San Gimignano Travel Forum

Would it be too much to visit both in one day? Fairly in depth.
We shall be based in Poggibonsi and have a car.
Many thanks.

San Gim is just a quick whizz from Poggibonsi.......Volterra is around 45 minutes away. I should think it would be entirely possible to do both, especially with an early start (which would avoid some of the San Gim tour crowds which arrive later in the morning).

Look at www.viamivchelin.com for routes and estimated driving times.

www.viamichelin.com

Sorry.

I spent one day in San Gimignano. I love going to all those shops...It's up to you if you just want to skim it or explore it...

it's doable, just beware where you leave the car!

and of course... go early, like seven in the morning ;)

As stated, start early. My wife and I went from Colle Val d'Elsa to San Gimignano early in the morning. Not too crowded and walked the streets stopping for a wine bar with views over the valley, many small shops (the Boar's Head sausage shop was a highlight for me) and the Duomo. For a superb, once in lifetime gourmet treat, go to Ristorante Dorando for lunch. Open from 12noon till only 2:30pm, lunch is just as wonderful as dinner, just less expensive. Still on the high side for price, but the experience is worth it. Pure Tuscany. Only a short block down a side street from the Piazza Duomo. See their website:http://www.ristorantedorando.it/eng/art.html
After that wonderful lunch, we walked back to the parking lot outside the town and went to Volterra. This medieval town seemed the most real and not touristy in all of Tuscany. Make sure you visit the museum and take the side lower streets to see the alabaster artists at work. A romantic spot for dinner is the Piazza dei Priori's many trattorias.

Thank you so much to all who replied. I appreciate and will heed your advice and recommendations.

It's long I do not go there, if you went early it's possible to park just outside the walls, do not go inside.
go there early and avoid thursday as there is the market but if you went that day (or sunday) go earlier. have confortable shoes.
bye

In driving... I'd do Volterra first and as you are about to enter the town there's a car park on the right. It's by a brick wall with a waterfall treatment on it. Great views of the Tuscan countryside and right at the main entrance to Volterra. The alabaster factories are very interesting and you can find some bargains but get away from the main piazza.


As for San Gimi.... use parking lot #1 which is at the base of San Gimi. It's about E5 for day instead of E5 per hour in the upper level lot near the main gate. There is a shuttle bus from the parking lot or you can walk up the hill.
I liked the walk as you got to see some great views of the Tuscan hills from there. As you enter the main gate on San Giovanni Strada, the first street on the left has a few stairs and a ristorante at the top of them call Chiribiri. Outstanding food and very reasonable. They are always serving and bring cash as they don't take credit cards. During our stay in San Gimi of 10 days, we ate there 4 times!! There are only 26 chairs in the whole place!!!

Can you do both in the day.. sure and San Gimi is best in the later afternoon as the tour buses lighten by that time. After 7, the town is the best as everyone is gone so stay for dinner before heading back down the hill to Poggibonsi.