Gelateria Dondoli, San Gimignano

Gelateria Dondoli, known formally as Gelateria di Piazza, stands on Piazza della Cisterna in the medieval hill town of San Gimignano, famous for its skyline of stone towers in the province of Siena. It is run by Sergio Dondoli, a celebrated master gelato maker who has twice won the world gelato championship, and the shop has become a destination in its own right, with queues often forming on the square as visitors line up for a cone. The gelato is made on the premises in small batches using quality seasonal ingredients, and the range pairs faithful Italian classics with inventive flavours that draw on local produce and the surrounding landscape. Signature creations include the Crema di Santa Fina, scented with saffron and pine nuts in a nod to the town's patron saint and to the saffron historically grown around San Gimignano, and a sorbet made with the local Vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine, alongside other distinctive flavours such as saffron and Gorgonzola-and-walnut. The classics are equally well executed, from dense pistachio to fresh fruit sorbets that change with the season. The setting on Piazza della Cisterna, one of the most beautiful squares in Tuscany, adds to the appeal, and many visitors enjoy their gelato while taking in the surrounding medieval architecture. Prices are typical for high-quality artisan gelato, charged by cup or cone size, and no reservation is required. Because San Gimignano is a popular day-trip destination, the gelateria can be extremely busy in the middle of the day during the high season, and queues are part of the experience. Hours are long in spring and summer, with the shop open into the evening, while winter hours are reduced. For travellers visiting San Gimignano's towers, sampling Sergio Dondoli's award-winning gelato is one of the town's signature pleasures, combining genuine artisan craft with creative flavours rooted in local ingredients. Trying one of the distinctive house creations such as the Vernaccia sorbet or Crema di Santa Fina offers a taste of the area that goes well beyond the standard gelateria, making it a memorable stop on any Tuscan itinerary.