Major city · Italy
Colle di Val d'Elsa
Half a day is enough to see the medieval upper town and a crystal workshop; use it as a lunch stop between Siena and San Gimignano, not a base.
Colle di Val d'Elsa is a Tuscan hill town split into two parts: the medieval upper town (Colle Alta) and the modern lower town, Italy's centre for crystal glassware. Most visitors spend 2–4 hours walking the old streets, visiting a glass factory and eating lunch. It works best as a stop on a day trip from Siena (20 km) or Florence (50 km), not an overnight destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds)
- Airports
- FLR · PSA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Colle di Val d'Elsa113 ▾
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 Colle di Val d'Elsa, 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.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 115 fire · 118 ambulance (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.
- AirportFLR Florence Peretola (About 50 km (31 mi); bus or train via Poggibonsi, or rent a car).FLR Florence Peretola (About 31 mi (50 km); bus or train via Poggibonsi, or rent a car).
- Getting aroundThe upper town is walkable.
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 (About 50 km (31 mi); bus or train via Poggibonsi, or rent a car) · PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei (About 80 km (50 mi); train via Pisa Centrale and Empoli to Poggibonsi, then bus)FLR Florence Peretola (About 31 mi (50 km); bus or train via Poggibonsi, or rent a car) · PSA Pisa Galileo Galilei (About 50 mi (80 km); train via Pisa Centrale and Empoli to Poggibonsi, then bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°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
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Apr (9 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Colle di Val d'Elsa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 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
The upper town is walkable. A bus connects the lower town and the train/bus station. A car is useful for visiting nearby hill towns.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–45 min
Car: 15 km (9.3 mi), about 20 min. Bus: Tiemme line 130 from Colle, about 30 min.Car: 9.3 mi (15 km), about 20 min. Bus: Tiemme line 130 from Colle, about 30 min.
Famous for its medieval towers; combine with Colle in a half-day loop.
Door to door: 20 min (car) / 1.5 h (bus)
Car: 12 km (7.5 mi), about 15 min. Bus: Tiemme line 130 to Siena, then change; about 1 h.Car: 7.5 mi (12 km), about 15 min. Bus: Tiemme line 130 to Siena, then change; about 1 h.
Perfectly preserved walled village; 30 min is enough to walk the walls.
Radicondoli
cautionDoor to door: 35 min
Car: 20 km (12 mi), about 30 min via SP541. No direct bus.Car: 12 mi (20 km), about 30 min via SP541. No direct bus.
Small hill town with thermal baths; only worth it if you have a car and enjoy quiet villages.
Siena
goDoor to door: 30–50 min
Car: 20 km (12 mi), about 25 min. Bus: Tiemme line 130, about 40 min.Car: 12 mi (20 km), about 25 min. Bus: Tiemme line 130, about 40 min.
Major Tuscan city; plan a full day for the Piazza del Campo and Duomo.
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.
Colle Alta (upper town)
Medieval streets, quiet at night; limited parking outside ZTL.
Lower town / outskirts
Modern hotels with parking and pools; need a car or bus to reach the centre.
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
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) (lunch, coffee, bus)
- Mid
- €50–100 (≈ US$60–120) (lunch, glass tour, taxi)
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ (Ristorante Arnolfo lunch or dinner)
Trip budget
| Day trip (no overnight)2 × 1 night × €0 | €0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €60 | €120 |
| Lunch at a trattoria2 × €30 | €60 |
| Crystal factory tour2 × €10 · check | €20 |
| Bus from Poggibonsi station to Colle2 × €3 · check | €6 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €21 |
| Trip total≈ €114 per person per day, bed included | €227≈ US$300 |
Most visitors do not stay overnight.
2026 estimate in euros; day-trip costs only, no accommodation.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a bar | €1.20–1.50 (≈ US$2) |
| Gelato | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Glass of Chianti | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Pasta dish at a trattoria | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Crystal souvenir (small) | €15–50 (≈ US$18–60) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- ZTL (limited traffic zone) in Colle Alta: cameras fine unauthorised vehicles; park outside and walk.
- Ristorante Arnolfo is closed Tuesday, Wednesday and for two weeks in late January–early March and the first two weeks of August.
- Crystal factory tours may require a reservation; check in advance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 115
- Ambulance
- 118
- EU-wide emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Colle di Val d'ElsaColle di Val d'Elsa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire115
- Ambulance118
- EU-wide emergency112
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Florence; most other countries have embassies in Rome.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Poggibonsi station → Colle: about €3 (≈ US$4), 15 min (check)
- Taxi Colle Alta → lower town: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- Car parking (outside ZTL): €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) per hour
Say or show
- Ciao — Hello / Goodbye (chow)
- Grazie — Thank you (graht-see-eh)
- Quanto costa? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh koh-stah)
- Dov'è il bagno? — Where is the toilet? (doh-veh eel bahn-yoh)
- Vorrei questo — I'd like this one (vor-ray kweh-stoh)
Colle di Val d'Elsa is a day-trip stop; carry cash for small purchases.
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 Colle di Val d'Elsa. 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 crowds) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Colle Alta, crystal factories and Arnolfo with verified opening hours and ZTL rules.
- Walking route from the lower-town parking to Colle Alta with rescue anchors.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Siena–Colle and Florence–Colle bus/train connections.
Sources
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