San Gimignano, Italy: The City of Beautiful Towers

Perched on a hilltop in the heart of Tuscany, San Gimignano Italy is a town that feels frozen in time. Just an hour from Florence, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as the City of Beautiful Towers. At its height, 72 towers dotted the skyline; today 14 remain, creating one of the most distinctive medieval skylines in all of Italy. Walking through its cobblestoned streets is like stepping back into the Middle Ages, with history, culture, and views over the Elsa Valley at every turn.

San Gimignano’s skyline of medieval towers rising above the Tuscan countryside

A Storied Past

The rooftops of San Gimignano with Tuscany’s rolling hills in the distance

San Gimignano’s history is as dramatic as its skyline. From power struggles with neighboring cities to a plague that wiped out nearly half its population, the town endured centuries of hardship. Many of its mansions and palaces fell into disrepair until it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. Today, its restored medieval towers and piazzas are celebrated as one of Tuscany’s most treasured hill towns.

Hand-rolled pici pasta, a San Gimignano specialty

Cuisine of San Gimignano, Italy

Food here is rustic, bold, and deeply tied to Tuscan traditions. Wild boar is a local specialty, featured in hearty dishes like Scottiglia, a slow-cooked stew of boar, pheasant, and chicken simmered with tomatoes and aromatic spices. You’ll find wild boar salami in gourmet shops throughout town, along with other traditional meats like rabbit, liver, and tripe.

And of course, there’s pasta. The region’s signature is pici, a hand-rolled pasta that looks like thick spaghetti, often served with mint pesto or a rich tomato sauce. Pair it with a glass of local wine, and you’ll understand why Tuscan cuisine is beloved around the world.

Towers, Squares, and Churches

San Gimignano’s towers may be its most iconic feature, but the city is filled with medieval treasures. At the heart of town is the Piazza della Cisterna, a beautiful brick square with a historic well at its center. The Collegiata (the town’s main church) is adorned with frescoes commissioned by renowned artists, its striped arches and wooden statues still inspiring awe centuries later.

Piazza della Cisterna

Collegiata

Nearby, the Church of Sant’Agostino offers a quieter yet equally stunning experience, with terracotta floors crafted by Andrea della Robbia. And if you’re up for a climb, the Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in San Gimignano, rewards you with sweeping views across the Tuscan countryside.

Things to Do in San Gimignano

Whether you arrive on a day trip from Florence or linger for a few days, San Gimignano offers experiences that stay with you:

• Take a Vespa tour from Florence and pair sightseeing with tastings at a local winery.

• Sample gelato from one of the town’s world-famous gelaterias.

• Sip Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a crisp, citrus-noted white wine grown in the surrounding vineyards, perfect on a warm Tuscan afternoon.

Why Visit San Gimignano Italy

San Gimignano stands out among Tuscany’s hill towns with its medieval towers, inviting squares, and surrounding vineyards. It’s a town that blends history, architecture, and flavor in a way that feels timeless.

If San Gimignano has found its way onto your Italy wish list, I would love to help you include it in a customized itinerary that makes the most of Tuscany’s charm.

Schedule a complimentary consultation with me: https://linke.to/TravelConsultationWithMeredith

Meredith Peters, Travel Advisor