5 Tips to Explore Authentic Tuscany Near Volterra
Updated: 4 hours ago
Wine roads, organic vineyards and the village of Andrea Bocelli: our favourite day trips from Podere Santa Renata
The best things to do near Volterra lie just beyond its walls: the Pisan Hills Wine Road, an organic winery tasting at Podere La Chiesa, the "wine town" of Terricciola, Andrea Bocelli's home village Lajatico and the open-air Teatro del Silenzio.
All five can be reached by car in about 30 minutes from Volterra, and most combine perfectly into one relaxed day.
Most visitors walk Volterra's Etruscan alleys, admire the alabaster workshops and drive on to San Gimignano. They miss the quieter Tuscany right next door. As owner of Podere Santa Renata, our private holiday home 10 to 15 minutes from Volterra, we are often asked: "Where can we visit authentic Tuscany beyond the medieval town of Volterra?" Here are the five tips we give our guests.
Key takeaways
Where? Between Volterra and Pisa, in the Valdera and the Colline Pisane (Pisan Hills).
What? Wine, villages and one of Italy's most unusual open-air theatres.
For whom? Couples, families and friends who want authentic Tuscany without the crowds.
Best time? April to November.
How? By car. Book winery visits at least a few days in advance.
Your base: Podere Santa Renata, our private home near Volterra lets you explore by day and relax by your private pool in the evening.
Contents
1. Drive the Pisan Hills Wine Road (Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane)
The Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane is the official wine route between Pisa and Volterra, and the easiest way to discover the landscape around Volterra. It winds through vineyards, olive groves and small hill villages where farming life is still very present.
The full Wine Road is a grand loop through San Miniato, Palaia, Peccioli, Terricciola, Lajatico, Chianni, Rivalto, Casciana Terme and Lari. You don't need to drive it all. For a full day, pick three stops and save time for a long Tuscan lunch.
Short on time? Try the small loop between Terricciola and Lajatico, the route this article follows. It makes a perfect half-day tour, or a full day if you add a leisurely lunch along the way.
What you will taste along the way:
Chianti Colline Pisane DOCG, a local red wine made predominantly from Sangiovese grapes.
Terre di Pisa Rosso DOC: structured reds made from at least 70% Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and/or Syrah, alone or in combination.
San Torpè Bianco DOC, a dry, delicate white made with at least 50% Trebbiano Toscano, formerly known as Bianco Pisano di San Torpè DOC.
Vino Santo, a traditional Tuscan dessert wine made from red grapes, often served with cantucci.
Local specialities include extra virgin olive oil, white truffles and Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane DOP cheese.
2. Taste organic wine at Podere La Chiesa
For a winery tour with tasting near Volterra, Podere La Chiesa in Terricciola is our first recommendation. The family winery sits on a small hill 125 metres above sea level, just before the village of Casanova, on the road from Volterra to Pisa..
Maurizio Iannantuono and Palma Tonacci left their previous careers in the early 2000s to follow a dream: making wine that expresses this land. Today they practise rigorous natural viticulture and harvest every grape by hand, across more than 22 acres (about 9 hectares) of vineyards.
What makes the visit special:
Architecture: the modern winery is set into the Casanova valley.
The wines: Sangiovese in every shape, from a crisp rosé to deep, aged reds, alongside Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Canaiolo.
Culture: the winery hosts art exhibitions and concerts throughout the year.
Practical information: Podere La Chiesa, Via di Casanova 66 A, 56030 Terricciola (PI). Book your visit in advance by email at info@poderelachiesa.it.
3. Explore Terricciola, the "City of Wine"
Terricciola is the heart of the Pisan Hills Wine Road and one of the best places for wine tasting near Volterra. Wine has been made here since Etruscan times. In the 18th century, the scholars Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti and Giovanni Mariti already praised its quality in their travel diaries.
Today more than 20 wineries share the hills around this small village between Pontedera and Volterra. That makes Terricciola perfect for a relaxed "two wineries and a lunch" day.
What to do in Terricciola:
Stroll the historic centre and enjoy the views over the vineyards of the Valdera.
Combine several tastings: besides Podere La Chiesa, family estates welcome visitors.
Join a festival: In May, Terricciola celebrates its annual Festival della Fragola (Strawberry Festival), with strawberry specialities, local food and live entertainment. The Notte Bianca del Vino in summer and the wine festival in September, when the local Colombana grape is celebrated.
Finish like a local: a glass of Vin Santo with cantucci.
Good to know: the streets in Terricciola's historic centre are very narrow. Park at the entrance or exit of the village and explore on foot. It's more relaxing, and the best views are found on the walk anyway.
4. Visit Lajatico, Andrea Bocelli's home village
Lajatico is a medieval hill village of around 1,000 inhabitants, best known as the birthplace of the tenor Andrea Bocelli. It sits on a ridge northwest of Volterra, surrounded by olive groves, fields and rows of cypress trees.
The village has a long history. Its origins are Etruscan, and in the Middle Ages it was a castle of the Pannocchieschi Counts and the Bishop of Volterra, before passing to Pisa and later to Florence.
What to see in Lajatico:
The Torre Civica, the symbol of Lajatico and of the whole Valdera.
The "unusual arts" trail: sculptures and installations decorate shutters, gates and old walls all over the centre.
Bocelli traces: photos and posters of the village's most famous son on almost every corner.
Igor Mitoraj’s Tindaro Screpolato: A striking monumental sculpture by renowned Polish-French artist Igor Mitoraj, whose fragmented classical face blends ancient beauty with contemporary art along the way to the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico.
Our tip: Come in the late afternoon, when the light turns golden over the hills. On clear days the paths around the village show Volterra, the Apuan Alps and even the sea.
5. Experience the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico
The Teatro del Silenzio is a natural open-air amphitheatre in the hills about 1.5 km from Lajatico, created by Andrea Bocelli in 2006. For most of the year it is exactly what its name promises: a place of silence, a monumental sculpture (Igor Mitoraj’s Tindaro Screpolato) and a 180-degree view towards Volterra and its crags.
Once a year, in July, it becomes one of the most spectacular concert stages in Italy. Around 8,000 seats are built for the event and removed afterwards, so the landscape returns untouched.
Two ways to experience it:
Outside concert season | Concert week in July | |
What you get | Free walk, silence, sculptures, views | Bocelli and international guests under the stars |
Booking | Not needed. Free of charge entry. | Tickets usually sell out months ahead |
Best for | Photographers, couples, families, sunset watching | Music lovers, a once-in-a-lifetime evening |
Getting there | 1.5 km from Lajatico | Official parking and shuttle buses; expect traffic |
In 2026, the 21st edition ran from 21 to 25 July. Matteo Bocelli opened the festival, and his father, Andrea Bocelli, celebrated 30 years of his album Romanza on 23 and 25 July. Dates for the next year are usually announced at the end of the year.
Overview: plan your day trips around Volterra
Tip | Ideal for | Time needed | Best season | Book ahead? |
Pisan Hills Wine Road | Scenic drives, e-bike tours | Half to full day | All year | No |
Podere La Chiesa | Organic wine, architecture, photography | 1.5–2.5 hours | All year | Yes Tour of the winery with wine tasting and Tuscan cheese and cold cuts produced locally: €35 per person (as of 2026). |
Terricciola | Wine lovers, festivals | Half day | May–November | For tastings |
Lajatico | Village life, Bocelli fans | 2–3 hours | All year | No |
Teatro del Silenzio | Sunset walk or July concert | 1 hour / one evening | July for concerts | Concert tickets: yes |
Suggested half-day route:
Early afternoon tasting at Podere La Chiesa
→ stroll in Terricciola
→ afternoon in Lajatico
→ sunset at the Teatro del Silenzio
→ back to the pool at Podere Santa Renata.
FAQ: exploring the surroundings of Volterra
What is there to do near Volterra besides the old town? The Pisan Hills Wine Road, winery tours in Terricciola, the village of Lajatico and the Teatro del Silenzio are the highlights. All are a short drive from Volterra and far less crowded than San Gimignano or Chianti.
Where can I go wine tasting near Volterra? Terricciola, the "City of Wine", has more than 20 wineries. Podere La Chiesa offers organic Sangiovese wines in a modern winery set among the vineyards. Book visits in advance.
Can I visit the Teatro del Silenzio outside the concert? Yes. The amphitheatre is open landscape for most of the year. You can walk there from Lajatico and enjoy the sculptures and the view towards Volterra.
When are the Andrea Bocelli concerts in Lajatico? The concerts take place every year in July. In 2026 they ran from 21 to 25 July. Tickets usually sell out months in advance.
Do I need a car to explore the area? A car is the most practical option. Public transport between the hill villages is limited.
Where should I stay to explore the surroundings of Volterra? A holiday home in the countryside near Volterra is the ideal base. Our private country home, Podere Santa Renata, lies just 10 to 15 minutes from Volterra.
Conclusion: more of authentic Tuscany just beyond Volterra's walls
Volterra is an ideal town to explore the natural beauty of the Tuscan hills, the wineries, olive groves and local producers. Taste organic Sangiovese where it grows, stroll through Bocelli's home village and stand in silence in an amphitheatre made by nature. These are the moments our guests remember long after their holiday.
Ready to discover Tuscany yourself? Podere Santa Renata is your private Tuscan retreat, just 10–15 minutes from the beautiful medieval town of Volterra.
We offer two booking options:
Ground Floor: Accommodates up to 6 guests, with two bedrooms and a sofa bed.
Entire House: Accommodates up to 10 guests, with four bedrooms and a sofa bed.
Whichever option you choose, the entire property is exclusively yours. There are no other guests on the premises, so you can enjoy complete privacy, with exclusive access to the garden, terrace, and private swimming pool with view over Volterra.
To help you make the most of your stay, we also share our personal Tuscany guide, filled with our favorite places, hidden gems, and local recommendations to help you discover the authentic side of Tuscany.
Written by Aurélie, co-owner of Podere Santa Renata. Last updated: 29 October 2026.
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