Major city · Italy
San Gimignano
Stay one night inside the walls: day-trippers leave by 18:00 and the towers, frescoes and empty piazzas are the reward. Two nights only if you add Volterra or a winery.Stay one night inside the walls: day-trippers leave by 6:00 PM and the towers, frescoes and empty piazzas are the reward. Two nights only if you add Volterra or a winery.
San Gimignano is a walled hill town of about 7,800 people with 14 surviving medieval tower houses and a UNESCO-listed centre you can walk across in 20 minutes. It works as a day trip from Florence or Siena, but the town changes after the buses leave: book one night inside Porta San Giovanni and you get the Collegiata frescoes, the Torre Grossa climb and the evening quiet without the midday crush.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and peak crowds), late Dec–Feb (many places close)
- Airports
- FLR · PSA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for San Gimignano112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Gimignano, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a town this busy: the real risks are summer heat, uneven medieval steps and pickpockets in the Piazza della Cisterna crush at midday.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (police, fire, ambulance) · 113 police · 115 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckFLR Florence Peretola (Closest useful airport; bus or train to Florence, then bus to San Gimignano, about 2.5–3 h door to door (check)).
- Getting aroundOn foot only inside the walls: gate to gate is about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at the bar€1.20–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Museum or sight ticketCollegiata entry / combo with Religious Art Museum€3.50 (≈ US$5)€5.50 (≈ US$7)
- Budget bedDouble room inside the walls, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- Mid-range bedDouble room inside the walls, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room inside the walls, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €170 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FLR Florence Peretola (Closest useful airport; bus or train to Florence, then bus to San Gimignano, about 2.5–3 h door to door (check)) · PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei (Train to Poggibonsi via Empoli, then bus; about 3 h (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid*
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Nov (10 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
San Gimignano: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot only inside the walls: gate to gate is about 20 minutes. An electric shuttle runs Porta San Giovanni–Piazza della Cisterna–Porta San Matteo, €1 a ride. Cars park outside the walls; the centre is closed to traffic.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Monteriggioni
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or car via Colle di Val d'Elsa, about 40 min
Small walled ring you can walk in an hour; pair it with Colle di Val d'Elsa.
Colle di Val d'Elsa
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus toward Poggibonsi/Siena, about 25 min
Working town with a glass museum and a quiet upper old town.
Radicondoli
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car only, about 45 min on hill roads
Tiny hill village; only worth it with a car and a lunch booking.
Volterra
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus via Colle di Val d'Elsa, about 1.5–2 h
Etruscan and alabaster town; the connections make it a poor same-day return.
Siena
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Bus 130 from Porta San Giovanni, about 1 h
Do it as a half-day from San Gimignano, or the reverse.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Inside the walls (Piazza della Cisterna / Via San Matteo)
Best for one night: walk to everything, quiet after 18:00. Rooms are small and cars stay outside.Best for one night: walk to everything, quiet after 6:00 PM. Rooms are small and cars stay outside.
Just outside Porta San Giovanni
Cheaper, parking next to the gate, 5–10 min walk to the centre.
Countryside farm stays (5–15 km)
Pools and views, but you need a car and drive to dinner.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room inside the walls1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| Bus Florence–San Gimignano, one way2 × €6 | €12 |
| Bus Siena–San Gimignano, one way2 × €5 | €10 |
| Museo Civico and Torre Grossa ticket2 × €9 | €18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €209 per person per day, bed included | €418≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to San Gimignano excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at the bar | €1.20–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Plate of pasta in an alley trattoria | €9–14 (≈ US$11–17) |
| Glass of Vernaccia di San Gimignano | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Picnic from the Co-op supermarketOpen Mon–Sat, closed Sunday | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| Collegiata entry / combo with Religious Art Museum | €3.50 (≈ US$5) / €5.50 (≈ US$7) |
| Parking outside the walls | about €2 (≈ US$3)/hour |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking inside the walls is not allowed; Parcheggio Montemaggio fills fast in summer and costs about €2 (≈ US$3)/hour.
- The Collegiata and Museo Civico keep separate hours and close for Mass; check the official sites before you plan a morning.
- Restaurants on the main piazzas cost more than the alleys one street back.
- Sunday and holiday buses from Florence and Siena are fewer and fuller; book the return leg in your head before you go.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 115
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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San GimignanoSan Gimignano
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Police113
- Fire115
- Ambulance118
Embassy
No embassies in town; the US consulate-general is in Florence, most other countries keep embassies in Rome.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Florence → San Gimignano: about €6 (≈ US$7), 1 h 15 min–2 h with a change at Poggibonsi
- Bus Siena → San Gimignano (130): about €5.20 (≈ US$7), 1 h
- Electric shuttle inside town: €1 (≈ US$2) a ride
Say or show
- Buongiorno — Good morning (bwon-JOR-no)
- Per favore / Grazie — Please / Thank you (per fa-VO-reh / GRAH-tsyeh)
- Quanto costa? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KOS-ta)
- Il conto, per favore — The bill, please (eel KON-to per fa-VO-reh)
- Posso pagare con la carta? — Can I pay by card? (POS-so pa-GA-reh kon la KAR-ta)
- Dov'è il bagno? — Where is the toilet? (do-VEH eel BAN-yo)
Tipping is not expected: a coperto (cover charge) is on the bill, and rounding up or leaving €1–2 a person is enough.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Gimignano. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and peak crowds), late Dec–Feb (many places close) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares