Volterra is one of those must-see cities in Tuscany. We parked at the bottom of the hill and hiked up -- and it was a hearty walk, with more up and down once you're in the city proper! We loved it, however....and had a wonderful time wandering through the shops, visiting the sites, and eating in a piazza. The shopping here is lovely -- leisurely and lots of great shops...and I'm not a shopper! I think most tourists would like it here and enjoy the lovely views across the countryside.
Following a Tuscan farmhouse luncheon we visited Volterra....WOW! We drove up narrow winding mountain roads and Volterra appeared! There were churches castles old ruins and an actual functioning city. There were absolutely beautiful luxe shops w leathers alabaster and gourmand delights! The views from the top of Volterra are magnificent and commanding miles and miles of green countryside! In a heartbeat I would definitely return to Volterra bcuz I left my heart in Volterra!!!
The trip to Volterra was exciting as the city was in 550m high, surrounded by Tuscany's fine vineyards. The parking lot was easy to find. The medieval streets of Volterra had almost magical feeling and from every corner you'll find a nice restaurant or a souvenir shop. Highly recommended - we really enjoyed our visit.
This is a lovely, typically Italian, hill town. It is a maze of streets with little shops and gorgeous views. You just need time to wander and absorb the atmosphere!
Here you can walk around and admire the traditional houses. You can go into the cathedral and watch its fabulous golden ceiling.
We were driven to Volterra but our guide who said this was his favorite town in Tuscany and where he would love to live! I agreed with him - this a lovely ancient town with wonderful windy cobblestone streets and great views. It wasn't as crowded as other places we visited and had a fantastic amphitheater! The Etruscan Gate there was amazing as was the Etruscan Acropolis on the hill. The town had such charm and authenticity - we really loved our time there!
I learned that Volterra was as known as NYC and Hong Kong long time ago!some scenes of twilight movie were taken hereIt is really a beautiful city, for people who like culture it must be seen also the kids were impressed
This little town was amazing with nice cobble stone and narrow streets. This is where they also filmed some scenes from the movie Twilight. Nice little restaurants and great alabaster souvenirs.It sits on top of a hill with lovely views and not far from Pisa.
Nice small town and wonderful surrounding hills.Very lively but less crowded with tourists than other small towns in Toscana.
For us this town is all about the artists working in alabaster, that chalky, white stone that is softer than marble from which intricate decorative sculpture as well as plates & bowls are shaped. We have bought a pair of lamps with a lovely translucence that diffuses a gentle glow. Creatively, window panes worked into thin transparent sheets are employed around town. The valley that Volterra sits in is surrounded by an enchanting and always-changing landscape. The centre of town boasts of its Etruscan and Roman heritage with battlements and portals still standing and a superb archeological park on a hilltop offers ruins to be explored. We love the magnificent portals crafted in Medieval Times, the best of which is the Porta-dell'Arco which is incorporated into the walls themselves. The mount that saw the founding of the city can be seen from great distances, as is the imposing mass of the Medici Rocca, a fortress that is softened by its graceful shaped bell towers that stand out from the silhouette of the houses. Our frequent trips to Volterra have proved that this one of the most vivacious and creative cities in Italy. Walking here is like being deposited into medieval times with an abundance of towers and palazzos bound together by the yellow-grey sandstone. The favourite building for us is the 3rd century palazzo dei priori, the oldest in the region.