As crowds continue to descend on the likes of Pisa and Florence, few tourists realise that there are actually some equally stunning towns and villages dotted throughout the Italian countryside. In fact, one such village is just 61 miles southeast of Pisa.
Lari is a walled mountaintop “frazione”, or hamlet, in the municipality of Casciana Terme Lari. It sits at a high elevation for Tuscany and centres around a castle, boasting incredible panoramic views of the Italian countryside. Home to around 6,000 residents, visitors to Lari can expect to explore picturesque streets lined with historic, colourful buildings.
Lari is best known for its impressive and well-preserved medieval fortress, the Castello dei Vicari, which sits at the top of the village and dominates the skyline. The 11th-century structure is home to fortified walls, towers, and an inner courtyard. Guided tours and exhibitions are on offer to learn all about the village’s history.
The municipal seat of its comune, Lari, dates from at least the ninth century BC, a fact established by its traces of Etruscan architecture. Other key landmarks to marvel at include the Church of San Leonardo, the Palazzo dei Vicari, and the ancient city walls, all while enjoying a backdrop of the authentic Tuscan countryside.
The medieval village centre is home to charming streets lined with artisan workshops, and, when you’re hungry, explore the village’s culinary traditions at local eateries, enjoy authentic Tuscan flavours.
Visitors can also attend olive oil tastings, sampling a variety of locally-produced extra virgin olive oils paired with traditional bread and other local specialties. You can also discovered the renowned wine region of Tusacny with wine tasting tours at local wineries near Lari, including glasses of Chianti, Sangiovese and Vernaccia.
If that’s not enough local cuisine, immerse yourself in a Tuscan cooking class and culinary workshops, learning how to prepare traditional dishes such as homemade pasta, bruschetta, and tiramisu under the guidance of local chefs, using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the region.
Once Lari has been sufficiently explored, nearby are vineyards, olive groves and even more hilltop villages waiting to be discovered.
Lari is a 30 to 40-minute drive from Pisa Airport. Having hired a car, follow the signs for Lari, which is located off the “Firenze-Pisa-Livorno Superstrada” near Pontedera-Ponsacco. For those relying on public transport, the CPT (Consorzio Autolinee) route 400 is one of the main bus routes for Lari. To extend your trip, you can stay at the incredible Il Castello di San Ruffino hotel just 1.1 miles from the centre of the village, a historic building complete with a swimming pool, sun terrace, bar and restaurant for just £127 a night for a double room in June.