Shopping, Parking & Getting Around

Shopping in Castellina is essentially about good-quality Tuscan food and wine, including edible souvenirs. The ice cream in Gelateria di Castellina is considered the best in the area. Some foodstuffs are so delicious that they might never find their way back home. Stock up on Chianti Classico wines, artisanal honey, bottled sauces and dried pasta. For more shopping options, ranging from ceramics to cashmere at a goat farm, visit neighbouring Radda.

This wine shop sells wines from some of the most prestigious Tuscan estates, from Antinori and Castello di Ama to Banfi, Barone Ricasoli and Mazzei. Bizarrely, the wine shop also doubles as an ice cream parlour, probably the best in town.

Address: Via Ferruccio 12
53011
Castellina in Chianti

Tel: 0577 740308
Web: www.enotecalevolte.com

This is a small but reasonably well stocked supermarket. Although normally open from Monday to Saturday, it does open on on some Sundays in summer. Check online.

Address: Via Trento e Trieste 25
53011
Castellina in Chianti
Web: www.e-coop.it/StoreLocator/dettaglio

Set within the main Rocca delle Macie Chianti estate, this is a good starting point for visiting the cellars and doing a tasting (Chianti Classico or Super Tuscan versions).

Address: Localita Le Macìe
53011
Castellina in Chianti
Tel: 0577 732236
Web: www.roccadellemacie.com

This wine shop belongs to the best-selling Rocca delle Macie Chianti estates and is a showcase for their wines. Consider trying them in the neighbouring Tenuta Le Macie estate or at its on-site Enoteca.

Address: Via IV Novembre 37
53011
Castellina in Chianti
Tel: 0577 740631
Web: www.roccadellemacie.com

For a complete change of scene, designer shopping fans could head to the luxury outlets in the Valdarno area. The Mall Firenze is a thirty-minute drive east from Florence, on the Pontassieve road. There’s also a direct shuttle bus there from Siena. After browsing the designer brands, end your shopping experience in the Mall’s Gucci café and restaurant.

Address: The Mall
Via Europa 8
50066
Leccio Reggello
Tel: 055 8657775
Web: www.themall.it

There is a car park off via IV Novembre, at the southern edge of Castellina. There is another car park on the northern edge of the village, from where you can quickly reach the centro storico, the historic centre, with views of Castellina along the ridge of the hill as you approach. Parking is harder to find on Saturday morning, during the weekly market.

Most Tuscan towns operate a strict ZTL system, a Limited Traffic Zone. This means that the Centro Storico (historic centre) is essentially closed to traffic, particularly for non-residents. Cars will need to be left outside the walls. That said, the Chianti towns are small so present far less trouble than such cities as Florence and Siena. Parking tips: for advice on individual Chianti places, please see our individual Destination guides, including those on Greve, Panzano, Radda, Gaiole and Castelnuovo Beradenga. 

Advice on ZTLs: You may see other cars crossing the ZTL boundary (Limited Traffic Zone) and assume you can proceed. Not so. The drivers crossing into the ZTL zone will probably be locals and have residents’ permits. Visitors do not so are liable to fines. Zones are monitored by cameras, so tickets are issued immediately and automatically, as soon as (and each time) the car crosses the ZTL boundary.

The Chianti can be delightful driving country. Its appeal lies in the rolling countryside, array of vineyards and olive groves, relatively quiet roads, and the mix of small medieval towns. Public transport in the Chianti is rather sporadic so car hire makes the most sense if you want to explore the area properly. Driving in the Chianti can be deeply enjoyable experience, especially with a detailed map or GPS navigator to hand. For a great day out, try a customised tour with Chianti Taxi.

Greve, the main gateway from the north, lies on the SR222, commonly known as the Chiantigiana, about 30 km south of Florence and 40 km north of Siena. From Greve, the scenic Chiantigiana meanders through the Chianti, passing through most of the typical villages. This is a charming route to take by day. At night, however, you might encounter wild boars, porcupines or deer crossing the road.

From Florence and the Chiantigiana head towards Greve, then Panzano until you reach Castellina. It is about 20 km from Greve. Or take the Florence-Siena Raccordo Autostradale highway (known as the RA) taking the San Donato in Poggio exit, and then follow the SP101, which becomes the SP76.

From Siena, leave town on the Florence-Siena Raccordo Autostradale highway (known as the RA), taking the Badesse exit for the SP 119, which becomes the SR222, the Chiantigiana. Or leave Siena and take the SR2, which becomes the SR222 until Castellina in Chianti.

Chianti Taxi, a reliable Panzano-based transport service offers day-long private tours around the Chianti and beyond. These are customised tours that can take in everything from olive oil mills and wine estates to Pecorino farms and hand-painted ceramics. With his comfortable minivan, owner Daniele Mogni has the inside track on what you can do in the Chianti. It’s worth splashing out for a day so you can relax and drink your fill at the wine estates.

Tel: (+39) 389.8160050
Web: www.chiantitaxi.com

This is not an easy place to reach by rail. The train service barely touches Chianti's attractions, which is part of the reason why the area is so peaceful. The main Chianti station is Castellina in Chianti, which is on the Siena-Florence line but you need to change trains at Empoli.

Buses connect Florence to Greve and Panzano but end there. These buses often provide a more useful service than the trains but the confusing 365 bus service (T: 800373760, freephone only & www.acvbus.it) still means that bus schedules are not always convenient and also operate a limited service on Sunday. Buses also connect Siena and Castellina: a Tiemme bus service operates around 7 services a day.  Buses also connect Castellina and Radda: a Tiemme bus service. Buses also connect Siena and Gaiole.

Tel: 0577 204111
Web: www.tiemmespa.it

The Chianti is a lovely place to explore by bike. The combination of romantic Tuscan scenery and challenging gravel roads is what makes it enjoyable. The cycling races in the region also attract big crowds. Whether as a spectator or a participant, L’Eroica is worth following. This renowned amateur event that allows cyclists from around the world to experience the region while riding classic bikes.