Private Tour: San Gimignano Walking Tour
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From $215.04 per group (up to 15)
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Private Tour: San Gimignano Walking Tour
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Safety measures
2 hours (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 3 more
Good for avoiding crowds
Overview
Explore the medieval hill town of San Gimignano on a private walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre with a local guide. Follow a centuries-old pilgrim road to a series of historic landmarks, get views of the Tuscan countryside, and learn about the fascinating history of the region. This tour offers flat rate pricing for up to 15 people, and can be customized to your group’s interests and abilities. Morning and afternoon departures are available.
- Walking tour of San Gimignano
- See the UNESCO-listed Old Town
- Learn about local history and architecture
- Private guide for your group of up to 15 people
- Flexibility to customize to your interests
- Morning and afternoon departures
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Choose the departure time that’s most convenient for you, then meet your guide at Porta San Giovanni, the main entrance to the town of San Gimignano. Start by walking the medieval Francigena pilgrimage road as your guide shares some background on San Gimignano, then pass a 12th-century pilgrim shelter built by the knights of Malta.
Turn down a hidden side street for panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside, with rows of vines, olive groves, and cypress tress stretching into the distance. Continue to the central plaza to see San Gimignano’s Romanesque cathedral and the Torre Grossa, the tallest of the 14 medieval towers that are scattered throughout the town. If desired, enter the cathedral to see a collection of Gothic frescoes, or climb the tower (entrance fees are not included in the price of the tour).
Keep walking to a hilltop park and the pretty Sant’Agostino church, and if desired, continue to a series of medieval fountains and landmarks at the bottom of the town. This tour concludes in central San Gimignano, where your guide can share tips on where to eat, drink, and keep exploring on your own.
Turn down a hidden side street for panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside, with rows of vines, olive groves, and cypress tress stretching into the distance. Continue to the central plaza to see San Gimignano’s Romanesque cathedral and the Torre Grossa, the tallest of the 14 medieval towers that are scattered throughout the town. If desired, enter the cathedral to see a collection of Gothic frescoes, or climb the tower (entrance fees are not included in the price of the tour).
Keep walking to a hilltop park and the pretty Sant’Agostino church, and if desired, continue to a series of medieval fountains and landmarks at the bottom of the town. This tour concludes in central San Gimignano, where your guide can share tips on where to eat, drink, and keep exploring on your own.
Itinerary
Meet your English speaking expert guide next to the main city gate and be introduced to the area. Learn of the conflicts and economical triumphs that have characterized San Gimignano, the Unesco protected medieval Town of Fine Towers, a must see in Tuscany. Situated between Siena and Florence, it is easily reached from both cities. Historically, as today, San Gimignano was a through fare for travelers and pilgrims traveling up or down the Italian peninsula. Enter the town on medieval Francigena pilgrim oute and pass the 12th century pilgrim shelter built by the knights of Malta. Discover how the wealthy merchants fortified their homes into towers, important status symbols in medieval times. Continue down a side street that opens up onto a picture perfect panorama of the Tuscan countryside, with its neat rows of vines, olive groves and lines of cypress trees. Pass an ancient arch an reach the city's heart, the central Piazza della Cisterna square named after the large water cistern located at its centre.
Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
The Cistern Square is the civic center of the city, where the market is still held to this day. Learn about the medieval buildings towering over the square, and the commerce of gold and saffron spice that flourished in this town. Adjacent to the piazza is the square with the Romanesque Duomo, the Collegiata di San Gimignano, housing marvelous gothic frescos of Sienese art and a renaissance, Florentine chapel dedicated to Santa Fina, the town's most popular saint. Beside the church stands the Civic museum and the Torre Grossa, the city’s tallest tower. On request, you may decide to visit both of these monuments with your guide on tour (admission tickets not included in tour price).
Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
For those happy to walk a little further and to discover some of the town’s more hidden treasures, there's a perfect sight-seeing spot on top of the city's main bastion or fortification. Enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding coutryside and learn about the Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG white wine and Chianti DOCG red wines produced there. Discover how saffron has been cultivated here for almost a thousand years.
Walk down and visit the medieval fountains located at the very bottom of the town, where people used to draw water and wash their clothes. This was an important resource also for the local wool and leather guilds, a vital ingredient in their production processes.
Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
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Private Tour: San Gimignano Walking Tour
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