Tuscany in June: 5 reasons to visit Tuscany in June
Thinking of visiting Tuscany in June? Discover our top five reasons to holiday in Tuscany in June.
Visiting Tuscany in June is blissful. While we love this magical Italian region at every time of year, June is a gem of a month to take a trip to Tuscany. Our Bookings For You guests have been enjoying villa holidays to Tuscany in June for years and for just as long, they have been telling us how wonderful it is. We too have sampled a few wonderful trips at this time of year. Both the city charm of Florence and Pisa and the iconic vineyards of the Chianti hills are excellent choices in June. However, it’s also beach weather and equally a great time to adventure into the mountains. Whatever you decide to do in Tuscany in June, we can pretty much guarantee it will be wonderful.
1. Skip the crowds in Tuscany in June
June is perfection in Tuscany. Towns and villages buzz under azure mid-summer skies but are not yet overrun with tourists, which makes this an ideal time to visit popular sites such as Florence’s Uffizi Gallery or Pisa’s iconic leaning tower. While you won’t be alone, there will be far fewer crowds and Tuscany’s smaller idyllic hilltop towns will still be free-from the large groups that can descend on them in peak season. Tuscany in June is also a perfect for a visit to the beach. The sea is warm enough for a swim and the beaches are still free from the crowds of July and August. What’s more, you will find that all of the shops, bars and restaurants are open for the summer season.
At this time of year we particularly recommend a trip to Elba island. Most famous for being Napoleon’s home during his first abdication in 1814, Elba is a precious gem in the Mediterranean. At just 10km from mainland Tuscany the island is easily reached by a regular ferry service.
These days, Elba Island is more famous for being a favourite holiday destination for Italians and a smattering of foreign tourists. For this reason, Elba remains a true slice of authentic Italy. What’s more, June is the perfect time to discover the crystalline waters and rugged mountainous landscape. Elba is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with spectacular hiking, cycling and kayaking trails. And while the weather is almost guaranteed to be fine in June, it will not yet be too hot to enjoy these activities. However the main attraction in Elba is the beaches. Regularly voted as the best in Italy, they really are postcard perfect and in June they’ll be crowd-free for you to enjoy in peace.
Looking for somewhere to stay on Elba island? Discover Villa Elba here. Or read our full guide to Elba Island here.
2. Mid-Summer Festivals in Tuscany in June
Lucca Summer Festival
The residents of Lucca know that summer has really started when their annual music festival begins in June. Usually held in the central Piazza Napoleone, this iconic festival attracts music-lovers form all over the world. Lucca is a city which oozes culture and June is a brilliant time to visit. As night falls, the city comes alive when some of the world’s most talented musicians take to the stage and entertain thousands of visitors to the city. Past performers include, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. Whatever the line-up, this festival never disappoints.
Cherry Festival – Lari
Tuscany in June means Cherry season and Lari is often considered the cherry capital of the region. So it’s the perfect choice to host the biggest cherry festival in Tuscany. Locals take their cherries very seriously and still use ancient methods to both grow and harvest the jewel like fruits. Lari and its surrounding hills see 14 native variety of cherries grow in abundance and June is harvest time.
Taking place over two weekends (usually the last in May and first in June), Lari embraces all things cherry, as their annual cherry festival takes over this idyllic town. The streets are painted red when farmers arrive with their baskets brimming with fresh cherries. There is also music, performances and a wonderful food market to enjoy. Needless to say there are a lot of cherry themed treats to try. However the highlight has to be the award ceremony where the producer of the finest crop is awarded the much coveted ‘Golden Cherry’ prize.
Gioco del Ponte – Pisa
Aptly translated to Battle of the Bridge – this is a historic re-enactment which takes place on the final Saturday in June in Pisa. This spectacular event starts with a huge procession of over 700 participants in elaborate 16th century costumes. In the crowd there are two ‘teams’: the Tramontana from north of the river Arno and the Mezzogiorno from south of the River Arno. Following the procession, the much anticipated battle begins. The winners are the team who remain in possession of the bridge following a tug-of-war contest! It is certainly one of the most entertaining events in Tuscany in June.
Calcio Storico – Florence
Everyone knows that Italians love football. And it seems that this love of the beautiful game goes well back into their history. In fact, a version of football has been played in Italy for centuries and in Tuscany in June the residents of Florence step back in time to play one of the very first incarnations of their favourite sport. Calcio Sorico takes us back in time as players don traditional costumes and entertain the crowds in Piazza Sante Croce. The game itself is a unique combination of modern day football, rugby with a bit of wrestling thrown in for good measure!
La Luminara di San Ranieri – Pisa
Finally back to Pisa. This is the festival that celebrates the city’s patron Saint – San Ranieri. As the summer solstice approaches, and this iconic Tuscan city is bathed in almost endless sunshine, a festival of light seems like the perfect way to celebrate. As night falls on the 16th June, the city of Pisa switches off the electric lights and instead is illuminated with thousands of candles. Every window and doorway is lit with a warm glow and the banks and bridges of the River Arno are alive with illuminations. As a final show of celebration, the evening is rounded off with a spectacular show of fireworks.
3. Blissful weather in Tuscany in June
June is most certainly summer in Tuscany and we often think of June as the golden month. With long light days stretching out ahead, every day in Tuscany is June is magical. Interestingly, this is also often the month where we see the greatest change in the weather. The first days of the month are often a little cooler, with temperatures still hovering around the early 20s. If you’re not fond of very warm weather this is a great time to visit Tuscany. The evenings are warm enough to sit out but you may need a light jacket as night falls.
However, by the end of the month things are really beginning to move from warm to hot. The final days of June in Tuscany can sometimes be as hot as July and August. However, we are usually still spared the sometimes oppressive humidity of high summer. Either way, Tuscany in June is almost always dry and there are an abundance of blue skies to complete the postcard-perfect landscapes. It’s always warm enough to swim and we recommend choosing a villa with a pool so you can cool off after a day of sight-seeing or adventure.
4. Taste Tuscany in June
Tuscany in June has a stunning glow of colour. The contrast of the iconic green landscapes with the jewel like fruit trees is magnificent. Cherries often take centre stage, however summer brings plenty of sweet-tasting fruits to the table. Berries begin to feature in desserts but also in salads providing a wonderful sweet contrast in often savoury dishes. At this time of year, peaches and plums are also ready for the picking and are just delicious. Italy’s commitment to organic locally sourced produce is in the fabric of its culture. And it is this dedication to genuinely high quality food, produced with love which makes Italian food so good. So, while in Tuscany in June, do take the opportunity to get involved. Some of the finest fruit and vegetables we’ve tried have been bought directly from farms or even from stalls at the side of the road.
However, if you find yourself in Florence and fancy a more stereotypical Italian sweet treat, you won’t be disappointed. June sees the city’s annual gelato festival take to the Piazalle Michelangelo. Join locals and visitors alike in tasting and judging some of the finest gelato in the world. So fine is the fayre that this two-day gelato battle sees the award of the Gelato Festival World Master’s Champion being crowned at the end of the event. While you taste your way around the event, make sure you also visit the Buontalenti. This is the largest mobile ice cream ‘lab’ in the world. Italians take their gelato very seriously – something I know we’ll always be grateful for!
5. Low-cost luxury in Tuscany in June
If all the above reasons aren’t enough to visit Tuscany in June, here’s one more! Even though June is most certainly summer in Tuscany, it is still not considered to be ‘high season’ so there are some unbelievably good value villas and apartments available at this time of year. Not only can you save some money by choosing to visit Tuscany in June but it is also a wonderful excuse to treat yourself to some high-end luxury without the hefty prices of high season.
Villa Bastioni – large groups in Tuscany in June
One of our favourites is Villa San Bastioni. If you love privacy things don’t get better than this. Perched on top of a hill in a now uninhabited village, Villa Bastioni enjoys incredible 360 degree views. The church does open once a week and there is a superb restaurant – La Foresteria – less than a minutes walk away. But otherwise, guests will have this 5 bedroom Tuscany villa and the entire hilltop to themselves. This stunning villa has a private pool, jacuzzi and beautiful terraced gardens in which to relax. What’s more, in June guests can have all of this for less than £50 per person per night.
Casa Guardia – smaller groups in Tuscany in June
Smaller groups can opt for a stay at the beautiful Casa Guardia. Located in Pietrefitta, a wonderful medieval village close to Siena, this 2 bedroom apartment is elegantly furnished. It is the ideal accommodation for a family or small group of friends. The property has a unique private terrace with stylish outdoor table, chairs and parasol. What’s more, the apartment enjoys stunning views over the valley and the spectacular infinity pool. In June, you can stay here for just £55 per person per night – great value.
Looking for accommodation in Tuscany in June? Here at Bookings For You we are always here to help you find the perfect place for your next holiday in Italy. Discover our full collection of villas and apartments in Tuscany here. Or contact us for advice on the best place to stay in Tuscany in June – or at any time of year.
