Val d'Orcia in 3 days
Three days from the same base: a short loop around San Quirico on day one, Montepulciano on day two, Montalcino on day three.
- How long
- 3
- Transport
- rental car (the only practical way)
- Rhythm
- One village before noon
All three days start from the same base, San Quirico d'Orcia, since driving back to sleep is a shorter trip than moving luggage. Day one is a short loop to Bagno Vignoni and Pienza, day two goes east to Montepulciano, day three south to Montalcino. With only two days, drop the third and lose Montalcino and Sant'Antimo, not the first or second.
San Quirico, Bagno Vignoni, Pienza
Horti Leonini, a Renaissance garden in the centre of San Quirico, free. Hours: daily 8–19.30.
Drive to Bagno Vignoni, 5 km from San Quirico. The pool is for looking at, since bathing is banned; entry free (viewing only).
On to Pienza. The Palazzo Piccolomini, €7 (€5 reduced); the ticket includes the Diocesan Museum and the Duomo's crypt. It closes on Monday, so day one shouldn't fall on that day.
Lunch in Pienza; a main course at a regular place runs €15 (pici cacio e pepe).
On the way back to the base, along the road between Pienza and San Quirico, you stop at the Vitaleta Chapel (on foot from a car park on the SP146) and the viewpoint on the same road. Both are free.
Back to San Quirico d'Orcia for the night.
Montepulciano
Drive from San Quirico to Montepulciano, via Pienza.
The underground cellars beneath the historic centre: free (walk-through); tastings paid separately.
Lunch in town, with a view over the valley from the town walls.
A free afternoon through the lanes of the historic centre, with no more tickets on the list.
Back to San Quirico d'Orcia.
Montalcino and Sant'Antimo
Drive from San Quirico to Montalcino, via Pienza.
Montalcino Fortress: €4 (ramparts and towers); courtyard free. The same building holds an enoteca with Brunello.
Drive down the hill to the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, in the valley below the town: free (video guide €3, guided tour €6).
Lunch in Montalcino or in Castiglione d'Orcia, on the way back.
On the way back, in Castiglione d'Orcia, the Rocca di Tentennano, a tower on a crag with the same view as the fortress: €6 (€3 children 7–12 and groups of 10+). It reopens at 15:00 after its break; it closes on Wednesday, so day three shouldn't fall on that day.
Back to San Quirico d'Orcia.
What to drop when you're running late
- Late start on day one? Skip Bagno Vignoni and go straight to Pienza — the pool can be seen from the drive, while the Palazzo Piccolomini keeps set hours.
- A scorching summer afternoon? Leave the SP146 viewpoint and the Vitaleta Chapel for late afternoon, once the worst of the heat has passed.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
What gets dropped with only two days?
Day three: Montalcino, Sant'Antimo and the Rocca di Tentennano. The first two days carry everything else.
Do you need a car?
Yes, since no public transport line connects every town in one day.
Why San Quirico as the base every day?
It has the shortest average distance to the other four towns, so every day returns to the same place instead of moving luggage.
Ready for Val d'Orcia?
Where to next
Where to stay in Val d'Orcia
→The valley sleeps mostly in agriturismi and B&Bs, and San Quirico keeps the drive shortest.
Siena · 37 km
→A shell-shaped square where horses race twice a year
How well does Val d'Orcia suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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