Italy

Val d'Orcia

Spend 2–3 days based at an agriturismo: hill towns, wine cellars, thermal springs and cypress-lined roads. We have mapped 5 sights, 2 places to eat and 3 bars & cafés here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Val d'Orcia with friends Browse 10 places

Places: 10
Curated routes: 1
Best season: Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
Warmest month: July
Coolest month: January
Wettest month: November

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Val d'Orcia

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Val d'Orcia across Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia and Bagno Vignoni. 4 of them are free.

Photo: Guido V · Google
See
Pienza
Renaissance town rebuilt by Pope Pius II, with pecorino shops and valley views.
Tip Walk the Via dell'Amore and the panoramic wall.
- Pienza
- Free
- 2 hr
- Morning
Photo: Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta · Google
See
Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta
Small chapel among cypresses, one of Tuscany's most photographed views.
Tip Walk in from the San Quirico road.
- San Quirico d'Orcia
- Free
- 45 min
- Sunrise
Photo: sconosciuto · Copyrighted free use
See
Bagno Vignoni
Village whose main square is a thermal pool; soak in the free pools below.
Tip Bring towels for the Parco dei Mulini pools.
- Bagno Vignoni
- Free
- 60 min
- Afternoon
Photo: Gianluca Papa · Google
See
Montepulciano
Hilltop town with Renaissance palaces and wine cellars beneath them.
Tip Park below and walk up the Corso.
- Montepulciano
- Free
- 3 hr
- Afternoon
Photo: Giorgio Moro · Google
See
Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
Romanesque abbey in a valley below Montalcino.
Tip Visit during Gregorian chant hours.
- Montalcino
- $
- 60 min
- Morning

Eat

2 places to eat across Pienza and Montepulciano, picked for groups who care about the food.

Photo: 鈴木みゆき · Google
Eat
Trattoria Latte di Luna
Pienza trattoria known for roast suckling pig and pici.
Tip Reserve; small and popular.
- Pienza
- $$
- 1.5 hr
- Lunch
Photo: Matteo Cattaneo · Google
Eat
Osteria Acquacheta
Tiny osteria serving bistecca and pecorino at shared tables.
Tip Book ahead; two seatings per night.
- Montepulciano
- $$$
- 2 hr
- Dinner

Drink

3 bars & cafés across Montepulciano and Montalcino for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

Photo: Cantina Contucci · Google
Drink
Cantine Contucci
Ancient cellars under Piazza Grande, making Vino Nobile for centuries.
Tip Walk-in tastings available.
- Montepulciano
- $$
- 45 min
- Afternoon
Photo: Gregor Valeruz · Google
Drink
Fortezza di Montalcino
14th-century fortress with an enoteca for Brunello di Montalcino tastings.
Tip Climb the ramparts after a tasting.
- Montalcino
- $$
- 60 min
- Afternoon
Photo: grazi debbané · Google
Drink
Castello Banfi
Large Brunello estate with tastings, a glass museum and restaurant.
Tip Book tasting and lunch together.
- Montalcino
- $$$
- 2 hr
- Midday

How to fit Val d'Orcia into a trip

Val d'Orcia is stop 4 of 4 on our Tuscany Hill Towns route. Follow it as-is or lift Val d'Orcia into your own plan.

Stop 4 of 4
Tuscany Hill Towns
Renaissance art, Chianti vines & cypress roads
Trip length
7 days
Best season
Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
Pace
easy
- Before: Siena
See the full itinerary

Getting here and onward

Siena to Val d'OrciaSiena is about 39 km / 24 mi away in a straight line

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Val d'Orcia month by month

Average daily highs run from 7°C / 45°F in January to 31°C / 88°F in July. November is the wettest month, with about 112 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Val d'Orcia weather and the best time to visit →

Near Val d'Orcia

8 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Val d'Orcia questions, answered

How many days do you need in Val d'Orcia?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 days in Val d'Orcia. On our Tuscany Hill Towns route it is stop 4 of 4 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 15 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Val d'Orcia best known for?

Spend 2–3 days based at an agriturismo: hill towns, wine cellars, thermal springs and cypress-lined roads. Standouts on our list: Pienza (Renaissance town rebuilt by Pope Pius II, with pecorino shops and valley views); Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta (Small chapel among cypresses, one of Tuscany's most photographed views); Bagno Vignoni (Village whose main square is a thermal pool; soak in the free pools below).

When is the best time to visit Val d'Orcia?

Our Tuscany Hill Towns route is best Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (31°C / 88°F), the coolest in January (7°C / 45°F) and the most rain in November (about 112 mm).

What are the best things to do in Val d'Orcia?

Start with Pienza, Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta, Bagno Vignoni, Montepulciano and Abbazia di Sant'Antimo. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 2 places to eat and 3 bars & cafés.

Where should a group eat in Val d'Orcia?

Our picks: Trattoria Latte di Luna (Pienza); Osteria Acquacheta (Montepulciano). Reserve; small and popular (Trattoria Latte di Luna).

What is near Val d'Orcia?

The closest destinations in our guides are Siena (about 39 km / 24 mi), Chianti (about 63 km / 39 mi) and Florence (about 84 km / 52 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Val d'Orcia with your crew

Open the Tuscany Hill Towns route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Val d'Orcia

Things to do in Val d'Orcia

See

Pienza

Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta

Bagno Vignoni

Montepulciano

Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

Eat

Trattoria Latte di Luna

Osteria Acquacheta

Drink

Cantine Contucci

Fortezza di Montalcino

Castello Banfi