Pistoia, in Tuscany, is an art city often unfairly overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, but it boasts a historical and artistic heritage of the highest level. Named Italian Capital of Culture 2017, it is a medieval and Renaissance jewel, also known as a European-renowned ornamental plant nursery district. Its historic center, concentrated around the splendid Piazza del Duomo, is an open-air museum that holds treasures such as the Silver Altar of San Jacopo and testifies to the Jacobean cult. Pistoia offers an authentic experience, far from mass tourism, combining culture, history, and proximity to the Pistoiese Mountain (Montagna Pistoiese).

What our local travel experts recommend seeing: Art, Architecture, and Sacred Treasures

• Piazza del Duomo – The beating heart of the city, with the Duomo di San Zeno, the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte, and the Bell Tower (visitable), as well as the Palazzo dei Vescovi and the Palazzo del Comune.
• Silver Altar of San Jacopo – Masterpiece of sacred goldsmithing inside the Duomo, on which the young Filippo Brunelleschi also worked.
• Ospedale del Ceppo – Famous for its Robbiana Frieze, a polychrome glazed terracotta narrating the Seven Works of Mercy.
• Ospedale del Ceppo Museum and Underground Pistoia (Pistoia Sotterranea) – An archaeological route that allows you to discover ancient Pistoia beneath the modern city.

Gastronomy and Typical Products

• Brigidini di Lamporecchio – Thin and crunchy wafers flavored with anise, typical of the area.
• Maccheroni all'Anatra (Macaroni with Duck) – Traditional Pistoian dish, homemade macaroni seasoned with duck ragù.
• Carmignano DOCG Wines (nearby) – High-quality red and white wines produced in the nearby hills.
• Pistoia Confetti (Sugar-coated Almonds) – Confectionery tradition linked to events and anniversaries.

Culture, Events, and Unique Excursions

• Pistoia Blues Festival – Internationally renowned music event held every summer in Piazza del Duomo.
• Pistoia Zoological Garden – One of the most important zoological gardens in Italy, for a nature visit.
• Pistoiese Mountain (Montagna Pistoiese) – Excursions, trekking, and, in winter, possibilities for skiing and winter sports.
• Nurseries and Floriculture – Visits to the plant nurseries, which are the economic engine and a landscape excellence of the territory.

Institutional and Useful Links

• Official Website Municipality of Pistoia
• Official Tourism Website Pistoia

Top 3 Historic and Charming Accommodations

• Grand Hotel & La Pace (in Montecatini Terme, nearby) – Icon of luxury Art Nouveau hotel industry.
• Villa Parri (in Pistoia) – Structure with a breathtaking view of the city, offering high-level services and a gourmet restaurant.
• Hotel Relais Villa Marta (in Pistoia) – Historic residence immersed in the greenery of the Pistoian hills.

Top 3 Gourmet and Starred Restaurants (in the area or immediate vicinity)

• Contemporaneo - Villa Parri (in Pistoia) – Gourmet restaurant with creative cuisine and contaminations, with a splendid view.
• Antico Ristorante Forassiepi (in Montecarlo, LU - nearby) – Restaurant of high cuisine and Tuscan tradition.
• Ristorante Artè (in Pistoia) – Refined cuisine with attention to raw materials and the territory.