Where to stay in Volterra: within the Etruscan walls or in the Val di Cecina
Volterra is a walled hilltop town of Etruscan origin: where to stay between the compact centre and the Val di Cecina countryside.
giomodica, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Volterra's historic centre is enclosed within walls of Etruscan origin, including the standout Porta all'Arco from the 4th century BC, one of the few Etruscan gates still standing in Italy, alongside the more recent Porta San Francesco. The reference point for getting your bearings is Piazza dei Priori, dominated by Palazzo dei Priori (begun in 1208), among the oldest town halls in Tuscany. Staying in this compact core means everything is reachable on foot within minutes, including the historic alabaster workshops, a tradition dating back to Etruscan times.
Those seeking more space and direct contact with the countryside can head to the surrounding Val di Cecina, where agriturismi and farmhouses offer a peaceful base amid the badlands and vineyards, just a few minutes' drive from the walled centre.
Practical info
When should you go to Volterra?
The best months are April, May, June, September and October, when there are fewer people.
Are there a lot of people in Volterra?
Volterra is very quiet compared to the more touristic destinations.
Where exactly is Volterra located?
Volterra sits in Tuscany.
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Ponteginori ~12 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto internazionale Galileo Galilei PSA ~49 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
