Borgo San Lorenzo is the main town of the Mugello valley, about 30 km north of Florence on the other side of the Apennine foothills. It's a working market town with a lively Saturday morning market, good local restaurants, and a landscape of green hills and chestnut woods that feels genuinely rural. The Mugello gets a fraction of the visitors that Chianti attracts, which keeps prices lower and the experience more authentic. We think it's an underused base for villa holidays near Florence.
Why Stay in Borgo San Lorenzo
- Mugello valley landscape — green, hilly, and agricultural. This is countryside that hasn't been manicured for tourism, with working farms, olive groves, and woodland walks.
- Close to Florence by train — regular services reach Florence Santa Maria Novella in about 50 minutes from the local station.
- Lower prices, villas, restaurants, and day-to-day costs are noticeably cheaper than in the Chianti or Val d'Orcia.
- Honest caveat. the town itself is functional rather than beautiful. The Mugello doesn't have the postcard appeal of southern Tuscany, and the weather can be a few degrees cooler and wetter.
Things to Do in Borgo San Lorenzo
The Saturday market is the weekly highlight: a big, sprawling affair with food producers, cheese, salami, clothes, and household goods. Arrive early for the best food stalls.
The Autodromo del Mugello, about 10 km north, hosts MotoGP and other racing events. Even on non-race weekends, the surrounding hills are popular with motorcyclists and cyclists. The lake at Bilancino, 15 minutes north, has swimming beaches, kayaking, and waterside restaurants open in summer.
For a cultural day trip, the Convento di Monte Senario (20 minutes south) sits on a wooded hilltop with views towards Florence. It's a peaceful spot for a walk and a coffee. The Medici villa at Cafaggiolo, just outside town, is another reminder that this valley has deep historical roots.
Florence is the big day trip, easily reached by train. For something different, drive north over the Futa Pass into Emilia-Romagna for Bologna's food scene (about 90 minutes).