Europe
Italy
Tuscany
Province of Siena
San Gimignano
Things to Do in San Gimignano
Historic Centre of San Gimignano
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Historic Centre of San Gimignano

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Historic Centre of San Gimignano
4.5
6,554 reviews
#3 of 79 things to do in San Gimignano
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
106 within 3 miles
Fuoriluogo
403
0.2 mi$$$$ • Italian • Healthy • Tuscan
Da i' Mariani
1,168
372 ft$$ - $$$ • Specialty Food Market • Italian • Mediterranean
Pasticceria Il Criollo
165
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Italian • Cafe
Spizzicheria - Le Chicche Toscane
302
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Tuscan • Vegetarian Friendly
Cum Quibus - Tuscan Restaurant
3,206
0.2 mi$$$$ • Italian • Tuscan • Central-Italian
Il Ceppo Toscano
1,457
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Barbecue
Risto Macelleria I Piaceri Della Carne
361
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Tuscan
dal Bertelli
299
387 ft$ • Italian • Tuscan • Central-Italian
Mangius
263
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Specialty Food Market • Italian • Wine Bar
Bel Soggiorno
2,068
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
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Attractions
150 within 6 miles
Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di San Gimignano
1,003
0 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
Associazione Pro Loco San Gimignano
24
0 ftVisitor Centers
La Bottega del Sale di Duccio Nacci photographer
104
0 ftArt Galleries
Torre Salvucci Maggiore
121
28 ftArchitectural Buildings • Observation Decks & Towers
Torre Grossa (o Torre del palazzo del Podesta)
392
46 ftCastles • Observation Decks & Towers
Palazzo Pubblico e Torre Grossa
551
46 ftHistoric Sites
Piazza del Duomo
638
46 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Via Francigena Tappa 32 San Gimignano - Monteriggioni
9
46 ftHiking Trails • Scenic Walking Areas
San Gimignano Bell Tower
1,404
78 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Torre Chigi
52
144 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
6,554 reviews
Excellent
5,157
Very good
1,199
Average
147
Poor
26
Terrible
25
G.B.
871 contributions
Manhattan of the Middle Ages!!!
Sep 2021
This charming medieval village had dozens and dozens of towers (hence the name "Manhattan of the Middle Ages"). The wealthy of the time competed over who literally had "the tallest tower". Some contemporaries perpetrate this behavior. However, today there are only 14 towers, but the show is absolutely guaranteed. You should contact an association to arrange a guided tour (I contacted the "Pro Loco San Gimignagno, they were very kind) to enjoy the beauty of the city during the day and, if possible, stay in the evening, because when it gets dark the atmosphere becomes fairy-tale and the city shows another, new and beautiful, aspect.
Written November 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CoachN19
18 contributions
Plan for more than a day trip
Apr 2022
Gorgeous little village that still holds its intimate history close to heart. Very happy we did not take the “see it in a day” trap. The sunsets and sunrise over the rolling Toscana hills are postcard picturesque. The shop owners and restaurant keepers are very sweet. A gem indeed.
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dirk W
Antwerp, Belgium190 contributions
San Gimignano the Manhattan of Tuscany
Oct 2020
San Gimignano, a completely walled city that is also called the Manhattan of Tuscany due to the presence of many towers.

The center of San Gimignano is completely car-free, but fortunately there are enough paid parking spaces (EUR 2 per hour) on the outskirts of the small town. It is probably over here in the high season, but now it is not too bad.
Written November 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FLnurseER
Boca Raton, FL2,672 contributions
The most beautiful Tuscan town
Sep 2021 • Couples
This was one of my favorite hilltop towns in Tuscany hands down. Narrow but comfortable to walk in winding streets with beautiful specialty stores and little cafés. The cathedral has amazing large, well preserved colorful frescoes inside, take plenty of time to enjoy all of them. The tickets can be purchased in a building across from the cathedral, it is not well marked and it took me a little time to find. They do check your Covid certificate and also take your temperature. In the main square, just in front of the cathedral there is a production of a Romeo and Juliet themed Disney movie going on right now. It was great to watch all the handymen and workers put together a medieval set with a fake fountain and statues, we spent about an hour watching the beehive of activity. In the specialty stores we bought a variety of prosciuttos, including wild boar, some delicious cheeses and wines. Some people had purchased little bottles of olive oil, it had pictures of the town on them, and I regret not buying them as gifts for family now. Face masks were mandatory everywhere inside.
Written September 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ricardo L
Tel Aviv, Israel55 contributions
Feeling the Medieval city
Mar 2022
To feel the Middle Age city in the old city is a great experience. BUT....if you arrive out of high season. Two major streets with a net o tiny street till the walls...is not great if a crowd is around you, because the place remains as before 500 years. Most of the towers (14 from 75 that once the city had) give an impressive view from the hills around the city, not inside. The towers had the high that medieval technology let them to build ( as floor 8-12 of today) so calling the city "Manhattan" is just an affront to human intelligence.
Written March 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maninder S
Letchworth Garden City, UK103 contributions
Historic Town and Beautiful Surroundings
Jul 2020
A great town with lot of history and lot to do. We stayed for 10 nights near San Gimignano. Its beautiful and historic town. Actual town from one end to other you can probably walk in 10-15 minutes. We visited this place recently and crowds were very minimal due to covid situation. So it helped us to move around at our own pace and enjoy the town more. Usually it is very crowded and if you visit in normal times, please go into town either early morning or later in evening as during day there will be lot of people visiting on day trips from cities like Florence, Pisa and other Tuscany towns. Normally town gets day visitors, but I highly recommend to stay around San Gimignano for atleast few nights and explore the area. Lot of walks you can do with great views. Also its worth doing official guided tour which you can book at information centre.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jim_CathyBlacktown
Blacktown44 contributions
Unexpected medieval Tuscan gem
Nov 2019
We arrived in San Gimignano after being given a recommendation by staff at our hotel. What a fabulously restored medieval castle town it is. I’d especially recommend a visit to the church with its interior painted with biblical scenes (to assist the faith of the illiterate of centuries ago) and climb the adjacent bell tower. As you climb the tower there it a tall central screen on which is displayed the history of San Gimignano. It’s done quite brilliantly. The view from the top of the tower is jaw dropping in its beauty. What was meant to have been a short stay while our accommodation was being prepared ended up being a full six hour exploration. A captivating Tuscan town. I am sorry no option to put photographs in the review is available. It is a MUST VISIT.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CSH
Singapore, Singapore7 contributions
I need more time there!
Jul 2022
Really lovely town! I loved how everything is so Medieval. There is so much to explore in the town and I would highly recommend you to at least set aside a few hours to explore the town fully.

Went to San Gimignano as part of a day trip and only had a little less than an hour to explore the place. Managed to find a great photo spot that overlooks the Tuscany hills. If I had the time, I would definitely climb the bell tower! No doubt, I will be re visiting this place again when I am back...
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
r0landbrunner
Zurich, Switzerland1,769 contributions
all closed but shops and restaurants
Jun 2021
coming to San Gimignano on a one-day trip from Siena, we were faced with all attractions being closed. one could wander the old roads, look at the old buildings and towers, shop in the never ending line of tourist shops and eat and drink in the many restaurants around. but all museums, even the cathedral were closed without any notice on internet. disappointing and frustrating for an Unesco site! and a very poor performance of the city management in communications.
Written June 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Asiyah Noemi K
Pula, Croatia4,902 contributions
Unforgettable medieval place
Jan 2020
Tuscany is a land that never ceases to amaze, it's an area that you immediately fall in love with and come back to again. In addition to the glamorous Florence, the magical Siena, the mystical Pisa, the beautiful Lucca, the excellent spas of Montecatini, Rapolano, Chianciano, there is the phenomenal medieval city of San Gimignano. World Heritage Site for Unesco since 1990, the historic center of San Gimignano is one of those places difficult to forget. It is located in the province of Siena and stands in a medieval landscape dominated by the towers, the collegiate church containing the Last Judgment of Taddeo di Bartolo, the martyrdom of San Sebastiano di Benozzo Gozzoli and the frescoes by Ghirlandaio. Paved streets, alleys, squares, wells and noble palaces provides a full picture of the way of life in this beautiful medieval city that inspires the soul. This includes that of the Podestà, enriched by the frescoes by Memmo di Filippuccio. Culinary ars also finds space. The historic center of San Gimignano can be easily visited, from Porta San Giovanni we are entered in the homonymous street, enriched with splendid fourteenth-century buildings and we are arrived in Piazza della Cisterna, so called for the presence of a cistern built in 1273, which guaranteed the water to the whole city. From here we reach Piazza del Duomo which also houses Palazzo del Popolo or Palazzo Nuovo del Podestà, now the seat of the municipality of San Gimignano. The Palace is dominated by the mighty "Torre Grossa" erected in 1311 and 54 meters high which can be visited by passing through the Civic Museum, housed inside the palace. The Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, was enlarged in 1460 by a design by Giuliano da Maiano. The interior of the Basilica is entirely frescoed, along the right wall we find Stories of the New Testament, frescoes attributed to the School of Simone Martini, and on the left Stories of the Old Testament by Bartolo di Fredi, this is famous examples of medieval art. During the tour in the historic center of San Gimignano, we are not forget to visit the Museum of Sacred Art and the Archaeological museum, with Etruscan, Roman and medieval finds from excavations in the San Gimignano area. During the visit of the historic center of San Gimignano we has the opportunity to make a fascinating journey through time in one of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany and Italy that has remained intact over the years. The feeling during the stay is unrepeatable.
Written June 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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