Castel San Gimignano

Castel San Gimignano is a charming, miniscule hamlet constructed in brick and set on a hill. It rests halfway between its famous sister city of San Gimignano and the attractive art town of Volterra. It's amidst the rolling hills, woods, olive groves and vineyards that many consider to be the most beautiful part of Tuscany. The gorgeous Chianti region is nearby.

The village was built as a castle fortress to stand guard between San Gimignano and Volterra. It still has medieval atmosphere and remnants of its protective walls, a section of which has the town crest embedded in it. It's a quaint village with all the basic services, including grocers, coffee bars, a pharmacy and a couple of restaurants.

Castel San Gimignano is in a very central spot for enjoying the wines of Chianti, the bucolic countryside, and the best towns of Tuscany. Siena, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Lucca, Florence and Montepulciano are just a few to explore from here. The distinctive towers of San Gimignano give that town an amazing skyline; there are excellent restaurants and sidewalk cafes there, as well as in Volterra.