PIENZA
TUSCANY
Pienza is a stunning Renaissance town located in the heart of the most picturesque part of Tuscany – Val da Orcia. Just like most smaller towns and villages in Tuscany. Pienza was built high on the hill. This means that you can enjoy the most incredible views from here, the rolling hills of Tuscany with Cypress trees all around you.
Strolling through the historic centre of Pienza, you will discover countless stunning attractions, romantic alleyway picturesque squares and experiences some amazing viewpoints.
In this guide, we cover all the best things to do, how much time do you need in Pienza, where to stay and how to get to Pienza.
PLAN YOUR TUSCANY ADVENTURE
These are our favorite companies we use when planning a trip, they consistently have the best prices, great customer service, and overall, are better than their competitors.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT – SKYSCANNER – we always start here and usually always finish here. They price check over 1,200 travel sites to help you find the best prices. You can also try GOING to search prices across a variety of sites.
TRAVEL OPTIONS
CAR RENTAL – We recommend using Discover Cars or Rental Cars when booking a car rental, they work with hundreds of companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs.
TRAINS – TRAINLINE – is our favorite, this site is very reliable and easy to use.
BUS – OMIO – this website allows you to book train or bus tickets to travel from city to city the best and cheapest way. FLIXBUS is another terrific website with routes between 20 European countries.
ACCOMMODATIONS
BOOKING.com – is our go to for hotel searches around the world, we find they always have the cheapest rates and offer different payment options. In addition, VRBO is another terrific website for all types of accommodations.
HOSTELWORLD – is great if you’re traveling on a budget, and if you need a cheap place to stay.
SIGHTSEEING TOURS
GET YOUR GUIDE – is our favorite; they have stacks of tours and excursions available in cities all over the world. VIATOR is another great website for all types of tours.
TAKE WALKS – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
SAFETY WING – offer some of the most competitive and affordable plans tailored for your needs. SAFETY WINGS cover travellers from over 140 countries and make it easy to buy, extend and claim, even while travelling.
ARC’TERYX – is a go to reliable brand for outdoor adventure and travel, their wide range includes light weight durable, easy to clean travel gear.
Check out our RESOURCE PAGE for more additional planning.
Interesting facts about Pienza.
Pienza is located in the province of Siena in the region of Tuscany, with only 2000 inhabitants. It sits in the Val d’Orcia, which is a small countryside known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and its Cypress trees.
The town is known for its historic centre, which has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1996. Only later 2024, the entire Val d’Orcia surrounding the city was included.
Until 1462, this was just a small town that went by the name Corsignano, it was the birthplace of Pope Pius II. On a trip back to his birthplace, Pope Pius II decided to build a small city at the site. He also ordered a large-scale reconstruction to make this place an ideal Renaissance city. The project took place under the direction of the Florentine architect Bernardo Rossellino between 1458 and 1462. At that time, famous monuments were rebuilt, such as the Town Hall, the Palace, and the Cathedral. Pope Pius II died during the construction of the city. Pienza, which means City of Pius, is named for Pope Pius II.
Best things to do in Pienza
Plazzo Piccolomini
A famous site in Pienza is Palazzo Piccolomini, the former summer residence of Pope Pius II. Palazzo Piccolomini was designed by Bernardo Rossellino in the 15th century, inspired by the Ruccellari Palace in Florence.
The palace can only be visited on tour, which lasts about 30 minutes, and takes you through charming halls with well-preserved furniture as well as paintings from the time of the Pope. The heart of the current museum is the large loggia with hanging gardens, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view through the window to Val d’Orcia.
Palazzo Piccolomini was the film location for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in 1968. You can find cheap tickets online. GET YOUR GUIDE
Visit Piazza, Pia II
Piazza Pia II is a uniquely picturesque square that forms the centre of the historic Old Town. This small Piazza is home to some of the best attractions of Pienza, such as the beautiful Travertine fountain, Palazzo Piccolomini, the impressive town hall with its picturesque tower, and the 15th-century cathedral. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its a beautiful Renaissance facade. The interiors of the church, with its Gothic architecture, are also worth seeing.
Historic Old Town.
The stunning Old Town and Pienza is something to discover during a stroll through the small city. Corso il Rosalino, the large Main Street runs through the historic centre. Where you will pass the cathedral and most important monuments. Branching off from. This main thoroughfare are smaller side streets and charming squares that lead to restaurants, delicatessens and amazing dreamlike photo shoots.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Cathedral dell’ Assunta is located in Piazza Pio II and it is another building commissioned by the Pope Pius II. and constructed by Bernard Rossellino in the 15th century.
With its beautiful Renaissance facade it is one of the main attractions of Pienza.The interior of the church, with its Gothic hall architecture is also worth seeing.
WALK THE CITY WALLS
A wonderful panoramic and a unique ambience can be enjoyed from the walkway along the city walls. From here you have a beautiful view over Vald Orcia and the building of Pienza.
The precinct stretches is between the Piazza Cathedral and Porta Al Liglio, this walkway is called Via del Casello and there are really romantic viewpoints in the Pienza that should not be missed.
Try some Pecorino di Pecorino cheese
Pecorina di Penza cheese is a cheese made from sheep’s milk. There are several varieties of the cheese. The two main varieties are a red rind cheese seasoned with tomato juice and a black rind cheese that is aged Pecorino.
This famous Tuscan cheese can be found on the menus and in most shops throughout Pienza.
We love a glass of wine with Pecorino cheese along with the cured meats.
GO SHOPPING IN PIENZA
We love the shopping in Pienza, we always buy pecorino di Pienza cheese to take back home to Lucca. You can also purchase Home Goods, artwork, cured meat and lots of souvenirs.
We have purchased paintings of Val d’orcia in the past and the prices are very reasonable.
Pieve di Corsignano
The church is just outside of Pienza, below the city walls. It is one of the most important Romanesque monuments of the region. The church dates back to the 12th century and impresses with its simple yet stunning architecture.
Gladiator Viewpoint
Some scenes of the film Gladiator were shot directly under the city wall of Pienza.
The Gladiator point is located about 60 metres below the church Pieve di Corsignano, next to the dirt road that leads to the Agriturismo A Terrapille.
A visit here is a must this is one of the most beautiful spots for amazing photos in the region.
How much time do I need in Pienza
We have been here a few times to visit the major attractions and stroll the streets, do some shopping and try some Pecorino Di Pienza Cheese, 3 hours is plenty of time, including a relaxing lunch or dinner.
If you want to visit the Gladiator viewpoint, which I highly recommend, add another half an hour to your stay.
How to visit Pienza.
By car.
Pienza is best visited by car, but parking is extremely limited here so it’s best to get here before 10:00am or late afternoon when people are leaving.
Driving distance.
Florence 115km
Siena 56km
Montepulciano 15km
Montalcino 23km
San Quirico d’ Orcia 10km
Compare car rentals rates ‘Discover cars’ or ‘Rentalcars.com’
Dinner in Pienza
If you’re planning to have dinner here, make your reservation in advance. Our experience in Italy, restaurants book up quickly. In Pienza try ristorante Daria. Other restaurants we love include Sette de Vino, Poderuccio and La Taverna di Re Artu.
Where to stay in Pienza
Since Pienza is a small town, you don’t have to stay here, as you can see it in a few hours, but its location is ideal for a good base for exploring the Val d’Orcia area and and visiting other small towns and villages nearby.
Here are some hotel accommodations. (Be sure your hotel has parking.)
The Agriturismo Marinello is in a great position overlooking Pienza, guests can enjoy the tranquillity, the pool and the fantastic breakfast.
Is a small lovely hotel at the entrance of the historic centre of Pienza.
only 150 metres from the centre of Pienza, offers a rooftop terrace, views over Vald’ Orca where you can enjoy an amazing breakfast.
Impressed with lovely rooms and a nice roof terrace with a fantastic view over the Old Town.
Tours of Pienza.
If you don’t plan on ‘renting’ a car while in Tuscany, you can visit Pienza on a tour. This takes care of any transportation to and from Pienza which can save you a lot of time and stress, since Pienza is not easily reachable by public transport.
Here are several tours from nearby Florence and Siena.
Valdivo Pienza wine tour
Tour with Montpuliano from
Wine small group Florence
Tasting tour
GET YOUR GUIDE
Things to do around Pienza.
There are several Tuscan hill towns and viewpoints that can be added onto your visit to Pienza. Pienza is the perfect starting point for countless excursions and tours. Located in the famous Vald’ Orcia, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Tuscany, it’s definitely worth spending several days in Pienza.
Around Pienza you will find other beautiful villages, especially worth seeing are Montichiello, Montepulciano, Montarcino and San Quirico di Orcia. In addition, from here you have the opportunity to visit the famous city of Siena, which is about 55 Km away as part of a day trip.
More places to visit in Tuscany.
Lucca – Charming city in Tuscany
SAN GIMIGNANO – Visit the city of Towers
MONTEPULCIANO – City of Wine.
SIENA– The heart of Tuscany.
CHIANTI – Stunning wine region of Tuscany