Montecatini Terme is primarily a spa town in Tuscany close to Florence (accessible by car or easy train ride). The town itself is a peaceful place to spend some time, and if you’re looking for fantastic dining options, the town has plenty of options. You can stay in the city and dine at traditional or trendy locations. However, with just a little more travel, you can rise above the city and dine in the higher part of Montecatini. It’s not even that fair. Just a short walk from the city centre is the funicolare that will take you to Montecatini Alto.

This brings you high atop the town and offers fantastic views of the city and the Tuscan countryside. You can also walk to the top (around 45 minutes) or drive, but the experience of taking the funicular up is the most unique option around.

Don’t rush to dinner just yet. There are fantastic overlooks and vistas with photo spots where you can linger. Once you’ve admired the view, then you can walk a little further to the piazza. This is where you can find multiple dinner options. Plus, the Italian must — there are also gelato shops for that little bit of dolce after your dinner. The main piazza is a great place to eat and embodies that small town Italian feeling. As it caters to plenty of tourists throughout the year, you don’t have to worry about any translation issues.

The funicular round trip price is around 7,50€ (in 2025, but is subject to change). You can purchase them at the station in person. If you’re dining at the top, the last car down is midnight and they can get packed with people finishing their meals. It’s a fun little excursion if you’re looking for smaller Italian town experiences and not nearly as crowded as a larger city like Florence or Siena might be.

Get more information on the funicular here!

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