What’s on in Tuscany in Spring?

Spring in Tuscany, which lasts from late March to the end of May, is a lovely time of year to visit Tuscany. Life resurges in the iconic Tuscan hills as they begin to turn green, and it is a time of celebration, which means it's festival time in the towns and villages, as locals welcome the season of renewal.

While guests are unlikely to be able to enjoy their pools until mid-June, this is the perfect season to slow down, relax, visit local towns, and soak up Tuscan culture, exploring the region's food and wine. If this sounds like the perfect start to your year, then why not book a villa and recharge in Tuscany?

Easter is the time to witness the full spectacle of this important religious celebration, marked by events from plays depicting the Passion of Christ to colourful street parades and historical re-enactments. The carnivalesque celebration lasts from Holy Thursday to Easter Monday, and generally finishes with gorging on chocolate eggs. 

In Florence, Scoppio del Carro, or ‘the explosion of the cart’, has been an unusual highlight of Easter Sunday for 350 years. A parade trundles a cart through the streets to the cathedral square, where, at around 11 am at the end of Easter Mass, the Archbishop lights a mechanical dove-shaped rocket from the main altar, which flies along a wire, collides with the cart and sets off a brilliant firework display. Why? They say the ceremony commemorates the return of a crusading knight, while the ‘blessed fire’ carries the promise of a good harvest.

La Pasquetta, or Easter Monday, sees families reconnect with nature as they head out to the countryside or gather in cities’ green spaces to picnic on a feast of traditional seasonal foods, such as fava beans, lamb and Schiacciata di Pasqua. 

In honour of the holidays and the blossoming of the region, you will find some of the largest gardens across Tuscany opening their doors on Easter Monday as part of the nationwide event of Caccia al Tesoro Botanico Grandi Giardini Italiani, with fun and games for all the family. The three gardens open to the public in Tuscany are Giardino Bardini in Florence, Giardino Storico Garzoni in Collodi, and Parco della Villa Reale di Marlia in Lucca. The children can enjoy games and easter egg hunts, whilst the parents can enjoy guided tours of the parks, gardens, museums and historical buildings on the garden grounds.

Meanwhile, Liberation Day, a public holiday on 25th April, marks the end of the Nazi occupation of Italy in 1945. Honouring those who served in the Resistance, events range from marching bands and concerts to food festivals and political rallies. But there’s a time and place for quiet contemplation, too, such as at the shrine to the civilians of the remote Tuscan hillside hamlet of Sant’Anna di Stazzema, where the entire population were massacred in one day in 1944. Within the hamlet, visitors can find the National Park of Peace, and beyond the museum, a paved footpath leads to the Ossuary Monument in memory of the 560 victims.

Spring offers ideal weather for guests to enjoy cycling through the blooming landscapes of Tuscany, attracting amateur and professional riders to the region.  

Amateur cyclists hit Tuscany’s white roads in April, as the Nova Eroica gets young and old in the mood for the nation’s eagerly awaited professional race, the Giro d’Italia, in May. This spring version of the more famous autumn vintage cycle festival, L’Eroica, is a ‘gravel gran fondo’ that combines time trials and a variety of routes. Even non-cyclists can enjoy race day, watching the cyclists speed by and joining in the festival celebrating art, nature, food, and wine in the village of Buonconvento.  

Another popular cycling event in Tuscany during the spring is Strade Bianche, an elite bike race, which takes place in the Chianti, starting and ending in Siena. If you are staying in a villa near Siena or one of the towns through which the race goes, why not go and watch and be part of the excitement? 

However, for guests looking to hire bikes and ride at their own pace, many Tuscan towns offer bike rental. If you are staying near Lucca, why not cycle along Lucca’s walls, a very popular thing to do when visiting the city with kids.

As well as Easter celebrations and cycling events across the region, spring in Tuscany offers a wide variety of activities, from traditional festivals and wine events to outdoor art, scenic rail journeys, and family-friendly attractions, all enjoyed at a gentler pace before the height of summer.

In the medieval town of Torrita di Siena, south of Florence, is the unpredictable Palio dei Somari, a hilarious alternative to the famous Palio di Siena held during the summer. Instead of a horse race featuring gleaming steeds, Palio dei Somari sees neighbourhood jockeys in historic outfits competing astride donkeys. The stakes are high, and this race is taken very seriously, but it’s filled with funny moments as the stubborn animals ignore their riders, stop and even go backwards.

For families or those looking to explore the unique art of Tuscany, a visit to one of the art and sculpture parks is an ideal Spring activity. In Capalbio, Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden is a striking open-air art park where tarot cards inspire monumental mosaic sculptures. Pinocchio Park in Collodi, between Lucca and Montecatini Terme, combines sculpture, landscape design and playful installations that bring Carlo Collodi’s famous story to life, making it an engaging visit for both adults and children. Finally, the Chianti Sculpture Park near Castelnuovo Berardenga showcases contemporary sculptures set within woodland trails, offering an inspiring blend of modern art and Tuscan countryside.

If you are looking for a more relaxing experience and to soak up the stunning scenery of Tuscany, the popular Nature Train returns to service in the Spring. Departing from Siena, this historic train runs along railways now closed to ordinary traffic, allowing guests to take slow, scenic day trips along the route connecting the provinces of Siena and Grosseto. During stops, travellers can take photos of the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany, filled with olive groves, vineyards, and dotted with cypress trees, which are often otherwise unreachable. It is also the perfect way to visit towns and villages across the region and take part in festivals such as the San Quirico d’Orcia Wine Festival.

Whether or not you go there by train, the four-day San Quirico d’Orcia Wine Festival is a date for your diary. The long weekend is packed with organised tours of local vineyards on foot, on two wheels, and by bus, talks and tastings, and lots of cultural events, including musical performances. 

Another popular wine festival to visit in May is Radda nel Bicchiere, where the entire town opens its doors to wine enthusiasts. All visitors to the festival receive a personalised gift, perfect for the occasion, to try a variety of wines from over thirty Radda producers.

Staying in a Tuscan villa allows you to enjoy Tuscany on your own terms, with space to unwind, beautiful surroundings and the freedom to explore. If you would like help finding the right villa for your holiday, our team of Villa Specialists are on hand to offer tailored advice and help you plan an unforgettable stay in Tuscany.