Montepulciano: Day Trips and Tours from Rome

Set high on the rolling hills of Tuscany, Montepulciano is famous for its vineyards but there's plenty to interest everyone in the town.

Wine lovers will understandably rejoice at the array of wineries located in the region. Those who are interested in medieval history, art and religion will also gawp at its quaint piazza and grand buildings.

While it may seem like quite a distance, Montepulciano day trips from Rome are not only possible — they're easy.

Here’s everything you need to know about Montepulciano, one of the most captivating day trips from Rome.

How to get to Montepulciano from Rome?

Montepulciano is situated in the Siena province of southern Tuscany. It is easy to reach from Rome and takes around 2.5 hours.

From Rome to Montepulciano by car

The journey to Montepulciano from Rome is just over 250 kilometers. While this may seem like a lot of ground to cover, the drive takes just over 2.5 hours and is straightforward. Drive north out of the city on the SS4 before connecting to the E35 all the way to the hillside town, taking the SP326 exit at Casenuove.

From Rome to Montepulciano by public transport

In order to take a day trip to Montepulciano, board a train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme from Roma Termini. Trains take around two hours and tickets cost upwards of €11. From there, you can hop on a train to the town which takes less than 15 minutes and costs just under €3.

Guided tour to Montepulciano from Rome

You can expect a day tour to Montepulciano to last approximately 10 hours, meeting around 8 AM. Some tours will offer a hotel pickup, while others will meet at a departure point in the center of Rome.

What is the typical itinerary?

After an early morning departure, you'll trundle through the Italian countryside for around 2.5 hours in air-conditioned comfort before arriving at your final destination.

Once you reach the town, you'll be able to explore its medieval history and view its finest monuments. A typical day tour to Montepulciano revolves around one thing — wine, and after you've visited the town, you'll be taken to a local vineyard.

Here you'll experience a tour of the wine cellars and vineyards and for the best bit — a tasting of the local tipple. Heading back to the center of town, a traditional Tuscan lunch is on the cards, followed by a detour to the home of pecorino cheese, Pienza.

You can't visit the cheese-obsessed town without nibbling on its savory delights, so you'll drop in on a local shop to try them. This is the last stop before ending your day trip to Montepulciano and returning to Rome.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Montepulciano?

There are several different types of tours you can take to Montepulciano and its surrounding area.

Day trip to Montepulciano from Rome

Day trips are mostly private, enabling you to have a personal experience of the wine region. You'll make stops at both Montepulciano and Pienza, and wine tasting to sample local wines and savory snacks.

As part of the tour, you'll have free time to dawdle through each town's streets, admiring the boutiques, delis, and of course — wineries.

Day tour to Montepulciano plus Orvieto from Rome

Day tours to Montepulciano which include Orvieto cover a lot within a short space of time. In just seven to eight hours, you'll travel up the country for a wine tasting in the town.

A professional guide will also show you around the duomo (cathedral) which was built in 1290. Continuing your journey to Montepulciano, you'll take a culinary tour of the region through its fine wines after a vineyard and cellar tour.

While in Montepulciano, you'll also have the opportunity to see the town's most prominent sites. The most widely known of these is the Piazza del Grande which has been the backdrop of several movies.

Day tour to Montepulciano plus Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio from Rome

If you want to see even more of the southern region of Tuscany, join a day trip to Montepulciano that makes additional stops at Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio.

Much of the day runs similarly to the above, with wine tasting and chances to explore the small towns.

This tour takes a different turn after Orvieto, heading to Civita di Bagnoregio, which is known as "the dying city." The village gets its name from the erosion that is slowly happening all the time, gradually wearing away the rocks that form its picturesque buildings.

How much does a tour to Montepulciano from Rome cost?

A day trip to Montepulciano from Rome costs about €240 per person for a group of two, and the price covers the wine and food tasting of local products. It also includes a professional guide and private transportation with a hotel pickup and drop-off services.

A day tour to Montepulciano plus a visit to Orvieto costs around €650 per person and include wine tasting and entrance tickets to the Orvieto cathedral, as well as a second wine tasting in Montepulciano with deli snacks.

Day trips to Montepulciano, Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio cost around €850 per person for a group of two people. The price can go down to €500 per person for a group of up to 7 adults. This tour includes two wine tastings, deli snacks, entrance to the Orvieto cathedral and entrance tickets to Civita di Bagnoregio.

What will you see and do in Montepulciano?

Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande is the main square and the spot where the town comes to life. There is plenty to explore, including the cathedral and the town hall which has a clock tower you can climb. From the top, you won't just be able to see the Renaissance town, you'll also have a breathtaking view out over the Tuscan countryside.

Plenty of events happen in the piazza throughout the year including festivals and open-air concerts. The Piazza Grande has its own claim to fame through its feature in several Hollywood movies including Twilight.

Tempio di San Biagio

The Tempio di San Biagio is a must visit stop on your day trip to Montepulciano. Italy has thousands of churches in all shapes and sizes, but what makes this one so special is its setting.

Located just outside the city walls, the church stands magnificently against a backdrop of rolling Tuscan hills. It was erected in the 16th century because of miracles that kept happening on the ground where it now stands.

It was decided that a church would be built to mark the religious significance, and the building was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder.

The church is open from 10 AM to 1:30 PM and 2 PM until 6 PM every day, and tickets cost €4.50.

Wine tasting

Montepulciano is one of the most famous towns for producing rich and fruity Tuscan wines, which are enjoyed all over the world. This means that if you pay a visit to the region, you simply must sample the full-bodied red wines that are aptly named after the town.

There are plenty of wineries located within Montepulciano itself, with many more set slightly further afield in the endless vineyards of the area. Almost all Montepulciano wineries offer tasting sessions, meaning you can spend the day sauntering between them, trying many varieties.

Some of the best wineries include Contucci, Gattavecchi and De' Ricci Cantine Storiche.

When is the best time to visit Montepulciano?

The weather in Tuscany can be unpredictable outside of the summer months, so if you are a sun worshipper, visit during July or August. Be aware that these months are the busiest time for tourism, and if you want to avoid flocks of tour groups, then October is a wonderful month to visit.

Although the region can experience some rain during October, the weather is mild – around 18 degrees Celsius and you'll have the streets to yourselves.

Are there any tours to Montepulciano from other cities in Italy?

Yes, there are other tours departing from several other cities in Italy:

• Montepulciano day trips from Florence
• Day trips to Montepulciano from Siena

What are the other day trips from Rome?

• Pompeii day trips from Rome
• Amalfi Coast day trips from Rome
• Positano day tours from Rome
• Day trips to Naples from Rome
• Villa d'Este day trips from Rome

Travel tips

• Day trips to Montepulciano are best suited to adults, as they are focused on the wines of the region. If you have children, another Tuscan town might suit your needs better, such as Siena or Florence.
• Be sure to buy a bottle of your favorite red from one of the wineries to remind you of your trip once you're home.
• Wine tasting tours are popular so book in advance to ensure you can enjoy your excursion to Montepulciano.