Hiking from Florence up to Fiesole
It's hard to find a hike near Florence that isn't amazing. Consider the walking route from Florence to Fiesole, a top-rated day-trip destination for tourists in Tuscany. It is a wonderful mix of history and nature.
Start at the main square
You can choose Piazza del Duomo as a start point. Once you have enjoyed the beauty of Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Battistero di San Giovanni and Campanile di Giotto, head to the west. It will take a 1,5 hours to your destination. Surely, you can take a bus to Fiesole, but it is truly worth giving it a walk. You'll see why.
Slow down at Villa La Pietra
On the way, you will observe some beautiful olive groves. Then you head up the trail through a pine forest before coming out at one of Florence's most famous sites: Villa La Pietra. It's filled it with art, antiques, and books and hosted many parties for artists, writers, and intellectuals like Aldous Huxley and Evelyn Waugh.
The villa has been owned by a number of families over the years. It was also featured in many Italian publications, including the September 1994 issue of Vogue, which declared it "the most beautiful mansion in all of Tuscany." It was also included in the 1996 edition of The Time-Life Encyclopedia of World Architecture.
The hilltop town of Fiesole
Once you get to Fiesole, there are some lovely views of Florence from above. You can even see the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) if you're lucky enough to have clear weather that day. In the town, you can walk through narrow cobblestone streets, visit the ancient Roman amphitheater, have a coffee or a glass of wine at one of the many outdoor cafes.
The charming town of Fiesole preserves several significant sites: the Cattedrale di San Romolo (Cathedral of Saint Romulus), which is named after one of Fiesole's patron saints; the Museo Archeologico (Archaeological Museum), which exhibits some great artifacts from ancient Fiesole; and Villa Medici, which features a museum showcasing Etruscan art. You can visit all these sites on your own or take an organized tour. Take the time to visit Piazzale Mino. It is one of the biggest squares in town, surrounded by some beautiful buildings, such as the Tribunale di Lecce and the Chiesa del Santissimo Sacramento.
This hike has everything: fields of olive trees, cypress pines, medieval churches, and breathtaking views of Florence. The hiking trail is not too strenuous and will give you an enjoyable taste of Tuscany.
