Pienza is a can’t-miss town in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia region. In this Pienza travel blog I cover everything you need to know to plan your visit to Pienza, including what the city is known for, how to get there, things to do, and more!
Is it worth visiting Pienza?
Pienza is full of history and Tuscan architecture – truly a cant-miss town in Tuscany. The surrounding area, Val d’Orcia, is a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage site – largely agricultural and dotted with family farms producing wine, olive oil and Pecorino di Pienza, a sheep’s milk cheese. Pienza is easily grouped with nearby Montalcino and Montepulciano for a perfect day trip in Tuscany.
How to get to Pienza
Pienza is easy to get to from Florence, Rome or Siena. Below are instructions for getting to Pienza by plane, train or car:
By Plane:
- From Florence: If you’re arriving in Italy from abroad, Florence Airport (Peretola) is a convenient choice. From there, you can rent a car or take a train to continue your trip.
- From Rome: Rome has two major airports, Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) and Ciampino. You can take a train from Rome to Pienza or rent a car.
By Train:
- The closest major train station to Pienza is in Chiusi, known as Chiusi-Chianciano Terme. From Chiusi, you can take a taxi or a local bus to reach Pienza.
By Car:
- Renting a car is a popular option as it gives you flexibility to explore the region. Major highways connect cities like Florence, Rome, and Siena to Pienza. Follow signs to Siena, and then take the SR2 or SR146 to Pienza.
Why is Pienza the ideal city?
A quick history lesson that I will try to keep as brief and interesting as possible: Pienza is often referred to as the “Ideal City” because of its design as a Renaissance model town. The credit for this title goes to Pope Pius II who was born in Pienza in 1405 and later became pope in the 15th century.
Pius II envisioned transforming his birthplace into a model city that would embody Renaissance urban planning and aesthetics. To achieve this vision, he enlisted the architect Bernardo Rossellino to redesign Pienza’s layout and architecture.
The town’s redesign aimed to achieve balance between functionality and beauty, with a focus on classical architectural elements and proportions. The central piazza, Piazza Pio II, is a prime example of this design philosophy, featuring the cathedral, palace, and other buildings arranged in a symmetrical and visually pleasing manner.
Pius II’s “Ideal City” concept extended beyond architecture; it also encompassed cultural and intellectual pursuits. He encouraged the arts, learning, and culture in Pienza, which all flourished during the Renaissance.
Things to do
Ok, you really have to try Pecorino di Pienza, a sheep’s milk cheese produced in the region! There are a number of shops throughout the city where you can sample and purchase different varieties. We actually enjoyed one variety so much we bought a wheel, lugged it all over Italy and flew home with it!
Another can’t-miss activity is exploring Pienza’s famous city center, Piazza Pio II. The piazza itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Grouped around the piazza are the cathedral, the Cathedral of the Assumption; Palazzo Comunale, the town hall; and the papal palaces.
One palace not to miss is Palazzo Piccolomini, a palace-turned-museum that’s known as the first example of Renaissance architecture. Built in 1459, the building was more recently used as a filming location for the TV series, Medici.
Where to Eat
Pienza has several great restaurant options; it’s a good city to be hungry in. Here are two places you shouldn’t miss:
Buon Gusto Gelateria
Some of the best gelato I had in Italy came from this lovely little gelateria. The flavors are understated and like most desserts in Italy – not too sweet. Their olive oil gelato was especially delicious.
Buon Gusto
Via Case Nuove, 26, 53026 Pienza SI, Italy
Visit the website
La Bandita Townhouse Restaurant
I really enjoyed dinner on the patio at La Bandita Townhouse Restaurant. (To clarify, La Bandita Townhouse is a boutique hotel. They also have an on-site restaurant: La Bandita Townhouse Restaurant.) This Michelin-starred restaurant serves homemade pasta, with plenty of wine options, appetizers, second courses and desserts to choose from.
La Bandita Townhouse Restaurant
Corso il Rossellino, 111, 53026 Pienza SI, Italy
Visit the website
Where to stay
Speaking of La Bandita Townhouse… they also have a beautiful, 12-room luxury boutique hotel. It’s right in the heart of town, too, so everything is within walking distance.
La Bandita Townhouse
Corso il Rossellino, 111, 53026 Pienza SI, Italy
Visit the website
Another great option is L’Olmo. A 10-minute drive outside town, L’Olmo is a stunning, 7-room boutique hotel in the countryside.
L’Olmo
53026 Monticchiello, Province of Siena, Italy
Visit the website
Things to do in the area
Pienza is relatively small; if you’re visiting for the day it can be explored in an hour or two. However, there are lots of great things to do within 30 minutes of Pienza:
- Montepulciano: A 30-minute drive from Pienza, Montepulciano is a medieval hilltop town known for its Vino Nobile wine. Explore the historic center, climb the Torre di Pulcinella for panoramic views, and enjoy wine tastings at the town’s many wineries. You can find my full guide to Montepulciano here.
- Montalcino: A 27-minute drive from Pienza, Montalcino is a hilltop town known for Brunello di Montalcino wine. Grouping Montepulcinao, Pienza and Montalcino together make for a great day trip to Tuscany. You can find my full guide to Montalcino here.
- Bagno Vignoni: Famous thermal hot springs; a 19 minute drive from Pienza.
- Podere il Casale: A quick 10 minute drive fron Pienza, this 300-year-old farm and farmhouse gives visitors a glimpse of rural Tuscany. Visit their website for more information on their restaurant, cooking classes, cheese making demonstration, and more.
- Belvedere: End your day with a visit to Belvedere, a panoramic viewpoint near Pienza. Here’s a Google map showing the location.
In Conclusion
I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Pienza! If you love to travel, you might enjoy my guides to Jackson Hole, Italy, Austria, Belgium and France. You can also find me on Instagram.
