Guides

Can you visit the Piaggio factory? A practical guide

A practical clarification on what you can actually visit in Pontedera related to Piaggio: the production plant, the Piaggio Museum and any special openings.

On the trail of the Vespa: museum to former Piaggio works

An itinerary on the history of the Vespa in Pontedera: the Piaggio Museum, the industrial architecture of the former factories and themed murals.

Piaggio Museum: complete visitor guide

A visitor guide to the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera: historic Vespas, Ape vans and record-breaking bikes, how to get there and practical tips.

Piaggio Museum: what to know about hours and tickets

What to know before visiting the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera: how to check opening hours, ticket types, and tips for planning your visit.

The history of the Vespa and Piaggio in Pontedera

How the Vespa was born in Pontedera: from postwar Piaggio to Corradino D'Ascanio's design, up to the 80th anniversary of an Italian icon.

Villaggio Piaggio: Pontedera's historic factory village

Discover Villaggio Piaggio, the district built by Piaggio for its workers in the late 1930s: history, atmosphere and a walk through Pontedera's industrial past.

A guided Vespa tour in the Valdera: how to organise it

How to organise a Vespa tour through the Valdera starting from Pontedera: rentals, possible stops and practical tips for a ride on two wheels in Tuscany.

A weekend in Pontedera on the trail of the Vespa

Two days in Pontedera for Vespa fans: the Piaggio Museum, Vespa-themed murals, a ride through the Valdera countryside and local food.

Piaggio today: from the Vespa to electric mobility

Renting a Vespa in Tuscany: where and how

A practical guide to renting a Vespa in Pontedera and Tuscany: documents you need, how to choose a rental operator, and the best routes to ride.

The Piaggio Historical Archive: the memory of an industry

What the Piaggio Historical Archive in Pontedera is, what an industrial documentary collection of this kind typically holds, and how to find out about access.

The Vespa on film: from Roman Holiday onward

Vespa Club Pontedera: rallies and a passion for two wheels

What a vespa club is and how the passion for the Vespa lives on in Pontedera: rallies, social rides and participation in national and international events.

Vespa World Days: what they are and the link to Pontedera

What the Vespa World Days are, the great travelling international rally of Vespa enthusiasts, and why the bond with Pontedera remains so strong.

Vespa and Lambretta: the story of two rivals

Vespa gadgets and merchandise in Pontedera

An evergreen guide to Vespa-themed gadgets and merchandise to look for in Pontedera: what to expect, where to look, and tips for buying wisely.

Vespa rallies in Tuscany: how to find your way around

Vespa's 80th anniversary: what to expect in Pontedera (2026)

In 2026 the Vespa turns 80. Why Pontedera, birthplace of the Piaggio legend, will be at the centre of the celebrations, and how to follow the programme.

Traditional dishes of the Valdera to try

A guide to traditional Tuscan farmhouse dishes in the Valdera: soups, handmade pasta, meats and the produce of the countryside around Pontedera.

A romantic dinner in Pontedera: tips

How to plan a romantic dinner in Pontedera: where to find atmosphere in the old town, what to order, and practical tips for a memorable evening for two.

A wine itinerary: the wineries of the Valdera

A food-and-wine itinerary among the wineries of the Valdera, a land of vineyards between Pisa, Volterra and Florence: tastings, landscape and local food.

Olive mills and EVO oil in the Valdera: what to know

A guide to extra-virgin olive oil in the Valdera: the olive harvest, mills you can visit, and how to recognise and store a good local oil.

Street food in Pontedera and the Valdera, Tuscany

A guide to street food in Pontedera: what to look for, where to find it at markets and festivals, and when the town comes alive with food stalls.

The extra virgin olive oil trail in the Valdera

An itinerary among the olive mills and groves of the Valdera, a land of Tuscan extra virgin olive oil: tastings, landscape and rural tradition.

Traditional Tuscan cuisine in Pontedera: what to expect

What to expect eating out in Pontedera: recurring Tuscan dishes, the types of places you'll find downtown, and practical tips for choosing where to eat.

Traditional sweets of Pontedera and the Valdera

Traditional Tuscan sweets in Pontedera and the Valdera: baked treats, seasonal sweets tied to local festivals, and the area's fine artisan chocolate.

Tuscan pecorino cheese in the Valdera: where to try it

A guide to Tuscan pecorino cheese in the Valdera: ageing, varieties, pairings and where to taste and buy it directly from local producers.

Tuscan unsalted bread and the tradition of local bakeries

The history and uses of unsalted Tuscan bread, the bakery tradition in the Valdera and Pontedera, and how to recognise and use it in cooking.

Vegetarian and vegan food in Pontedera

A guide for vegetarian and vegan travellers in Pontedera: Tuscan dishes that fit the bill, finding options at restaurants and local ingredients.

Where to eat truffle in the Valdera

A guide to truffle in the Valdera: seasons, varieties and where to try to find it on the menu at trattorias and restaurants around Pontedera.

Where to have an aperitivo in Pontedera

Wineries to visit in the Valdera

A guide to the wineries of the Valdera and the Colline Pisane: what to expect from a visit, when to go and how to arrange a tasting.

Autumn and Halloween events in Pontedera and Valdera

A rich autumn calendar between Pontedera and the Valdera: markets, Halloween-themed events, village festivals and family activities to look out for.

Grape harvest season in the Valdera: events and tradition

Wineries, autumn food festivals and the grape harvest tradition in the Valdera: living this season through wine, local produce and rolling hills.

Teatro Era festivals and series in Pontedera

The Teatro Era is the heart of Pontedera's cultural life: a guide to its drama, dance and music series, within the theatre season and its special events.

The Fiera di San Luca in Pontedera

A guide to the markets and village fairs of the Valdera

A guide to the weekly markets, fairs and village festivals of the Valdera: an itinerary among stalls, local produce and popular traditions.

Art events and exhibitions in Peccioli

Peccioli, the Valdera village known for contemporary art scattered through its streets and park: a guide to its exhibitions, installations and events.

Carnival in Pontedera and Valdera

What Carnival is like in Pontedera and the villages of Valdera: parades, costumes, traditional sweets and practical tips for joining in.

Pontedera market: what to know about days and local products

A practical guide to the weekly market in Pontedera: how to check days and times, local Valdera products to look for, and tips for the visit.

Summer in Pontedera: events and outdoor life

What summer is like in Pontedera: open-air cinema, evenings in the piazza, music and outdoor life between the town centre and Valdera.

Summer music festivals in the Valdera

The open-air concert series that light up towns and villages across the Valdera every summer: what to expect and how to plan your visit.

The Christmas season in Pontedera: markets and atmosphere

The festivals of the Valdera: navigating the seasons

A guide to the village festivals (sagre) of the Valdera: how they're organised, what to expect in each season, and where to find the up-to-date calendar.

Autumn in the Valdera: vineyards and chestnuts

An autumn itinerary through the Valdera: grape harvest and wineries, chestnuts on the hills, colourful vineyards and seasonal markets near Pontedera.

Casciana Terme: spa relaxation in the Valdera. What to see

Guide to Casciana Terme, the spa town of the Valdera: baths, parks and a compact centre for a day of relaxation. How to get there from Pontedera.

Castello dei Vicari in Lari: history and Valdera views

Guide to the Castello dei Vicari in Lari: what to see, the view over the Valdera, how to get there from Pontedera and what to do in the cherry village.

Castello di Castellina Marittima: what to see

Guide to Castellina Marittima and its castle: the Colline Pisane landscape, the village atmosphere and how to get there from Pontedera off the busiest trails.

Chianni: the highest village in the Valdera. What to see

Guide to Chianni, the highest village in the Valdera: views, extra-virgin olive oil and quiet among the hills. What to see and how to get there from Pontedera.

Florence from Pontedera: what to see and how to get there

Guide to Florence as a day trip from Pontedera: the Duomo, Uffizi, the David and Ponte Vecchio. How to get there in ~1 hour by train, where to stay.

From Florence to Pontedera: a day trip in the Valdera

From Florence to Pontedera in about an hour by train: the Piaggio Museum, street murals and the old town, with the option to extend into the Valdera villages.

From Pisa to Pontedera by train: a one-day itinerary

In Pisa with a free day? A roughly 20-minute train ride takes you to Pontedera: the Piaggio Museum, old town, murals and great food. A practical guide.

Lucca: what to see, how to get there from Pontedera

Guide to Lucca: the Renaissance Walls, Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, the Guinigi Tower and the Cathedral. From Pontedera, where to stay and which tours to choose.

Montefoscoli: what to see and how to get there

Montefoscoli, a hamlet of Palaia known for the Temple of Minerva Medica and the Vaccà Berlinghieri physicians. What to see and how to get there.

Palaia: castles and country tradition. A Valdera village guide

Guide to Palaia, a Valdera village of old fortifications, rural hamlets and countryside. What to see, Montefoscoli and how to get there from Pontedera.

Peccioli: the contemporary-art village. What to see

Guide to Peccioli, a Valdera village known for its diffuse contemporary art, scenic viewpoint and wine hills. What to see and how to get there from Pontedera.

Pisa: what to see and how to get there from Pontedera

Guide to Pisa: the Leaning Tower, Piazza dei Miracoli, the Cathedral and the Baptistery. From Pontedera in ~20 minutes by train, and where to stay.

Santa Maria a Monte: the village and its parish church

Guide to Santa Maria a Monte: the hilltop parish church, the old town, the viewpoint over the Arno plain. From Pontedera, what to see in a few hours.

Terricciola: hills, wine and views. Guide to this Valdera village

Guide to Terricciola, the winemaking heart of the Valdera: hills, wineries and views. What to see and how to get there from Pontedera.

The historic mills along the Era river in the Valdera

Discovering the historic mills along the Era river in the Valdera: rural heritage tied to water, among the villages of Capannoli, Palaia and Terricciola.

Valdera: the villages to see around Pontedera

Guide to the Valdera: Lari and its castle, Peccioli the art village, Casciana Terme, Vicopisano. What to see, food fairs and where to stay around Pontedera.

A weekend in the Valdera villages

A two-day weekend among the villages of the Valdera: Peccioli, Lari, Palaia and Casciana Terme, between contemporary art, castles, wineries and thermal spas.

Botanical Park of Villa Baciocchi in Capannoli

The Botanical Park of Villa Baciocchi in Capannoli: 160 rare species, monumental trees and 19th-century grottoes near Pontedera.

Capannoli: Villa Baciocchi and its historic park - Valdera guide

Guide to Capannoli, a Valdera village along the Era river: Villa Baciocchi with its historic park and the village centre. What to see and how to get there.

Castles of the Valdera itinerary

An itinerary through the castles and fortified villages of the Valdera, from Lari to Palaia, tracing the medieval history between Pisa, Florence and Volterra.

Hiking the Colline Pisane near Pontedera

A guide to hiking the Colline Pisane, among woods, scenic ridges and Valdera villages: walking trails close to Pontedera.

How much does a weekend in the Valdera cost: a budget guide

A practical budget guide for a weekend in Pontedera and the Valdera: spending categories, money-saving tips and how to plan two days without surprises.

Lucca and Pontedera in one day: a complete itinerary

A one-day itinerary between Lucca, famous for its city walls, and Pontedera, home of the Vespa: how to plan travel and what to see in both towns.

On the trail of Pisan Romanesque architecture in the Valdera

An itinerary among rural churches, apses and bell towers of Romanesque origin in the Valdera villages, following the style that shaped Pisa and its countryside.

The best day trips from Pontedera

The best day trips from Pontedera: Pisa, Florence, Lucca, Volterra and the Valdera villages, with tips on organising them by train or by car.

Volterra and Pontedera in one day: a complete itinerary

A one-day itinerary combining Volterra, an Etruscan and medieval hill town, and Pontedera, the home of the Vespa: how to plan your morning and afternoon.

Volterra: what to see & how to get there from Pontedera

Guide to Volterra: Roman Theatre, Etruscan acropolis, Piazza dei Priori, Guarnacci Museum and alabaster. How to get there from Pontedera and where to stay.

By bike along the Arno from Pontedera

A cycling itinerary from Pontedera towards the Arno: flat routes along riverbanks, countryside and Valdera villages, suitable for families and cycle tourists.

Pontedera in 3 hours: a quick hit-and-run itinerary

Only 3 hours in Pontedera, maybe between two trains? The essential walking itinerary from the station: Piaggio Museum, old town, murals and a quick stop.

Spring in the Valdera: an itinerary of blossoms and villages

A spring itinerary between Pontedera and the Valdera: flowering countryside, olive groves, vineyards turning green, hill villages and outdoor walks.

The most photogenic spots in Pontedera and around

A photography itinerary among murals, views over the Era river, the old town and the hills of the Valdera: the best spots for photos in and around Pontedera.

A romantic weekend in the Valdera

Ideas for a romantic weekend in the Valdera: hilltop villages, candlelit dinners, wineries and sunset views between Pisa and Volterra.

Active Pontedera: parks, swimming pools and outdoor sport

A guide to outdoor sport in and around Pontedera: urban parks, cycle paths, swimming pools and physical activities for an active Tuscan holiday.

Contemporary art in the Valdera: murals and installations

An itinerary through street art, murals and contemporary art installations in Pontedera and the Valdera villages, from Peccioli to the rest of the area.

Pontedera with kids: a family-friendly itinerary

A day in Pontedera with children: the Piaggio Museum, murals to hunt down like a game, riverside parks and gelato. An easy itinerary for families.

The best sunset spots around Pontedera

The best viewpoints and sunset spots around Pontedera: hilltop villages, the Colline Pisane and riverside walks along the Era.

What to do in the Valdera when it rains: an indoor weekend

Ideas for a weekend around Pontedera and the Valdera even with rain in the forecast: museum, indoor tastings, thermal baths and good food.

Accessible Pontedera: a guide for visitors with disabilities

Practical tips for planning a visit to Pontedera and the Valdera with accessibility needs: getting around the centre, transport, and how to plan ahead.

Accommodation types in Pontedera: hotels, B&Bs or farm stays

Accommodation types in Pontedera and the Valdera: town-centre hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and countryside agriturismi, with tips on choosing the right area.

Getting around Pontedera without a car: bus and train

How to get around Pontedera and the surrounding area without a car: regional train, urban and out-of-town buses, and a compact old town best explored on foot.

Palazzo Pretorio (PALP) in Pontedera, Tuscany

Guide to PALP - Palazzo Pretorio in Pontedera: the contemporary art centre in the historic 1384 building, what's on and why it's worth a stop on your visit.

Teatro Era in Pontedera: culture and programme

Guide to Teatro Era in Pontedera: its role in the city's cultural life, the kind of season it usually offers and how to plan a night at the theatre.

The Era river park in Pontedera: nature in town

The green paths along the Era river in Pontedera: walks, cycle paths and family activities between the riverbanks, Parco dei Salici and the Braccini lakes.

Travelling with your dog: pet-friendly Pontedera

Travelling with your dog in Pontedera and the Valdera: where to stay, walks along the Era river, and practical rules for buses, trains and restaurants.

When to visit Pontedera: a seasonal guide

What is the best time to visit Pontedera and the Valdera: climate and experiences season by season, to help you choose the right moment for your trip.

Getting to Pontedera by plane: airport guide

How to reach Pontedera by plane: Pisa airport, the closest and most convenient, plus the Florence alternative, with onward connections to the town centre.

Piazza Cavour: the heart of Pontedera

A guide to Piazza Cavour, one of the main squares in Pontedera's historic centre: daily life, cafés, markets and how to reach it on foot.

Pontedera Cathedral: Propositura dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo

Pontedera's Duomo, the Propositura dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo: neoclassical history, artworks and how to visit it in the old town.

Pontedera for work: a guide for business travellers

A practical guide for business travellers in Pontedera: connections, where to stay, getting around during the day and what to do in your free time.

The bridge over the Era river in Pontedera

The bridge over the Era river that gave the town its name: where it is, why it's worth a stop, and how to reach it on foot from central Pontedera.

What to pack for a trip to the Valdera

A practical packing checklist for a trip to the Valdera and Pontedera: seasonal clothing, footwear, useful accessories and documents.

Where to park in Pontedera: a parking guide

A practical guide to parking in Pontedera: paid and free parking near the old town and the station, restricted traffic zones and useful tips.

Where to work remotely in Pontedera: wifi and coworking

A guide for remote workers in Pontedera: bars with wifi, coworking spaces and practical tips for organising a work day in the Valdera.