Tuscany · Open hills, Renaissance towns and a UNESCO landscape
Villas in the Val d'Orcia
The Val d'Orcia is the valley south of Siena that appears in half the photographs of Tuscany: rolling hills, lone cypress trees, farmhouses on ridges and roads curving through wheat fields. The whole landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The area
What staying in the Val d'Orcia is like
It's quieter and more open than Chianti, with fewer villages and more space between them. Villas here tend to feel remote in the best sense, with wide views and very little around them.
The pace is slow. Mornings in a small town like Pienza or San Quirico, afternoons at the pool, evenings watching the light change over the hills. The views are the main event, and the best villas are positioned for them.
It's also serious wine country. Montalcino, home of Brunello, sits on the valley's western edge, and Montepulciano is just beyond its eastern side. Thermal springs at Bagno Vignoni, where a medieval square is built around a steaming pool, and nearby Bagni San Filippo add to the reasons to stay a week.
Especially good for
- Couples and small groups who want quiet
- Returning visitors to Tuscany
- Photographers, walkers and cyclists
- Wine lovers, particularly for Brunello
Where to stay
Where to base yourself in Val d'Orcia
- 01
Pienza
A small Renaissance town planned by a pope, known for its pecorino cheese and its views over the valley. Busy by day, peaceful in the evening.
- 02
San Quirico d'Orcia
Central and practical, with a pretty old town and easy access to the rest of the valley.
- 03
Montalcino
A hilltop wine town on the western edge. The base for Brunello tastings, with vineyard estates all around it.
- 04
Castiglione d'Orcia and Bagno Vignoni
Rural and quiet, close to the thermal springs. For travelers who want to be deep in the landscape.
Choosing a villa
Worth knowing before you choose
- Villas here are often more isolated than in Chianti, sometimes at the end of long gravel roads. The trade-off is space and views.
- Summer heat in the valley is real. Check for air-conditioning in the bedrooms and a pool with some shade.
- Larger estates and restored hamlets exist, but the choice is smaller than in Chianti. Start early for big groups.
Seasons
When to go
- April and May
- The hills are at their greenest and the famous views at their most vivid.
- June and July
- Wheat turns gold, the evenings are long and the pool gets plenty of use.
- September and October
- Harvest in Montalcino and Montepulciano, softer light and quieter towns.
Practical notes
Getting there and around
More on the wider region in our Tuscany guide.
- Florence and Rome are both roughly two hours' drive or more, depending on where in the valley you stay. Siena is about an hour.
- A car is essential; the towns are small and spread out.
- Pienza and Montalcino get busy with day-trippers. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to visit.
Also consider
Similar places to stay
Questions
Val d'Orcia villa FAQs
Is the Val d'Orcia too remote?
It depends on what you want. It's further from Florence than Chianti and villages are more spread out, but that's exactly why many people choose it. If you want restaurants within walking distance, look at villas near Pienza, San Quirico or Montalcino.
What's the best month to visit the Val d'Orcia?
May for green hills, June for golden wheat fields and long evenings, and late September or October for the harvest. July and August are hot, so a good pool matters.
Can we combine the Val d'Orcia with Rome?
Yes. The southern end of the valley is roughly two hours or more from Rome by car, which makes it a natural pairing for a trip that ends or begins there.
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