Renaissance art, Chianti vines & cypress roads
This is leg 1 of 3, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Tuscany Hill Towns
Florence to Chianti
Florence and Chianti sit about 21 km (13 mi) apart in a straight line, with Chianti to the south. It is leg 1 of 3 on our Tuscany Hill Towns itinerary, a 7-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 21 km · 13 mi
- Est. road distance
- 26–30 km
- Est. drive time
- 35 min – 1 h 15 min
- Direction
- Heading south
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Tuscany Hill Towns itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 26–30 km (16–19 mi) of road and 35 min – 1 h 15 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
By train
Our Tuscany Hill Towns guide also mentions trains for parts of the trip. Whether a direct train links Florence and Chianti depends on the line — check timetables.
Rail or a short ride connects Florence and Siena, but the countryside rewards a rental car. Chianti and the Val d'Orcia are made of small roads and villages, so driving gives you freedom. Pick a designated driver if wine tastings are planned.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Chianti
Spend 1–2 days driving the SR222 between Greve, Panzano and Radda, with winery visits booked ahead.
Piazza Matteotti
Greve's triangular market square ringed by porticoes and wine shops.
Antica Macelleria Falorni
Butcher shop on Greve's square since 1806, with cured meats and tastings.
Castello di Verrazzano
Historic castle winery with tours and tastings above Greve.
Antica Macelleria Cecchini
Dario Cecchini's butcher shop and restaurants serving bistecca and Chianti meats.
Montefioralle
Tiny walled hamlet above Greve with stone lanes and valley views.
Badia a Passignano
11th-century abbey surrounded by Antinori vineyards.
Before you leave Florence
Give it 3 days: the Duomo and Uffizi, the Oltrarno across the river, and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
On this curated route
Where Florence → Chianti sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Chianti to Florence is the same 21 km in a straight line, heading north. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Florence to Chianti: questions travelers ask
How far is Florence from Chianti?
Florence is about 21 km (13 mi) from Chianti in a straight line, with Chianti to the south. By road, we estimate 26–30 km (16–19 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Florence to Chianti?
An estimated 35 min – 1 h 15 min, assuming 26–30 km of road at average speeds of 25–45 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Florence to Chianti?
Our Tuscany Hill Towns itinerary includes this leg. Tuscany Hill Towns runs about 7 days across 4 stops, best in Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct.
Onward from Chianti
- Chianti to Siena 29 km
Guides for both ends
- Florence travel guide
- Florence weather best time to visit
- Chianti travel guide
- Chianti weather best time to visit
Chianti by month
Plan Florence → Chianti with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.