Montepulciano Holidays

Montepulciano is one of Tuscany’s most picturesque sights: a beautiful hilltop town surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Situated close to Siena and less than an hour from Arezzo, the town is great for those seeking an authentic slice of Italy in a prime location.

Inside of the historic walls, little construction has occurred since the Renaissance era, resulting in one of the most complete centro storico in all of Italy. At the centre of things is the vast Piazza Grande, fronted by a magnificent town hall that mimics the hard lines and dramatic design of Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio. The stunning Tempio di san Biagio is just a short walk outside of the town’s medieval walls and remains a remarkable sight, with a gleaming dome that can be seen for miles and a grand interior adorned with frescoes.

Food options are generally authentic, with numerous trattorie offering classic Tuscan dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) and lamb ragù, often accompanied by a choice of excellent wines sourced from the vineyards of the region. For true vino connoisseurs, a number of local wineries and vineyards offer tours and tasting sessions.

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Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30, Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Handpicked hotels in Montepulciano

Discover the real Montepulciano while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Tuscany, Tuscany Countryside

Borgo Tre Rose

Situated in the Tre Rose Vineyard estate, 20 minutes from Montepulciano
Idyllic setting with beatiful views over the Tuscan countryside
Wine cellar with wine tasting and vineyard tours

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Things to do in Montepulciano

The greatest hits of Montepulciano are easy to find – they huddle in the town centre. Just duck through an arch in the medieval wall and trace the gold-hued streets to the Grand Piazza. From there, you can climb the bell tower of the hulking Palazzo Comunale or admire the unfinished Montepulciano Cathedral.

Need a breather? Grab a table at the Gattavecchi Winery. Tuck into wild boar ragù, sip a glass of Montepulciano red, or peer into their 13th-century cellar. Alternatively, browse the shops dotting the surrounding roads. Souvenir stalls sit side-by-side with centuries-old bootmakers.

There is a reason to venture beyond the walls of Montepulciano – San Biago. You’ll find this grandly domed sandstone church at the end of a perfectly picturesque avenue of cypress trees.

Things to doLeaning Tower of PisaThe construction of Italy’s most famous bell tower started in 1173, and went on for about 200 years. Find out more about the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Things to doPiazza del CampoSiena’s Piazza del Campo is considered to be one of Europe’s greatest Medieval squares. The sloping piazza is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by restaurants and cafés, with the impressive Duomo stealing the show. Find out more about Piazza del Campo

Things to doWine TastingTuscany's iconic landscape of lush green hills dotted with expansive vineyards offers the perfect opportunity to sample its best-known wines. Find out more about Wine Tasting

Flight Information

The majority of international flights arrive into Pisa airport (PSA). Direct flights to Pisa are available from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle and take approximately 2 hours.

When to go

Tuscany is predominantly a summer destination, with the main tourist season generally running from April to October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August, this is also when Tuscany is at its busiest. However, Tuscany also enjoys a mild climate in spring and autumn with temperatures rarely going beneath 20 degrees which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. The coast has wonderful sea breezes and the hilltop towns are much cooler than the lower countryside villages. The best time to visit is during the quieter season, from April to June and September to October when the weather is good, prices are a bit lower and there are fewer crowds. There are many festivals and events throughout the year in Tuscany and Easter and Christmas are always busy.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.

On guided tours/excursions it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.

On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.