The Val d'Orcia lies a few miles southeast of Siena and stretches as far as the province of Grosseto, near the border with Umbria. Lush green hills, pure and brilliant colors, a sublime balance between unspoiled nature and farming: this is a landscape that leaves even the most demanding visitor speechless.
Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, the Val d'Orcia covers an area of eighty kilometers along the river of the same name: Montepulciano, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and Castiglione d'Orcia are the main villages of the area, essential stops on a tour through Tuscan history, culture and nature.
The Val d'Orcia has always been a key crossroads for the region: the ancient Via Cassia, which linked Rome to northern Italy and to the lands beyond the Alps, brought the valley and its villages a decisive rise in population between the 10th and 11th centuries, the age of feudalism and of new castles and fortresses.
The Val d'Orcia also includes several stages of the Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. The oldest document describing this route is the travel account of Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, who passed through the Val d'Orcia in 990.
Its central position drew the interest of the Republic of Siena, which annexed the area in the 15th century: a time of urban redesign and of new roads between the villages.
From the second half of the 16th century, the Val d'Orcia came into Florence's orbit along with the Sienese territory, and became above all a land of farming and livestock: to this day, some of the finest products of Tuscan cuisine come from this magical area, from the famous Brunello di Montalcino, also used to make superb braised dishes, to the delicious cheeses of Pienza.
And then there are crostini with spleen and liver, panesanto, panzanella and the inevitable pici: all dishes you should definitely try to enjoy the Val d'Orcia with all your senses. You will also find the valley's traditional dishes at the many festivals and food fairs held throughout the year, among them the Festa della Vendemmia e della Castagna (the grape harvest and chestnut festival), held every September in the historic center of Radicofani, and Montalcino's Fiera Paesana on May 1.
Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, the Val d'Orcia covers an area of eighty kilometers along the river of the same name: Montepulciano, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and Castiglione d'Orcia are the main villages of the area, essential stops on a tour through Tuscan history, culture and nature.
The Val d'Orcia has always been a key crossroads for the region: the ancient Via Cassia, which linked Rome to northern Italy and to the lands beyond the Alps, brought the valley and its villages a decisive rise in population between the 10th and 11th centuries, the age of feudalism and of new castles and fortresses.
The Val d'Orcia also includes several stages of the Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. The oldest document describing this route is the travel account of Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, who passed through the Val d'Orcia in 990.
Its central position drew the interest of the Republic of Siena, which annexed the area in the 15th century: a time of urban redesign and of new roads between the villages.
From the second half of the 16th century, the Val d'Orcia came into Florence's orbit along with the Sienese territory, and became above all a land of farming and livestock: to this day, some of the finest products of Tuscan cuisine come from this magical area, from the famous Brunello di Montalcino, also used to make superb braised dishes, to the delicious cheeses of Pienza.
And then there are crostini with spleen and liver, panesanto, panzanella and the inevitable pici: all dishes you should definitely try to enjoy the Val d'Orcia with all your senses. You will also find the valley's traditional dishes at the many festivals and food fairs held throughout the year, among them the Festa della Vendemmia e della Castagna (the grape harvest and chestnut festival), held every September in the historic center of Radicofani, and Montalcino's Fiera Paesana on May 1.
Book ahead
Val d'Orcia tours
What to see in Val d'Orcia
What to see in Val d'Orcia
1Montepulciano
Address
Montepulciano (SI)
Montepulciano (SI)
2San Quirico d'Orcia
Opening hours
HORTI LEONINI: 8am to 8pm.
HORTI LEONINI: 8am to 8pm.
Address
San Quirico d'Orcia (SI)
San Quirico d'Orcia (SI)
3Montalcino
Opening hours
SANT'ANTIMO ABBEY: the visit is not allowed during religious services, which are held seven times a day; However, for the prayer of the church is always open from 5:45 to 21:00. Visiting hours: Weekdays: from 10:15 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:30. Holidays: from 9:15 to 10:45 and from 15:00 to 18:00. For a guided tour, please contact the custodian Guido Burlando. - DIOCESAN MUSEUM OF SACRED ART: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays: hours 11:30 to 17:00.
SANT'ANTIMO ABBEY: the visit is not allowed during religious services, which are held seven times a day; However, for the prayer of the church is always open from 5:45 to 21:00. Visiting hours: Weekdays: from 10:15 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:30. Holidays: from 9:15 to 10:45 and from 15:00 to 18:00. For a guided tour, please contact the custodian Guido Burlando. - DIOCESAN MUSEUM OF SACRED ART: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays: hours 11:30 to 17:00.
Address
Montalcino (SI)
Montalcino (SI)
Official website
www.antimo.it
www.antimo.it
4Pienza
Address
Pienza (SI)
Pienza (SI)
Official website
www.palazzopiccolominipienza.it
www.palazzopiccolominipienza.it
5Radicofani
Address
Radicofani (SI)
Radicofani (SI)
6Castiglione d'Orcia
Address
Castiglione d'Orcia (SI)
Castiglione d'Orcia (SI)
How to get to Val d'Orcia from Florence
By train
There are no train connections to the five main towns of the Val d'Orcia: the stations closest to Montalcino, Pienza, Castiglione d'Orcia, San Quirico d'Orcia and Radicofani are Buonconvento and Chiusi, on the Siena railroad line.
Timetables and tickets
By bus
The villages of the Val d'Orcia have excellent connections with the main cities of Tuscany. From Siena and Arezzo, you can count on the LFI (La Ferroviaria Italiana) bus line, which also covers the Florence area all the way to Monte Amiata.
Timetables and tickets
By car
The car is certainly the best way to visit the Val d'Orcia and its five municipalities. Driving there also lets you fully enjoy the enchanting landscape the villages are set in.
From Rome: take the A1 freeway toward Florence to the Chiusi-Chianciano exit. Alternatively, follow the Via Cassia (Via Francigena) toward Viterbo, then toward Bolsena, all the way to the Val d'Orcia. From Florence: take the Firenze–Siena highway, then the Via Cassia toward Rome, until you reach the Val d'Orcia.
From Rome: take the A1 freeway toward Florence to the Chiusi-Chianciano exit. Alternatively, follow the Via Cassia (Via Francigena) toward Viterbo, then toward Bolsena, all the way to the Val d'Orcia. From Florence: take the Firenze–Siena highway, then the Via Cassia toward Rome, until you reach the Val d'Orcia.
Where to eat in Val d'Orcia
Trattoria da Fiorella
Via Condotti 11 - Pienza (SI) · (+39) 0578 749095
Ristorante I Lecci
Strada Provinciale della Badia di Sant'Antimo 18 - Castiglione D'orcia (SI) · (+39) 0577 887287
Trattoria Osenna
Via Dante Alighieri 42 - San Quirico d'Orcia (SI) · (+39) 0577 897541
Ristorante La Grotta
Piazza Sant'Agata 2 – Radicofani (SI)
Osteria Acquacheta
Via del Teatro 22 - Montepulciano (SI) · (+39) 0578 717086
Osteria Porta al Cassero
Via Ricasoli 32 - Montalcino (SI) · (+39) 0577 847196
Tips
The villages of the Val d'Orcia are all on hills, and to cope with the constant ups and downs it's best to wear comfortable shoes, ideally hiking shoes, and clothes suited to the season: the area is rather cold in fall and winter, and especially pleasant in the warmer months.
Book ahead