Tuscany to the Sea Bike Tour | 7 Days

From Pienza in the Val d'Orcia, through hot-spring villages and Etruscan towns, to Talamone on the sea of the Maremma: a 7-day, 6-night cycling itinerary across southern Tuscany from north to south.

Day 1 | Pienza

Setting off from the Renaissance "ideal town"

Arrive at your hotel in Pienza. After collecting your bike and the bike fitting, you can take an optional test ride to San Quirico d'Orcia.

Pienza was built almost in one go between 1459 and 1462, and it remains a rare example of Renaissance town planning. In the evening, take a slow walk through its cobbled lanes.

Distance: 20 km

Day 2 | San Casciano dei Bagni

Over the hills to a hot-spring village

The first 15 km or so are downhill, followed by gentle rolling hills through open countryside. Stop for lunch in Radicofani, a medieval village crowned by a 13th-century fortress. Beyond it, the small hamlet of Celle sul Rigo, with its 13th-century tower, offers an unforgettable view.

A little further on you reach the hot-spring village of San Casciano dei Bagni, where you stay for two nights. Its spa tradition is very old, and the town keeps a Renaissance town hall and a historic centre of alleys and small squares. Near the springs stands a church dating back to around the year 1000.

Distance: 49.5 km | Elevation: +857 m / -779 m

Day 3 | Cetona and Sarteano

Climbing to medieval villages

A day with more climbing. Cetona sits on the slopes of the mountain of the same name, and you ride up it to get there. Its narrow lanes spiral up to the fortress, and it keeps its medieval layout remarkably well. Then on to Sarteano, known for its distinctive castle.

In the evening you return to the same hotel in San Casciano. A visit to the hot springs is highly recommended.

Distance: 38 km | Elevation: +748 m / -747 m

Day 4 | Sorano

Tiny villages and the Orsini fortress

A more demanding route today, through a string of tiny villages and hamlets.

Sorano is a small town of old houses gathered around its fortress. Built by the Orsini family in the 16th century, it is one of the best-preserved examples of Tuscan military architecture, and from up high you can see far across the valley of the Etruscans. Tonight you stay in Sovana.

Distance: 47 km | Elevation: +682 m / -964 m

Day 5 | Pitigliano and Scansano

Etruscan towns and hot-water falls

You soon reach Pitigliano, a town of elegant palaces and broad cobbled streets. A Jewish community lived here for centuries, earning it the name "Little Jerusalem of Tuscany", and its restored synagogue is well worth a visit.

After a stop in the medieval village of Montemerano, ride on to Saturnia. This sulphurous spa has been known since Roman times: warm water cascades over white rocks, forming natural pools.

Tonight you stay at a B&B in the centre of Scansano, in a converted 17th-century building, where you can taste the Morellino di Scansano wine made by the owners.

Distance: 48 km | Elevation: +909 m / -697 m

Day 6 | Talamone

Through the vineyards to the sea

First, warm up your legs riding to Pereta and Magliano in Toscana, hidden gems of the Maremma surrounded by Sangiovese vineyards, the main grape of Morellino. From the hills to the sea, today is mostly downhill.

Your destination, Talamone, is a small fishing village stretched along a promontory, overlooked by an old Sienese castle and surrounded by the Maremma Natural Park. From the lookout near the lighthouse, the view takes in the whole coast from the Argentario to Punta Ala. In the evening, enjoy seafood at one of the town's restaurants.

Distance: 40.5 km | Elevation: +307 m / -789 m

Day 7 | End of tour

Lingering by the sea

The tour ends after breakfast. The nature and beaches of the Maremma Natural Park (Uccellina) are close by.