Greve in Chianti

Since we had picked up our rental car from Florence the day before, we were now free to go and explore Tuscany. Our Tuscan villa was located about 30km South of Florence near the town of Figline Valdarno, which is located very close to the famous Chianti wine growing region. So, for our first day out driving in the Tuscan countryside, we decided to head to the nearest town in the region – Greve in Chianti.

Before I came to Tuscany I had pictured it in my mind. The scene that would always come up is beautiful green rolling hills covered in vineyards, olive groves and centuries old farmhouses. Little medieval hamlets dotted the region, and the people would enjoy amazing food and wine, and life progressed at a slow and peaceful pace. This is exactly what we found, and even more so in Chianti.

Chianti View

A picnic in the Tuscan countryside

From our villa we drove along narrow winding roads that wound their way through the hilly terrain passing farms, forests and little villages. We had packed a picnic lunch and had visions of eating it while looking out over a spectacular Tuscan landscape, so when we reached the town of Greve in Chianti we drove right through to look for our perfect picnic spot in the countryside.

It wasn’t long before we found a lovely spot near an old farmhouse that looked out over a vineyard, and we stopped to enjoy our lunch of fresh bread, meats and cheese in the warm Tuscan sun.

Our picnic spot

After lunch we headed the short distance back down the road to Greve in Chianti, where we parked our car and began exploring the town.

Greve in Chianti

Like most Tuscan towns, Greve in Chianti dates back to the Middle Ages, with its main settlement happening in the 13th and 14th centuries. From our car we walked down narrow cobblestone streets, surrounded by beautiful old buildings. We had no idea exactly where we were going, but as is usually the case, all roads seemed to lead to the main piazza – the heart of town.

Walking down a cobblestone street

The little streets that we had walked down had been quiet and nearly empty, but when we reached the piazza, it was a hive of activity. Full of locals and tourists alike, the triangular piazza was obviously where all of the action is. We wandered around looking at all of the little shops, some selling food and wine, others selling local arts and crafts. This is certainly the kind of town that you want to go to if you love wine and deli type food items.

The main piazza

The famous Chianti wine is the main focal point, and many were at fantastic prices, but one of the most interesting shops I found was Macelleria Falorni – one of the oldest butcher shops in Italy, and a great place to try some different salamis and meats, including wild boar. The salami containing wild boar was delicious.

An old truck outside the butcher shop

There are several other interesting sights in the center of town including the churches and museum, but it was the just the feel and look of the town that I found to be most interesting.

A museum in the Piazza

After enjoying a cappuccino at one of the many cafes in the piazza, we made our way down another little cobblestone street to a viewpoint, where you climb up a small hill to get great views out across the town and surrounding countryside.

Walking up the path to the viewpoint

View of Greve in Chianti

At this point, after experiencing both the countryside and village life, I was in love with Chianti, and I felt like I could stay here for weeks. With the warm afternoon sun beating down upon us, it was time to head back to our villa. And driving back through the beautiful countryside of Chianti, I knew that we would be back to this amazing part of Italy.

A Short Guide to Greve in Chianti

Here’s a quick guide to exploring Greve in Chianti:

Getting There

Greve is conveniently located about 30 km (19 miles) from Florence and 40 km (25 miles) from Siena. You can drive along the scenic SR222, known as the Chiantigiana Road, or take a bus from Florence’s bus station at Santa Maria Novella. I recommend renting a car to explore the region. You can compare car rental deals here.

Must-See Attractions

• Piazza Matteotti: The town’s main square, lined with arcades, is the perfect place to stroll, shop for local goods, and enjoy a glass of wine at a café.
• Wine Museum (Museo del Vino): Learn about the history and traditions of winemaking in the Chianti region.
• Santa Croce Church: A simple yet charming church housing artworks by local artists.
• Castello di Verrazzano: A historic castle just outside the town, offering guided tours and wine tastings.

Activities

• Wine Tasting: Visit local wineries to sample Chianti Classico wines. Many offer tours of their vineyards and cellars.
• Explore Nearby Villages: Use Greve as a base to visit nearby medieval villages like Panzano and Radda in Chianti.
• Hiking and Cycling: The surrounding countryside offers scenic trails through vineyards, olive groves, and rolling hills.

Where to stay

We stayed in a villa not far from Greve in Chianti. There are lots of hotels, guest houses and villas to choose from in the area. I book my accommodation at booking.com