Region, Italy
Tuscany
Hill towns, vineyards and Renaissance cities, best seen with a car or regional trains from Florence. Beautiful and very safe, but summer is hot and crowded, and countryside stays get costly.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,700–3,940Comfortable, one person · €2,400–3,500Details
- Value for money16/100Better value than 15% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 33°CDetails
- Air quality12 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · ModerateDetails
- Internet109 MbpsFixed broadband, Italy medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe everywhere; Florence has public drinking fountains, and farmhouses use mains or tested wells.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–135Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless are normal in towns.Details
Where to stay in Tuscany
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Florence (Santo Spirito, San Frediano) | Car-free base with trains and buses to most day trips |
| Siena | Medieval hill city; a base for Val d'Orcia and Chianti |
| Lucca | Walled, flat and bikeable; quieter than Florence and close to Pisa |
| Chianti villages (Greve, Radda) | Wine country; needs a car and advance booking |
| Val d'Orcia (Pienza, Montepulciano) | Rolling landscapes, farm stays, few buses |
Apps that work in Tuscany
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Trenitalia: National rail tickets, delays and strike notices
- Italo: Private high-speed trains, often cheaper
- Taxis: Taxis are scarce outside Florence, Pisa and Siena; book by phone or app and arrange rides back from wineries in advance.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Italy.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless are normal in towns. Keep cash for markets, small bars, rural trattorie and parking machines.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Use bank ATMs (Bancomat), not Euronet machines; always decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Bills often include coperto (€1–4 per person) or a service charge; round up or leave a few euros for great service.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; tap a bank card at metro gates in Rome and Milan.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Hotels and rentals must register every guest with police, so expect to show your passport at check-in.
Emergency numbers
Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F, L · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
TIM, Vodafone and WindTre sell prepaid tourist SIMs at airports and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Italy
Going to Tuscany solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.