Fiesole, Tuscany

Overview

Discover Fiesole: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Founded in the 7th century BC by the Etruscans, Fiesole was teh most important city in Northern Etruria and makes for a delightful foray for a few hours of Florence with wealth of ancient finds from the 15th and 14th centuries B.C. (Middle Bronze Age) exhibited in the Archaeological Museum bear testimony to an even more distant past.

Considerable parts of the 3rd century B.C. city walls are still largely intact, as is the large Roman theatre which was probably completed just before the middle of the 1st century A.D. Fiesole also pre-dates Florence as a seat of bishops. Its early 11th-century cathedral and 13th-century bell tower overlook the large square named after the famous Renaissance sculptor Mino da Fiesole.

The Bishop's Palace (Palazzo Vescovile) situated right opposite the cathedral dates back to the same period, but was rebuilt in the 17th century.
The nearby Seminario building was constructed at the close of the same century, as was the road which climbs up as far as the seat of the ancient Etruscan acropolis, San Francesco. It was there that Franciscan friars built a convent in the 14th century and began to put together what today is one of the most important collections of Chinese bronzes extant in Italy (Museo Missionario).

On the opposite side of the square, facing the Seminario, are the Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale) and a church (chiesa di Santa Maria Primerana). The Museo Bandini houses a valuable collection of paintings and sculptures (10th-18th centuries), while 19th century documents and works of art are preserved on the premises of the Fondazione Primo Conti.

Among the countless prestigious ancient residences belonging to the main Florence noble families which are dotted around the outskirts of the city, particular mention should be made of the Villa Medici, which was built by Michelozzo at the instigation of Cosimo the Elder in 1458.
Halfway along the road from Fiesole to Florence is the 15th century monastery of San Domenico, where Friar Beato Angelico lived and worked. The magnificent altar piece inside the church illustrates scenes from his life. The abbey named Badia Fiesolana stands just below.

Plan Your Experience

Explore Fiesole

Fiesole in pictures

Gallery

A few frames from our own trips. The rest are in the gallery below.

Fiesole, Villa Peyron in Fiesole

Villa Medici, Fieosle

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Photo Gallery

Castiglion Fiorentino

Terme di San Filippo - San Filippo Natura Hot Springs, Tuscany

Val D'Orcia

Viareggio

Volterra

Arrezzo

Bagno Vignoni

Barga

Carrara

Castiglion Fiorentino

Chianciano Terme

Chianti

Cortona

Elba Island

Fiesole

Florence

Livorno

Lucca

Maremma

Montalcino

Montecatini

Montepulciano

Monteriggioni

Monticchiello

Pienza

Pietrasanta

Pisa

Porto Santo Stefano

San Gimignano

San Miniato

Saturnia

Siena

Terme di San Filippo - San Filippo Natura Hot Springs, Tuscany

Val D'Orcia

Viareggio

4 Beds 8

Balcony +12 more

View Details

Find it faster

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Search our tours, places to stay and the corners of Italy we know best.

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Popular Transfer Routes in Fiesole

The rides our guests ask for most, with a driver who knows the way.

Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Fiesole and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.

Rome Florence

Private Transfer

Rome Naples

Private Transfer

Rome Venice

Private Transfer

Florence Venice

Private Transfer

Milan Venice

Private Transfer

Naples Amalfi

Private Transfer

Rome Amalfi

Private Transfer

Milan Lake Como

Private Transfer

Florence Siena

Private Transfer

Naples Sorrento

Private Transfer

Every journey is different. Tell us where you need to go.

Request a Transfer Quote

Your Name*

Your Email*

Your Phone Number*

Dates for Travel (MM/DD/YYYY)

Number of Adults

Number of Kids under 12 years

Your request *

In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they…”
Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent Read their story

“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as w…”
Leon and Michele Read their story

“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friend…”
Lucretia Brower Read their story

“Jesse & Giuseppe, Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever”
Bob & Sandy Read their story

“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do…”
Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA Read their story

“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destinati…”
Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA Read their story