Vicopisano - Photo 4Vicopisano - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Rocca de Brunelleschi (15th century Florentine military architecture)
2
Torre Reale and medieval Twin Towers
3
Walls and historic access to the borgo
🎯

Activities

→
Panorama over the Arno plain
→
History of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (Pisa-Florence conflicts)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 17 km
Travel time: 20min
3
Day

Lari

hilltop stone village crown

Lari - Photo 1Lari - Photo 2Lari - Photo 3Lari - Photo 4Lari - Photo 5Lari - Photo 6Lari - Photo 7Lari - Photo 8Lari - Photo 9Lari - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Castello dei Vicari (seat of the Florentine Vicariate after 1400)
2
Palazzo delle Carceri with panoramic terrace
3
Palazzo dei Cancellieri and Palazzo dei Vicari
🎯

Activities

→
Borgo of Etruscan origin on the Pisan hills
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 25 km
Travel time: 30min
4
Day

Pomaia

mountain refuge valley sanctuary

Pomaia - Photo 1Pomaia - Photo 2Pomaia - Photo 3Pomaia - Photo 4Pomaia - Photo 5Pomaia - Photo 6Pomaia - Photo 7Pomaia - Photo 8Pomaia - Photo 9Pomaia - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Lama Tzong Khapa Institute (major Buddhist center of Italy)
2
Statue of the Buddha of Compassion (Dante Ferretti, film Kundun)
🎯

Activities

→
Meditation and contemplation
→
Oasis of peace in Tuscany
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 36 km
Travel time: 43min
5
Day

Volterra

alabaster tradition artistic soul

Volterra - Photo 1Volterra - Photo 2Volterra - Photo 3Volterra - Photo 4Volterra - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Palazzo dei Priori (oldest town hall in Tuscany)
2
Circuit of 15 museums and 4 archaeological zones
3
Alabaster Museum (Tuscan excellence, most precious in Europe)
4
Medieval walls
🎯

Activities

→
Medieval historic center (500m altitude)
→
Le Balze (geological formations, erosion chasms)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 17 km
Travel time: 20min
6
Day

Lajatico

theatrical village artistic refuge

Lajatico - Photo 1Lajatico - Photo 2Lajatico - Photo 3Lajatico - Photo 4Lajatico - Photo 5Lajatico - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Teatro del Silenzio (Andrea Bocelli's natural amphitheater)
2
Annual art installations
🎯

Activities

→
Rocca di Pietracassia (40 min hike, fortress on limestone)
→
Hill landscapes (autumn foliage)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 10min
7
Day

Terricciola

valley charm village gate

Terricciola - Photo 1Terricciola - Photo 2Terricciola - Photo 3Terricciola - Photo 4Terricciola - Photo 5Terricciola - Photo 6Terricciola - Photo 7Terricciola - Photo 8Terricciola - Photo 9Terricciola - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval wine-producing village
2
Pieve di San Verano (12th century Romanesque church)
🎯

Activities

→
Typical panorama of Tuscan hills and vineyards
→
Local wine production
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 8min
8
Day

Peccioli

terracotta soul clay tradition

Peccioli - Photo 1Peccioli - Photo 2Peccioli - Photo 3Peccioli - Photo 4Peccioli - Photo 5Peccioli - Photo 6Peccioli - Photo 7Peccioli - Photo 8Peccioli - Photo 9Peccioli - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Center for Contemporary Art (international artists)
2
Anfiteatro Fonte Mazzola (outdoor events)
3
Village of Etruscan origin with medieval layout
🎯

Activities

→
Historic center on hill
→
Sustainable environmental management model (European recognized)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10 km
Travel time: 12min
9
Day

Palaia

Tuscan gateway valley heart

Palaia - Photo 1Palaia - Photo 2Palaia - Photo 3Palaia - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Toiano (ghost village on tuff formations/calanchi)
2
Montefoscoli (Temple of Minerva Medica, Masonic symbolism)
3
Rocca di Federico II (built around 1220)
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking trails in the surrounding hamlets
→
Panoramas over the Valdera hills
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 16min
10
Day

San Miniato

truffle crown hilltop gem

San Miniato - Photo 1San Miniato - Photo 2San Miniato - Photo 3San Miniato - Photo 4San Miniato - Photo 5San Miniato - Photo 6San Miniato - Photo 7San Miniato - Photo 8San Miniato - Photo 9San Miniato - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Museum system including archaeological area of San Genesio
2
Historic center with medieval buildings
3
Historic center with medieval buildings
🎯

Activities

→
Crossroads Via Quinzia and Via Francigena
→
Strategic position between Volterra, Pisa, Lucca and Florence
→
Strategic position between Volterra, Pisa, Lucca and Florence

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

Tour of the most beautiful villages in the province of Siena

📅 19 days 🛣️ 265 Km

Etruscan Coast: villages, archaeological parks and Tuscan islands

📅 9 days 🛣️ 143 Km

Art, medieval villages and sanctuaries of Casentino

📅 11 days 🛣️ 224 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - Italy

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent value, Easter celebrations, ideal touring conditions.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, vibrant atmosphere, beach season, festival time.

Fall (September-October): Excellent weather, harvest season, wine tourism, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, beautiful colors, culinary focus.

Winter (November-March): Mild southern weather, Christmas markets, lowest prices, minimal crowds, cultural focus, cozy atmosphere, indoor attractions.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 8 and 12 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Italy?

Cultural masterpiece with incredible art, cuisine, and historical heritage from Rome to Venice. Experience Renaissance treasures, regional diversity, and authentic Italian lifestyle. The country offers cultural immersion with culinary excellence and artistic heritage. Italy provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and natural beauty.