What to expect on Sundays in Tuscany?
 

I've noticed in a few posts here that most shops are closed on Sundays. I'm wondering, should I be concerned about restaurants as well?

We'll be picking up our rental car in Florence on a Sunday and driving south to San Giovanni d'Asso where we'll be staying.

Our plan is to stop in a town along the way for lunch and to explore a little. Possibly San Gimignano or Monteriggioni. Will anything be open or should we be prepared for everything to be closed?

Thanks!

In the smaller towns, the pattern of life on Sundays is still dictated by church-family...some restaurants are closed all day, but most open by 1 pm for leisurely family-style Sunday afternoon repasts which are fun to witness. You might want to book an agritourismo visit if you have the time to enjoy a 5-8 course meal and see Tuscan family Sundays enjoyed in style. You cannot count on stores being open outside of Florence, but some may be, depending on the amount of tourist traffic/time of year.

It really depends on where you are at. I noticed that a lot of shops open late on a Sun. in Montepulciano. Yet, Pienza seemed wide open on Sudays.
Restaurants often pick different days to close (many on Mondays).
Some of the big cities also have different schedules. Most Rome shops are closed on Sunday, but I noticed that Parma's shops open Sunday afternoon and the streets were full of people. I assume that many of them were from smaller towns in the area that were very dead.

I don't think shops & restaurants in San Gimignano close any day of the week.

Much the same with Pienza.

Stu Dudley

Don't miss the very interesting park in San Giovanni. Ask locals how to get there. It's well off the tourist path, and under-appreciated, IMO.

Stu Dudley

I agree with LJ. Sundays in Italy are all about family and church. Go with it and enjoy the experience.

We were in Orvieto on a Sunday and there was a revival going out outside..on the side of the Cathederal were booths with olive oil, bread, salamis, soaps...and further on there was a flea market and meat market... most of the tourist shops around the Cathederal were opened.. There was even street entertainment and a few craft tables... It was an u nforgettable day..

Here are the restaurants in San Quirico - just south of San Giovanni


Osteria Il Tinaio – via Dante Alighieri 35 (main street)-closed Thurs. 0577-898347. 7-8 tables outside, pleasant inside. Everything is good. One of our favorites.



Al Vecchio Forno – Via Piazzola,8 (side street – turn right just past Bar Centrale) closed Wed.- 0577-897380. Roberto, the owner, is very friendly. In summer, they open their lovely, large outside garden! Everything is good.



Le Contrade –(on a residential side street–go thru the arch by Bar Centrale down the right side hill to their sign and turn left)-closed Mon. 0577-89.80.98. Casual, some tables outside. Excellent thin crust pizzas with about 40 selections. Wines local, service friendly, portions generous and prices reasonable. They offer fish on Friday night.



La Locanda di Fonte alla Vena – via Dante Alighieri 137a Go south just out of town a few yards,& past a fountain and head to the bottom of the hill – closed Mon. 0577-89.99.45. Well prepared Tuscan food, reasonable, friendly service.



La Bottega di Ciacco – via Dante Alighieri 30a (across from Bar Centrale). 0577-89.73.12. 3/2006 New chef owner has made this restaurant a culinary delight. It IS the best restaurant in town. Beautiful presentations and deliciously different fare with pleasant atmosphere.



Castello di Ripa d’Orcia – about 3 miles out of town on an interesting country dirt road – follow their signs. Closed Mon. – 0577-89.73.76. This restaurant is in a country inn which is a small, private medieval village with a castle. The only way to see this fascinating medieval village is to have dinner there. Go early to walk around and if warm enough, have a drink outside taking in the panoramic view. Good food. Definitely worth the trip.



La Piccheria – via Dante Alighieri, 54. 0577-89.82.49. Closed Tues. Very reasonable. Local cuisine. If they are busy, the service can be very slow.



Trattoria Bar Osenna – via dante Alighieri 42. 0577-89.75.41. Closed Wed. Has always been a bar. 5/06 added a trattoria menu of typical Tuscan cooking. Reasonable. Outside dining in the back.



Bar La Torre – next to the Coop. Very simple fare with reasonable prices.

Stu Dudley

Selfishly, I'm so glad mw2006 posted this! I'm going to be traveling to Tuscany at the end of next month and one of few full days we have there is going to be on a Sunday. I didn't even think about if things would be closed or not.

Not to sabotage mv2006's post, but in addition what about wine tasting? We were thinking of going to Montepuliciano and Montalcino and taste / buy some good local vino. Is this going to be possible?

Thanks,