Montepulciano is a city in Tuscany famous for its wines, especially the classic red wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The town has gained notability from being used as a location for the Twilight films.
- Tourist Information, +39 0578-757-341. M-Sa 09:30-12:30 & 15:00-18:00, Su 09:30-12:30. The office is on Piazza don Minzoni.
- Piazza Grande. Pleasant piazza surrounded by great architecture, like the medieval Palazzo Comunale, Contucci Palace, & Palazzo de' Nobili-Tarugi
- Civic Museum, on Via Ricci, +39 0578-717-300. Tu-Sa 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00; Su 10:00-18:00. This small museum's highlight is the della Robbia ceramic alterpieces & Etruscan artifacts. €4.10.
- San Biagio Church. Daily 09:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00. A wonderful Renaissance church with soaring nave & dome, with a challenging walk from the church to the town center.
Tourist Information, +39 0578-757-341. M-Sa 09:30-12:30 & 15:00-18:00, Su 09:30-12:30. The office is on Piazza don Minzoni.
Piazza Grande. Pleasant piazza surrounded by great architecture, like the medieval Palazzo Comunale, Contucci Palace, & Palazzo de' Nobili-Tarugi
Civic Museum, on Via Ricci, +39 0578-717-300. Tu-Sa 10:00-13:00, 15:00-18:00; Su 10:00-18:00. This small museum's highlight is the della Robbia ceramic alterpieces & Etruscan artifacts. €4.10.
San Biagio Church. Daily 09:00-13:00, 15:00-19:00. A wonderful Renaissance church with soaring nave & dome, with a challenging walk from the church to the town center.
- Palazzo Comunale. The clock tower of the Palazzo Comunale can be climbed for a great town view (€1.60 open daily 10:00-18:00)
- Wine tasting can be done in the Cantinas along Via Ricci & Via di Gracciano nel Corso, but the most fun one is in the basement of the Contucci Palace, on Piazza Grande. Free tasting, no food, open daily 08:30-12:30 & 14:30-18:30. Groups welcome with a reservation. Telephone: +39 0578-757-006
- The house and property of La Foce is a short drive away. The 15th century villa was built as an inn for pilgrims and merchants traveling on the ancient road to Rome, Via Francigena. Restored as a private home by Iris and Antonio Origo, the house and the gardens make for a pleasant two hour visit from Montepulciano. The villa and property (as also are Montepulciano and Chiusi) are the centerpiece of the very readable book War in the Val D'Orcia by Iris Origo. Summertime music concerts are also featured. All tours are guided, so call ahead.
Palazzo Comunale. The clock tower of the Palazzo Comunale can be climbed for a great town view (€1.60 open daily 10:00-18:00)
Wine tasting can be done in the Cantinas along Via Ricci & Via di Gracciano nel Corso, but the most fun one is in the basement of the Contucci Palace, on Piazza Grande. Free tasting, no food, open daily 08:30-12:30 & 14:30-18:30. Groups welcome with a reservation. Telephone: +39 0578-757-006
The house and property of La Foce is a short drive away. The 15th century villa was built as an inn for pilgrims and merchants traveling on the ancient road to Rome, Via Francigena. Restored as a private home by Iris and Antonio Origo, the house and the gardens make for a pleasant two hour visit from Montepulciano. The villa and property (as also are Montepulciano and [[Chiusi]]) are the centerpiece of the very readable book War in the Val D'Orcia by Iris Origo. Summertime music concerts are also featured. All tours are guided, so call ahead.
- Market Day is Thursday
- Enrico Crociani men's clothing, Via Dell'Opio nel Corso, 6, +39 0578 758823. Daily 10:30-13:00, 15:00-19:30. Handicrafted local-made man's clothing
Market Day is Thursday
Enrico Crociani men's clothing, Via Dell'Opio nel Corso, 6, +39 0578 758823. Daily 10:30-13:00, 15:00-19:30. Handicrafted local-made man's clothing
- Ai Quattro Venti, Next to city hall on Piazza Grande, +39 0578-717-231. F-W 12:30-14:00 & 19:30-22:30. Fresh, flavorful, & fun, on Piazza Grande with indoor & outdoor seating. €7 pastas.
- Osteria dell'Aquacheta, on Via del Teatro, +39 0578-717-086. W-M 12:30-15:00 & 19:30-22:30. €5 pastas & salads.
Ai Quattro Venti, Next to city hall on Piazza Grande, +39 0578-717-231. F-W 12:30-14:00 & 19:30-22:30. Fresh, flavorful, & fun, on Piazza Grande with indoor & outdoor seating. €7 pastas.
Osteria dell'Aquacheta, on Via del Teatro, +39 0578-717-086. W-M 12:30-15:00 & 19:30-22:30. €5 pastas & salads.
Montepulciano is the center of an ancient wine-growing region, so go ahead and sample some. Three varieties of wine are available (all are mostly from the sangiovese grape): Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Reserva, in increasing order of subtlety and price. The wines tend to be full-bodied, the kind that goes well with a picture of generations of Tuscan peasants, sitting in the fields, eating cinghiale (boar) while swigging the good stuff!