Volterra is an Etruscan hill town of alabaster workshops, medieval walls and a Roman theatre, perched above rolling Tuscan countryside.
Volterra sits about 65 km south-east of Pisa and is the one trip in this list best done by car, since public transport requires a train to Pontedera or Cecina plus a regional bus. The town is known for alabaster, the Etruscan Museo Guarnacci with its Ombra della Sera bronze, and a Roman theatre excavated below the medieval walls.
| Distance | About 65 km south-east of Pisa |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours by train and bus |
| Getting there | Train from Pisa Centrale to Pontedera or Cecina, then Autolinee Toscane bus to Volterra; or car via the FI-PI-LI and SR68 |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | Piazza dei Priori, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy |
How to get there
- Mode
- Train and bus
- Duration
- About 1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours
- Notes
- Combine a regional train with an Autolinee Toscane bus to Volterra; timetables and fares at at-bus.it
- Mode
- Car
- Duration
- About 1 hour
- Notes
- Park outside the walls and walk up; the centre is a ZTL
Suggested itinerary
- Reach Volterra by mid-morning, walk Piazza dei Priori and the Roman Theatre, visit the Guarnacci Museum, browse alabaster shops, then take the bus back in the early evening.
Location
Piazza dei Priori, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy
43.4007, 10.8603 View on map
Highlights
- Piazza dei Priori and Palazzo dei Priori
- Roman Theatre
- Etruscan Museum Guarnacci
- Alabaster workshops
- Medieval walls and views over the Val di Cecina
Tips for visiting
- Check the last bus time before starting out
- Buy the combined museum ticket
- Alabaster is the local craft; buy from workshops
When to visit
Spring and autumn; the Volterra AD 1398 festival takes place in August.
Accessibility
Hilly and cobbled; limited accessibility in the old town.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reach Volterra by public transport from Pisa?
Yes, by combining a regional train and an Autolinee Toscane bus, but it takes about 1.5-2 hours and services are infrequent.
Is a car better?
Yes; a car cuts the journey to about an hour and allows combining Volterra with San Gimignano.