Available in :
What is the best of Val d’Orcia in three days? This post tries to answer that question! The Val d’Orcia is one of Italy’s magical places. The beauty of the Val d’Orcia lies in its authentic villages and Tuscan hills that the whole world envies us. If you add to such beauty the typical Tuscan cuisine and a few glasses of good red wine you will find a phenomenal mix!
The best way to visit the Val d’Orcia is to drive a car…or a bicycle! Another option is to join a guided tour, such as this one by Civitatis that starts in Siena.
Best of Val d’Orcia: Radicofani
The itinerary in Val d’Orcia begins in the southern part of Tuscany. Radicofani, in fact, is the southernmost entry point to this magnificent valley. To reach Radicofani, one has to leave the Via Cassia (the SS2, the star of the Val d’Orcia) and follow the SP24 until you reach the 800-meter town of Radicofani. I tackled this climb during the first stage of the Rome – Angera, 719 kilometers by bike: it is a challenging climb!
Radicofani is a real jewel of the Val d’Orcia. In the historic center you can admire the splendid Church of San Pietro, dating from the 13th century and Romanesque in style. The streets of the historic center are characteristic and there is a splendid viewpoint from where it is possible to admire the Val d’Orcia from above. Outside the historic center (about a hundred meters higher up) is the Rocca di Radicofani, dating back to the 10th century: the castle is in good condition thanks to recent restoration.
The visit to Radicofani requires, in my opinion, a couple of hours.
Best of Val d’Orcia: Avenue of Cypresses of Poggio Covili
After leaving Radicofani, following the Via Cassia it is possible to see an example of overtourism. In fact, the beautiful avenue of cypress trees that leads to the Poggio Covili farmhouse has now become overcrowded. When I had passed there during the Rome-Angera bike ride, carried out in 2020, hardly anyone was there. I visited this place in May 2024 and there were so many cars parked, making the magic of the place lost. It remains a beautiful place where you can admire a beautiful avenue enriched by these magnificent cypress trees-don’t expect, however, a place with few people.
Best of Val d’Orcia: Bagno Vignoni
Bagno Vignoni is one of the most beautiful places in the entire Val d’Orcia. The historic center of Bagno Vignoni is tiny, but at the same time very special. In fact, the center of Bagno Vignoni features a large thermal water pool, dating back to the 16th century. A visit to Bagno Vignoni is short (twenty minutes is enough), but at the same time beautiful. Walking around the pool is exciting: until about thirty years ago it was possible to bathe in the thermal waters in the square, but now it is forbidden to bathe, for obvious safety and bathing reasons.
Near the center of Bagno Vignoni, however, there is the mill park where you can appreciate free thermal baths.
Best of Val d’Orcia: San Quirico d’Orcia
Bagno Vignoni is a hamlet of San Quirico d’Orcia, another place not to be missed in the Val d’Orcia. San Quirico d’Orcia is one of the most beautiful villages in the Val d’Orcia and is characterized by stone houses and narrow streets. The historic center of San Quirico d’Orcia boasts the splendid collegiate church of San Quirico (a church dating back to the 12th century) and the Horti Leonini, which is a free public garden dating back to the 16th century.
San Quirico d’Orcia is a typical place to relax and take life easy. The village is small in size (2,500 inhabitants) and can be visited in a couple of hours, in no hurry. San Quirico, with Radicofani, is one of the most important centers on the historic Via Francigena. Some historical documents report that Sigeric, the first walker of the Via Francigena in 990, walked in these areas during his adventure from Canterbury to Rome.
Best of Val d’Orcia: Montalcino
About fifteen kilometers from San Quirico d’Orcia is Montalcino, another of the most famous villages in the Val d’Orcia. The road to Montalcino goes through various vineyards: having biked these roads, I guarantee that every place is good to stop and take pictures!
Montalcino is a town of only 5,000 inhabitants, but the area of the town includes other hamlets and is therefore the largest in the entire province of Siena. The medieval town of Montalcino, which is 550 meters above sea level, is characterized by the Piazza del Popolo, where you can admire the Palazzo dei Priori and the Clock Tower. Montalcino is also famous for its castle, built in 1361, and its wine shops, where you can taste the famous Montalcino wine!
Best of Val d’Orcia: Strade Bianche
Speaking of roads, the list of what to see in Val d’Orcia cannot miss a ride on the white roads. My personal opinion is that these roads, unpaved and characterized precisely by a whitish color because of the dirt road, are at their best when tackled by bike.
What to see in Val d’Orcia: Pienza
Among the most beautiful villages in the Val d’Orcia, you cannot miss Pienza! This small town of 2,000 inhabitants was called the perfect city in medieval times. Pienza was founded following the dictates of architect Bernardo Rossellino and humanist Leon Battista Alberti.
The center of Pienza is still a jewel and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pienza’s square, dedicated to Pius II, boasts the Duomo, the Town Hall and the Borgia and Piccolomini Palaces. Corso il Rossellino is the main street of Pienza: it joins Porta al Prato with Porta al Ciglio: it is only 600 meters long, which makes it clear that the historic center of Pienza is really small, but at the same time beautiful!
Among the things to do in Pienza you cannot miss a visit to the viewpoint over the Val d’Orcia, a walk along Via del bacio and Via dell’amore, and a taste of the typical products: since you cannot taste the typical Pienza pecorino cheese, I highly recommend pici all’aglione, the typical local pasta. A visit to Pienza needs at least two hours: it is a place to slow down the pace and enjoy life!
In springtime Pius II Square is adorned with beautiful flowers, as I point out in this VIDEO.
Facendo una breve camminata dal centro di Pienza, inoltre, รจ possibile osservare il luogo dove รจ stata girata una delle scene piรน importanti del Gladiatore: trovi il luogo nella mappa piรน in basso.
What to see in Val d’Orcia: Chapel of the Madonna della Vitaleta
The Chapel of the Madonna della Vitaleta is located along the road from Pienza to San Quirico d’Orcia. It is about 20 minutes by car from Pienza: one must negotiate two kilometers of dirt road before parking the car. At the parking lot there is a superlative view of Pienza and the hills of the Val d’Orcia.
Walk 800 meters to reach the Chapel of the Madonna della Vitaleta. This small church dates back to the 16th century and is a real postcard of the Val d’Orcia. The Chapel of Vitaleta, in fact, is located in the middle of the Tuscan countryside. The place is spectacular and the little church is the classic icing on the cake. There is a small restaurant near the Vitaleta.
Here you can see a VIDEO representing the beauty of the place.
Best of Val d’Orcia: Monticchiello
Another village not to be missed in the Val d’Orcia is Monticchiello. Perched atop a hill, Monticchiello is characterized by its medieval defensive walls and narrow streets that lead up and downhill to the square of Monticchiello.
The beauty of the small village of Monticchiello lies in walking around admiring the old stone houses, appreciating the silence of the Val d’Orcia. Monticchiello offers many photographic glimpses, including the unfailing viewpoint over the Val d’Orcia. I recommend devoting a half-hour to visiting Monticchiello: if you have more time…all the better! Also, in summer, in the center of Monticchiello there are performances of the โTeatro poveroโ: I did not have the opportunity to attend but the reviews are definitely positive!
Best of Val d’Orcia: Montepulciano
Montepulciano closes the list of what to see in the Val d’Orcia. It is located on the edge of the valley, but it is definitely worth a visit. In fact, it may be my favorite place in the entire Val d’Orcia! Piazza Grande in Montepulciano is a real gem, including the 17th-century church and the Town Hall. I highly recommend spending five euros to climb to the top of the Town Hall: the views are truly spectacular, but if you are dizzy or claustrophobic, it is best not to go up (VIDEO FROM THE TOP)!
The center of Montepulciano, the largest in the entire Val d’Orcia, was fought over by Florence and Siena for many years. A statue, dedicated to the lion of Florence, commemorates the Florentine victory over the Sienese. Near Piazza Grande, only three hundred meters away, are the remains of the 13th-century Medici Fortress. Among the things not to be missed in Montepulciano is the beautiful church of San Biagio: it is located one hundred meters below the center (15 minutes down, 25 minutes up). Near the church of San Biagio is a splendid cypress avenue, one of the most beautiful in the entire Val d’Orcia!
The wine shops in Montepulciano are not to be missed: at Talosa and Ercolani you can have some excellent tastings of Nobile red wine! The viewpoint over the Val d’Orcia near the restaurant โE lucevan le stelleโ is wonderful! Montepulciano deserves a closer look, in this post!
ORCIA VALLEY ITINERARY OF THREE DAYS…AND TWO DAYS
How many days to dedicate to visiting the Val d’Orcia? For me, the Val d’Orcia deserves three days. Here, then, is a three-day itinerary in the Val d’Orcia. I would devote the first day to Radicofani, Bagno Vignoni and San Quirico d’Orcia; the second day to Montalcino, the white roads, Pienza; and the third day to Monticchiello and Montepulciano. If you only have two days in Val d’Orcia, I would devote the first day to Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d’Orcia, and the second to Pienza, Montepulciano and Radicofani. Before I leave you with various useful information about Val d’Orcia you can find a map of what to see in Val d’Orcia.
IN ADDITION TO WHAT TO SEE IN VAL D’ORCIA YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….
USEFUL INFORMATION ON THE BEST OF VAL D’ORCIA
- In Montepulciano I slept very well at Albergo Duomo (BOOKING). I highly recommend eating at Fra l’Altro (excellent pici), Osteria Acquacheta (incredible fiorentina) or a sandwich with a good wine at Schiaccia dell’Opio. Montepulciano is, in my opinion, the perfect base for visiting the Val d’Orcia. Walking around Montepulciano at night gives an incredible feeling of peace! In Pienza I ate very well at Sette di Vino, while in Radicofani I recommend Trattoria Le Ginestre da Mimmo. In Radicofani I slept well at Albergo La Torre (BOOKING).
- The Val d’Orcia can be visited at all times of the year. In summer, however, temperatures can be decidedly high. I recommend spring to fall-these are the right seasons to best appreciate the colors of the Tuscan hills!
- The Val d’Orcia is an Artistic, Natural and Cultural Park. The five towns that are part of this Park are San Quirico d’Orcia, Pienza, Montalcino, Radicofani and Castiglione d’Orcia. Almost all of Val d’Orcia is part of the province of Siena: a small portion of Val d’Orcia falls in the province of Grosseto, also in the southern part of Tuscany.
- By public transportation it is difficult to visit the Val d’Orcia. Montepulciano has a train station, but it is definitely inconvenient and far from the center. There is a bus that connects Montepulciano to the Chiusi – Chianciano station, but it is not very frequent. My opinion is that the Val d’Orcia should be visited with a mix of car and bike. The most convenient highway exit for visiting the Val d’Orcia is Chiusi – Chianciano, on the A1.
- All the places mentioned are relatively close to each other. The greatest distances are between Montepulciano and Montalcino and between Radicofani and Montepulciano: about 45 minutes.
- Montepulciano and Montalcino are clearly located above a hill. Pienza, on the other hand, appears to be in a flat position but, once inside the walls, offers a splendid view of the surrounding hills.
