Best Tuscan Hill Town for the Weak & Lazy: Pienza
I hate admitting that I suffer from chronic pain, but it is a big part of my life. I cannot deny that I had worries about my abilities and stamina while planning our epic two-month European trip. The hill towns of Tuscany proved to be my greatest challenge of the trip. It’s no wonder that these ancient towns that are perched atop hilly plateaus are dying. The iconic steep streets and steps of these towns are exhausting for anyone with health issues. I needed a day off to recuperate after hiking each of them.
We saved Pienza for our last hill town because everyone told us (including Rick Steves) that it was the most touristy of them all, and we were in Tuscany for an authentic experience. Surprisingly, it is now my favorite of all the towns we visited. Pienza offers everything the other hill towns do: breathtaking views, medieval charm, colorful shops, and delicious food. But Pienza offers something the rest do not – no hills!
I could walk the whole length of Pienza and enjoy myself for the first time. I didn’t have to take frequent breaks to catch my breath and rest my aching shins. Yes, it is a bit more touristy than some of the other hill towns, but it is filled with charm and breathtaking views.
Where we Ate: Ristorante La Piazzetta https://www.ristorantelapiazzetta.it/
La Piazzetta has a dreamy patio where you can dine on fresh pastas and crispy-crust pizzas while you watch the sightseers pass by. We loved the top-notch food and relaxing atmosphere of this restaurant.
What we buy:
Pienza is the home of the world-famous pecorino, a sheep’s milk cheese (and my all-time favorite!). There is no better place to buy vacuum-sealed wheels or chunks to take home with you.
Cugusi Farms: https://www.caseificiocugusi.it/ is our favorite brand, and you can go to the farm just outside of town or patronize their shop in town. We bought a wheel of the classic pecorino and a wedge of truffle and red wine flavors and brought them home with us in our checked luggage.
We also fell in love with the beautiful olive wood kitchen items. They are so beautifully made. We ended up buying a cheeseboard, a salt pot, a mortar and pestle, and a big spoon.
Final Thoughts:
Pienza is a little more touristy than some of the other Tuscan hill towns, but it is blissfully flat and easy to walk. I found the town to be as charming as the others, with great restaurant options and those spectacular vistas of Tuscany you can only see from the precipice of a hill town. The fact that it is also home to my favorite cheese makes Pienza my favorite town to visit in Tuscany... so far!