Things to do in San Miniato
San Miniato is a place for slow travel, slow food. A place where you can experience a real Tuscan town. You could use it as a base for visiting other Tuscan cities and sights, as it is so central. But I think there is also something to say about slowing down and taking in the simplicity of a real hilltop village where tourists are virtually nonexistent.
Things to see in San Miniato
San Miniato is a small town with quite a lot of churches. The one I would visit is the Duomo, built in 1622, which you can reach through various ways but the most scenic is via the frescoed Seminary. Next door to the Duomo is the unassuming Museum of the works of the Duomo where you can see the art works close up, no glass, no one else around, just you and the paintings — it’s a very small, very quiet museum that I highly recommend. From the ancient ceramic plates arranged in a constellation on the facade of the Duomo to the dramatic baroque paintings by Lorenzo Lippi (below) and other works by the likes of Lorenzo Monaco and Tiepolo, you will have these beauties to yourselves (see here for the opening hours, it changes according to the seasons, the tickets costs 2.50 euro!).
You can also climb the Matilde tower which is behind the Duomo museum for an incredible view over the countryside. But for the best views, visit La Rocca — San Miniato’s tallest tower, a 12th century tower that was rebuilt after the Second World War. It’s open for a climb on the weekends but you can visit the tower for birds eye views over San Miniato’s countryside any time (sunset is particularly lovely, see the photo below). You can reach the tower by the ramp that you can see from Piazza Duomo — just keep going up!
Another lovely walk is the Vicolo Carbonaio, which follows the edge of the ancient city walls. You can reach it through a tunnel next to the Loggiato di San Domenico (the gate is in front of Maurizio pastry shop) and you can either walk left or right — it’s about a 10-15 minute walk — and keep following the city wall until you reach a set of stairs to bring you back into town. It’s like a short cut into the countryside with beautiful views like the one above. Note: bring mosquito repellent and remember the gate is locked at sunset!
Places to Eat in San Miniato
The main reason anyone comes to San Miniato is for the food; I keep my dining guide here always updated and it includes food shopping information too.
Experiences in San Miniato
We have some wonderful creatives in San Miniato and nearby that we are lucky to call our friends:
Immortalise your visit with a portrait session with talented local photographer, Tania Innocenti. See her portfolio for Vogue here.
Take a unique typography class and make your own handprinted poster with Martina Vincenti, aka La Tipografa Toscana.
Would you like to know about the history of San Miniato? Sara Morini does wonderful walking tours. If you have kids with you, she does a very good treasure hunt around the city and can even take you on a tour on horseback.
Visit a Slow Food salumi laboratory — Sergio Falaschi butcher shop is known all over the region for its excellent quality, heirloom salumi, sausages and prosciutto. If you ever wondered how these are made, you can visit their laboratory to see, followed by a tasting.
Festivals, markets and fairs in San Miniato
In San Miniato there are plenty of fun and festive things going on throughout the year, including plenty of sagre (food festivals). Here are a few things to mark on your calendars:
Weekly Food Market: Every Tuesday in Piazza Dante Aligheri.
Flea Market: Every 1st Sunday of the month there is a fantastic flea market (above) through the main streets and piazzas in the historical centre of San Miniato
Farmers Market: Every 3rd Sunday of the month is the Slow Food “Mercatale” farmers market of local producers in the Loggiato di San Domenico.
Festa degli Aquiloni: The kite festival is fun for all ages, it is usually held in April.
1000 Miglia: For lovers of vintage cars, an open road endurance race around Italy, it is usually held between May and June.
La Luna è Azzurra: An international theatre festival held in early July for the past 40 years with shows, puppets, mimes and more held throughout the streets in town until midnight.
Festival del Pensiero Popolare: A street festival of culture, food, people, theatre, music. Usually held around Ferragosto (15 August), with plenty of watermelons, in Piazza Bonaparte.
White Truffle Festival: Held over 3 weekends in November, here’s a post about it.