Volterra

Travel Guide

Volterra which includes heritage elements and a small town or village
Volterra showing a city
Volterra showing landscape views
Medici Fortress featuring heritage elements
Roman Theatre which includes building ruins, theater scenes and heritage elements

Encounter many different eras of history in Volterra, a scenic hilltop town in Tuscany famed for its palaces, museums and archaeological sites.

Experience the enduring charm of rural Tuscany in Volterra, a town of historic burnt-red buildings and ancient archaeological sites. Etruscan, Roman and medieval settlers have all left their mark here. Modern Volterra celebrates this layered history.

Originally, Volterra was a flourishing Etruscan settlement named Velathri, with around 25,000 people from the ancient civilization living here. Romans moved in around the 3rd century B.C. and named it Volaterrae. Explore the town today to see remnants from both of these periods, as well as numerous buildings from its time as a free commune in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Start your exploration of Volterra by surveying its ancient relics. Look for Etruscan architectural sights such as Porta all’ArcoOpens in a new window, a gateway with faded sculptures of human heads, and the Etruscan Acropolis, the ruins of a religious site.

Learn more about this mysterious civilization in the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum. Browse funerary urns and artistic sculptures carved from alabaster. Read about the town’s connection to the stone in the Ecomuseum of Alabaster.

Move on to Roman times next, seeking out classical architecture in the town. Begin with the Roman TheatreOpens in a new window, a sunken arena that once hosted 2,000 spectators. Imagine rich patrons visiting the Roman Baths, where you can still see the remains of the furnace and sauna.

Discover medieval Tuscany in Piazza dei PrioriOpens in a new window. The main square in the town features some of Volterra’s most impressive landmarks. Admire the frescoes in Palazzo dei Priori and the triple-arched loggia of Palazzo Pretorio. Nearby, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta features striking artwork and monuments to Volterran saints.

Visit Volterra in July and August, the peak season in Tuscany, and witness the modern, lively side of the town during the Volterra Jazz Festival. Catch a train from RomeOpens in a new window or FlorenceOpens in a new window, or hop on one of the local buses to get into Volterra. The town is just an hour away from many of Tuscany’s other cultural cities.

Borgo Pignano Tuscany
Borgo Pignano Tuscany
5 out of 5
Localita Pignano 6, Volterra, PI
$636 nightly
The price is $706 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$706 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury farm stay in Volterra. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Castelvecchio and Castelvecchio Natural ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (78 reviews)
Beautiful Tuscan Villa
"This was one of the most beautiful places we have stayed. The grounds were well kept and had so many things for us to do. The staff go out of their way to make you comfortable and feel well taken care of. Gigi was the sweetest man and gave us a tour of the property. There are pigs, horses, vineyards, ..."

Reviewed on May 21, 2025

Borgo Pignano Tuscany
Hotel Athena
Hotel Athena
4 out of 5
P Mascagni 55, Siena, SI
Fully refundable
$142 nightly
The price is $163 total per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
$163 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Siena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Before we arrived the communication with the hotel was not good, but once we arrived I was stunned with how kind and helpful everyone at the hotel is. My family keeps commenting on how nice everyone is. The breakfast is very generous and delicious. The rooms are comfortable as well as the beds. I ..."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Hotel Athena
Hotel Italia
Hotel Italia
3 out of 5
Viale Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 67, Siena, SI
$86 nightly
The price is $100 total per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
$100 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Siena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (981 reviews)
"A very accommodating hotel we arrived early and thankfully our room is ready so we were allowed gain access to our room early. The location was good for the train station and a short walk to the sites of Siena - which are just beautiful. Breakfast was good and the room was very comfortable, we had ..."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Hotel Italia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Holiday house with private pool and fenced garden
Holiday house with private pool and fenced garden
Volterra
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Volterra. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Balze di Volterra and Roman ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (53 reviews)
Volterra Villa
"We had great time. The owners are very accommodating"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Holiday house with private pool and fenced garden
Country House & Spa - Inside Nature with panoramic views, Art Surrounded
Country House & Spa - Inside Nature with panoramic views, Art Surrounded
Volterra
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Volterra. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Rocca Sillana and Medici ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
The PERFECT Getaway!
"My wife and I found and booked this house for our family and friends to join us for a celebration, and not one part of our experience was disappointing. We showed up late Friday night after a longer day of travel than expected, and we had people at the house waiting for us. They were very gracious ..."

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2024

Country House & Spa - Inside Nature with panoramic views, Art Surrounded
Villa Bel Sogno - Beautiful View Of Volterra And The Countryside.
Villa Bel Sogno - Beautiful View Of Volterra And The Countryside.
Volterra
Stay at this apartment in Volterra. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Teatro del Silenzio and Balze di Volterra are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
Under the Tuscan sun
"Wow!! The beauty of this location is hard to describe- it was like living in a painting! The house was perfect for our family of 5. It was a great home base to discover nearby towns like Volterra and San Gimignano. Luigi’s restaurant on the property was a highlight! It was very hot while we were ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Villa Bel Sogno - Beautiful View Of Volterra And The Countryside.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Volterra

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 83%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This is a must see location for the Etruscan artifacts. Wonderful town with fewer tourists.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Hard to believe the beauty and history of this city and surrounding area. The museums were also amazing.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Top tier hill town in Tuscany.

Cities near Volterra