Montalcino, Italy is one of my favorite hilltop towns in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia region. Here, you’ll vineyards producing Brunello di Montalcino, as well as a 14th-century fortress, restaurants, wine bars and gorgeous views of Tuscany. Read on for everything you need to know to visit Montalcino, Italy!
Is it worth visiting Montalcino?
Yes! I can’t imagine skipping this hilltop town if you’re planning to road trip through this part of Tuscany. I grouped it with nearby Pienza and Montepulciano, and lunch at winery right outside Montalcino, for a great day in Tuscany. More on that itinerary below…
All About Montalcino
Montalcino was first mentioned in documents from the 9th century, although the town is most likely much older than that, dating back to Etruscan times. The majority of its architecture today is medieval, such as the medieval clock tower and 13th century city walls, both pictured above, as well as the 14th century fortress, the Fortress of Montalcino.
Surrounding Montalcino are 240+ wineries, so it’s a great place to visit if you enjoy visiting wineries and wine tasting. The town is known for two kinds of wine: Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino. If you have time, I highly recommend visiting a winery; most are small, family-owned, multi-generational estates. If you’re short on time, consider visiting one of Montalcino’s wine bars to enjoy locally produced wines.
How to Get There
Montalcino is only 45-minutes from Siena on Via Cassia/SS2, a two-lane highway in Tuscany that follows an ancient road that stretched from Florence to Rome. Here’s a map that shows the route. There isn’t a train station in Montalcino, so you’ll need to drive, join a tour group, or hire a driver. If you’re driving, I recommend visiting three Tuscan towns in this area: Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino. Here’s another map that shows this route. If you do this, you might enjoy my travel guides to Montepulciano and Pienza to help you plan your day.
Things to Do
Montalcino is a small town: You can see the fortress and highlights in about an hour. However, if you want to visit nearby wineries, or visit a restaurants or wine bar in Montalcino, you can easily spend longer. Here are some of the best things to do during your visit:
Visit the Fortress of Montalcino
During medieval times, there was a tremendous rivalry between Siena and Florence. To help fortify their territory, Siena built a fortress in Montalcino, with construction beginning in 1361. Today, you can visit the fortress free-of-charge; it’s a great thing to do when you get to town. (There IS a small fee if you want to climb up to the towers and walkways. I didn’t do this but wish I had for great views of Tuscany.)
Visit a Winery to Enjoy Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino is best known for its Brunello di Montalcino, a DOCG red wine that’s aged longer than any other Tuscan wine. I visited Tornesi, a small, friendly, family-owned winery less than a 1-minute drive from the city center. I recommend using the “Contact Us” form on their website in advance of your trip if you’d like to arrange a tasting or lunch with wine pairings.
I’d love to visit Tornesi again, and a couple other wineries in the area. On my list for next time are Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco and Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona.
Want to ship wine home following your tasting? Each winery can assist you with filling out a form to purchase wine to ship to your home address. You can typically buy these bottles in increments of 6. Some wineries sell other products such as Tuscan olive oil or balsamic vinegar that count toward 6 units.
Montalcino is also known for another red, Rosso di Montalcino. Less expensive than Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino is made with the variety of grape, but from younger vines than those that make Brunello. It’s also fermented for a shorter amount of time. If you’re shipping wine back from Montalcino, I’d suggest a few bottles of Brunello for nice meals or special occasions, and a few bottles of Rosso di Montalcino for everyday.
Where to Eat & Drink
This part of Tuscany is known for its hearty pasta, such as pappardelle with wild boar ragu. It’s a great place to grab a glass of wine, lunch or dinner. Here are a few recommendations:
Locanda Demetra & Montalcino Cooking School
I briefly visited this property for this guide and can share that everyone here looked like they were having the time of their lives! I’d love to go back someday for a cooking class or lunch. Book in advance.
Boccon DiVino
Sit on the terrace for panoramic views of Tuscany. Closed on Tuesdays. Reservations recommended.
Enoteca Grotta del Brunello
Wine bar with a wonderful selection of Tuscan wines. Also serves food.
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this travel guide! If you’re heading to Tuscany, you may enjoy my guides to Castelmuzio, Florence, Montepulciano and Pienza, as well as this hotel recommendation for Tuscany. You can also find more travel info and inspiration on my Instagram.
