Exploring Leonardo da Vinci's hometown
Vinci is a small town in the Montalbano hills, about an hour west of Florence. Famous for being the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, today it's a charming spot well worth a day trip. There is a Leonardo museum with a number of models based on his sketches, a second section of the museum about his painting and, just under 2 kms away from the town, Leonardo's birthplace, his parents' house.
Getting to Vinci
The easiest way to get to Vinci is by car, but it's a small town so parking can be tricky in high season. The best option, if you like walking, is to leave the car at one of the two free car parks at the entrance to the town, and then walk in.
Car Park in Vinci in Via Ripalta Car Park in Vinci in Via Cerretana
Both car parks are around 500m from the centre of town, so a 7 min walk (uphill).
If you need to be closer to the town centre, you can try to park on Via Giuseppe Rossi, right below the museum, but it does get busy in summer. We recently parked there quite easily in October, so it depends when you're visiting.
Car Park in Vinci in Via Rossi
Driving times are approximately 1 hour from Florence, 40 mins from Pisa, 30 mins from Pistoia, and about an hour and a half from Siena.
What to see in Vinci
There are three main sites in Vinci: Leonardo's birth place and the two linked museums, one of his models, the other of his painting - but just exploring the small town is also a pleasure.
Itinerary for a Day Trip to Vinci, Italy
Morning
Casa Natale di Leonardo (Leonardo da Vinci's Birthplace):
Visit the simple house where Leonardo was born. It's around 1.8 kms from the town so the walk should take around 30 min each way along a beautiful path through olive trees and fields. The path is called the Strada Verde, or Green path.
Walking Directions from Vinci to Leonardo's Birth Place
When you get back to Vinci it will be time for:
Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch at a local restaurant. There are several - last time we visited we went to Bar I Borghi which was simple but the pizza was good. Reading the reviews it seems others have had different experiences, so YMMV.
Other restaurants with good reviews are:
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Ristorante La Torretta - Via della Torre, 19, 50059 Vinci FI, Italy Very close to the museum and with the old school feel of Tuscan restaurants in the 90s
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Antica Cantina di Bacco di Bianconi - Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 3, 50059 Vinci FI, Italy Just for the sheer amount of wine bottles!
Afternoon
Museo Leonardiano (Leonardo da Vinci Museum):
Explore the two sections of the museum, housed in the Guidi Castle:
- Palazzina Uzielli: See models of Leonardo's inventions.
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Guidi Castle: Discover more about Leonardo's life and work. You can buy tickets in the tourist information office on the main street - best to buy them before you climb the steps up to the museum. The office is in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 26, Vinci
Website of Museo Leonardiano in Vinci
The models are very interesting, Leonardo's mind was amazingly inventive and productive. Before you go into the museum, have a look at the large model of Leonardo's Vitruvian man, in the square.
One of the models in the Leonardo museum in Vinci You can climb the tower from the museum and it's worth it for the views of the landscape:
You just have to hope they don't decide to ring the bell while you're up the tower! After your visit it will be time for a pause in the cafe just below the museum for a coffee and cake or perhaps an aperitif
There is a cafe just outside the entrance to the museum Where to stay to visit Vinci
We'd recommend staying in one of our villas near Montecatini Terme, like Villa Alessandro or Villa Chiara.
Villa Alessandro sleeps 11
Villa Alessandro is set in a perfect spot in the Tuscan hills Villa Chiara sleeps 13
Author: Dan Wrightson
Dan Wrightson grew up in Tuscany, Italy and has been writing about, sketching and exploring Tuscany and Italy since 1983.
25th Nov 2024 25th Nov 2024