Is Tuscany a country?

No. Tuscany (Toscana in Italian) is one of Italy's 20 regions, in central Italy. Its capital is Florence.

Is Toscana the same as Tuscany?

Yes. Toscana is the Italian name; Tuscany is the English one. Both mean the same region.

Is Tuscany French or Italian?

Italian. Tuscany voted in 1860 to join the Kingdom of Sardinia, which became the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, and Florence was Italy's capital from 1865 to 1871.

Is the Amalfi Coast in Tuscany?

No. The Amalfi Coast is in Campania, south of Naples, about five to six hours by car from Florence. From Tuscany it is easier by train via Naples.

Is Cinque Terre in Tuscany?

No. Cinque Terre is in Liguria, just across Tuscany's north-western border. From the Lucca area it is about an hour to La Spezia by car, then the local train.

What regions border Tuscany?

Liguria to the north-west, Emilia-Romagna to the north, the Marche and Umbria to the east, and Lazio to the south. The Tyrrhenian Sea forms its western coast.

What is the capital of Tuscany?

Florence (Firenze). Tuscany is divided into nine provinces plus the Metropolitan City of Florence.

PlanningWhere Is Tuscany? Location, Neighbouring Regions & Key Facts

Where Is Tuscany? Location, Neighbouring Regions & Key Facts

Tuscany is a region of central Italy on the west coast, between Rome and Milan, with Florence as its capital. It covers about 23,000 km², borders five other Italian regions and faces the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Map of Tuscany in central Italy showing its nine provinces, metropolitan Florence and provincial capitals — Tuscany's provinces and capitals. For towns, regions and a printable version, see our full map of Tuscany. Open full-size map ↗

Where Is Tuscany in Italy?

In the centre of the country, on the western side of the peninsula. Tuscany runs from the marble mountains above Carrara in the north-west to the Maremma coast in the south, and inland to Arezzo and Cortona on the Umbrian border. Florence sits roughly halfway between Rome and Milan.

Tuscany at a Glance

Fact	Answer
Country	Italy
Italian name	Toscana
Capital	Florence (Firenze)
Area	About 23,000 km²
Provinces	Nine, plus the Metropolitan City of Florence
Borders	Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Umbria, Lazio; Tyrrhenian Sea to the west
Main airports	Pisa (PSA) and Florence (FLR)
Best-known areas	Chianti, Val d'Orcia, Maremma, Lucca and the Garfagnana

How Far Is Tuscany from Rome, Milan and Venice?

Florence is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Rome by high-speed train, and around 2 hours from Milan or Venice. By car, allow about 3 hours from Rome and 3 hours from Milan or Venice.

From	To Florence by train	To Florence by car
Rome	About 1 hr 30 min	About 3 hr
Milan	About 2 hr	About 3 hr
Venice	About 2 hr 15 min	About 3 hr
Bologna	About 40 min	About 1 hr 15 min
Naples (for the Amalfi Coast)	About 3 hr	About 5 hr

Times are typical high-speed rail and motorway times to central Florence; villas in the countryside add the drive from the station or airport. Our airport guide has drive times from each airport to each villa area.

What Is Not in Tuscany

Three places people often assume are in Tuscany are not: the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Assisi. The Amalfi Coast is in Campania, five to six hours south by car. Cinque Terre is in Liguria, about an hour from the Lucca area. Assisi and Perugia are in Umbria, an easy day trip from Cortona; see Tuscany vs Umbria.

The Main Areas of Tuscany

Map of Tuscany with towns: Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano, Volterra, Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Cortona, Arezzo and Pitigliano — Twelve towns to know, from Lucca in the north-west to Pitigliano in the south. Open full-size map ↗

For a holiday, Tuscany divides into about six areas, each with a different character. Chianti lies between Florence and Siena; the Val d'Orcia is the UNESCO landscape south of Siena; the Maremma is the south-western coast; Lucca and the Garfagnana are in the green north-west; Cortona and the Val di Chiana are on the Umbrian border; and San Gimignano and Volterra are in the west. Our regions of Tuscany guide compares them, and the map of Tuscany shows towns, regions and wine areas, with a printable PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tuscany a country?: No. Tuscany (Toscana in Italian) is one of Italy's 20 regions, in central Italy. Its capital is Florence.
Is Toscana the same as Tuscany?: Yes. Toscana is the Italian name; Tuscany is the English one. Both mean the same region.
Is Tuscany French or Italian?: Italian. Tuscany voted in 1860 to join the Kingdom of Sardinia, which became the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, and Florence was Italy's capital from 1865 to 1871.
Is the Amalfi Coast in Tuscany?: No. The Amalfi Coast is in Campania, south of Naples, about five to six hours by car from Florence. From Tuscany it is easier by train via Naples.
Is Cinque Terre in Tuscany?: No. Cinque Terre is in Liguria, just across Tuscany's north-western border. From the Lucca area it is about an hour to La Spezia by car, then the local train.
What regions border Tuscany?: Liguria to the north-west, Emilia-Romagna to the north, the Marche and Umbria to the east, and Lazio to the south. The Tyrrhenian Sea forms its western coast.
What is the capital of Tuscany?: Florence (Firenze). Tuscany is divided into nine provinces plus the Metropolitan City of Florence.

Choosing Where to Stay

Once you know where Tuscany is, the next question is which part to stay in. Start with our guide to the best areas to rent a villa in Tuscany, or browse villas near Florence, near Siena and in the Val d'Orcia.

Every enquiry is answered personally.

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