Montepulciano is one of the most beautiful hill towns in Tuscany — a medieval and Renaissance jewel perched on a limestone ridge between the Val d’Orcia and the Val di Chiana, famous for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (one of Italy’s great red wines), its elegant Renaissance palaces, and its starring role as Volterra in the Twilight film series. The town’s main street, the Corso, climbs gently from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza Grande at the summit, lined with wine shops (enoteche) offering free tastings of Vino Nobile, Renaissance palazzi designed by the likes of Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, and hidden courtyards opening onto views of the classic Tuscan landscape of cypress-studded hills, vineyards, and olive groves.

Quick Facts: Montepulciano, Italy

• Best time to visit: April–October; late September for the grape harvest and the Bravìo delle Botti (a barrel-rolling race between the town’s contrade — wildly entertaining); the Corso can be steep in the summer heat — morning is the best time to explore
• How to get there: ~1.5 hours from Florence by car; ~1 hour from Siena; parking is restricted outside the walls — use the designated car parks and walk or take the shuttle up
• Don’t miss: A tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in one of the historic underground wine cellars — many wineries have cellars carved deep into the tufa rock beneath the town’s Renaissance streets
• Combine with: Pienza (the perfect Renaissance town, 15 min), Montalcino (Brunello wine country, 40 min), and the Val d’Orcia hot springs at Bagno Vignoni

Montepulciano is an Italian city situated in southern Tuscany. Today the town has about 14.000 inhabitants. It is located at an altitude of over 600 m and is built in the hills on a narrow limestone ridge. In the center of Montepulciano, you can visit many churches and Renaissance palaces, which were built with the participation of Florentine architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder. The city is also famous for its local wine – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is one of the best wines in Tuscany.

Among the most valuable sights in Montepulciano you can find Sant’Agostino church or ancient gate Porta al Prato. On the Piazza Grande there is the Gothic palace Palazzo Comunale from 14th century. From its tower you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings. Other palaces worth visiting are Palazzo Neri-Orselli, which is now a museum and a gallery, or the Palazzo del Monte Cantucci from 16th century. Not far from the center of the town you can visit a church of Santa Lucia. On the slope below the town of Montepulciano there is situated Renaissance pilgrim church of San Biagio, built by Antonio da Sangallo. In its interior you can see the original artistic decoration.

View Montepulciano – a medieval and Renaissance hill town in Italy in a larger map

Have you tasted Vino Nobile in Montepulciano or discovered Tuscany’s hill-town treasures? Share your wine-tasting adventures in the comments! 🍷

Discover more Italy travel guides and historic European cities.