Villas in Florence Countryside

Vinci suits families flying into Pisa, Reggello and Rufina suit hill walks with trains to Florence, and the Mugello suits real quiet. These are the hills around Florence rather than Chianti, so expect fewer coach tours and lower-key villages. Most villas are rural, so you will need a car.

Where

Villas: 321
From, per week: £224
Cheapest month: September
Nearest airports: Florence is closest for the Mugello, Sieve valley and Valdarno. Pisa often has more UK flights and suits Vinci, Montecatini and San Miniato. Bologna works for the Mugello. Flights from London take around two hours.

Where to stay in Florence Countryside

Vinci, Lamporecchio and Montelupo (Montalbano hills)

This is our largest group of villas. Vinci, where Leonardo was born, has a museum of models built from his drawings, and his birthplace at Anchiano is a short walk uphill. The Montalbano ridge behind is olive groves and small wine estates, including Carmignano's. Montelupo Fiorentino has made ceramics for centuries. Florence airport is around 40 minutes away, Pisa about an hour.

Best for: Families who want olive hills and an easy run to Pisa or Florence

Not for you if: You want a lively village square: Vinci is small and quiet after dark.

Reggello, Loro Ciuffenna and Castelfranco di Sopra (Valdarno and Pratomagno)

The Pratomagno mountain rises above the upper Arno, and the old Setteponti road links the villages along its flank. Above Reggello, the abbey of Vallombrosa sits in beech and fir forest that stays cool in summer. Loro Ciuffenna is a stone village over a river gorge, and Castelfranco di Sopra and Pian di Scò sit among clay cliffs called the balze. Figline and San Giovanni Valdarno have trains to Florence. Florence airport is around 50 minutes.

Best for: Hill walking, forest shade and trains into Florence

Not for you if: You want to tour Chianti's wine villages: they are on the far side of the Arno valley.

Montecatini Terme, Monsummano and Pistoia (Valdinievole)

Montecatini Terme is a grand old spa town with a funicular up to the hill village of Montecatini Alto. Monsummano Terme has the Grotta Giusti, a natural thermal cave. Pistoia has a fine medieval piazza and far fewer visitors than Florence, while Serravalle Pistoiese and Quarrata are on the hills around it. Lucca is about 30 minutes west, and trains run to Florence. Florence and Pisa airports are each around 45 minutes away.

Best for: Spa towns, trains and an easy base for Lucca and Florence

Not for you if: You want rural isolation: this is a built-up valley with busy roads.

Rufina, Pontassieve and Dicomano (the Sieve valley)

East of Florence, the Sieve valley produces Chianti Rufina and Pomino wines, and several estates take visitors. Rufina and Pontassieve have stations with trains to Florence in around half an hour. Dicomano is the gateway to the Casentino forests, Londa has a small swimming lake, and Pelago sits on a ridge above. Florence airport is around 45 minutes to an hour away.

Best for: Wine lovers who want a quieter alternative to Chianti

Not for you if: You want a dramatic hilltop town: these are valley villages with a working feel.

Vicchio, Borgo San Lorenzo and the Mugello

The Mugello is a broad valley in the Apennines, greener and cooler than the land south of Florence. Vicchio was Giotto's birthplace and Borgo San Lorenzo is the market town, with a scenic railway to Florence. Lake Bilancino near Barberino del Mugello has beaches for swimming. Palazzuolo sul Senio and Marradi, over the watershed, are remote. Florence airport is about 45 minutes from Borgo San Lorenzo.

Best for: Space, walking and green hills north of Florence

Not for you if: You want to be near the art cities every day: the Mugello is a slower, rural base.

San Miniato and Fucecchio (lower Arno)

San Miniato is a long hilltop town with a tower that can be seen for miles. It hosts a white truffle fair on November weekends. Fucecchio, across the river, has a large marsh nature reserve with birdwatching. Both are well placed between Florence and Pisa, around 45 minutes from each airport.

Best for: Food lovers, especially in truffle season

Not for you if: You want views of vineyards from the pool: the valley floor here is flat and partly industrial.

When to go to Florence Countryside

May, June and September are the best balance of warm days and lighter crowds in Florence. July and August are hot, especially in the Valdinievole and lower Arno, though the Mugello and Pratomagno are cooler. October and November bring the grape and olive harvests and San Miniato's truffle fair, but pools get cold. Many country restaurants close for part of the winter. For winter we also list villas at Abetone, the ski area in the mountains above Pistoia.