Montalcino

Go for Brunello wine, a hilltop fortress and views over the Val d'Orcia, with the Sant'Antimo abbey a short drive away.

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Montalcino is a hill town and municipality in Siena province, in Tuscany, central Italy. It sits in the Val d'Orcia, about 42 km from Siena and 110 km from Florence, with the town centre at roughly 564 m above sea level. The town gives its name to Brunello di Montalcino, a red wine made from Sangiovese Grosso grapes grown within the municipality. Vineyards and olive groves cover the lower slopes, and from the high hilltop you can see the Asso, Ombrone and Arbia valleys.

Visitors come for the wine estates, the hilltop fortress and the views. Built in 1361 on the highest point of town, the fortress was never conquered, even though the town itself fell after repeated sieges. The main square, Piazza del Popolo, is dominated by the medieval town hall, the Palazzo dei Priori. The Benedictine Abbazia di Sant'Antimo is a short drive from town. Monte Amiata lies close by, near the Grosseto border, and is a useful reference point for day trips. Plan a day for the town and the estates, and add the abbey as an outing.

Montalcino in five

Book estate tastings aheadMany wineries need an appointment, especially in harvest season. Reserve a time and ask whether lunch or a tour is included, and check the winery's official site for rules.
Plan a driver, tour or taxiItaly's drink-drive limit is strict and estate roads are narrow. Use a designated driver, a guided wine tour or a taxi, and never drive after tasting.
Stop at the fortress enotecaThe town's fortress houses a wine shop where you can taste several labels by the glass. Check the official site for opening hours and entry to the ramparts.
Visit Sant'AntimoThe Romanesque abbey sits among olive groves a few kilometers from town. Check the abbey's official site for visiting hours, which can include services.
Plan a bus or a carThere is no train station in town, and the nearest rail links are on the Siena line. A car helps, while buses from Siena are slow; check timetables before you commit.Montepulciano travel guide

Things to do in Montalcino

See all attractions in Montalcino

A large building with a cross on the top of it

Sight · MontalcinoMuseo Civico e Diocesano d'Arte Sacra

Park · MontalcinoMontalcino Park

Sight · MontalcinoEnoteca la Fortezza

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MontalcinoPut the places you like in Montalcino on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA), about 2 hours by car
Getting there: Car, or bus from Siena; no rail station in town
Getting around: Walking in town; a car or taxi for estates
Best base: In the old town, or on a nearby estate
Time needed: 1–2 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low2°Cold, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low3°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Spring
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Green hills
MayRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Mild, flowers
JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, long days
JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh30°Low18°Hot, festivals
AugustClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low18°Hot, crowded
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Harvest
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Harvest, mild
NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Wet
DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cold, lights

Average daily high and low in Montalcino, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Montalcino

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 13 km/h
Chance of rain: 5%

Montalcino

11:06 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today15°8°5%Monday: Rain. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
Tue16°8°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed16°8°21%Wednesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 21%.
Thu16°10°22%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 22%.
Fri13°11°58%Friday: Rain. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 58%.
Sat14°8°47%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 47%.
Sun17°7°18%Sunday: Fog. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 18%.

Updated 10:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Montalcino

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Siena, ItalyPalio di SienaJul 2, 2027 · Read the event guide

Every year

Apr–JunMaggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence, a day trip
Jun–SepSaracen JoustArezzo, a day trip
JulUmbria Jazz FestivalPerugia, a day trip

Day trips by train

Montepulcianoabout 40 minutes by carVino Nobile and a steep main street.Read the guide
Sienaabout 1 hour by car or busThe Campo and the cathedral.
Orvietoabout 1.5 hours by carA cathedral and underground tunnels.Read the guide

Before you go to Montalcino

Wine tours from Florence or SienaGuided tastings with a driverCompare tours

Car for the Val d'OrciaPick up in Florence or SienaCompare cars

eSIM for ItalyMaps matter on rural estate roadsRead the guide

Travel insurance for ItalyCover for rental cars and rural roadsRead the guide

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Rules for Montalcino, checked

Entry rules for Italy depend on your passport and the length of stay. Check them on the official visa site before you book.Source
Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the Duomo and Sant'Agostino.
Restaurants may add a cover charge, the coperto, to the bill. Check the bill before you add a tip.
Historic centres in Italy often restrict car access in ZTL zones and fine drivers without a permit. Ask the Comune di Montalcino before you drive in.

Plan around Montalcino

Montepulciano

The other Tuscan wine hill town

Read the guide Arezzo

Frescoes and an antiques market

Read the guide Orvieto

A cathedral city across the border

Read the guide Florence

The nearest big city and airport

Read the guide All of Italy

Cities, coasts, lakes and the Alps

Read the guide Is a Eurail pass worth it?

Compare point-to-point tickets first

Read the guide

Montalcino FAQ

Is Montalcino worth visiting?

Yes if you like wine, hill towns and rural Tuscany. The town is small and quiet, and the draw is the countryside and tastings, so give it a night rather than a quick stop.

Can you visit Montalcino without a car?

Yes, with some effort. Buses run from Siena and nearby towns, but they are slow and thin out at weekends. For estate visits, book a guided wine tour with a driver, or a taxi.

Montalcino or Montepulciano?

Montalcino for Brunello and a smaller, calmer town; Montepulciano for Vino Nobile and a steep main street with more shops. They are close, so you can visit both with a car.

When is the best time to visit Montalcino?

Spring and autumn give mild weather, green or golden hills and the grape harvest in the fall. Summer is hot and busy, and winter is quiet but some places close.

How do I get to Montalcino from Florence?

By car in about 2 hours, or by train to Siena and then a bus. Compare driving with a guided wine tour if you plan to taste, since drinking and driving is a serious offense in Italy.