Pienza

The Basics

Many of Pienza’s most memorable spots were built during a three-year period. The town’s historic center is the Piazza Pio II, which is surrounded by the Palazzo Piccolomini, the Palazzo Borgia, and a stunning cathedral. The square is also home to restaurants and cafés. Other local highlights include the Pieve di Corsignano, a 12th-century church located just down the hill from the town’s center, and the town’s famous local cheese, Pecorino di Pienza.xa0

Many tours of Tuscany visit Pienza along with neighboring Val D’Orcia towns, including Siena, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. You can also opt for a tour that focuses on the area’s traditional foods and wines, including Pienza’s famous cheese.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; the town is best explored on foot.
• Some tours of Pienza may include entrance fees, transportation, guides, food, and drink; check with your tour company for details.xa0
• Pienza, while small, makes a great home base for exploring the area, and there are a number of hotels in town.

How to Get There

Pienza is about 73 miles (117 kilometers) south of Florence. The drive from Florence, along European Route E35 or Raccordo Autostradale Firenze–Siena and SR2, takes just under two hours. The closest train station is in Chiusi Scalo; from there, it takes two buses to reach town—first take a bus to Montepulciano, where you can catch a bus to Pienza. You can also take a bus from Siena to Pienza; the ride takes about 75 minutes.

When to Get There

Pienza can get extremely crowded on summer weekends, so come during the week if you want a quieter visit. For a festive time, plan your trip for early September, and enjoy the Fiera del Cacio, a festival dedicated to the town’s cheese. Christmas is also a very popular time to visit the city.

While In Tuscany

Tuscany’s beautiful rolling hills are full of stunning towns and cities. Head to Siena—and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic Renaissance center—to see the Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena), the Battistero di San Giovanni, and the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall). Continue on to Montalcino, a picturesque medieval town famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine, and make a stop in Montepulciano, a beautiful hill town near the Tuscany-Umbria border.

Ways to explore

Mostly built at the behest of Pope Pius II, Pienza is the perfect Renaissance town of his vision, all handsome palazzi and narrow alleyways, sitting at the top of a hill. Its old town is home to the Piazza Pio II, a UNESCO–listed square flanked by Palazzo Borgia, Palazzo Piccolomini, and Piena Cathedral.

To get the history of the buildings’ architecture and to learn about Pienza itself, it’s worth looking for a private tour that lets you build your own itinerary. Alternatively, there are plenty of Tuscany day trips that cover time in Pienza for you to explore at leisure and often visit the nearby wine town of Montepulciano, too.

Accessibility

The old town is relatively flat for wheelchair users.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunglasses, small euro coins for public restrooms

What to wear

Comfy but chic sneakers for gracing the cobbles in style

Not allowed

Driving in Pienza old town

Amenities

ATMs, parking lots, church, eateries, hotels, pharmacy, public restrooms, shops, viewpoints

Address 

Pienza is roughly 73 miles (117 kilometers) south of Florence in Tuscany.

Driving

From Florence, the town is roughly two hours away by car. If you don’t mind a longer drive, opt for the much more scenic SR222 road south through Chianti, and then the SR2 after Siena.

Public transportation

Take the train from Florence Santa Maria Novella station to Siena, then a second train to Buonconvento. This should take around three hours. From Buonconvento, take a 40-minute ride on the #112 bus to Pienza.

Best times to visit

Visit in the early morning or evening for the best chance of seeing Pienza without the day-trippers.

Best days to visit

Summer weekends in particular are busy, so visit on a calmer weekday if you can.

Best months to visit

Fall is a great time to visit Pienza, skipping the summer crowds and spring rain.

Special events

The Fiera del Cacio takes place in early September, celebrating Pienza’s beloved soft cacio cheese. Markets and tastings take place around Pienza old town and in its restaurants.