The ‘medieval Manhattan’ with ancient skyscrapers, famous cheese and flights cost just £20
THERE’S a hilltop town in Tuscany that’s been dubbed the Manhattan of the Middle Ages thanks to its ancient skyscrapers.
The small Italian town of San Gimignano is often called “medieval Manhattan” because of its brick towers.
Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the wealthy families who owned the Tuscan town built 72 towers as a display of power.
To this day, only 14 of the 72 towers are still standing.
Visitors to the town can climb Torre Grossa – the highest of the family towers.
Located in Piazza del Duomo, holidaymakers will need to climb 218 steps to reach the top of the tower.
Once at the top of the tower, visitors will be treated to panoramic views of San Gimignano.
Entry tickets to Torre Grossa cost €13 (£11) for a full-paying adult.
Torre Grossa has been praised by holidaymakers on TripAdvisor, with a 4.5/5 star rating from 400 reviews.
One person wrote: “Breathtaking views of San Gimignano and the neighbouring rolling Tuscan hills. It’s a must-see in San Gimignano.”
Someone else said: “Fantastic 360 degree views of San Gimignano. It’s well worth the €9 entry price, especially because the ticket price also includes the museum and the town hall.”
There are plenty of other things to do in the Italian town too, including a visit to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
While the church may look unassuming from the outside, it’s home to colourful al frescoes, which were painted in the 14th century and are still well-preserved to this day.
Other attractions include simply strolling through the town’s medieval streets, which reportedly take an hour to explore.
There’s also Palazzo del Pópolo, which is home to the town’s civic museum.
Located on the upper floors of the Palazzo Comunale, the tiny gallery is filled with artwork by Italian painters and artists.
Entry tickets to the Palazzo Comunale cost €9 per person.
Other activities in the town include wine tasting and enjoying an Italian gelato (ice cream).
Like other parts of Tuscany, San Gimignano is famous for its Pecorino cheese, which is the region’s most popular type of cheese.
San Gimignano is an hour’s drive from Florence, and it’s an 80-minute drive from Pisa.
The Tuscan hill town can also be reached via public transport too, with the train from Florence taking one hour and 20 minutes.
Accommodation in the town doesn’t come cheap, with average stays costing £500 per night per room.
Because of the price of rooms, most holidaymakers to San Gimignano opt to visit the town on a day-trip.
Both Ryanair and easyJet operate direct flights from the UK to Pisa, with prices starting from £20 for a one-way ticket.
Other Italian towns
There are plenty of other Italian towns that have flown under the radar too, including Bari, which is the capital of Puglia.
Set in southern Italy, Bari remains largely untouched by Brit holidaymakers, who often choose to spend their Italian summers in places like Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast.
Because of its coastal location and medieval buildings, the Pugliese capital has been hailed as the Jewel of the Adriatic.
To delve into the city’s history, head to Bari Vecchia – the city’s historical centre.
Bari Vecchia is a maze of narrow alleyways, open piazzas, and cobbled side streets.
Among the 40 churches in Bari Vecchia, holidaymakers should make a beeline for Basilica di San Nicola.
Other lesser-known destinations in Italy include the Tremiti Islands, a group of five islands that are tucked away on Italy’s Adriatic Coast.
San Domino and San Nicola are the largest of the two islands, while Capraia, Cretaccio, and Pianosa are the three smallest.
Everything you need to know about visiting Italy
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in 180 days.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.
- Holidaymakers may also need to show proof of insurance.
- Italy is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- Flights to Italy from the UK take between 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on the destination.
While the Tremiti Islands may not be as famous as other Italian islands like Capri and Sicily, they’ve become a hit with holidaymakers in recent years.
Meanwhile, one tiny UK town has been compared to a stunning Italian island.