Day Trip to Monteriggioni: A Medieval Village in Tuscany

Monteriggioni is a small fortified hilltop town a short bus ride from Siena, and it was a great opportunity to enjoy the Tuscan countryside. I had earmarked Monteriggioni as one of a few possibilities for a day trip by bus before arriving in Siena.

Monteriggioni is a medieval walled town located on a natural hill and was built by the Sienese between 1214 and 1219 as a defensive fortification in their wars against Florence. Interestingly, it is also mentioned in Dante’s book The Divine Comedy.

Bus To Monteriggioni From Siena

After familiarising myself with the Tuscan buses and their nuances, I picked a day and visited the hilltop town. Google Maps was helpful in planning the route, and I found it pretty accurate.

I found the AT app was the best way to get tickets and plan the trip. The AT app was straightforward to use and had a help page to figure things out. You can also pay on board.

The bus you need to catch is the 130; it drops you off on the road below the village. This is a short walk to the main sites. This starts at the main bus station and stops at various locations along the way, including the top of the escalators at the train station. As a bonus, this route also goes to Colle di Val d’Elsa, another nearby medieval town ideal for making a big day out of.

Things to See in Monteriggioni

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Walls & Gates

The entire village is surrounded by medieval walls, one of the primary attractions. The walls form a circle around the centre, measuring 570 metres in circumference. These were built between 1213 and 1219 to follow the contours of the hill.

Features to see include 14 towers on square bases, all roughly the same distance apart, and two gates to access the village.

At the south of the village and the main entrance is Porta Romana, which is nearest to Rome, the capital of Italy. Porta Romana is how most visitors arrive, as it’s near the car park and the route from the bus stop.

Near Porta Romana is the entrance to the southern walkway, where you can explore the walls and enjoy views. This cost a small fee to access and included the northern walkway too. I really enjoyed the views of the main square and into the Tuscan countryside from here.

At the northern end is Porta Fiorentina, which faces Florence. This was popular with people taking photos from the farmland and Via Francigena walking trails.

The walkway also had splendid views of the centre from above, the gate, nearby farmland and hills.

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta

In the main square is the small but nice Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which is free to enter. It is the focal point for pilgrims to the town.

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta has a history dating back to 1213, when Monteriggioni was founded. It became a parish church at the end of the 13th century. Since then, it has evolved with additions, including artworks.

At the rear of the church is a garden where pilgrims congregate. They get a free aperitivo when arriving at the church.

Via Francigena Pilgrimage/Hiking Route

Monteriggioni is on the famous Via Francigena, an ancient road and pilgrimage route that connects Canterbury in the UK to Rome. This route also passes through other hilltop towns and the nearby city of Siena.

The routes enter and leave the fortified town with trails into beautiful countryside each way. There are many options for visitors to enjoy a nearby walk; you can plan or follow routes in the Komoot app. If I returned, I’d love to hike a longer section of this walk.

Food & Wine Shops

Throughout the centre are regional food and wine shops, two things the area is famous for. This includes those that sell local produce, such as pecorino cheeses, cured meats, honeys, and other condiments. I enjoyed cheese and salami for lunch with the local pilgrims’ beer.

There were quite a few wineries represented in the town, and it was a great place to try or purchase wines from the Chianti region. For wine lovers, there are lots of wine and cheese tours in the region

Art & Craft Shops

There were also small art galleries where you could buy paintings of the site or the local countryside. I also popped in a few touristy shops off the main square, which were good for souvenirs, including Tuscan food.

Food & Drink Out

There were a few restaurants, bars and other establishments selling Tuscan food all day. I was hungry, so I visited a few for snacks and beer.

Forme Darte

First up, I visited Forme Darte, a cute deli in the medieval side streets. This was primarily a Tuscan food shop that made sandwiches from its wares and had a range of drinks, including wines and beers. I opted for Tuscan salami and pecorino cheese in a panini washed down with a bottle of pilgrimage beer. Both hit the spot, and the seats in the little garden were ideal for a rest stop.

Il Tagliere Medievale

Another restaurant where I had a drink and food was Il Tagliere Medievale. Il Tagliere Medievale has outdoor seats in the shade overlooking the main square and the church. It was perfect for people-watching, with pilgrims and cyclists coming and going.

For a drink, I enjoyed a cold water, and from their menu, I opted for the medieval hamburger. This was a toast with sausage and pecorino cheese, and it tasted delicious.

Is Monteriggioni Worth Visiting?

I really enjoyed my day trip to Monteriggioni from Siena. It has many aspects to it and is a great place for those who love medieval history. It’s also a top destination for foodies and wine aficionados, with plenty of local options to enjoy.

Monteriggioni was also popular with cyclists on cycling holidays in the region and has dedicated cycling routes. Also, many people walk the entire or part of the Via Francigena pilgrimage route through the town. The trails going either way on the trail from the village pass through picturesque countryside, so this is a great starting point for a day out hiking.

There are a few options for places to stay if you want to enjoy more of the local food, have a night on the wine, or hike the nearby trails. You can find a wide range of choices on the Booking.com website.