Looking for a villa near San Gimignano?

San Gimignano is the town of towers. From a distance it looks like a medieval Manhattan; up close it is a small hill town with a remarkable skyline, a historic centre protected by UNESCO and a white wine, Vernaccia, that has been made here for centuries. This guide explains what it is and where Roc Villa Bay is.

Where San Gimignano is

San Gimignano is a town in the province of Siena, in the hills of central Tuscany, inland from the coast. It is not a seaside town. It sits on a ridge, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, and its towers are visible from the surrounding countryside.

Roc Villa Bay is in Castiglioncello, on the Tyrrhenian coast in the province of Livorno. San Gimignano belongs to the inland hills; Castiglioncello belongs to the coastal promontory. They are different landscapes and different holidays.

What San Gimignano is known for

The historic centre of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage site, listed for its medieval architecture and its towers. In the Middle Ages the town had dozens of tower houses; a smaller number survive, and they still define the skyline. The Piazza della Cisterna and the Piazza del Duomo are the two centres of the town, with the Collegiata and the Palazzo Comunale nearby.

The town is also known for Vernaccia di San Gimignano, one of Italy's historic white wines, made from the grape of the same name. The surrounding countryside produces olive oil and other wines, and the town is a common stop on the road between Florence and Siena. It is popular, and in high season the centre can be busy; early morning and evening are different experiences.

Roc Villa Bay as a different base

Roc Villa Bay is a private seafront estate in Castiglioncello with four bedrooms, three private units, more than 4,000 m² of Mediterranean garden and two private accesses to the sea. It is a house for families and small groups, with a sandy beach reached by a private path and a rocky cove reached by stone steps.

San Gimignano is an inland hill town; Castiglioncello is a coastal village. A stay at Roc Villa Bay can include San Gimignano as a day trip, but if the towers and the wine are the centre of your trip, a base in the hills is more sensible. We say that because it is true, not because we are trying to sell you something else.

Who should choose San Gimignano

Choose San Gimignano if you want a medieval hill town, towers, Vernaccia and the Tuscan countryside, and if you prefer to stay inland. Choose Castiglioncello if the sea is the centre of the holiday and San Gimignano is an excursion. The wine guide explains Vernaccia in the wider context of Tuscan wine.

The villas near Tuscany index lists the other places we cover.

Practicalities

We do not publish distances or drive times. If you are planning to visit San Gimignano from the coast, tell us your dates and starting point and we will confirm what the journey involves. Start with the enquiry form.