The short version: Tuscany’s truffle capital is San Miniato, in the hills between Florence and Pisa, which finds prized white truffle in November (with a big fair) and black truffle in summer. A hunt means walking the woods with a trifolaio and his dog, then tasting truffle shaved over fresh tagliolini or eggs. It is the easiest truffle region to combine with wine, and an easy day trip from Florence. Here is how it works and how to book.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | San Miniato (between Florence and Pisa); also the Crete Senesi |
| White truffle | Peaks in November; San Miniato holds a famous fair |
| Black truffle | Summer black (scorzone) roughly May to August |
| A hunt | 2 to 3 hours in the woods with a hunter and dog, then a tasting |
| From Florence | Easy half or full day; often paired with Chianti wine |
Where to hunt
San Miniato is the heart of it: a hill town between Florence and Pisa whose oak and poplar woods produce remarkable white truffle, celebrated each November at the National White Truffle Fair. Hunts also run elsewhere in the Tuscan hills, including around the Crete Senesi south of Siena. Because San Miniato sits close to Chianti, most experiences pair the hunt with a wine tasting and lunch, which makes it a natural day out from Florence.
When to go
For the prized white truffle, come in autumn, peaking in November around the San Miniato fair. Summer black truffle (scorzone) is found roughly May to August, so a truffle hunt is possible across much of the year, but the white-truffle experience is the special one, and it books up fast around the fair.
What you taste
After the walk you sit down to eat what the season offers: truffle shaved over fresh tagliolini or scrambled eggs, over crostini, and often with Tuscan cured meats, pecorino and a glass of local wine. The best experiences are run by family truffle operations where the host and his dogs lead the hunt themselves. For the wider region’s food, see what to eat in Florence and our Tuscan dishes explained guide.
Our pick: the San Miniato Truffle Hunting Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting from Florence pairs a guided hunt with a trifolaio and his dog with a Tuscan lunch and Chianti tasting.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best truffle hunting in Tuscany?
San Miniato, in the hills between Florence and Pisa, is Tuscany’s truffle capital, famous for white truffle in November. Hunts also run in the Tuscan hills around Siena and the Crete Senesi.
When is truffle season in Tuscany?
White truffle peaks in November around the San Miniato fair; summer black truffle is found roughly May to August.
Can you go truffle hunting from Florence?
Yes. San Miniato is an easy half or full day from Florence, and most tours combine the hunt with a Tuscan lunch and a wine tasting.
Book a Tuscany truffle hunt
Compare Tuscany truffle hunting experiences, plan the rest with our Tuscany food and wine page, or see truffle hunting across Italy.
