Montepulciano is a storybook hilltop town in the Tuscan countryside. Stroll around the medieval Old Town, admire centuries-old palazzi and enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine paired with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a famous full-bodied red produced in the surrounding vineyards.
Things to do in Montepulciano
Take your time strolling along Il Corso, the town’s lively main thoroughfare. You’ll pass a jewel box of magnificent buildings, including the Renaissance-style Palazzo Avignonesi. Torre di Pulcinella, a medieval clocktower topped with sawtooth parapets, soars over the northern end of Il Corso. It’s crowned with a statue of Pulcinella, a famous Italian folklore character from the 17th century.
Join a guided wine-tasting tour and learn about the art of cultivating Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The famous Tuscan wine has DOCG status and is grown exclusively in the hillsides around Montepulciano. Winemakers explain how the wine gets its brilliant garnet hue and help you identify the complex bouquet of raspberry, plum, cherry and sweet violet.
Framed by elegant buildings and palazzi, Piazza Grande is one of the most beautiful plazas in Italy. It’s the highest point in Montepulciano and has been featured in countless films and TV shows. Palazzo Comunale towers over the piazza and is a dramatic backdrop, and you can climb the tower for sweeping views over the Tuscan countryside.
From rustic “osterias” with shared tables and simple menus to bustling “trattorias” housed in historic buildings, there are plenty of places to enjoy Tuscan cuisine in Montepulciano. Try local specialties like “panzanella” salad tossed with sun-ripened tomatoes and olive oil, “acquacotta” harvest vegetable soup topped with a poached egg and “castagnaccio” chestnut cake.
Getting around Montepulciano
Montepulciano is compact and easy to get around on foot. The town is a 1.5-hour drive from Florence and two hours by train. Montepulciano Station is a 15-minute drive from the historic town centre. Florence Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.