Montefioralle is officially one of Italy’s borghi piu belli (most beautiful villages) and if you have a chance to visit, I’m sure you’ll agree. Though it’s less than 30 kilometers from Florence, in the Chianti region, it seems like it’s in another world. Its stone buildings and cobblestone walkways are decorated with flowers, and it feels hidden from the frenetic pace of daily life. In Montefioralle, you’ll feel like you’re momentarily transported back to life in the 14th century when the village was at its peak.
Montefioralle is tiny – you can walk around it in five minutes – but don’t rush through a visit. Take your time, get a coffee (or aperitivo), soak up the spectacular views of the vineyards, and stop for a meal in one of its excellent restaurants.
We love bringing visitors to small villages like Montefioralle that they’d often overlook on their own. Sure, there aren’t any sites or monuments to ‘check off your list,’ but our family and friends always love their stop in Montefioralle!
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Where is Montefioralle?
Montefioralle is in central Italy, in the Tuscany region, nestled in the famous Chianti area. It’s on a hillside just above Greve in Chianti.
Its location makes it easy to combine with a visit to Greve or one of the other main Chianti villages (Panzano, Gaiole, Castellina, and Radda). You can also reach it easily on a day trip from Florence or Siena.
Things to Do in Montefioralle
Have Lunch, Dinner, or Aperitivo
Depending on what time of day you’re in town, make a point to stop and get something to eat! There are a couple of restaurants in town (see below) and near the village. We love getting aperitivo here, or if we’re with our kids, we stop for an afternoon snack (merenda). Don’t just rush in and rush out of Montefioralle – part of the beauty of a visit here is stopping to watch countryside life pass by (slowly!).
Go For a Hike
You can park in Greve and do a beautiful countryside loop hike through vineyards that ends up in Montefioralle, and then back down to where you began in Greve. It’s a big climb, but it’s doable – I used to hike this loop while pregnant. Just take it slowly on the uphill and don’t forget to stop and enjoy the views of the rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards!
Hike Distance: 5.5km
Elevation Gain: 210 meters (steep uphill), followed by a 210 meter elevation loss (steep downhill back to Greve)
Time to Hike: 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min
Trail Type: Road, gravel road, trail
Route Map:
You can also do the loop from Montefioralle (just park in Montefioralle). Or, do an out-and-back from the borgo. If you decide to do an out-and-back walk, I recommend hiking up out of town and then making your way back.
Walk around Town
Take a few minutes to walk around the borgo. There’s one main loop in the town center. Check out the beautiful flowers, old stone walls, and the small church.
Montefioralle Winery
You should stop to taste Tuscan wine any chance you get while you’re visiting Chianti. Stop into the Montefioralle Winery and sample Chianti Classico and other wines from the winery while you’re looking and the vineyard and the grapes! Also, be sure to try their vin santo (saint’s wine).
Montefioralle Divino
If you visit Montefioralle at the end of September, don’t pass up the Montefioralle Divino wine festival and a tasting of Chianti wine and bruschetta in the center of the borgo. You can purchase a wine festival glass and sample wines from the Montefioralle vintners.
Good To Know: There’s a bus shuttle between Greve in Chianti and Montefioralle during the festival, so you don’t have to worry about parking.
Sagra delle Fritelle
This springtime festival attracts visitors and locals who can’t resist the fried sweet treats – fritelle. My kids love this festival because fritelle remind them of donuts, and they’re excellent when they’re freshly-made.
I Vini del Castello
Another wine festival set in Montefioralle, I Vini del Castello (Wines of the Castle) showcases local wines each year on the 3rd weekend in May. Around 15 wineries set up booths in the main piazza and on the little streets of the village and you can sample the wines in the wine glass you purchase for the event.
You can also sample local foods in the piazza or at one of the restaurants in town.
Good To Know: There’s a bus shuttle between Greve in Chianti and Montefioralle during the festival, so you don’t have to worry about parking.
Chiesa di Santo Stefano
Art lover will want to take a peek inside Montefioralle’s small church, especially for the Madonna with Baby Jesus at the altar (attributed to a Montefioralle artist).
Things to Do Near Montefioralle
Montefioralle is close to many other worthy stops:
Greve in Chianti – Just down the hill from Montefioralle, Greve has a lively main square, a Saturday morning market, a monthly organic market (every 4th Sunday in the morning), excellent wine shops, and the famous Falorni butcher (we like to try to get one of the outdoor seats in front).
Other Chianti Villages – Gaiole in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, and Radda in Chianti are all nearby and worth a visit. Taste wines, explore their small centers, and enjoy the views! Even the drives between the villages are lovely.
Go Wine Tasting – The Chianti area is famous for its wines, and you’ll find plenty of wineries and wine shops. Some of our favorites are Fonterutoli, Lamole, Istine, and Antinori nel Chianti Classico. Many wineries don’t take drop ins, so if you’re interested in visits, it’s best to contact the winery in advance to arrange a tasting or visit. Read more about Visiting Chianti During the Grape Harvest.
Go for a Bike Ride – This is the cycling heart of Italy, and you’ll find locals and visitors riding here year-round. We love riding here (in fact, my husband and I met on bikes not far from Montefioralle!) and think you will too. Strava has excellent route ideas, but know you can cycle pretty much anywhere in Chianti and you’ll love it! If you’re a mountain biker, there are also plenty of strade bianche (white / gravel roads) in the area.
Go for a Hike – The area’s gravel roads and paths are perfect for hikers. Some routes are marked with red/white trail markers, or you can make your own route using maps and Google Maps. You can also hike in and around the vineyards – just be respectful and don’t pick grapes or bother the vineyards. If the area is fenced, do not enter. Also, in the fall, be sure to check in with a local before you hike – hunters are out in wooded areas.
Take a Cooking Class – Learn the basics of Tuscan cooking so you can replicate it at home! We love Toscana Mia, run by sisters Simonetta and Paola in Poggio San Polo.
Badia a Passignano – The 11th-century Passignano Abbey is in a spectacular setting, and you can visit the abbey, the little borgo of Passignano, and eat at one of the restaurants (including the Michelin-starred Osteria del Passignano).
San Donato in Poggio – another small, charming Tuscan village that we like to bring friends and family to. It’s the perfect spot on a summer evening, when the streets are lively with outdoor diners. Read my guide to San Donato in Poggio.
Where to Eat in Montefioralle
Il Guerrino – Sit outside on the terrace and soak up the views. Don’t miss the ricotta and spinach gnudi (dumplings) or the local beef dish, peposo alla vecchia maniera. Località Castello di Montefioralle, 39. +39.055.8546126.
Nella Tana del Lupo (Alberto’s Home Restaurant) – Casual dishes, perfect for a glass of wine and plate of local salumi. Località Castello di Montefioralle, 23/B. +39.3313473351.
La Castellana – Just outside the borgo walls, you’ll find this cozy setting and delicious Tuscan cuisine. Reservations are recommended. Via Montefioralle, 2. +39.055.853134.
Bar – Step inside for a coffee or aperitivo and be treated to lovely views of the countryside. Località Castello di Montefioralle, 57.
La Cantinetta di Rignana – It’s not in Montefioralle, but it’s nearby and it’s a gem. Down a dirt road (don’t bring a fancy car here), gorgeous views, quality Tuscan dishes in a casual atmosphere. Via Rignana, 13. +39.055.852601.
Where to Sleep in Montefioralle
- Al Canto del Forno – just outside the city walls, small, gorgeous countryside views
- B&B Torre nel Chianti – simple setting in a small tower
- La Rose dei Vespucci Apartments – relaxing setting, stay in a part of Amerigo Vespucci’s former villa
If you’re looking for hotels, you can stay nearby:
- Villa Bordoni – highly recommended for a luxurious countryside stay
- Pietra del Cabreo – spotless, bright rooms on a property set in a vineyard
Montefioralle with Kids
Montefioralle is great to visit with little ones, but the walk up from Greve is steep, so it’s best to arrive by car (or with a carrier or baby backpack if you feel like walking). In town, there’s not much to do, but little ones can explore the tiny streets and corners of the borgo.
If you come with kids, make sure you combine your visit with Greve, where there are a few more things to do with little ones (and there’s a town playground).
There aren’t any public toilets, but you can ask to use the bathroom at the bar in town or in one of the restaurants. You can also change a diaper on a bench or on a stone wall (don’t forget a changing pad!).
The streets are cobbled and not very stroller friendly. It’s easiest to use a baby carrier, and if you have an early walker, it’s a nice place to let your little one explore without worrying about traffic.
Getting to Montefioralle
Driving to Montefioralle
Take Chiantigiana, and arrive from Greve. You can also arrive from the other side. Parking lots on the outside edges of town (east and west). The eastern (Greve in Chianti) side fills up quickly, so you may need to take the road (to the left) to get to the western parking lot on the other side of town.
Read about Renting a Car in Tuscany and Tuscany Without a Car
Walking to Montefioralle
See the hike option above, or you can hike directly from Greve to Montefioralle. It’s about 1.5 kilometers from Greve’s main piazza (Piazza Giacomo Matteotti) up to Montefioralle. You’ll walk on a paved road and gain about 125 meters. It will take from 25 – 40 minutes, depending on your speed and how often you stop to check out the views of the vineyards and olive trees!
Walking Directions:
To begin the walk up, take Via Roma from Piazza Matteotti and in 100 meters, turn left toward the Terrazza Panoramica (brown sign) onto Via S. Francesco. In 250 meters, heat left at the Y-intersection and hike uphill on the paved road until you reach Montefioralle.
Good To Know: This is the main road for cars to drive up from Greve to Montefioralle, so watch for cars (there’s no sidewalk).
Montefioralle FAQ
You can take the bus to get to Greve in Chianti, which is just 1.5 km from Montefioralle. From Greve, you’ll need to walk or take a taxi up to the borgo.
Yes, you can still wander the tiny streets of the borgo in the winter, but Montefioralle is at its best in the spring, summer, and fall months when you can see flowers and eat outside at the restaurants. Still, you can hike in the area year-round and enjoy the spectacular countryside scenery. If you do decide to visit in the winter, be sure to call ahead to make sure your chosen restaurant or B&B is open.
