Summer Escapes: Hills and Day Trips Around Florence

Still, if you're staying at Hotel Orto de’ Medici in July or August, you may find yourself facing some particularly hot days. Fortunately, just a short distance from the historic center, you’ll find shaded hills, peaceful villages, and green trails where you can breathe in fresh air and embrace a slower pace.

Here are four perfect escapes to beat the summer heat without missing out on the beauty of Florence.

Just twenty minutes from the center, Fiesole is the perfect retreat during the warmer hours of the day.
This elegant hillside village offers sweeping views over Florence, scenic walks among cypress and olive trees, a fascinating Roman theater, and the timeless charm of cobblestone lanes.
Here, the air feels lighter, the silence deeper, and every corner invites you to slow down and soak in the surrounding calm. A stop at sunset, with your gaze captured by the city’s graceful skyline, is pure poetry.

If you’re longing to immerse yourself in untouched nature, Vallombrosa is hard to beat.
About an hour’s drive from Florence, this vast forest of centuries-old fir trees offers a precious refuge of shade and stillness. At the heart of this lush woodland lies the ancient Benedictine abbey of Vallombrosa, wrapped in a cool and restorative atmosphere.
Shaded trails, crystal-clear streams, and the scent of the forest floor will guide you through a peaceful walk—perfect for recharging, far from the city buzz.

Also known as Villa Demidoff, this extraordinary historic park is home to one of the most captivating sculptures of the Mannerist period: the Colossus of the Apennines.
The landscape is a fairytale blend of wildflower meadows, ponds, old fountains, and storybook vistas, making every visit feel like a step back in time and into nature at once.
A green oasis less than half an hour from Hotel Orto de’ Medici, it’s an ideal destination for a relaxing summer day.

Nestled in the gentle hills of Chianti, Greve is a small gem where time seems to slow down.
Less than an hour from Florence, it’s home to family-run wineries, postcard-perfect views, and artisan shops where you’ll happily lose track of time.
Savor a glass of fine Chianti beneath a pergola, stroll past neatly aligned vines, and experience the true soul of the Tuscan countryside.
It’s a day trip we highly recommend—where scenic beauty meets the pleasures of local food and wine.

After a day spent among hills, shade, and nature, return to the heart of Florence and unwind in the quiet of our private garden. At Hotel Orto de’ Medici, every detail is designed to offer a peaceful haven in the city center—from al fresco breakfasts to evening aperitifs on the terrace.