Last updated on June 22nd, 2024
Are you coming to Southern Tuscany and planning a trip to San Quirico d’Orcia? Maybe you are already in the Val d’Orcia and you’re looking for charming village for a stroll and a meal.
I have been sending my friends and family to San Quirico d’Orcia since I moved here over 10 years ago. I’ve helped plan entire itineraries around this small, idyllic Southern Tuscan village.
In this guide to San Quirico d’Orcia, I will explain everything to do and see within this small village, including my suggestions for the best San Quirico d’Orcia restaurants and hotels as well as practical information about parking and logistics.
Jump to Section
How To Pronounce San Quirico d’Orcia
San Quirico d’Orcia is pronounced sahn kweer-ee-koh dohr-chah in Italian.
Listen to the pronunciation of San Quirico d’Orcia here:
Why You Should Visit San Quirico d’Orcia
San Quirico d’Orcia was a town that I didn’t visit until I moved nearby and another local recommended it. To this day, ten years later, it has been one of the best recommendations I have ever gotten for these reasons:
- Easily combined with other Southern Tuscany tour itineraries
- Relatively undiscovered compared to neighboring towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino
- Great San Quirico d’Orcia restaurants
- Visit the whole village in 1 hour
- Stroller and handicapped friendly (meaning relatively flat)
- Beautiful churches
- Authentic residential Italian community
- Most important examples of Medieval architecture in the entire province of Siena
- Kid-friendly (Large public garden and limited traffic)
When To Visit San Quirico d’Orcia
The best time to visit San Quirico d’Orcia is either in the Spring or in the Fall, specifically in April or May or in September and October.
The winter months can be quite cold and damp and many shops, San Quirico d’Orcia restaurants and bars reduce their hours in the winter.
Because the village of San Quirico d’Orcia is so small, it’s a shame to arrive and find half the town closed for holiday. Come in the Spring and Fall and don’t run into this problem. You will also miss the enormous herds of tourists that have recently discovered San Quirico d’Orcia’s beauty.
How Much Time To Spend In San Quirico d’Orcia
To see the entire San Quirico d’Orcia village, you really only need an hour, excluding any time spent eating or sitting at bars and cafes. The village is very tiny.
The first time I came to San Quirico d’Orcia I just walked around for 45 minutes, got a gelato and was back on the road an hour later.
If you have children and wish to leisurely walk the gardens, eat at one of the San Quirico d’Orcia restaurants and spend time in the various churches, consider half a day in San Quirico d’Orcia.
Parking In San Quirico d’Orcia
There are several parking lots located just outside the city walls, the most convenient being Parcheggio in Via dei Fossi. Parking is free.
What To Do In San Quirico D’Orcia
Piazza della Libertà
This is the heat of the small village where all the locals hang out and children gather in the evenings. Stop here for a quick coffee break or a spritz and admire the square at one of the outdoor tables.
Collegiata Cathedral
This is San Quirico’s most stunning and magnificent cathedral, located on the end of the main road Dante Alighieri next to the tourist info point.
This cathedral is a Romanesque church with both Gothic and Baroque touches.
S. Maria Assunta Church
Just on the other end of San Quirico d’Orcia.
Chiesa della Madonna
Also known as the church of San Francesco, locals refer to this church as the Church of the Madonna because it protects the terracotta statue of her by Andrea della Robbia.
Palazzo Chigi
Palazzo Chigi is the town hall, located just across from the Collegiata Cathedral and where the Barbarossa museum is located.
Museo del Barbarossa
This small museum is dedicated to the festival of Barbarossa, which takes place every year from June 14-18th in San Quirico d’Orcia, involving a reenactment of the Emperor Barbarossa during his life. This is a very niche museum, not for everyone and particularly uninteresting for small children.
I suggest this museum to real history fanatics.
Horti Leonini
These public gardens, designed by Diomede Leoni in 1575 are a great example of late Renaissance gardens. Be sure to walk through both the front and back sections of the garden, home to various sculptures.
Further up, the gardens open up to the remains of the Torre del Cassero, an ancient Medieval tower destroyed in the Second World War. Here you will also find the entrance to the rose garden.
Giardino delle Rose
Giardino delle Rose is a small rose garden, just off of the main Horti Leonini public gardens, opened in the 1990s. You can either access it from a separate entrance or from the back of the Horti Leonini gardens.
Wine Tasting
San Quirico d’Orcia has several enoteche or wine bars to sit down and taste several local wines from the surrounding vineyards from Montalcino and Montepulciano.
I recommend Enoteca Cantina dell’Osenna, which has an outdoor garden on the back side and has a more traditional Tuscan feel to it.
Braditoscani is another good choice. It’s family run, serving up locally produced cheese and charcuterie from their own Cinta Senese pigs! Braditoscani is my top pick for tasting Italian wines and then buying some!
Tuscan Wines: Read all about Wines to Try in Tuscany.
Cappella of Vitaleta
Located just outside of San Quirico d’Orcia, this chapel is one of the most famous in the whole valley, independent from any other structure. You do need to drive here, you cannot walk.
San Quirico D’Orcia Restaurants
Trattoria Osenna
Via Dante Alighieri, 42
+39 0577 897541
Trattoria Osenna is San Quirico d’Orcia’s most famous restaurant, well known for their secondi or second courses, in particular, the meat.
Usually when I see a long menu I am a little turned off because I think there is much too much selection for anything to be good. Not here, though! The menu is extensive and there is something for everyone. Even if you are vegan or vegetarian, they have a wide selection of side dishes and appetizers.
Be sure to pre-book your table!
L’Officina
Via G. Matteotti, 2
+39 0577 898098
This small bar, pizzeria and bakery is located outside the city walls, making it the ideal pit-stop for travelers looking for a bite to eat as they drive from Montalcino to either Pienza or Montepulciano.
They have a variety of dishes including pizza, fresh pasta, and sandwiches as well as traditional Italian coffee and breakfast.
La Taverna di Ciaccio
Via Dante Alighieri, 30A
+39 0577 897312
This white tablecloth Michelin star restaurant serves up classic Italian fare right in the center of San Quirico d’Orcia. Although not a historic restaurant like Trattoria Osenna, you won’t be disappointed!
Come here for a more formal evening and more refined dishes. You might find, for example, the local pici pasta with the chef’s own non-traditional sauce.
Golosi di Gelato
Via Dante Alighieri, 18/A
+39 348 652 1692
Come here for great, homemade gelato. Grab your gelato and head over to the Collegiata to enjoy your cone with a view!
Where To Stay In San Quirico d’Orcia
The most luxurious hotel option right in the center of San Quirico d’Orcia is Capitano Hotel Collection, complete with a wellness center, Michelin Guide San Quirico d’Orcia restaurant, Trattoria Toscana Al Vecchio Forno, and beautiful private gardens.
For a more affordable accommodation, choose Torre Giardino Segreto B&B, a family run business with a selection of small rooms in a great location.
For small families looking for an apartment, consider Vino Suite, fully equipped with a kitchen, dining room and living room in an exceptional location.
Renting Bikes In San Quirico d’Orcia
The tourist office has connections with locals who rent bikes out to visitors, including ebikes.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with Buccis Garage (+39 3470744145) and rent one of their ebikes. They are located just outside the city walls of San Quirico d’Orcia.
Tips For Visiting San Quirico d’Orcia
- Book your restaurant at least a day in advance, especially if you are eating at one of the recommended San Quirico d’Orcia restaurants.
- Pop into the tourist office, located at Via Dante Alighieri, 33, open everyday 10:30-1:00/3:30-6:00 pm. Here you can get information on local bike rentals and guides.
- Scan the town’s QR code for your ‘green’ visit, which will guide you through the city without a guidebook (available to scan outside the tourist office).
- For food souvenirs or gifts, check out La Boutique del Gusto, a high end alimentari, located at Via Dante Alighieri, 35
San Quirico d’Orcia With Kids
San Quirico d’Orcia is a great small village to visit to break up long drives between tours in Southern Tuscany. It’s relatively flat and the traffic is limited, making it safe and easy to navigate.
There is a small park with a swing set and slide located just outside the main door Porta Nuova.
There is also a public drinking fountain to fill up water bottles in the public gardens, Giardini Nilde Lotti, close to the main cathedral.
Piazza della Libertà is the main square where the heart of the village is. Come here around aperitivo time before dinner and let your kids run around freely with the locals
Other Towns To Visit Near San Quirico d’Orcia
If you are planning a trip to San Quirico d’Orcia and wondering how to fill the rest of your time, consider these day trips to fill your day:
- Cetona
- San Casciano dei Bagni
- Pienza
- Bagno Vignoni
- Montepulciano
- Montalcino
- Chiusi
- Sarteano
- La Foce (Chianciano Terme)
