Are you looking at a map and trying to decide if Radda in Chianti would make a good stop?
Perhaps you’ve heard about the ‘Chianti’ villages, but aren’t sure which one (or two, or three…) you should visit.
Radda in Chianti is one of five ‘in Chianti’ villages – the others are Greve in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, and Castellina in Chianti. While there are plenty of other charming and interesting towns to visit in Chianti (I’m looking at you, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Volpaia, Montefioralle, and Barberino Val d’Elsa), these five tend to see the most visitors.
Radda in Chianti, perched on a hilltop in an area covered in forests and vineyards, is a delightful stop on a road trip itinerary or a pleasant place to base yourself for exploring the Chianti villages and wine country.
It’s tiny but mighty and has a few quality accommodation and dining options, so you won’t go hungry, and you’ll have a comfortable place to rest at night.
I wouldn’t go out of my way and drive for hours just to visit Radda in Chianti, but it’s perfect as a stop on a trip to explore Chianti or on your way between places (for example, if you’re traveling from Florence to Siena).
I’m a mamma of three based in Tuscany, and I’ve been working and traveling here since I first set foot in Europe as a backpacker in 2003. In 2004, I started working here as a guide and trip planner, and I haven’t looked back!
Let’s take a look at what Radda in Chianti offers and if it makes sense for your trip to Tuscany.
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Table of Contents
Where is Radda in Chianti?
Radda in Chianti is a tiny village in the Chianti Classico region in Northern Tuscany. It’s set in the Chianti hills between Florence and Siena.
Map of Radda in Chianti
Why You’ll Love a Visit to Radda in Chianti
Radda is in a famous wine area – Chianti Classico. It’s close to wineries and there are a couple of enotecas in town, so if you’re an oenophile, you’ll have plenty of wine tasting opportunities.
Radda’s setting is a gorgeous hilltop location. The views from the walls (of the village and on the road) are lovely and the village center is also photogenic.
Radda in Chianti has a tiny, walkable village center. You don’t need to put in 20,000-step days to ‘see’ Radda. Park your car, stroll, and have a leisurely visit.
Radda has locals that have been around for awhile and give the village character. Whenever I pass through Radda, it’s comforting to see some of the same faces I’ve seen since I first stepped foot in Chianti over two decades ago. These locals are invested in Radda and love where they live – and you can feel it when you visit.
Why You May Want to Skip a Visit to Radda in Chianti
Radda gets busy from late spring through the fall. The small village can feel really crowded and parking can be difficult during this period.
Radda in Chianti is tiny. If you’re looking for a lot of action and plentiful choices for restaurants and shops, this isn’t your place.
When to Visit Radda in Chianti
As I mentioned above, Radda sees most of its visitors from late spring through the fall. Spring brings gorgeous wildflowers and bright green, young vines. Summer is also beautiful (but hot), and the grape harvest and olive harvest in the fall bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the area.
My favorite times to visit are in the spring and fall, when the temperatures aren’t too high, and the vegetation is gorgeous (wildflowers or colorful autumn vineyards).
Winter is very quiet in Radda in Chianti. Some shops close and it feels empty.
Read more about visiting Tuscany in the Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter
Things to Do in Radda in Chianti
Although Radda is small, there are still things to do in the village to keep you busy for a couple of hours or a half day.
Taste Wine at an Enoteca
As part of the Chianti Classico wine territory, it would be a shame to miss sampling some of the wine region’s vino. You can sip at an enoteca in town or visit a winery nearby. In town, try:
- Enoteca Toscana – Local Fabrizio will guide you on a tasting or introduce you to Chianti Classics and gems
- Casa Chianti Classico – Spectacular setting in a former convent; located just down the hill from the village center; lovely vineyard views; join a tasting or a vineyard walk with tasting
- Enoteca Casa Porciatti – Sip wines on a covered medieval lane in the center of Radda
- Bottega di Giovannino – Sit outside on the barstools and people-watch in the pedestrian area of Radda
Buy Picnic Supplies at Casa Porciatti
We love picking up olives, cheese, prosciutto crudo, salame, bread, and spreads at this small, well-stocked deli/shop at the edge of town. Enjoy your picnic in Radda’s park, or head to nearby Vertine and its picnic bench at the entrance to the hamlet.
Wander the Pedestrian Center
Radda’s village center is car-free (except for the occasional resident or worker), and it’s a delight to stroll around. It takes just 5-10 minutes to stroll the length of the village, but it’ll take you longer as you stop to peek at the shops, look up at the coats of arms on the Palazzo del Podestà, and dip your fingers in the fountain in Piazza Ferrucci.
Don’t miss the short underground medieval walkway (it’s also a perfect spot during a hot summer day!).
Browse the Shops
Radda has a few small shops sprinkled around town that sell a mix of products like trinkets, olive wood products, leather, and bike jerseys.
Go For a Bike Ride
Chianti Live rents e-bikes from town. Chianti is hilly but doable with a little electric assist! You can rent both gravel bikes and road bikes.
Attend an Event
Get social with locals and other visitors:
Radda nel Bicchiere – Weekend wine event in May or June
Gallo Nero Granfondo – One-day cycling race in September
Market – Radda has a small monthly market that takes place on the afternoon of every 4th Monday.
Eating in Radda in Chianti
Enoteca and Wine Bar Casa Porciatti – Well-made local dishes in a unique setting on a covered medieval lane on the edge of the center. Pair your meal (truffle ravioli, perhaps?) with a glass of Chianti Classico wine or enjoy a wine tasting.
Casa Porciatti – Get picnic ingredients and eat the park. They’ve got an entire display of cured meats, cheeses, olives, bruschetta toppings (like pepper spreads, mushrooms spreads, etc). Grab a bottle of wine and enjoy in Radda or even across the way in Vertine (a favorite picnic stop for our family). You can also get picnic supplies at the Coop grocery store just below town.
Relais Vignale – Outdoor covered dining area with lovely views.
Bar Dante – Run by locals Fabrizio and Carolyn, this place is perfect for a quick meal. Pastas, taglieri, and wine!
Pizza Hot or Pizza Pie – Get your pizza fix at one of these two spots in town.
Outside of town but worth visiting:
Osteria Le Panzanelle – Just down the road in Lucarelli, this somewhat hidden restaurant is worth a stop for its typical Tuscan dishes in a casual setting.
Osteria alla Piazza – Excellent meats and fresh pasta are highlights of the menu at this restaurant in the hills about 15-20 minutes from Radda by car. Visit on a nice day and sit outside and soak up the incredible views of the Chianti countryside.
Good To Know: Yes, you’re likely sipping on Chianti Classico DOCG wines while you’re in Radda and Chianti, but if you’re a beer drinker – you’re in luck! Radda in Chianti has a brewery just below town – Chianti Brew Fighters.
Good To Know: Craving a Michelin-starred restaurant? Head to nearby Gaiole in Chianti’s Il Pievano.
Where to Stay in Radda in Chianti
The options inside Radda are limited but good. You can also stay in an agriturismo or country hotel, but you’ll need to use your car to visit villages and to get to meals (unless your accommodation has a restaurant). Or, stay in another one of the Chianti villages and visit Radda in Chianti on a day trip (they’re all close enough together to make it possible).
Palazzo Leopoldo – Elegant (without being stuffy) palazzo in the center of Radda. It feels like you’re staying in the home of your wealthy Tuscan aunt. Small spa, lovely views from the outdoor terrace. Good value. It also has a sister hotel in town, Palazzo San Niccolò.
Relais Vignale – Just outside the village walls, can accommodate larger groups. Has more space since it’s not in the center. Swimming pool, spa, outdoor areas, large outdoor restaurant with beautiful views.
Tenuta CorteDomina – Romantic countryside stay, just outside town. Lovely restaurant.
Borgo Vescine – Outside of Radda, in the countryside, you’ll find this small borgo (neighborhood). I’ve always loved the setting here and the cozy, clean, Tuscan-style rooms. The pool setting is spectacular and there are plenty of outdoor spaces on the property that allow you to soak up the scenery.
What to See & Do Near Radda
There’s plenty to do around Radda to keep you busy! Here are some ideas and things that we enjoy:
Cycling – Rent an e-bike in Radda or rent a bike at Officina Ramuzzi in Greve or Chianti Bike (near San Casciano VP). The Tuscan roads and hills are famous for cycling for a reason – they’re gorgeous! If you’re not a fan of uphills, be sure to rent an e-bike.
Volpaia – Taste wines in this small hamlet.
Chianti Classico Wineries – Try some of the areas local wines at nearby wineries like:
- Castello di Meleto (and see the big bench!)
- Castello di Albola (and see the big wine barrel!)
- Castello di Brolio
- Castello di Ama (and explore the outdoor art)
- Antinori nel Chianti Classico (Bargino)
Vertine – You can see this tiny hamlet from Radda in Chianti. Walk around it in 5 min and check out the views and beautiful stone buildings.
Badia a Coltibuono (Abbey of the Good Harvest) – Visit the abbey, join a cooking classes, sample wine, or have a meal onsite.
Rampini Ceramics – Shop for some of the area’s most beautiful handmade ceramics. Ceramics from this shop are some of my most treasured dishes (and most have even survived life with three kids!).
Castellina in Chianti – It’s bigger than Radda, and has more small shops and restaurants to check out. Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti (and neighboring hamlet Montefioralle), and Panzano in Chianti are also nearby.
Siena – Have aperitivo in the Piazza del Campo, climb the tower, learn about the Palio.
Monteriggioni – Walk the walls of this picture-perfect medieval village.
Castello di Brolio – Tour castle, taste wines, have a meal.
Toscana Mia Cooking Class – Join Simonetta and Paola in their home and learn classic Tuscan recipes.
San Gimignano – Visit Tuscany’s busy medieval Manhattan. Best explored in the evening, after the tour buses have gone home for the day.
San Donato in Poggio – Have dinner in an outdoor restaurant here in the summer!
How to Get to Radda
Drive to Radda in Chianti
The best way to get to Radda in Chianti is with your own car. The area isn’t well-connected by public transport and you’ll want to see more of Chianti after your visit to Radda.
If you’re coming from Florence, you can take the slow-but-scenic Chiantigiana (SR222) that travels through Greve in Chianti and Panzano in Chianti en route. Travelers from Siena have multiple options. Check Google Maps for traffic, and if you’re undecided on your route, I like to pass by San Leonino (lovely views on the way up the hill) and Fonterutoli (wine tasting) before driving past Castellina in Chianti and then arriving in Radda.
Radda in Chianti can also be reached from the A1 Autostrada (a nearby exit is San Giovanni Valdarno).
Hire a Private Driver
If you don’t want to drive, but want the flexibility of having your own car, you can hire a driver (NCC – noleggio con conducente). While more expensive, you don’t have to worry about navigating, parking, and ZTLs, and everyone in your group can take part in wine tastings. Find a list of recommended NCCs on my Resources Page.
Other Ways to Get to Radda
You can also reach Radda on bicycle, and as part of a group tour. While you could technically reach Radda by bus or train+bus, I wouldn’t recommend it (takes a long time, limited schedules).
Read more about
Renting a Car in Tuscany
Tuscany Without a Car
Parking in Radda
Like in most Tuscan villages, it’s kind of a pain to park in Radda if you’re visiting outside of the winter. Radda has limited parking on the outside walls around town, so look for one of the blue-lined parking spots on the road leading past town and the ring around it. There’s also a new-ish lot near the playground with extra spaces.
If you can’t find a spot, keep driving around. You don’t want to drive downhill to park somewhere and have to walk up the hill – there’s no sidewalk.
Good To Know: If you park on the northern part of town (along the walls), there’s a public toilet.
Getting Around Radda
Radda in Chianti is so small that you can easily move around on foot!
Radda with Kids
Radda in Chianti is easy to visit with kids because the center is so tiny. You can bring a stroller into town, but you don’t really need to unless you want your child to nap or stay in the stroller while you eat or sample wines.
The park is small but will keep kids entertained for a bit.
There are a couple of gelaterie in town, but if you’ll be visiting Castellina, wait to have it there – it’s got one of our Favorite Gelato Shops in Tuscany.
Good To Know: While the center is ‘car-free,’ local cars can still drive in.
For all the details, read Radda in Chianti with Kids.
Enjoy your visit to Radda in Chianti!
