
Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 207 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena worth booking?
Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena is a 8-hour experience in Siena, Italy, from $217 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 207 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (207)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $217 per person
Embrace the medieval charms of Tuscany's towns on a full-day trip to San Gimignano and Volterra from Siena. With an attentive local guide, walk round the Fortress of Monteriggioni, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of San Gimignano, and visit an alabaster workshop in Volterra. Enjoy a delicious lunch on a small Tuscan farm and spend time at your leisure exploring these rustic hill towns that are steeped in rich Italian history. Numbers are limited to eight people on this small-group tour, ensuring you'll receive personalized attention from your guide.
What you get
About this experience
Embrace the medieval charms of Tuscany's towns on a full-day trip to San Gimignano and Volterra from Siena. With an attentive local guide, walk round the Fortress of Monteriggioni, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of San Gimignano, and visit an alabaster workshop in Volterra. Enjoy a delicious lunch on a small Tuscan farm and spend time at your leisure exploring these rustic hill towns that are steeped in rich Italian history. Numbers are limited to eight people on this small-group tour, ensuring you'll receive personalized attention from your guide.
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Driver/guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Visit to alabaster workshop
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Basilica Cateriniana Di S. Domenico
Meet your guide in front of the church of San Domenico in Siena at 9:30am, easy to find even if you are arriving from out of town with your own car, as there is parking in the vicinity.
Pass by without stopping
Cantinetta di Monteriggioni
Travel north into the first Chianti hills and take a walk around Monteriggioni, a medieval and perfectly preserved fortress with a complete ring of city walls and turrets built in the 13th century and mentioned by Dante in his Divine Comedy: this was once Siena’s main bastion of defense against the armies of Florence. Enjoy its quiet and charming atmosphere browsing the alleys and shops of local crafts and products, or lighting a candle in the local church as the pilgrim's once did.
30 minutes here
San Gimignano
Continue to the fascinating town of San Gimignano, one of the most characteristic hilltop towns of Tuscany, with its many austere medieval towers that defiantly survived the centuries and are still proudly standing today. Recognized as a UNESCO site of world heritage, this city is a great testimony of medieval architecture. Walk along the ancient route of the Via Francigena, the main route that took all travelers and pilgrims of Europe to Rome and the Holy See. The bustling San Gimignano flourishes with artisanal boutiques of the local trades and stores, selling the towns famous ‘red gold’ or saffron spice as well as the Vernaccia white wine, so traditional and old that Dante mentions it in the 13th century.
60 minutes here
San Gimignano 1300
Brief visit to the minature museum and marvel at what San Gimignano looked like during the Middle Ages
10 minutes here
Volterra
After working up an appetite browsing squares, streets, churches and stores of San Gimignano, visit a small family-run farm and enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch prepared using the farm's own seasonal products. During lunch you will taste dishes prepared with saffron accompanied by the refreshing Vernaccia white wine. After lunch, continue on the panoramic roads towards Volterra, the ancient Velathri, a city that harmoniously combines Etruscan and Roman ruins with medieval and Renaissance architecture, with the unavoidable modern buildings and furnishings. Visit a small, artisanal workshop and meet the craftsmen that have been working the local alabaster for decades. Witness this ancient art of sculpting this stone into precious masterpieces.
120 minutes here
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di Volterra
Enjoy leisure time walking along the streets of the historical centre of Volterra, visiting the town’s famous Etruscan museum or simply marveling at the millennia old Etruscan arch, the Roman theatre or the more modern monuments and shops in town. On some occasions the itinerary might vary a little. In this case, the tour could be slightly modified but will maintain a similar general imprint, of the same duration and with all the same inclusions.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Siena
Meet in front of the church steps of the San Domenico red brick church (also called Basilica Cateriniana)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet in front of the church steps of the San Domenico red brick church (also called Basilica Cateriniana)
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tuscan Escapes by Papilio SRL
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 207 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
9 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
207 verified traveler reviews for Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Abundance of beauty
Our guide, Giuliana, was lovely and educated us well on the wines we would be tasting and the histories of the towns we would be visiting. All were lovely, especially the lunch at the small family owned winery. The roads are very windy and hilly but we had an excellent driver and the views of the Tuscan countryside were spectacular.
via Tripadvisor
An exceptional day in Tuscany
A truly wonderful experience and one of the highlights of our trip to Tuscany! Our guide, Giovanni, was exceptional: knowledgeable, patient, friendly, and attentive throughout the day. His understanding of the region, its history, and its wines made the visits to San Gimignano, Volterra, and the surrounding countryside especially enjoyable. The tour felt relaxed and personal. The lunch at Il Palagione was particularly memorable. We enjoyed excellent wines, delicious home-prepared food, and the warm hospitality of the family members we met. It was a very special experience. Beautiful scenery, fascinating places, outstanding food and wine, and a fantastic guide. Highly recommended!
via Viator
Overall a great and worthwhile experience
A brilliant and informative trip but the pick up was quite chaotic as a number of small groups were all collected at the same time and place. The driver was friendly and informative, but it would have been nice if he had had some sort of microphone to tell us about the things we passed at times during the drive. The van was OK but somewhat noisy and certainly the back 2 rows bumped about at times. Lunch was really good and our hostess generous and informative, while seeing the gentleman working the Alabaster was fascinating. All together a worthwhile experience and value for money, but be prepared for a quite long and tiring day as well.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent do it!
This was really fun tour and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about taking it. It was totally worth the money because you are taken around to three separate cities and it’s an all day eight hour tour. I went with my husband and I would recommend that you take Dramamine or motion sickness medication with you for the ride back if you ever get carsick and go easy on the wine tasting during the day because the curvy roads may make you sick. that aside however, the views from the van were beautiful. the van was clean. The guide Kiko was amazing and told us so much history and he was so kind. We loved visiting the winery and we really loved visiting the artisan at the shop in Volterra. We even bought a few items from him that we will treasure. We loved all three cities. They were very interesting and we had plenty of time in all three. I would highly recommend this tour. We also took the other tour to Pienza and Montepulciano. and we preferred the tour to Voltera/ San Gim. over the other one. That tour was fine. It just wasn’t as interesting.
via Viator
Outstanding
Our guide was outstanding. I am usually not very lavish with praise. This fellow did an excellent job. Very glad we booked the adventure.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 72
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tuscan Escapes by Papilio SRL, who run 14 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.9 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Tuscan Escapes by Papilio SRL runsWhy this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Siena.
How much does Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena cost?
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Prices start at $217 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Siena usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Siena is not rushed.
Is Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 207 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Siena, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena?
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Around 72 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Siena can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Siena and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Siena within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Siena?
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On Outty we rank every Siena experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small-Group Brunello di Montalcino Wine-Tasting Trip from Siena, Siena: A Wine Tour and Tasting Experience, Small-Group Montepulciano and Pienza Day Trip from Siena. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Siena?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena?
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Included: Lunch; Driver/guide; Transport by air-conditioned minivan; and Visit to alabaster workshop. Not included: Gratuities; and Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena?
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Meet in front of the church steps of the San Domenico red brick church (also called Basilica Cateriniana) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Siena. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Small-Group San Gimignano and Volterra Day Trip from Siena?
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Across 207 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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