Autumn foliage in Florence

Here are the best places to admire the foliage in the city:

• Boboli Gardens: between avenues of holm oaks and Renaissance statues, autumn creates poetic scenery with the warm tones of the leaves.
  
• Piazzale Michelangelo & San Miniato al Monte: from here you can admire Florence wrapped in golden light, with the hills in the background.
  
• Parco delle Cascine: along the Arno, the tall trees turn into a painter’s palette, perfect for a walk or bike ride.

Autumn foliage in Chianti

Just outside Florence, the roads leading to the Chianti region wind through postcard landscapes: neat vineyards, silvery olive groves, and medieval villages nestled in the woods. In autumn, the rows of vines turn red and orange, while it’s also harvest time for grapes and olives — the best moment to breathe in country life and discover the work in wineries and olive mills.

Top places for foliage in Chianti:

• Greve in Chianti The “gateway” to Chianti. Its main square, Piazza Matteotti, is even more atmospheric in autumn, with spectacular vineyards all around.
  Don’t miss a walk up to Montefioralle, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy, surrounded by vines and woods glowing with autumn colors.
  
• Castellina in Chianti Perched among hills and forests, it offers endless views.
  The Via delle Volte, a medieval walkway under vaulted arches, is the perfect spot to admire the colorful landscape.
  
• Radda in Chianti Surrounded by vineyards and woods that turn red and gold in autumn.
  The surrounding countryside has trails perfect for foliage hikes among vines and cypress trees.
  
• Gaiole in Chianti Rich in castles and Romanesque churches, set in a wooded landscape.
  The Castle of Brolio is an amazing viewpoint: from here you can overlook the valley and admire vineyards exploding with autumn colors.
  
• Panzano in Chianti Famous for its wine and for Dario Cecchini’s legendary bistecca. From the village square you can enjoy wonderful views of vineyards, especially at sunset.

Autumn experiences in Chianti

Walks in the vineyards: many wineries organize tours among the vines to see autumn colors up close.

Wine tastings: Chianti Classico pairs perfectly with seasonal dishes such as mushrooms, truffles, and game.

Olive mills open to visitors: autumn is olive harvest season, and many mills let you taste freshly pressed green oil on warm toasted bread.

Flavors of Chianti

- Pecorino cheese: often served with honey or fig and grape preserves.

- Tuscan cured meats: finocchiona salami, Tuscan PDO ham, lardo di Colonnata.

- Grilled meats: in autumn the queen remains the bistecca alla fiorentina, ideally enjoyed with a bold glass of red wine.

The best places in Mugello for foliage

North of Florence, the Mugello turns into a patchwork of colors in autumn: beech forests, chestnut groves, and hills dressed in shades of red, yellow, and orange. It’s a perfect destination for nature lovers and hikers.

• Lake Bilancino A large body of water reflecting the autumn colors of the hills. Perfect for a stroll or to watch the sunset mirrored in the lake.
  
• Monte Senario Woods & Vaglia Forests of beech and oak that become spectacular in autumn. The convent of Monte Senario, immersed in nature, is a peaceful place surrounded by foliage.
  
• Casentino Forests National Park (Mugello side) One of the most famous spots in Italy for autumn colors. Trails wind through beech and fir forests, with views like painted landscapes. October is peak foliage season here.
  
• Chestnut Groves of Marradi and Palazzuolo sul Senio Birthplace of the famous Mugello Marroni IGP chestnuts. During autumn festivals you can walk among golden woods and taste roasted chestnuts, chestnut pasta, and traditional sweets.
  
• Futa Pass and Giogo Pass Scenic roads winding through ridges and forests that blaze with autumn colors. Ideal for a drive, motorbike ride, or hike.
  
• Scarperia and San Piero Not just medieval villages but also countryside dotted with vineyards and hills changing color. A great mix of cultural visit and nature walk.
  

Experiences in Mugello

- Hiking in beech and chestnut woods.

- Horseback riding through the Mugello trails.

- Tastings of autumn delicacies: chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, truffles, and typical dishes such as Mugello potato tortelli.

What to eat in autumn

- Ribollita: a hearty Tuscan soup with black cabbage, beans, and bread – even better on cool autumn evenings.
- Legume soups (Cacciucco di legumi): made with seasonal vegetables, chickpeas, or spelt.
- Porcini mushrooms: grilled, fried, or in pasta dishes like pappardelle.
- White and black truffle: especially in Mugello and Chianti, grated over pasta or eggs for a true autumn luxury.
- Chestnuts and Marroni del Mugello IGP: used for desserts, soups, or flour (necci, thin chestnut pancakes).
- Game: pappardelle with hare or wild boar sauce, braised meats, and stews.

- Olio nuovo (new olive oil): freshly pressed, green and peppery, best enjoyed on a slice of toasted Tuscan bread (fettunta).

What to drink

- Chianti Classico DOCG: Tuscany’s iconic red wine, perfect with meats and game. Many wineries open their doors to visitors right after the harvest.
- Novello wine and new oil: young wine, released at the end of October, with a fresh, fruity taste.
- Vin Santo with cantucci: the traditional sweet ending, dipping crunchy biscuits in dessert wine.

- Tuscan grappa and liqueurs: often produced by small artisanal distilleries.

Autumn in Casentino: foliage, villages, and authentic flavors

Autumn transforms the Casentino Valley, stretching between the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines and the province of Arezzo, into a living painting. Beech, oak, and chestnut forests glow in yellow, red, and orange, offering breathtaking landscapes and poetic atmospheres. It’s the perfect season for those who love walking in nature, exploring ancient villages, and tasting the traditional flavors of Tuscany.

Where to see foliage in Casentino

• Casentino Forests National Park One of the most famous foliage destinations in Italy: beech and fir woods crossed by well-marked trails turn into a palette of colors. Don’t miss the Hermitage and Monastery of Camaldoli, nestled in centuries-old forests, and the Sanctuary of La Verna, perched on Mount Penna, surrounded by magical autumn beech woods.
• Poppi Dominated by the Guidi Counts’ Castle, it offers stunning views of the valley. In autumn, the surroundings glow with warm colors and the town comes alive with food and wine events.
• Stia and Porciano Park Wandering through Stia’s alleys or climbing up to Porciano Castle reveals sweeping autumn views over Casentino.
• Pratomagno The ridges of the Pratomagno, between Casentino and Valdarno, offer spectacular panoramas: forests ablaze with color and the great Pratomagno Cross against the crisp autumn sky.
• Vallombrosa On the slopes of the Pratomagno, autumn turns the centuries-old fir and beech forests into a sea of golden and crimson hues. Walking the trails around the ancient abbey is a magical experience where nature and spirituality meet.
  

Autumn Foods in Casentino

- Chestnuts and marroni: the stars of the season, used for roasted chestnuts, soups, and sweets.

- Porcini and Caesar’s mushrooms: freshly picked in the woods, grilled or served in pasta dishes.

- Game dishes: hearty recipes with wild boar, hare, and roe deer, often accompanied by polenta.

- Cheeses: pecorino and ricotta, fresh or aged, often paired with local honey and jams.

- Casentino bread: wood-fired and a must at every table.

What to drink in autumn

- Casentino red wines: little-known but excellent, ideal with meat dishes.

- Craft beers: brewed locally, sometimes flavored with chestnuts or honey.

- Monastic liqueurs: the monks of Camaldoli and La Verna still produce herbal teas, grappas, and bitters from ancient recipes.

- Vin Santo with cantucci: the traditional Tuscan way to end a meal on a sweet note.

An experience through nature and flavor

Autumn in Casentino is an invitation to slow down: to walk through silent forests, admire the foliage, discover authentic villages, and sit down to savor dishes that tell the story of the valley. An experience that blends landscape, spirituality, and cuisine, offering travelers unforgettable emotions.

A journey of flavors and emotions

Florence, Chianti, Mugello and Casentino in autumn offer a unique mix of culture, nature, and taste: from the museums and piazzas of the historic center to hillside panoramas, from artisan workshops to wineries.
It’s a season that invites you to see the city and its surroundings with new eyes, letting yourself be surprised by the colors and scents that only autumn can offer.