Beautiful review of San Gimignano

A travel blogger's beautiful review of San Gimignano is making the rounds, and it captures exactly why this walled town, part of UNESCO's World's Architectural Heritage, deserves a full day of your trip to Tuscany.

Getting there

How to reach San Gimignano

San Gimignano sits 60km from Florence and 50 km from Pisa. There's no direct train: get off at Poggibonsi, the closest station, then take a bus for about 20 minutes. Driving in, take the Firenze-Siena road, exit at Poggibonsi Nord, follow the signs to San Gimignano, and park just outside the walls. Once inside, walk — comfy shoes are the best plan for a village built long before cars.

One question the reviewer gets asked often: how do you pronounce the name? Try "san jee mee NYAH noh" a few times fast and it clicks. She loves San Gimignano for its ancient shape — walking in through the gate feels like traveling to the past, protected by walls that still hold a certain magic energy.

What to see

San Gimignano's must-see places

• Porta San Giovanni: on the south side of town, this impressive door was first finished in 1262 — one of the most beautiful ancient doors in Italy, and worth a visit.
• Piazza della Cisterna: you'll know you've arrived when you see the big cistern, built in 1287.
• Piazza del Duomo: the heart of San Gimignano, with the cathedral, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo del Popolo, the Loggia and various medieval towers — Rognosa Tower, Chigi Tower, Grossa Tower and Salvucci Towers.

After San Gimignano

Rest and relax at Torciano Winery

After a day spent in San Gimignano, take a rest at Torciano Winery. Choose a light Tuscan lunch, dinner in the wine cellar or the vineyard, a fiorentina steak and, of course, a great wine tasting with Pierluigi, the owner of the winery.