Shopping, Parking & Getting Around

Shopping in Lecchi in Chianti is very limited but the neighbouring villages are an additional source of supplies. For more varied shopping options, head to neighbouring Radda, Gaiole, Castellina or, best of all, Siena.

This small, family-run wine estate in the hamlet of Casanuova di Ama near Lecchi offers wine-tastings, along with sales of Chianti wines, Super Tuscans, Vin Santo, grappa and olive oil. Daniela, the owner, does brief tours, perhaps followed by a vegetarian-friendly lunch in the cosy estate inn for home-cooked Tuscan dishes, such as crostini slathered in tomatoes, home-made gnocchi, freshly-baked bread and cantuccini biscuits for dipping in Vin Santo.

Address: Localita Casanuova di Ama, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti
Tel: +39 0577 746119
Web: www.agrariacasanuovadiama.it

This trusty grocery store in Lecchi is typical of the Chianti area. The owner stocks most provisions you might need during your stay in the Chianti. Service is friendly, with customers often plied with a tasting from the fresh provisions counter before buying.

Address: Via San Martino 12, Lecchi in Via San Martino 12, Lecchi in Chianti, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti
Tel: +39 0577 746021

This adjoining small cafè with some tables outside is run by the son of the grocery shop owner. It’s a handy spot for breakfast, a morning coffee, light lunch or for an afternoon aperitif with local wine.

Address: Via San Martino 12, Lecchi in Chianti, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti
Tel: +39 0577 746021

Dutch-born ceramicist and artist Lies Robbertsen runs this appealing pottery studio. She is inspired by nature and architecture and paints with oils and acrylics, as well as on ceramics.
Address: Via San Martino 4, Lecchi in Chianti, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti
Tel: +39 335174157
Web: www.radianza.com

This welcoming wine estate outside Vagliagli, south of Lecchi, is the place to stock up on good wine and olive oil - or be tempted to stay for lunch. The wine estate can also form part of a hiking or cycling trail.
Address: Località Dievole 6, Vagliagli, 53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga
Tel: +39 0577 322613
Web: www.dievole.it

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: +39 055 8657775
Web: www.themall.it

Parking in Lecchi is rarely an issue but you can park along the SP Traversa del Chianti road. Note that 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, Castellina, 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. 

Getting around

Lecchi in Chianti is 25 km from Siena and 49 km from Florence so Siena is the natural focal point for visits, though still a saga for parking. See our Siena guide for more.

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 further south to Radda and Gaiole.  Or pick up the Florence-Siena Raccordo Autostradale highway (known as the RA) and take the San Donato in Poggio exit before following the SP101, which becomes the SP76.

From Siena, leave town on the fast Florence-Siena Raccordo Autostradale highway (known as the RA), taking the Badesse exit for the SP 119, which becomes the SR222, the Chiantigiana. Or take the quieter, slower route from Siena: take the SR2, which becomes the more tranquil SR222 until Castellina and then onto Radda and Gaiole.

By private tour: 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.
Chianti Taxi. T: (+39) 389 8160050 & www.chiantitaxi.com

The Chianti by train: 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.

The Chianti by bus: 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 (T: 0577 204111 & www.tiemmespa.it) operates around 7 services a day.  Buses also connect Castellina and Radda: a Tiemme bus service (T: 0577 204111 & www.tiemmespa.it). Buses also connect Siena and Gaiole: a Tiemme bus service (T: 0577 204111 & www.tiemmespa.it).

On your bike: 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. The parking in Gaiole is outside the town centre on the Strada Provinciale 408 or in the car park on via Marconi. Note that 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, Castellina, Radda and Castelnuovo Beradenga.