A day in San Gimignano

San Gimignano is easy to visit independently, and that way you stand a better chance of dodging the tourists.

It lies about halfway between Florence and Siena, off the superstrada that runs between the two. There is a good bus service from both places; the bus stops right at Porta San Giovanni, the main entrance to the town. The journey by car is around 40 mins from Florence and 30 mins from Siena. Note that parking within the old town is impossible; there are four car parks outside the old town walls – all are just a short walk from the centre.

The tourist office is in Piazza del Duomo and carries information about a series of guided tours of the city centre and walking tours in the nearby hills, as well as details of the combined entrance tickets for the main museums.

There is little hope of avoiding the tour groups and crowds of day-trippers if you visit in summer, especially July and August. Staying the night is one solution (most leave at the end of the day) or visit very early in the morning. Winter is the ideal season for doing the museums, but weekends should be avoided if possible.