Volterra

Travel Guide

Volterra which includes heritage elements and a small town or village
Volterra showing a city
Volterra showing landscape views
Medici Fortress featuring heritage elements
Roman Theatre which includes building ruins, theater scenes and heritage elements
Encounter many different eras of history in Volterra, a scenic hilltop town in Tuscany famed for its palaces, museums and archaeological sites.

Experience the enduring charm of rural Tuscany in Volterra, a town of historic burnt-red buildings and ancient archaeological sites. Etruscan, Roman and medieval settlers have all left their mark here. Modern Volterra celebrates this layered history.

Originally, Volterra was a flourishing Etruscan settlement named Velathri, with around 25,000 people from the ancient civilization living here. Romans moved in around the 3rd century B.C. and named it Volaterrae. Explore the town today to see remnants from both of these periods, as well as numerous buildings from its time as a free commune in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Start your exploration of Volterra by surveying its ancient relics. Look for Etruscan architectural sights such as Porta all’ArcoOpens in a new window, a gateway with faded sculptures of human heads, and the Etruscan Acropolis, the ruins of a religious site.

Learn more about this mysterious civilization in the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum. Browse funerary urns and artistic sculptures carved from alabaster. Read about the town’s connection to the stone in the Ecomuseum of Alabaster.

Move on to Roman times next, seeking out classical architecture in the town. Begin with the Roman TheatreOpens in a new window, a sunken arena that once hosted 2,000 spectators. Imagine rich patrons visiting the Roman Baths, where you can still see the remains of the furnace and sauna.

Discover medieval Tuscany in Piazza dei PrioriOpens in a new window. The main square in the town features some of Volterra’s most impressive landmarks. Admire the frescoes in Palazzo dei Priori and the triple-arched loggia of Palazzo Pretorio. Nearby, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta features striking artwork and monuments to Volterran saints.

Visit Volterra in July and August, the peak season in Tuscany, and witness the modern, lively side of the town during the Volterra Jazz Festival. Catch a train from RomeOpens in a new window or FlorenceOpens in a new window, or hop on one of the local buses to get into Volterra. The town is just an hour away from many of Tuscany’s other cultural cities.

Borgo Pignano Tuscany
Borgo Pignano Tuscany
5 out of 5
Localita Pignano 6, Volterra, PI
Stay at this 5-star luxury farm stay in Volterra. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Castelvecchio and Castelvecchio Natural ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (70 reviews)
"Beautiful property. We did horseback riding which was a highlight and the cooking class was fantastic. The pool was relaxing and beautiful. The rooms were clean and comfortable- literally felt like home!! We would go there again for sure. Incredibly relaxing experience."

Reviewed on 2024/11/3

Borgo Pignano Tuscany
Hotel Chiusarelli
Hotel Chiusarelli
3 out of 5
Viale Curtatone 15, Siena, SI
The price is NT$2,478 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
NT$2,478
NT$2,829 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 23 - Feb 24
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Siena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (970 reviews)
"Well located and walking distance to many key spots. Lorenzo was very helpful and nice hotel."

Reviewed on 2024/11/30

Hotel Chiusarelli
NH Siena
NH Siena
4 out of 5
Piazza La Lizza 1, Siena, SI
The price is NT$3,098 per night from Mar 21 to Mar 22
NT$3,098
NT$3,580 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 21 - Mar 22
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Siena. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (994 reviews)
"Great location and good staff."

Reviewed on 2025/1/11

NH Siena
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Il Battistero Siena - Residenza d'Epoca
Il Battistero Siena - Residenza d'Epoca
Piazza San Giovanni, 13, Siena, SI
Stay at this residence in Siena. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (145 reviews)
"Wonderful location!!! Everything within walking distance. Friendly staff, clean modern room. Shower needs repairing. Will definitely return to stay here. If you are driving to the hotel, It’s a ZTL zone so contact the hotel to make arrangements for your car to be garaged. Don’t need a car here. It ..."

Reviewed on 2025/1/12

Il Battistero Siena - Residenza d'Epoca
ApartHotel Anghel
ApartHotel Anghel
via Paolo Frajese 71, Siena, SI
Book a stay at this business-friendly apartment in Siena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Siena Cathedral and Piazza ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (301 reviews)
"Nice place, quiet and clean!"

Reviewed on 2024/8/18

ApartHotel Anghel
Toscana Biovillage - Cottage con Vasca Idromassaggio solo su Richiesta
Toscana Biovillage - Cottage con Vasca Idromassaggio solo su Richiesta
Via Gorizia 2, Località Collemazzano, Cecina, LI
Stay at this cottage in Cecina. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Parco Avventura Il Giardino Sospeso and Hermann ...
7.4/10 Good! (10 reviews)
"Abbiamo trascorso un breve soggiorno presso questa struttura e ci ha stupiti positivamente superando ogni nostra aspettativa. I cottage sono splendidi, letti comodissimi e gli spazi generosi. La cucina e'ben fornita e non c'e'nulla che sia risultato fuori posto. La piscina e'la chicca del villaggio ..."

Reviewed on 2024/8/7

Toscana Biovillage - Cottage con Vasca Idromassaggio solo su Richiesta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Volterra

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 83%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This is a must see location for the Etruscan artifacts. Wonderful town with fewer tourists.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Hard to believe the beauty and history of this city and surrounding area. The museums were also amazing.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Top tier hill town in Tuscany.

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