Chianti Areas: What They Are and What to See
The Tuscany region is rich in places of interest, from cultural to maritime ones, also passing through gastronomy, and among these we can also find the Chianti areas. By hills of Chianti, or also called Monti del Chianti, we mean an area that extends more than 20 km, between the provinces of Siena, Florence and a small part of Arezzo. The Val di Chiana and the Valdarno mark its natural borders. As the name suggests, the territory is mainly hilly and rich in vines, which give rise to wines with the Chianti DOCG denomination. The highest mountain is in fact San Michele, with a peak of 893 metres. The oldest municipalities in the area are those of Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti. While all the municipalities that are part of it are: Florence, Siena, Barberino Val d’Elsa, Castellina in Chianti, Certaldo, Chianciano terme, Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Impruneta, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Poggibonsi, Radda in Chianti, Rapolano Terme, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, San Gimignano, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Vinci and Volterra.
What to do in the Chianti area: places not to be missed
So let’s find out what to see in the Chianti areas, which are rich, not only in good food, but also in villages, art and landscapes.
The first place not to be missed is certainly the Castello di Meleto in Gaiole in Chianti, which dates back to medieval times.
It is possible to stay in the characteristic rooms inside, taste wines and be surprised by the culinary itineraries.
The second is the municipality of Greve in Chianti, which is only about 30 km from Florence and Siena.
Here it is possible to visit the historic castle of Montefioralle, the Church of Santa Croce, the Museums of Sacred Art and the Wine Museum.
The municipality of Castellina in Chianti has just under 3000 inhabitants, but it has very ancient origins, which can already be dated back to Etruscan times.
Dominating the city is the ancient Rocca, inside which is the Archaeological Museum of Chianti.
What to see in the Chianti Hills: wines, food and more
Among the things to do in the Chianti hills, we also recommend a visit to the town of Gaiole in Chianti, born as a market town.
The historic center of which is still the market square, triangular in shape, where most of the cultural events in the area take place.
Among its monuments we find the church of San Sigismondo, with a marble altar dating back to the 17th century. Only 20 km away from Siena, there is the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga. In ancient times it was the refuge of nobles and wealthy landowners and, even now, its historic center has the appearance of a medieval village.
Like the whole Chianti area, this place is also full of wine bars where you can taste wines.
Finally, a visit to the Chianti Sculpture Park, located in Pievasciata, cannot be missed. It is a perennial exhibition of contemporary installations and sculptures designed to integrate with the nature around them.
Quick Booking snippet
Rich in history, art and culture, Tuscany represents every year one of the favorite destinations for many foreign tourists, eager to let themselves be enveloped by the intense charm that has always distinguished this region of central Italy. Those who really don’t want to spare expenses and are looking for a holiday characterized by luxury […]
Tuscany represents one of the Italian regions richest in history, culture and art, in which many prominent figures have taken turns whose memories still live on in the local citizens, many of whom bear the same names as these individuals, in a sort of everlasting homage. However, some of these names have changed slightly over […]
Tomato is one of the symbolic foods of Italian cuisine. Undisputed king for pasta sauces in the collective imagination, as well as a must for pizza, it finds its place in many traditional dishes. One of these is the pappa al pomodoro, so well known that it became the title of a very famous song […]
A journey into taste that starts from the famous Pecorino Toscano and reaches the goat cheese of Alto Mugello. Discover with us which are the best typical Tuscan cheeses!
Sea, mountains, cities of art or food and wine tourism. There are so many places to visit in Tuscany at Easter and during the whole Spring season that you could lose your mind. Fortunately, there is our guide that will help you easily choose your favorite destination!
When most people envision a trip to Tuscany, they imagine beautiful sunny days and slow, romantic sunsets. Unfortunately rain can somewhat damper a trip but not to worry, there are plenty of fun, exciting activities that will take your mind off the weather.
When you are away from home for work or tourism, it is a typical pleasure of traveling to go in search of renowned restaurants or typical trattorias, where you can taste local dishes or simply savor the pleasure of good cooking. There are many places on our peninsula that combine tourist attractions and monuments with […]
On the Maremma coast of Tuscany, near Piombino, overlooking the Gulf of Baratti we find Populonia: the Etruscan city-state forming part of the Dodecapoli located in Etruria, the only one of the twelve Etruscan cities overlooking the sea. During the entire period of Etruscan splendor, Populonia never experienced a crisis, continuing to develop thanks to […]