Is Pienza worth visiting in Tuscany? Absolutely. Here’s what to see, how long you need, ticket prices for Palazzo Piccolomini, parking info and why it’s the perfect stop in Val d’Orcia.
Pienza is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy peaceful hilltop towns, postcard views and slow moments rather than checklist sightseeing. You won’t find huge museums or packed attractions here, but there are a few historic sites you can visit if you want more than just a stroll.
What to See in Pienza
Start your walk on Corso Rossellino, the main street that runs through the center of town. It’s lined with small shops, local wine boutiques, and stores packed with pecorino and truffle products. Take it slow — this is where Pienza’s charm truly unfolds.
1. Palazzo Piccolomini + Gardens
The one I personally recommend is Palazzo Piccolomini, the former residence of Pope Pius II. You can only visit it with an audio-guided tour, and you’re escorted from room to room. You can’t walk freely or take photos inside, only in the gardens and exterior terrace. The gardens overlook the Val d’Orcia and are worth seeing for the view alone.
If you want to visit more than one site, you can buy a Pienza Pass for €12, which includes:
Palazzo Piccolomini + Gardens
Cathedral (Duomo)
Crypt and Labyrinth
Palazzo Borgia
Otherwise, you can just purchase a single ticket for €7 for the Palazzo and Gardens.
2. Duomo di Pienza (Cathedral)
Right next to the Palazzo. It’s bright, peaceful, and beautifully simple.
3. Piazza Pio II
Perfectly proportioned and full of Renaissance charm. It’s a busy area where people just sit down near the walls. If you come early morning or late afternoon, the light on the stone buildings is incredible for photos.
4. Streets Worth a Stroll
- Via dell’Amore (Street of Love): Romantic, calm, and ending with soft views over the valley.
- Via del Bacio (Street of the Kiss): Narrow, pretty, and photogenic from every angle.
- Via del Leone: My go-to for that beautiful tiny shop.
5. Viewpoints
You’ll find panoramic views almost everywhere along the city walls. Just walk around, there are restaurants with panoramic views you can shave your best appetitivo and watch the light shift over Val d’Orcia. It’s simple and beautiful.
If you want the exact panoramic spots, where to park for the best access, and my favorite cheese shop, or all the restaurants with the views they’re all inside my Tuscany Travel Guide (coming soon).
Where to Park in Pienza
Still, the real charm of Pienza is found outside. Walk the quiet streets, taste pecorino cheese from small food shops and stop at the panoramic walls to watch the light fall over the Val d’Orcia. It’s one of the most scenic towns in southern Tuscany and makes a perfect stop on a Val d’Orcia road trip.
Parking in Tuscany can be a headache, but Pienza keeps it pretty simple. We parked at Parcheggio Via degli Archi — it’s small but easy to find, just outside the historic center.
Parking prices when I visited:
€1.70 per hour
€6 for five hours
€12 for 14 hours
You pay at the ticket machine and then walk a few minutes uphill into town. It’s a short, scenic walk, and before you know it, you’re right on Corso Rossellino, the main street.
The Real Charm of Pienza
The real magic of Pienza is outside, not inside any building. Walk slowly through the streets and stop for a few slices of pecorino from the tiny shops. We bought a mix of eight types, from soft and creamy to fully matured to enjoy later on our hotel terrace after leaving Pienza. The shop is called Marusco e Maria Enoteca, and it’s one of those places that instantly makes you want to take half the counter home.
Don’t forget to follow the path along the city walls. You’ll find quiet corners where the view opens over the Val d’Orcia, and everything feels softer, slower, and somehow timeless.
Some of the views around Pienza might look familiar. The final scenes of the movie Gladiator were filmed just outside town, on the road between Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia, near Podere Terrapille. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Val d’Orcia, a quiet dirt road surrounded by golden hills and cypress trees. You can find it easily on my map below.
If you’re driving through Val d’Orcia, Pienza fits perfectly between San Quirico d’Orcia, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. You don’t need a full day here. Half a day is enough to walk, taste, and discover it.
