A Stop in Montecarlo

A hidden gem between Lucca and Montecatini. Medieval castle, panoramic views and one of Tuscany's most characterful wineries — Cantina Buonamico.

📍 Hilltop Village ⏱ 1 Hour Stop 🍷 Wine Tasting ✅ NCC Licensed since 2004

Why Stop in Montecarlo

Tuscany's Best-Kept Wine Secret

Montecarlo is one of those Tuscan villages that most visitors drive past without stopping — and that is precisely what makes it so rewarding for those who do. Perched on a hill between Lucca and Montecatini Terme, it is a compact medieval borgo with a castle, a pretty piazza, a handful of excellent restaurants and views that stretch across the Valdinievole plain toward the Apuan Alps.

The village is best known among wine lovers for its DOC designation — Montecarlo Bianco and Montecarlo Rosso — produced from vineyards that have been cultivated on these slopes since Roman times. The wines are distinctive and increasingly sought after, and the best way to discover them is to visit one of the two outstanding wineries just below the village walls.

🍷 Historic Winery Cantina Buonamico

One of the most celebrated wineries in the Valdinievole, famous for its underground "Cantina Storica l'Inferno" — a historic cellar carved into the hillside with oak barrels and a unique atmosphere. The new visitor centre with its striking copper dome is worth seeing in itself. Book a tasting in advance.

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🍷 Boutique Winery Fattoria Montechiari

A smaller, more intimate estate producing elegant whites and reds from the Montecarlo DOC appellation. The setting — vineyards, olive groves and views over the valley — makes for a genuinely memorable tasting experience. A perfect complement to Buonamico for guests with a little more time.

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1 hrRecommended Stop

DOCMontecarlo Wine

2Top Wineries

24/7Available Year-Round

Transfer Routes

Journeys That Pass Through Montecarlo

Montecarlo sits naturally between Lucca, Montecatini e Florence — making it an effortless addition to several popular transfers across western Tuscany.

Route 01

Pisa Airport → Florence with stop in Montecarlo

Landing at Pisa and heading to Florence? Rather than taking the direct motorway, a short detour through Montecarlo adds a genuine Tuscan highlight to your arrival. Visit the medieval castle, walk the piazza and stop for a tasting at Cantina Buonamico before continuing to Florence — a far more memorable welcome to Tuscany than a motorway drive.

Pisa Airport PSA 📍 Montecarlo · 1 hr Florence

⏱ Total: approx. 2.5–3 hrs with stop 👥 Up to 3 pax · Mercedes E-Class

Route 02

Florence → Forte dei Marmi with stop in Montecarlo

Travelling from Florence to the beaches of Forte dei Marmi? Montecarlo sits perfectly along the route through the Valdinievole. A stop here breaks the journey beautifully — explore the hilltop village and taste the local DOC wines at Buonamico or Montechiari before continuing to the Versilian coast. A perfect combination of culture and relaxation.

Florence 📍 Montecarlo · 1 hr Forte dei Marmi

⏱ Total: approx. 3–4 hrs with stop 👥 Up to 6 pax · Mercedes Vito / V-Class

Route 03

Lucca → Montecatini Terme with stop in Montecarlo

The short transfer between Lucca and Montecatini Terme passes directly below Montecarlo — and the village is worth the short climb. Just 15 minutes from both towns, it offers a completely different perspective on the Valdinievole: medieval, quiet and with extraordinary views. Ideal for guests staying at the thermal spa hotels who want a cultural excursion without travelling far.

Lucca 📍 Montecarlo · 1 hr Montecatini Terme

⏱ Total: approx. 1.5–2 hrs with stop 👥 Up to 3 pax · Mercedes E-Class

Route 04

Florence → Lucca with stop in Montecarlo

Travelling from Florence to Lucca? Montecarlo is just off the main road — a hidden hilltop village that most people pass without knowing it exists. Stop for an hour, taste the local wine at one of the two excellent wineries below the walls, and arrive in Lucca with a genuine sense of having discovered something that most visitors miss entirely.

Florence 📍 Montecarlo · 1 hr Lucca

⏱ Total: approx. 2.5–3 hrs with stop 👥 Up to 3 pax · Mercedes E-Class

What to See in Montecarlo

Make the Most of Your Stop

One hour is enough to experience the best of Montecarlo. Here is what we recommend to first-time visitors.