Christmas in Montepulciano, 5 things not to be missed, for a dream itinerary

Among the most evocative and colourful Christmas markets in Tuscany, those in Montepulciano deserve a special mention. They start from the Piazza Grande and wind through Via San Donato and the surrounding streets.

The Christmas markets in Montepulciano are a guarantee of quality and originality: you can find Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and other food products, clothing, leather goods, local handicrafts and much more. There are also shows, performances and entertainment activities throughout the Christmas season.

From Piazza Grande, you can walk to Montepulciano's mediaeval fortress, which houses the large Father Christmas Castle during the Christmas festivities. This experience will delight everyone: children and adults alike.

Inside the fortress you can visit the magic kitchen, Santa's study and bedroom, the elves' bedrooms and the winter garden where the reindeer rest. But there's more: the little ones will be able to ride the sleigh and meet Father Christmas in the throne room. 

Just a stone's throw from the Christmas markets, you can treat yourself to a little relaxation on the Christmas Terrace, a natural terrace in the heart of the historic centre from which you can admire the wonderful Val D'Orcia while sipping a glass of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.

From there, strolling through the town's streets amidst decorations and illuminations, you can pass by the Duomo di Montepulciano and continue on to the Torre di Pulcinella, one of the town's emblems.

We recommend then walking down less than 2 kilometres to the Temple of San Biagio di Montepulciano, a wonderful example of 16th-century Tuscan Renaissance architecture.

One of the best ways to discover Montepulciano is to take a tour of the town's best-known wine cellars. On this leg of our itinerary, we start in Piazza Grande. After a wander among the stalls, treat yourself to a tasting at the Cantina Contucci with its more than 1,000 years of history and tradition. It is located a few steps from the square, in Palazzo Contucci.

After discovering this precious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, you can stop, a few dozen metres away, at the Cantina De' Ricci below the Renaissance palace of the same name. It is a veritable underground cathedral divided into three naves where the enormous barrels of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are kept.

The last stop, a stone's throw from the Pulcinella Tower, is the Cantina Ercolani winery with its underground city of tunnels, hidden crypts and stone staircases.

Treating yourself to a few hours of relaxation and wellness at the Terme di Montepulciano spa is always a smart idea. Even during the Christmas period, the thermal centre, among the most prestigious in Tuscany, welcomes you until 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday for total regeneration with customised treatments for both face and body.

The thermal baths of Montepulciano offer a wide range of wellness treatments to satisfy every need, as well as aesthetic medicine treatments. 

To find out more: https://nataleamontepulciano.it/