Fiesole sits on a hill above Florence, an Etruscan settlement that predates its famous neighbour by centuries. The views from Piazza Mino down across the Arno valley to Florence's dome and towers are among the best in Tuscany, and the air up here is noticeably cooler in summer.
The town is small and easily covered on foot. The main square has the cathedral and a cluster of restaurants, while a short walk brings you to a well-preserved Roman theatre and archaeological area with Etruscan walls. The Bandini Museum holds a small but worthwhile collection of medieval and Renaissance painting.
Most visitors come up from Florence on the number 7 bus — a 25-minute ride from Piazza San Marco. It makes for a perfect half-day escape from the crowds below.