One of our favorite day trips from Florence was to beautiful Fiesole (read all about it) and the other was exploring the Chianti wine region and beautiful, well-preserved medieval towns. This was how we spent the day visiting two adjacent charming towns. Here are the things to do in Greve in Chianti and Montefioralle.
Greve in Chianti
This small town is located about 18 miles (30 km) from Florence and is in the heart of the Chianti wine-growing region in Tuscany. Chianti wine is famous for its long and rich history. It has been produced since the 13th century here and widely drank around the world. It is versatile and is associated with Italian cuisine and culture.
We took the bus from Florence (details at end of the post). The ride was about an hour and was actually quite scenic with vineyards and rolling hills filled with olive trees. The bus stopped and dropped us off in the middle of the small town.
History of Greve in Chianti
Greve in Chianti’s history dates back to the Etruscan civilization and also connected to the beautiful Castle of Montefioralle located above the town. The town served as the castle’s marketplace in the 13th century and was a significant market town during the Middle Ages.
It is located at the crossroads of three important pilgrimage roads. So, its strategic position played a key role in the political and economic development of the area. Greve In Chianti became known for its wine production during the Renaissance and continues to this day.
Main Square – Piazza Matteotti
Like many Italian towns, life in Greve in Chianti centered around the main square called Piazza Matteotti. Though, it was more of a triangle shaped. The town was built around this piazza over several centuries.
The town still hosts a market every Saturday with many stalls selling a variety of items from produce, handcrafted items to clothes. From March to December, the town hosts Il Pagliaio organic farmers’ market every fourth Sunday of the month highlighting the bounty of the region.
From June to August, the Stelle e Mercanti evening market, with food, wine, artisan products and music, is held on the third Thursday of the month. We were here on a Tuesday so a bit disappointed we didn’t get to see the market.
The main square is surrounded on three sides by porticos. Under these arches are numerous boutiques, artisan shops selling wine, ceramics, souvenirs and restaurants. We enjoyed walking through these unique shops to eat and shop.
Shops to Visit in Greve in Chianti
We arrived in Greve around 9 AM. It was the perfect time for some coffee and pastries. Pasticceria Chianti was a small and busy cafe. It had a wonderful selection of delicious pastries.
They also had great seating areas right by the square. It was great to sit there and people watch. Coffee was still a necessity as we batted jet lag.
Though, the most memorable shop we visited was Antica Macelleria Falorni. You can’t miss it with a stuffed boar in the front. This Tuscan butcher shop and deli has been selling meats and local goods at this spot since 1729.
Don’t miss going in here for an excellent selection of cured meats and quite a sensory experience that start with the pungent smell when you first enter to the numerous animal legs hanging from the ceiling.
My husband was particularly drawn to the boar head. It also felt like a history museum with the interesting exhibits scattered around the store.
My other favorite shop was Bottega dell’Artigianato which was a shop that specialized in hand-woven baskets, textiles and olive wood products. I also loved going into Ceramica Geometrie Srl which sold many beautiful ceramics. They were so colorful and practical and wished I had the budget and luggage space to bring many of them home.
Other Buildings in the Square
Beyond the shops, the square also has a large statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano. He was a famous explorer who discovered the Hudson Bay in New York and born just a few miles from here.
The neo-Renaissance town city hall, Palazzo del Comune, was nearby. They also had a visitor’s center with plenty of brochures and very helpful staff.
On the other end of of the square was the Santa Croce Church with a neoclassical facade and was once the site of another medieval church. This was small but we did go in to check it out.
It had a very simple interior and altar but the the church had some wonderful artwork. Among the most important masterpiece here was the 14th century fresco depicting the Virgin Mary with Child.
Greve in Chianti also has a couple of interesting museums worth visiting. The Museum of Sacred Art is located near the Santa Croce Church.
It is located in the former San Francesco convent dating back to the 15th century. The museum has several fantastic religious artworks of sculptures and paintings from the 14th to 17th centuries offering insights into the region’s culture and history.
The museum is typically open from Tuesday to Sunday, with varying hours depending on the season and children under 12 years old are free. Please check the official website for the most current information.
Greve in Chianti is very compact and easy to explore. Since we didn’t go into the museums, we didn’t spend too much time here. Though, it was wonderful to stroll through the charming streets and piazzas and pop into the unique shops.
Montefioralle
The charming town of Montefioralle lies on a hill above Greve in Chianti. One of the reasons I really wanted to do this day trip was to visit this picturesque, medieval village and it did not disappoint.
It is located less than a mile away but on a steep hill. Taxis and Ubers aren’t readily available if you don’t have a car. I was with my husband and son who were physically active. So, we decided to check out the scenic and uphill climb to Montefioralle.
If you’re planning to walk up, it was about a 25-30 minute walk. My husband navigated using Google maps which started out at Via Roma and ended on the main road to Montefioralle.
It was quite hot during our late June visit and there were a few occasions where I wanted to hitch a ride from the locals. But, our walk up also meant plenty of stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and views of the surrounding areas including cutting across a grove of olive trees.
History of Montefioralle
Montefioralle has a rich and fascinating history dating back to the 11th century. A Florentine nobleman, Giovanni di Montefiore, founded the town who also built a castle and fortified walls around the village. Over the centuries, Montefioralle became an important center of commerce and trade.
During the Middle Ages, the town was a strategic stronghold that various warring groups fought over. Luckily, the town’s castle and walls provided protection against these attacks.
Montefioralle became part of the Florentine Republic in the 15th century, which brought stability and security to the town. The famed Medici family played a significant role in the development of the town commissioning many of the beautiful buildings and works of art that can still be seen today.
An Afternoon in Montefioralle
Montefioralle was truly enchanting. We felt like we were transported back in time walking its cobble stoned streets. There was hardly anyone around so we felt like we had this whole town to ourselves. Every corner we turned into was a pleasant surprise.
We followed the main street through the buildings. You cannot get lost here. We loved the stone walls, window boxes brimming with colorful flowers and hanging laundry. The buildings were well preserved and it was just so serene walking through the Medieval village.
One of the town’s attraction is the ancestral home of Amerigo Vespucci. The famed explorer was born here in 1454. There was no big sign to direct visitors to the house.
We actually found the house using Google Maps. Look for House #21 with a wasp inside a V (the family’s coat of arms) above the door. There was also a sign that said “Vespuccia Domus”.
Lunch at Montefioralle
Walking uphill and strolling through Montefioralle’s charming streets made us really hungry. It was also a great excuse to try out a local restaurant. I usually recommend making a reservation at these small towns since there aren’t that many restaurants here and it was the busy summer season.
We didn’t have a reservation due to being spontaneous but we got really lucky. Don’t miss going to this restaurant so make a reservation if you’re planning to eat here.
Il Guerrino Tratoria Storica was such a great restaurant and one we highly recommend. The waiter led us outside to a spacious terrace and garden with panoramic views of the hills dotted with olive trees and vineyards. It was so beautiful and provided an idyllic backdrop for our Tuscan lunch.
My husband and I were wine tasting later in the afternoon which comes with some food. So, we ordered their locally produced artisanal charcuterie board with delicious cheeses and meats to satisfy us for a bit.
Meanwhile, our son was starving so he ordered Slow-cooked beef in red wine and herbs. Prices were reasonable and most dishes were under 20 euros. Both dishes were delicious.
I don’t think I’ve ever recommended visiting a restroom. But, if you are eating at Il Guerrino, please make it a point to use their CR/WC aka restroom. It’s hard to beat this view.
Montefioralle Winery
We walked off our lunch from the old village to the winery we had a reservation for down the hill. If you’re in Chianti wine country, one must visit a winery for some tastings.
It was a pleasant walk outside the village walls and along the vineyards. The only traffic we saw were a few people on their vespas.
We highly recommend Montefioralle Winery, a family-run boutique winery. Reservations are mandatory for the wine tasting. Our tour and wine tasting was scheduled for 2:30 PM and each one lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. We recommend booking the tour a few hours after lunch.
Our group was small with only with two other young ladies there. Children are welcome to go with you but you do need to indicate it during the reservation process and they are free. Our then 16-year old son was with us and they even gave him food and water while we were tasting.
Wine Tasting at Montefioralle Winery
We didn’t do a formal tour since they had a staffing issue but we didn’t mind. It was wonderful to sit under their gazebo surrounded by their vineyards, gardens and a fantastic view of the hilltop Montefioralle village.
The wine tasting included five wines and came with delicious local food samples.They gave us so much food that we could hardly finish it. We learned interesting things from the types of wines they produced to the dominant Sangiovese grapes they grow.
We also learned why every Chianti Classico bottle is marked with a black rooster. It was based on a legend and the black rooster has become the area’s emblem symbolizing vigilance.
Greve in Chianti and Montefioralle are most likely not on many visitors’ radar when visiting Florence or the Tuscany area. If you’re looking for a beautiful area that is not overrun with tourists during the summer season and oozing charm, history and scenery, then these two towns are for you. We really enjoyed our day trip here strolling through the beautiful streets and admiring the rolling hills full of vineyards and olive groves.
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Tips for Visiting Greve in Chianti and Montefioralle
- Ideally, having a car and driving there is the most convenient and best way to get from Florence to Greve in Chianti and Montefioralle. The drive through the vineyards is beautiful and so scenic I probably would have stopped a lot. There were plenty of parking places at both towns. Check the best rental car prices in Italy.
- We took the bus which was pretty easy, cheap (at 4.5 euros per person one way) and only took an hour. Bus #365 starts in the SITA bus station which is about 100 meters from the Santa Maria Novella train station.
- There is a schedule inside the station to verify the times but it does depart every hour. It will also tell you which bay/parking spot to get on the bus.
- Use Google Maps or Rome2Rio for updated times based on your departure. Buy bus tickets at bars, tobacconists and newsagents, or on board but with a surcharge.
- Check with the Greve in Chianti visitor’s center if you want to get a taxi on your way up to Montefioralle. They told us they were able to call one. Uber wasn’t readily available during our visit.
- Be sure to make reservations for lunch if you plan to eat in Montefioralle or Greve in Chianti.
- Try to come on Saturday if you want to explore the weekly market in Greve in Chianti.
- Bring a hat, wear sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes for walking when visiting during summer.
- There are several day tours that also leave from Florence that may include a driver or a vespa tour.
- Book the fun Get Your Guide tours below!
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