Where To Stay in San Gimignano? The Best Hotels in the Manhattan of the Middle Ages
Our recommendations for the best places to stay in San Gimignano, Tuscany | Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here. |
Travel back in time
San Gimignano, with its 14 towers, is one of Tuscany’s most beautiful and enchanting towns, primarily visited by day tourists.
This gives you the unique opportunity to enjoy the city almost to yourself if you stay overnight when the others leave.
When the streets quiet down, the medieval charm and romance truly comes to life. We were thoroughly captivated.
We stayed three nights just outside San Gimignano and frequently ventured behind the old city walls.
In this travel guide on where to stay in San Gimignano, we recommend the best hotels in different price ranges, discuss how long you should stay and provide insights on whether to stay inside or outside the city walls.
Our favourites: Where to stay in San Gimignano?
- Budget: Residenza d’Epoca Palazzo Buonaccorsi – Slightly cheaper hotel in the northern end of the town. Choose between a private or shared bathroom.
- Value for money: Hotel Leon Bianco – Charming and well-reviewed hotel with the town’s best location on the main square Piazza della Cisterna.
- Value for money: La Cisterna – Located right opposite Hotel Leon Bianco. With a nice view of the square on one side and the Tuscan countryside on the other.
- Luxury: Agrivilla I Pini – Aesthetic, ecological agriturismo just a 20-minute walk from San Gimignano (where we stayed for three nights).
Search for the cheapest and best hotels in San Gimignano here.
Table of contents
San Gimignano map and geography
San Gimignano is located in the region of Tuscany in central Italy.
The nearest major city is Siena, and Florence is not far away either.
Just under 8,000 people live in the small town.
How long to stay in San Gimignano
You don’t need much time to explore San Gimignano.
In fact, you can see most of the small town in just a few hours, making it ideal for a day trip – possibly combined with visits to other charming Tuscan towns.
We stayed about a 20-minute walk from San Gimignano for three nights at the beautiful rustic country estate, Agrivilla I Pini (adlink).
From there, we visited the town in the morning and late afternoon, when it was less crowded. It was truly delightful to experience the serene atmosphere – so we highly recommend staying for a night or two.
If you intend to use San Gimignano as a base for exploring other parts of Tuscany (especially convenient if you have your own car), consider staying for three to five nights.
The best day trips from San Gimignano
Within a relatively short distance of San Gimignano, you can visit a multitude of small and large towns, all of which offer staggering amounts of history, art and, not least, fantastic food.
Here are the most recommended cities to visit on day trips from San Gimignano:
- Siena. It takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half by train (or 45 minutes by car) and then you are in one of Tuscany’s most beautiful cities.
- Florence. It takes one and a half to two hours by public transport to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Only an hour by car.
- Lucca. In approximately an hour and a half by car, you will reach one of Tuscany’s most charming cities with a unique city wall. With public transport, it takes quite a bit longer, as you have to go past Florence.
Should you stay within or outside San Gimignano’s city walls?
San Gimignano is small. Very small, indeed.
It only takes around 10 minutes to go from the southern to the northern part of San Gimignano and even less to move between the west and east sides.
Still, there’s plenty to do within the city walls, making it delightful to explore. Particularly in the evening, after other tourists have left, the streets and squares are beautifully illuminated against the night sky.
Therefore, we recommend staying within the city walls if your primary goal in San Gimignano is to immerse yourself in the atmosphere. This is ideal for stays ranging from one to three nights – and especially if you’re travelling there by public transport.
If you plan to use San Gimignano as a base for exploring the region with your own car, staying outside the city walls is likely the most practical choice. Parking inside the walls is restricted, so staying outside makes driving around much easier.
In the vicinity of San Gimignano, there are several agriturismos to stay at as a guest. An agriturismo is a charming farm stay where you can experience authentic Tuscan country life. We stayed at one ourselves and it was a lovely experience.
Staying outside the city walls of San Gimignano can usually save you some money on accommodation. However, you’ll need to consider the trade-off of spending more time on transportation to and from the city centre.
Where to stay in San Gimignano
Below, we share more photos and details about the wonderful agriturismo where we stayed during our visit to San Gimignano.
Additionally, we recommend two excellent mid-range hotels located in the central square (right next to the best gelato!) and a more affordable hotel with a good, albeit slightly older, standard.
Our favourites: Where to stay in San Gimignano?
- Luxury: Agrivilla I Pini – Aesthetic, ecological agriturismo just a 20-minute walk from San Gimignano (where we stayed for three nights).
- Value for money: Hotel Leon Bianco – Charming and well-reviewed hotel with the town’s best location on the main square Piazza della Cisterna.
- Value for money: La Cisterna – Located right opposite Hotel Leon Bianco. With a nice view of the square on one side and the Tuscan countryside on the other.
- Budget: Residenza d’Epoca Palazzo Buonaccorsi – Slightly cheaper hotel in the northern end of the town. Choose between a private or shared bathroom.
Search for the cheapest and best hotels in San Gimignano here.
The best luxury hotel in San Gimignano
Agrivilla I Pini – Organic agriturismo
When we visited San Gimignano in September 2022, we stayed three nights at Agrivilla I Pini. Read our review of the agriturismo here.
An agriturismo is a farm that also accommodates overnight guests, and Agrivilla I Pini is a prime example.
They boast a permaculture garden along with their own olives and vines. Everything here is not just organic, but also biodynamic and veganic.
The 11 rooms are furnished and decorated with a special focus on Tuscan rustic aesthetics.
The pool is the perfect place to relax after a day full of adventure.
The highlight is the restaurant, serving plant-based dishes primarily made from their own home-grown ingredients.
See prices and availability at Agrivilla I Pini here (adlink).
The best value for money hotels in San Gimignano
Hotel Leon Bianco – Stay in the middle of Piazza della Cisterna
The location on Piazza della Cisterna (the triangular square with the well in the town centre) couldn’t be better.
The hotel is very appealing and many rooms offer stunning views of either the town or the surrounding countryside.
See prices and availability at Hotel Leon Bianco here (adlink).
La Cisterna – Views of the countryside or the square
As the name suggests, La Cisterna is also found on Piazza della Cisterna (just opposite Hotel Leon Bianco).
Here, you can choose between rooms with or without views of the landscape or the square (and the towers). Some rooms feature beamed ceilings, while others have a more modern look.
Even if you don’t book a room with a view, you can still enjoy the beautiful scenery from the restaurant where breakfast is served.
See prices and availability at La Cisterna here (adlink).
The best budget hotel in San Gimignano
Residenza d’Epoca Palazzo Buonaccorsi – Budget-friendly hotel in a historic building
Palazzo Buonaccorsi is situated in a historical building that dates back to the 15th century – at least!
Today, it serves as a (slightly old-fashioned) budget-friendly hotel with a great location in the northern part of San Gimignano.
Be aware that the hotel offers both rooms with private bathrooms and shared bathrooms.
See prices and availability at Residenza d’Epoca Palazzo Buonaccorsi here (adlink).
The best things to do and see in San Gimignano
We have written a comprehensive travel guide to San Gimignano with all the best things to do and see.
Read the entire travel guide here or click directly on an attraction or experience below.
- Piazza della Cisterna – Atmospheric square with old well
- Gelato – World-class ice cream
- Torre Grossa – See the town from above
- Palazzo Comunale og Musei Civici – Museum in the town hall
- Pinacoteca – Art gallery on the second floor
- Duomo di San Gimignano – The town’s cathedral
- Parco della Rocca – Park with old fortress
- SanGimignano1300 – Free museum showcasing the town’s history
- Walk the side streets – Discover the medieval charm
- Punto Panoramico – Panoramic view of fields
- Shopping – Buy local souvenirs
- San Lorenzo in Ponte – Small church with frescoes
- Fonti Medievali – Medieval water supply
- Sant’Agostino – The second-largest church
- Visit a winery – Taste the local grapes
- The best day trips from San Gimignano
How to get around San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a very small town that easily can be explored on foot.
All the main attractions and sights are within walking distance of each other – and there are (almost) no cars.
How to get to San Gimignano
By car
If you drive through Italy (as we did), you can get to San Gimignano via one of the motorways that pass by the city.
A car is unnecessary in the centre of San Gimignano but there are several public parking lots around the city walls (where the day-tourist buses stop as well).
Generally, the closer the car park is to the city entrance, the more expensive and crowded it will be. Fortunately, there are several options to choose from.
Read about the parking options and prices on the official website here.
Watch out for ZTL
Note that San Gimignano’s old town is designated as a “zona a traffico limitato” (ZTL), meaning it’s a restricted traffic area with specific regulations for driving and parking.
However, access is typically permitted for bicycles, electric cars, motorcycles, and scooters.
Surveillance cameras are in place, and hefty fines can be incurred for violating the regulations.
If your hotel is located within the ZTL, we recommend contacting them in advance if you plan to drive there.
By public transport
There is no train station in San Gimignano, so if you travel from the larger cities in the region, for example, Florence or Siena, you must first go to Poggibonsi.
From Poggibonsi, you should change to bus 130 which takes you to San Gimignano in 20-30 minutes.
When to visit San Gimignano
Although San Gimignano is a small town, it is reasonably touristy all year round.
The high season is in July and August when Italians, Europeans and much of the rest of the world enjoy their summer holidays.
July and August are also the hottest months, so if you have the flexibility to plan your trip to San Gimignano outside of this period, we strongly recommend doing so.
May, June, September and October are good shoulder months with great weather and fewer crowds, although it is always a little busy in Tuscany.
December, January and February are the coldest months (like many other places in Europe).
It rains the most in September, October, November and December.
Our best tips for visiting San Gimignano
- Arrive early or stay late in the day if you want to experience the city without too many other people to experience San Gimignano at its most charming.
- Buy a combination ticket to see the town’s top attractions. Fortunately, it’s quite affordable.
- Many restaurants close for siesta between lunch and dinner, so keep an eye on the opening hours if you want to eat at a particular restaurant or café during the day.
- Expect an additional charge on the restaurant bill. Most restaurants add a “coperto” per guest, which is a fee per person regardless of your order. It is typically between 1 and 3 euros, which you pay in addition to the price of the food. It’s common to receive a small bread basket with butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a starter.
What to bring to San Gimignano
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen. Especially if you visit San Gimignano in the summer. We recommend an organic, vegan sunscreen without oxybenzone and other harmful chemicals.
- Sneakers or other types of shoes you can walk in comfortably.
- A refillable water bottle.
Sustainable travel tips
To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid disposable plastics.
- Sort your waste correctly and do not throw it on the ground.
Thank you for reading along
Thanks for reading our guide on where to stay in San Gimignano.
Have you been to the town already? Did you stay for a night or more? Behind the city walls or among the rolling hills?
Don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments below if you haven’t been to San Gimignano yet. We are happy to help.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for cheap hotels.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller. All three compared here.
Our camera gear:
- Panasonic GH5. Used for all of our photos and videos.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Best drone out there!
- Sirui Tripod. Lightweight and strong.
- See all of our camera gear here.
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