A guide to exploring the beautiful Chianti region

Chianti is a beautiful region in Italy with vineyards on the hills and medieval buildings in the villages.

The Chianti region is located in central Tuscany in Italy. Most of the Chianti region is between Florence and Siena. Visitors across the world will make a trip to the region as it’s known for its red wine, Chianti. There is a range of different villages throughout the region you can visit, as well as nearby wineries and great restaurants.

Things to do

• Try the wine

One of the most popular things you can do in the region is taste-test its magnificent wine. There are over 5,000 wineries in the region, so you can imagine how difficult it is to only pick a handful. No matter which winery you end up at, you’ll no doubt be having some of the best Chianti.

• Ride a Vespa

Enjoy a day out riding through the Chianti country hills on a Vespa. Nothing is better on a nice summer day than riding through the countryside and feeling the wind in your hair, whether you’re an experienced or new scooter rider.

There are Vespa tours available where you can see parts of Chianti and also do some wine tastings. This is a great way to see the region and have the chance to ride a Vespa!

• Try the food

It’s a given that you must try delicious Italian food while you’re travelling through Chianti. You obviously need to try pizza and pasta while you’re visiting, as well as grilled meats. Make sure you try boschetto al tartufo, costoluto fiorentino, and pappa al pomodoro.

Try a glass of Chianti

Surprise, surprise – you must try Chianti when you’re in Chianti!

There are a range of other types of wines to try when you’re visiting, but you must taste this medium-bodied, tart red wine. Chianti is said to smell and taste like Italy, and it is just as essential to your visit as a good slice of pizza. All wineries will have their own type of Chianti – if you want to learn more, we recommend doing a wine-tasting tour and hearing about its production at each individual winery.

Best wineries to visit

There are over 5,000 different wineries in the Chianti region, but we have collected some of our favourites below.

• Antinori nel Chianti Classico

Antinori nel Chianti Classico is one of the most Instagrammable wineries not only in the region but perhaps all of Italy. Join everyone else and pose in front of its sleek spiral staircase. The estate is located in Bargino and it won the World’s Best Vineyards in 2022.

The wines produced here are all Chianti Classico. However, at the shop, you can find wines from other parts of Italy and the world. The shop also sells artisanal products, local gourmet delicacies, and products from the family’s Tuscan estates.

There is also a restaurant on the roof with picturesque views of the vineyards – it’s the perfect spot for a long lunch of prosciutto and pasta al pomodoro with a bottle of Chianti.

• Castello di Albola

Along the highest hills of Chianti Classico and near the town of Radda sits Castello di Albola, the jewel of the Chianti region. Over the years the winery has been owned by many noble Tuscan families, who all have kept up the high quality of wines produced. Take part in one of their many guided tours, including different wine tastings or a paired wine and food experience.

The wines come from the impressive vineyards of the estate and create delicious fruity red and white wines.

• Castello di Brolio

Castello di Brolio is the place to go if you love Chianti. It is the world’s oldest family-owned winery, operating on a property built in 1141. Castello di Brolio is the largest estate in the Chianti Classico area with over 240 vineyards, and it’s well worth the visit.

You have the option to explore the gardens and the castle or to join a guided tour of the cellar or the vineyards. We recommend doing the basic tour with the museum added on, and make sure you try one of the most delicious Chiantis you’ll ever taste.

Most beautiful towns to visit

Throughout the Chianti Region, there are many different towns, all unique in their own way. With so many unique towns to see in the region, here’s a handful we think are worth visiting.

• Greve in Chianti

Greve in Chianti is a small, charming town with many shops and restaurants to check out. There are plenty of places you can try out the wine, especially Chianti.

The main square at Greve is the focal point of the town with shops, artisan workshops, and restaurants all around. The town also has museums and churches.

Though the town is small, it has a lot to offer with regular events and food and wine festivals.

• Radda in Chianti

Radda in Chianti is a small village about a 45-minute drive from Siena. Radda has a bit of everything: a restaurant, bar, winery, and a variety of accommodations. What makes Radda such an impressive place to visit is the suggestive atmosphere within its stone walls, its quiet little squares, and the fantastic views of the landscapes that characterise this area.

• Montefioralle

Montefioralle is a picturesque village from the early 900s, on a hill near Greve. It is a perfect place to visit and see the true Tuscan countryside. The old village has brick buildings and cobblestone paths with a beautiful green vineyard view.

You can stay in this old village and travel out to the nearby wineries and other towns close by.

A perfect day in Chianti includes nice warm weather, a walk through the vineyards, and of course a tasting of Tuscan wines and food. You can spend around two days discovering the region, or even longer if you want to visit more of the local villages and try out more wines. Or if you’re based in Florence and would love to spend half a day exploring this area, this Chianti Wine Tour will be perfect for you!