When I went on a tour of the Val D’Orca we only got a few hours in Montalcino, but I fell in love. It’s a small town so you can cover a lot in a few hours anyway. Here’s what I thought of my short time in Montalcino.

The History of Montalcino

Montalcino is a hilltop town that dates to the Etruscan times but was more modernly established during the medieval era. It was its own independent commune but eventually became part of Siena and subsequently Florence. In the medieval era, it was known for leather and tanneries but now it’s much more known for its wine…

Brunello di Montalcino

Lots of people flock to Montalcino because of its wine, Brunello di Montalcino. This is a red wine that dates back to the 19th century and is made from Sangiovese grapes grown in Montalcino (and only Montalcino). It needs to be made from these grapes to be called a proper Brunello di Montalcino wine. The wine has a brown color, Brunello from bruno (but we don’t talk about bruno, no, no, no).

A bottle of Brunello di Montalcino bought in the town itself is only a few dozen euros – I think the bottle we tried was priced at 42€. Because the wine is so select and rare outside of Italy, a bottle can cost as much as a vacation if you buy it elsewhere. So it’s a good idea to drink and buy the wine when you’re actually in the town!

There are a few wineries and tastings you can visit. We went to Padelletti which offers wine tastings for a reasonable price. The best part was the view, which covers the Val D’Orca and is just absolutely stunning. A wine tasting with a beautiful view in an ancient town is the perfect way to spend the day in Italy.

Things to Do in Montalcino

As Montalcino is a small town, there is not a lot to “see” or “do” but there are several streets filled with old buildings and local shops, mostly of the wine variety.

You’ll notice the dominant presence is the Fortress, with construction beginning in 1361. It hasn’t been used for military purposes in several hundred years but still stands to remind us of the town’s city. You can go inside but it is bare.

Of course, there are also several churches, which are a bit uninteresting on the inside. However I did really love the frescoes inside of Chiesa di Sant’Agostino. It’s worth a stop in if you see it open.

The town’s real appeal is walking down the streets, getting lost, and just enjoying the slow life. There are so many old, beautiful buildings and with churches, a fortress, and a clocktower, it feels like a true step back in time. Since it’s built on a hill, many streets are on an incline which gives it more interest. And of course, there are the gorgeous views overlooking the valley. It really is a very charming and quintessentially Italian place to put on your list.

Montalcino is also associated with the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a 12th century former monastery. While it looks beautiful, the abbey is actually far outside the town center.

As I mentioned, I only got a few hours to explore but was able to cover a lot of ground. I think a half-day is sufficient to see the town but of course, you can always stay and try the different wineries (not just one) and take time to soak in the sights, the food, and the culture.

I don’t normally write articles about short stops or small places but I felt Montalcino definitely deserved a shout-out.

How to Get to Montalcino via Public Transport

Montalcino isn’t the best place to access via public transport, but it is possible. If you can get to Buonconvento then you can take a bus up to the town. I really like the Moovit website to view bus schedules – it’s really handy.

I did a day tour to the Val d’Orca and you can book one on Viator or GetYourGuide as well. However I didn’t particularly enjoy my tour because we went to Montepulciano and didn’t have time to explore the town outside of the wine tasting (even though the description said we’d have an hour free time). I was so upset because that was the town I was most excited about visiting.

If you do make it to Montalcino, I hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy the Brunello wine!

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