Day Trip to the Villages of Chianti, Florence

Chianti Valley is known for its food, wine, and historic architecture, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experience all three as you meander along the Chiantigiana road. Visit the charming villages of Castellina in Chianti and Greve in Chianti and a local family-run winery. The route combines main roads and rural streets surrounded by olive groves and vineyards that make up this typical hilly landscape.

Follow the scenic Chiantigiana wine road in the direction of Castellina in Chianti. Along the way, we suggest taking a quick detour to Fattoria Pomona, a family-run winery. Since 1890, the land has been farmed by the same family, and they warmly welcome visitors interested in tasting and buying their organic Chianti Classico wines. 

Next, continue to Castellina in Chianti, admiring the castle in the main square and the great fortress walls. Stroll along Via delle Volte, a charming street with local shops and enoteca wine bars. The town is also home to the Archeological Museum. Besides viewing interesting exhibits, you can also climb one of the towers and enjoy spectacular views over the countryside.

Then tackle the last stretch of the day to Greve in Chianti, a portion of the drive enveloped in olive groves and vineyards. The explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered the bay of New York, was born here in 1485 CE. As a celebrated resident of Greve in Chianti, you'll find his statue in the main square, Piazza Matteotti. Stroll the porticos around this three-sided piazza and soak up the relaxed pace of life as locals and visitors mingle in the heart of town.

On your way back, make a stop at Castello di Verrazzano winery and Viticcio winery. Both offer tours, wine tastings, and food pairings, which you can pre-book on their website. We highly recommend a visit if you're in the area. Other places of interest in the Chianti area (for those not looking to visit wineries) are the Chianti Sculpture Park, a permanent exhibition of contemporary sculptures in beautiful countryside, and the Chianti Astronomical Observatory & Botanical Gardens.

Read more about unique and interesting activities in the Tuscany region.