I wanted to check out the Basilica but we got there while it was midday closed so we decided to…read morewalk around the piazza while we waited for the re-opening at 3pm. We happened to not only be there on a Sunday, but the second Sunday of the month, which is when they do hardware, leather, fabrics, etc. I wasn't necessarily interested in any of that (my preference would have been food on the third Sunday) but it was fun seeing people, especially locals, shop for stuff. It's a feast for the eyes, that's for sure. That being said, there aren't many newer Yelp reviews for this place but if you are researching this area, know that it is no longer a quiet, more local part of town. This is a full blown tourist destination now and the area shows it. I'd highly recommend the basilica. The cloisters are gorgeous, with a beautiful garden in the middle. You cannot take pictures inside for some reason, but it's still worth it.

Came to this jewelry store, Giuliano Ricchi, where I had a customized bracelet with beautiful…read morecharms to remind me of our visit to Florence - Ponte Vecchio bridge, palaces, fleur de lis, and heart locket. Outside, there was live entertainment at the square.

Piazza Santa Croce is spacious, beautiful, and full of character. The basilica is breathtaking, and…read morethe piazza feels lively without being overwhelming. Perfect for people-watching, a coffee stop, or soaking in Florence's atmosphere--especially lovely in the evening.

Named after the fameous churce at the end of the piazza, the Basilica of Santa Croce, this is a fun…read moreopen air area in Florence. The piazza is all paved, however, there is usually a famers market (mostly prepared goods vs produce), and the people watching can be pretty spectacular. It was a easy 15 second walk from my apartment, and the adjacent Taxi stand made getting to the airport a breeze. There are no services or greenery, but the steps of the church can be used as a nice place to sit. It is dotted by a large number of restaurants, leather shops, and gelato places. Its a cool place to simply stop and take a breather and the church is worth a visit as it houses the remains of many famous Italian's and the interior is quite nice as well

What can I say that hasn't already been said? It's a historical medieval village that once had 72…read moretowers (now there's 14). Building a taller tower than your neighbor was common in these times. It was a symbol of wealth, status, and power. In some ways, this idealogy is very much like it is today. There's even a pair of twin towers that looks like it may have been the architect's inspiration for the World Trade Center. No one knows for sure. You'll learn about the story of Santa Fina in the chapel at the cathedral. I took a virtual walk through a video guide even before boarding the plane to Italy. It was beautiful! In reality, it turned out to be more of a tourist attraction. Was it a trap? It depends on how much time you are given to explore it. I'll explain later. My impression wasn't as glamorous as my fellow Yelpers. It all started with the public restrooms. People will tell you that paying a euro to use the restroom is normal in Italy. Only people who are not well-travelled will say this. It's absolutely NOT the norm! The situation in San Gimignano is the worse case scenario. I don't mind paying a human attendant who is maintaining the restrooms. That's never an issue for me. These are machines built to accept money (or credit card if the scanner is working) to gain admission into the restroom using a turnstile. Can you imagine using one of these with a full bladder? The person or organization who decided that it was a good idea to use this demeaning restroom design should be asked one simple question. Would you force your grandmother to do this? I mean, really! It's shameful! I would have been better off squatting over a seatless public toilet. To make matters worse, you'll need to touch the rusted turnstile on your way out after washing your hands. It doesn't move easily. It's unsanitary. I just don't like to touch things like that after the pandemic. I was never infected with Covid, and I was not going to let this germy public bathroom defeat me. Just bring lots of hand sanitizer. There's a lot of tourist trappy things like the torture museums. Don't waste any time or money on that. They have them in all the little medieval villages in Tuscany. I just have some advice for anyone booking a guided tour group from Livorno that includes this village and a winery. Be aware that you may have less than an hour to explore it. I recommend having a private guide, your own transportation, or simply staying in a B&B near the village. I would have loved to have more time (at least 4 hours with lunch) in the village versus the winery. Not to take away anything from the winery estate (Tenuta Torciano) because it was awesome. You must try the region's Vernaccia & Chianti wine. It's incredible! Oh, and definitely visit Piazza della Cisterna. You don't want to miss Gelateria Dondoli, and its famous Crema di Sant Fina gelato.

There are lots of historical villages in the Chianti region, and San Gimignano is definitely not…read moreone to overlook. You could spend hours getting lost in the winding streets. There are a plethora of shops and restaurants, selling everything from gifts and clothing to meats and cheese to gelato and pizza. If you are looking for some climbing and adventure there is a large tower that you can climb. We held off because it was a super hot day, but apparently it's a great way to get the best views of the area. We also had some of the best gelato of our trip here. I'm forgetting the name of the shop, but it's right in the center square and you'll know it based off the line. The fig was unforgettable, and I didn't see fig gelato anywhere else during my trip to Italy so that felt unique. Be mindful of parking and walking -- we had to park pretty far away and it was a hefty walk into the center of town. Parking is very limited in the area, and the town is very hilly. Be sure to wear comfy shoes. The brick buildings are gorgeous and there are so many unexpected charming details like ivy covered buildings, brightly colored doors and narrow cobblestone alleyways. It's a great spot to snap a few highly grammable pics! For sure worth a visit.