- Fiesole: Florence's natural balcony
- The Roman Theatre and Archaeological Area
- The Cathedral of San Romolo
- Hillside trails and Renaissance villas
- How to Get There from Hotel La Magione
- Conclusion
There is a place on the hills above Florence that tourists too often overlook. Fiesole is just eight kilometres from the city centre, yet it feels like another world entirely. The silence of the cypress trees, the scent of gardens in bloom, and that view that suddenly opens onto the heart of Florence below: it is one of those moments that stops your breath. Knowing what to see in Fiesole means adding a whole new dimension to an already rich day.
Founded by the Etruscans even before Rome existed, Fiesole holds layers of history that are rare and precious. Walking here is not just admiring a view: it is crossing three thousand years of civilisation.
Fiesole: Florence's natural balcony
The view from Piazza Mino da Fiesole is something you will not easily forget. From the top of the hill, the profile of Florence unfolds beneath you like a living, breathing postcard: Brunelleschi's dome, Giotto's campanile, the ochre and red rooftops stretching to the distant hills.
The sunset, seen from up here, is an experience that feels almost mystical. The light gilds the palazzi, lengthens the shadows of the cypresses, transforms the countryside into a painting. Many artists chose Fiesole precisely for this light. Leonardo, it is said, came here to sketch.
The Roman Theatre and Archaeological Area
The Archaeological Area of Fiesole is a continuous discovery. The Roman theatre from the 1st century BC, still perfectly preserved, hosts theatre performances and concerts in summer: sitting on those stone tiers and watching the stage with Florence as a backdrop is an experience that blends history and contemporary emotion in a unique way.
Next to the theatre are Roman baths, Etruscan walls dating back to the 3rd century BC and a small museum with finds ranging from the Bronze Age to the Roman period. The entrance ticket covers the whole complex: it is absolutely worth visiting.
The Cathedral of San Romolo
The Cathedral of San Romolo, in Piazza Mino da Fiesole, is one of the most restrained and beautiful Romanesque churches in Tuscany. Founded in the 11th century, it houses inside an altar by Mino da Fiesole of extraordinary refinement. The bare and austere interior carries a peace that few tourist churches can still convey.
Next door is the Bandini Museum, with a collection of medieval ceramics and painted panels from the 14th and 15th centuries. It is not large, but every work is a window opening onto the Tuscan Middle Ages.
Hillside trails and Renaissance villas
Fiesole is also the starting point for hiking trails through the Florentine hills. The Sentiero dei Colli Alti passes through Villa San Michele, the Convent of San Francesco and silent holm oak woods. In spring, when purple wisteria invades the pergolas of the historic villas, these paths become unforgettably beautiful.
For those who love architecture, the Renaissance villas scattered across the hills are an open book: Villa Medici, Villa Le Balze, Villa di Maiano. Some organise guided visits by appointment.
How to Get There from Hotel La Magione
From Hotel La Magione in Poggibonsi, Fiesole is about an hour and fifteen minutes by car via the Siena-Florence expressway, then up into the hills. Alternatively, take the train to Florence and then bus number 7 from the city centre to Fiesole (about 20 minutes). Combining Florence and Fiesole in one day is one of the richest and most rewarding excursions you can make from central Tuscany.
Conclusion
Fiesole is the best-kept secret of the Florentine hills. A village that blends Etruscan history, medieval art and a view of Florence that has no rival. Come here at sunset, sit on the terrace of the main square, and let that golden light on the dome captivate you forever. This is not tourism: it is an experience of the soul.
Ready to experience Tuscany?Hotel La Magione is your perfect base.
Book your stayand let yourself be captivated by Tuscan magic.