Things to do in Volterra
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Top 10 attractions in Volterra
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a medieval hill town. The ancient pilgrimage route to Rome once passed through the city, and caravans and pilgrims brought prosperity to its trade. Local families accumulated great wealth through saffron and wine, and they took their rivalry to the skies—nobles competed to build towers. At its peak, there were over 70 stone towers in the city. Today, more than 10 still stand among the red-tiled roofs. Such a cluster of towers is hard to find elsewhere in Tuscany, which is why people call this small town the "medieval Manhattan." The old town is completely enclosed by 13th-century walls and gates. Entering through Porta San Giovanni, the cobblestone Via San Giovanni is lined with stone mansions and small shops. As you walk gently uphill, it leads to two core squares: the triangular Piazza della Cisterna, centered around an ancient well, where towers and medieval houses create a quiet atmosphere; and the adjacent Piazza Duomo, where you can climb the Torre Grossa, which stands about 54m tall next to the town hall. Standing on the observation deck at the top, you can take in the entire cluster of towers, red-tiled roofs, and the rolling vineyards and olive groves outside the city. The cathedral by the square is easily overlooked, but the interior is filled with medieval biblical frescoes and is worth a closer look. The entire old town can be traversed on foot, making it suitable for a half-day excursion when traveling round-trip between Florence and Siena. If you want to take panoramic photos of the tower cluster, you can walk to the slopes outside the city walls and look back at the ancient city. The local white wine, Vernaccia, has been famous since the Middle Ages, and using saffron in cooking is also a long-standing local tradition.San Gimignano · 16.2km from Volterra
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
• Known as the main church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Florence and the third largest church in the world • Consisting of the main church, bell tower and baptistery, it is not only large in scale, but also a representative building of the entire early Renaissance • The cathedral has a 19th-century Gothic Revival-style facade. Its exterior is paved with marble blocks of different shades of white, green and pink. The colors are colorful and harmonious △ In 1982, the cathedral was listed as a World Cultural Heritage as part of the historical center of Florence. After entering the church, you can climb up to the dome from the small door on the side. You need to climb 463 steps, and then overlook the entire city of Florence. △ The bell tower of the church is a Gothic building, 85 meters high. It consists of a six-story square structure stacked upward into a column. The outer wall is paved with white marble, which is pure and elegant, bringing more momentum to the majestic church.Florence · 52.1km from Volterra
Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo is located in the heart of the historic center of Florence, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982. The square has been the city's religious center since the Middle Ages. In the late 13th century, surrounding residential buildings were demolished to build the new cathedral and bell tower, and it was gradually expanded over the following centuries to its current size. The square brings together three iconic buildings: theCathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto's Bell Tower, and The Baptistery of San Giovanni. Together, they form the "Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore complex," showcasing the evolution of architectural art in Florence from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The dome designed by Brunelleschi stands over 90 m high and is a striking visual focal point on the square's skyline. Historic buildings such as the Archbishop's Palace, the Cathedral Museum, and the Bigallo Museum are also located around the square. Standing in the center of the square and looking around, the facades of buildings from different eras and styles complement each other, making it a key location for experiencing the urban landscape of Florence.Florence · 52.1km from Volterra
Roman Theatre of Volterra
Volterra · 688m from downtown
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower on the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, Italy, forming a world heritage-listed architectural complex with the adjacent cathedral and baptistery. Built of white marble in a cylindrical shape and standing about 56 m tall, its construction began in 1173. Due to uneven foundations and soft soil, the tower started leaning southward during construction, causing multiple interruptions—it took nearly two centuries to complete. From the late 1990s to early 2000s, steel cables temporarily reinforced the structure while soil was removed from the northern side, stabilizing the tilt at about 4 degrees. This "leaning yet standing" feature has since become its iconic hallmark. The hollow interior features a spiral staircase of nearly 300 steps, with some narrow and slippery treads, making the ascent feel like walking on a gently sloping deck—an integral part of the climb. The top-floor belfry houses seven bronze bells, remnants of its timekeeping function. From the railing, visitors overlook the square's lawn and Pisa's red-tiled rooftops. Legend claims Galileo conducted his two-iron-ball gravity experiment here, adding a scientific anecdote to its legacy. The lawn below is a popular photo spot, where travelers pose with outstretched arms "pushing" or "holding up" the tower, creating a signature scene on the square.Pisa · 52.2km from Volterra
Piazza del Duomo
The Miracle Square is the top priority of visiting Pisa. The four major buildings on the square - the Cathedral of Pisa, the Baptistery, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the cemetery are all artistic masterpieces in the history of architecture. The square was one of the centers of the essence of medieval art and had a profound influence on subsequent architectural design, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. The square takes its name from a description in a novel by the Italian writer and poet Gabriel D'Annunzio. The Pisa Cathedral in the center of the Pisa Cathedral Square was built in the 12th century AD and is a masterpiece of medieval Romanesque architecture. The mosaic decoration inside the church is mixed with Byzantine style, forming its unique "Pisa Romanesque style". Opposite the Baptistery of Pisa Cathedral is the Baptistery, which mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles. You can visit the middle of the Baptistery along the spiral staircase inside the Baptistery. The cylindrical structure, double dome and white marble make the interior of the baptistery even more beautiful. Leaning Tower of Pisa Behind the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the well-known Leaning Tower of Pisa, which itself is the bell tower of the cathedral. In the early stage of construction, the leaning tower tilted an average of 1 mm per year, and the work was stopped for a while, and the repair work has continued to this day. The rectangular building next to the Pisa Cemetery Church is the Pisa Cemetery. The tombstones, sculptures and frescoes on the cloister are also worth seeing. In addition, there is a tourist rest area on the large lawn of Miracle Square, where you can take various photos with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, buy souvenirs and snacks.Pisa · 52.3km from Volterra
Pantheon
The Pantheon is located in the center of Rome and is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings still in use today as a church. It was first built over two thousand years ago by Agrippa, the son-in-law of Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, to worship the gods. The current main structure is the result of a reconstruction on the original site during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, with Agrippa's inscription still preserved on the lintel. The entire building has exquisite proportions and was praised by Michelangelo as "the design of angels." In front of the hall is the Rotunda Square, where an Egyptian obelisk stands in the fountain, making it the perfect spot to capture a panoramic view of the building's facade. The main structure is simple and clear: a massive cylinder with both width and height exceeding 40 m, topped by a hemispherical concrete dome. The hall has no windows, with all light coming from a circular opening over 8 m in diameter at the dome's apex—on sunny days, sunlight pours through the opening, forming a beam that slowly sweeps across the niches and stone walls as the sun moves; during rain, water falls directly into the hall and is drained through hidden floor outlets. The construction of such a wide-span dome without steel reinforcement has inspired architects for over a millennium, serving as a subject of study and emulation. The niches around the interior were originally dedicated to the gods and now house statues and altars: the Renaissance master Raphael is buried here, and the tombs of Italian kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I are also located within. Take a moment to look up at the light streaming down from the dome, then follow the niches to admire the statues and tombs, feeling the awe inspired by this nearly two-thousand-year-old building that remains perfectly preserved.Italy · Rome
Colosseum
•This was the place where gladiators fought for their lives, prisoners on death row struggled with hungry lions, and it was also the great symbol of eternal Rome •Take in the magnificent architecture and imagine epic battles that once took place here •Imagine the bustle of the marketplace, the intrigue of political debates, and the opulence of imperial residences △ The Colosseum was built on the site of the magnificent Dumus Aurea and was completed in 80 AD. But with the decline of the Roman Empire in the 6th century AD, the Colosseum was gradually abandoned and became overgrown. Since then, the Colosseum has been damaged by earthquakes many times, and it has even become a source of stone and marble for builders. Nowadays, only the incomplete skeleton of the Colosseum is left in front of people, but you can still get a glimpse of the style of that day. △ From the outside, the Colosseum has four floors (including the underground). On the first floor, you can clearly see the maze-like building in the center of the Colosseum. The basements that were once the Colosseum housed the beasts and gladiators who were about to duel. If you want to see the underground part up close, you need to be led by a tour guide. △ The entire exterior wall of the Colosseum is made of limestone, with 80 arches (vormitori) on each floor, allowing spectators to quickly enter and take their seats. The recesses on the second and third floors were once filled with marble statues. The top of the wall is dotted with windows and slender Corinthian pilasters, and there are 240 wall columns to support the canvas canopy covering the Colosseum.Italy · Rome
Milan Cathedral
•Located in the center of Milan, the cathedral is a landmark of Milan •Admire the enchanting hall, towering stone pillars, and dazzling stained glass windows while studying design elements of various styles •On the platform level, you can see the exquisite spires of Milan Cathedral and the statues on top of them. The statues vary in form and are lifelike. △The church has 135 spires of varying sizes, each topped with a statue. Carvings and spires are one of the defining features of Gothic architecture, and Milan Cathedral exemplifies this characteristic to the fullest. As such, it is also the Gothic church with the most statues in the world, featuring approx. 6,000 marble statues in total. △Immerse yourself in the treasures and artistic touches within the magnificent church. Admire the incredible nave and the way light flickers through the stained glass windows. Study the sarcophagi and approach the exquisitely decorated altar.Italy · Milan
Pitti Palace
As the royal palace of Florence, the Pitti Palace was once the residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, kings, and emperors, with the aura of rulers permeating every corner. [Massive Museum Complex] : Spanning approximately 32,000 square meters, it stands as one of Florence's largest museum complexes, akin to an indoor city of art. The Palatine Gallery houses masterpieces by artistic giants such as Raphael, Titian, and Rubens, with Raphael's "Madonna of the Chair" and "female with a Veil" being the crown jewels of the collection.Florence · 51.1km from Volterra
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Free things to do in Volterra
San Gimignano
San Gimignano · 16.2km from VolterraCathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Florence · 52.1km from VolterraPiazza del Duomo
Florence · 52.1km from VolterraRoman Theatre of Volterra
Volterra · 688m from downtownLeaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa · 52.2km from VolterraPiazza del Duomo
Pisa · 52.3km from VolterraPantheon
Italy · RomeColosseum
Italy · RomeMilan Cathedral
Italy · MilanBook now for tomorrowPitti Palace
Florence · 51.1km from VolterraBook now for tomorrow
What travellers say about Volterra
sculptor14 February 2021
4.0
The ancient city of San Gimignano is an Italian hill town southwest of Florence. Its old town, surrounded by 13th-century walls, is renowned for its medieval architecture, unique in that about a dozen tower houses have been preserved. Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, outstanding examples of secular buildings and churches.
San Gimignano
Anonymous user22 September 2026
5.0
The queue was quite long, and you need to make sure you're in the correct line before you start queuing… Queues at tourist attractions in Europe often consist of several separate lines with unclear signage. I didn't choose to climb the bell tower or the dome, but the museum included in the ticket is worth a good look; personally, I felt the environment was quite nice.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Blessed by God28 September 2022
5.0
such a lovely place, the duomo or cathedral is very big that I cannot take a picture of the whole cathedral. Even if I have seen it several times I always love to visit and see it again and again.
Piazza del Duomo
Mirelats14 July 2026
5.0
Highly Recommended: A Beautiful Day in Pisa with My MomVisiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa with my mom was an absolute dream. The historic Piazza dei Miracoli is stunning, and climbing the tower is highly recommended for the incredible views over Tuscany.Quick Tip: Ticket lines are incredibly long. We booked our fast-track timed-entry tickets through the Trip.com app before arriving, which made our visit completely stress-free and smooth. It is a must-do when traveling in Italy!
Leaning Tower of Pisa
SHANE LIM MY21 June 2026
5.0
The place was extremely beautiful. This is the first time ever I travel to Europe so I love the whole experience. Surely recommend
Piazza del Duomo
M77***1614 October 2026
4.0
It's alright. If you've already visited all the other major Italian attractions, you can check it out. I don't really understand their religious beliefs or stories, but the scenery is quite nice, and you can see the city views.
Pantheon
_TI***h419 October 2026
5.0
Your ticket includes the Roman forum and palatine hill so is excellent value
Colosseum
Anonymous user13 September 2026
5.0
Have been multiple times, it's worth returning once in a while. Stunning cathedral and view
Milan Cathedral
蓝篮～4 April 2026
5.0
It's worth a visit. Although I don't know much about Florence, I just wanted to check it off my list and get a feel for it. I recommend splitting your time between visiting the Pitt Palace and the Uffizi Gallery. You can go to the Pitt Palace around 8 am and spend most of the day exploring it at your own pace. Because of time constraints, we didn't get to see much of the Boboli Gardens. Our accommodation near the train station was quite convenient. This was my second time in Florence, and I'd probably come back for a third time if I had the chance.
Pitti Palace
