Published on: 2 February 2014 | Last updated: 3 January 2020
After San Gimignano the landscape changes as we move from the wine country to the Crete Senese around Volterra where wheat is the main crop. The route takes you through part of the Crete Senese and the final stretch into Volterra rewards you with great views of the Balze the landscape caused by the erosion of the soil. This section is pretty short (although there’s a fair of climbing involved): so you can spend the afternoon in Volterra, although you could continue on to Siena.
Volterra high on a hill (532m) is surrounded by dramatic landscapes and it’s worth a visit just for the views from the walls. It hasn’t yet been included on the UNESCO list but it’s a contender. It was one of the great Etruscan cities and you can still see the remains of the ancient city walls - the modern city is only a fraction of the size of the ancient city. Over the centuries the ground has literally crumbled away underneath it.
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Visiting Volterra
My recommendation would be to go to the tourist information office (opening times) on the Piazza dei Priori and hire one of the excellent audio guides and let it take you round.
Highlights are possibly the view over the Teatro Romano and surrounding countryside, and the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum (Museo Etrusco Guarnacci). There are also the ancient city walls right next door to the Le Balze campsite.
Options
There is another route between San Gimignano which goes via Castel San Gimignano. It’s a very attractive and scenic road, but the route I’ve suggested is quieter. San Gimignano to Volterra and back would make a nice day ride.
There’s a wild, scenic road from Volterra, via Pomarance, to Massa Marittima where you can connect with the Gran Tour della Maremma. There’s also an attractive scenic road back to Firenze via Castelfiorentino.
More information
Places to stay
Transport and services
Resources
Articles in this series
- Tour: The Heart of Toscana: overviews
- Heart of Toscana 1: Firenze to San Gimignano
- Heart of Toscana: variant Firenze-Siena direct
- The Heart of Toscana: 2 – San Gimignano – Volterra
- Heart of Toscana 3: Volterra-Siena
- Heart of Toscana 4: Siena-Pienza
- Heart of Toscana: 5 – The Val d’Orcia
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