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There are such a lot of incredible issues to do in Siena, Italy. This small metropolis in Tuscany is a superb day journey from Florence, showcasing the fantastic thing about city Italy, with far fewer vacationers than in Florence.
Many vacationers go to Siena on a day journey from close by Florence — and it’s even higher when paired with the Tuscan hilltop city San Gimignano, like on this glorious tour I took. A day journey to Siena and one other city like San Gimignano can provide you a beautiful introduction to the area of Tuscany.
I additionally like the concept of utilizing Siena as a base, because it’s top-of-the-line locations for exploring Southern Tuscany, a big and various area in its personal proper. You get all the advantages of staying in a metropolis (like good eating places and plenty of resort decisions!) with far fewer crowds than you’ll discover in Florence.
I first visited Siena method again in 2013 and cherished it straight away — and I used to be completely satisfied to come back again greater than a decade in a while a enjoyable Siena day journey from Florence to discover town extra.
Siena is Florence’s rival from the Renaissance period, though Florence has now outgrown its competitor significantly, a minimum of in the case of inhabitants — the inhabitants of Siena is simply 53,000, whereas Florence has over 382,000 residents.
Siena’s historic middle is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, and due to that, the city works meticulously to maintain it superbly preserved.
One of many issues Siena is most well-known for is the Palio, a twice-annual summertime pageant with a horse race across the metropolis’s central sq.. Siena can also be identified for its spectacular medieval structure, together with the long-lasting Torre del Mangia and the unimaginable Duomo di Siena, which is definitely my favourite church in Italy.
So how must you spend your time on this Italian metropolis? Let’s check out the perfect issues to do in Siena!
This submit was revealed in November 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Dale Peterson.
Issues to Do in Siena, Italy
Go to the Piazza del Campo
The Piazza del Campo (typically known as Il Campo) is Siena’s important public house, but it surely’s a lot greater than your common city sq.. It’s considered one of the vital spectacular medieval squares in Europe, because of its iconic structure and expansiveness.
This massive sq. (which is actually extra of a rounded trapezoid with slanted floor) is the place the well-known Palio horse race takes place. The race dates all the best way again to the fifteenth century in Siena, and it’s been utilizing the present racecourse within the Piazza del Campo since 1659.
The Palio takes place twice a yr on July 2 and August 16. As you may think about, the buildings round the principle sq. of Piazza del Campo are prime actual property for viewing the race!
Discover contained in the Duomo of Siena
One other one of many important sights you may’t miss is the Duomo di Siena, or Siena Cathedral. And in the event you’re beginning to have “church fatigue” in Italy, worry not — this one is price it. The Duomo di Siena is my favourite church in Italy! You know the way many church buildings I’ve been to in Italy? LOTS.
That is additionally a church the place you pay to enter, however belief me, it’s nicely price it. The black-and-white-striped Duomo di Siena is crammed with so many layers of colour and patterns. It’s a feast for the eyes and whereas St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome may need extra art work, I feel Siena’s is far more attention-grabbing.
Don’t miss the attention-grabbing little alcoves off to the perimeters of the church — I used to be a selected fan of the Piccolomini Library with its lovely art work.
Additionally, you should definitely take within the exceptional exterior with its totally different patterns of black and white stripes, and its sculptures by Giovanni Pisano.
You may buy a skip-the-line ticket right here that features entry to the cathedral, the Piccolomini Library, the Baptistry of San Giovanni, the Crypt, the terrace, and the museum. That is the ticket I like to recommend getting for the views from the Museo dell’Opera.
Take within the view from the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell’Opera)
Admission to the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell’Opera) is included within the increased tiers of tickets from the ticket workplace for the Duomo di Siena, and imagine me — it’s ABSOLUTELY price the price of the ticket.
I extremely suggest getting this ticket for 2 causes: exploring the museum, and attending to see the view. The view from the terrace is excellent, providing a panorama of the cathedral in a single path, Piazza del Campo and town middle in one other, and the rolling inexperienced hills of Tuscany in each path.
This is likely one of the greatest methods to get nice images of Siena — my favourite images of Siena are all from right here (and are scattered all through this submit)!
The museum options an attention-grabbing assortment of artistic endeavors and structure that had been as soon as contained in the cathedral. So in the event you loved the artwork and magnificence of the cathedral itself, you’ll additionally like visiting this museum and testing much more art work.
Know that this museum just isn’t accessible; there isn’t a elevator.
Insider Ideas: The museum is a bit arduous to identify at first, but it surely’s positioned to the best of the cathedral once you’re standing on Piazza del Duomo it, however additional again, like at 2:00. There’s a free restroom within the museum basement, whereas you have to pay for the restroom within the cathedral itself, even in the event you paid for a ticket.
Go on a strolling tour
A strolling tour is an effective way to get an outline of Siena and orient your self to the format of town. That is an exercise I all the time love to do on my first day arriving someplace new to get myself familiarized with the vacation spot.
A strolling tour was a part of my Siena-San Gimignano-Chianti day journey from Florence, which was fantastic and gave me a superb overview of town’s historic buildings and why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
If you happen to’re already in Siena otherwise you solely need to e book a tour inside the metropolis, this two-hour Siena strolling tour is a superb choice as a result of it contains the historic middle of town in addition to skip-the-line tickets to the Duomo di Siena and a guided tour contained in the cathedral.
And as soon as once more…you understand how a lot I really like that cathedral!
Climb the Torre del Mangia
The Torre del Mangia, the Tower of Mangia, is the image of Siena. Situated within the Piazza del Campo, this medieval tower was constructed within the 14th century and was one of many tallest historical towers in Italy.
Climbing the tallest tower on the town is likely one of the high issues to do in Siena — however talking truthfully, I don’t assume it’s a should. Just like climbing the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Constructing, you may’t truly see the long-lasting constructing you’re in from the highest! That’s why I favor the view from the terrace on high of the museum of the cathedral as a substitute.
If you happen to do need to climb to the highest of the tower, tickets for the Torre del Mangia value 10 EUR ($11 USD) and you too can buy a mixture ticket that features entry to the Museo Civico and the Santa Maria della Scala Museum for 13 EUR ($14 USD.).
Do notice that this isn’t an accessible exercise — there are greater than 400 steps and no elevator.
Discover the Palazzo Pubblico
One other iconic place to go to in Siena is the Palazzo Pubblico. That is the historic seat of presidency in Siena, basically Siena’s city corridor, and it dates again to the Thirteenth century. You may’t miss it, as a result of the Torre del Mangia is hooked up to it!
If you happen to purchase a ticket to climb the tower, you too can add on a go to to the Museo Civico, which is housed contained in the Palazzo Pubblico. Or you may simply purchase a ticket for the museum by itself for six EUR ($6.40 USD.)
The museum homes a powerful artwork assortment and has attractive frescoed ceilings. Essentially the most well-known work right here is The Allegory of Good and Unhealthy Authorities, a sequence of three frescoes painted by Sienese legend Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
See the Basilica of San Domenico
Though the Duomo di Siena is essentially the most spectacular church within the metropolis, the Basilica of San Domenico can also be price a go to in case you have the time. This hanging Cistercian Gothic church dates again to the Thirteenth century.
On the within, it’s very sparse in comparison with the opulence of the Duomo di Siena. That mentioned, it’s price popping inside and having a look across the Basilica of San Domenico. And in contrast to the Duomo, entry to this church is free to the general public.
Admire the Fonte di Fontebranda
As a medieval walled metropolis, entry to Siena was solely accessible by imposing gates. The Fonte di Fontebranda is likely one of the final remaining gates to town. It’s positioned off the By way of Fontebranda on the western aspect of town.
Much more intriguing than the traditional gate is the Thirteenth-century fountain beneath the arches of the gate. The fountain nonetheless works as we speak, and it’s additionally a shady spot to chill off in the event you’re visiting Siena on a scorching, sunny day.
Discover the Santa Maria della Scala Museum
The Santa Maria della Scala Museum is a superb place to go if you wish to study extra about Siena’s historical past.
This museum is housed in a former hospital that helped pilgrims, in addition to the poor and orphaned kids. The hospital was truly one of many first in Europe, relationship all the best way again to the late twelfth century.
The piece de resistance on this museum is the ceiling in Pilgrims’ Corridor, which is roofed with a sequence of frescoes in a stunning geometric design.
Now, the museum is house to exhibitions on Siena’s historical past spanning from Etruscan instances to the Renaissance. Tickets are 9 EUR ($9.60 USD). You probably have the time, may very well be price a cease.
See the Fonte Gaia
When you’re admiring the Piazza del Campo, take a second to pause on the Fonte Gaia. This massive, ornamental fountain is definitely simple to overlook in the event you aren’t paying consideration. It’s proper within the Piazza del Campo, but it surely’s not very tall and it’s constructed right into a wall, moderately than proper within the middle like most Italian fountains, so that you won’t discover it at first.
Nevertheless it’s price testing the early Renaissance reduction sculptures carved into the fountain, together with canine with water spouting out of their mouths!
This fountain was sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia and devoted to the Virgin Mary. It was named Fonte Gaia for the enjoyment that it dropped at town. (Enjoyable reality: the unique fountain was devoted to Venus and was blamed for the outbreak of the Black Plague. Gotta blame that pagan worship!)
It’s additionally spectacular to assume that water has been pumped into the fountain by way of underground pipes because the 14th century, because of the sophistication of medieval engineering.
Wander by the historic middle
There’s loads to see and do in Siena, however don’t overlook to take a while to easily wander by the historic streets of town middle! Siena is likely one of the most lovely medieval cities in Italy, and it’s price spending a while simply getting misplaced within the historical streets.
Siena is split into 17 distinct contrade, or neighborhoods. Traditionally, residents of Siena have been fiercely loyal to their neighborhood, and there’s all the time been an amazing rivalry between the totally different contrade. The truth is, every contrada has its personal consultant competing within the Palio di Siena horse race each summer time!
Every neighborhood is represented by a unique image (some examples are Eagle, Unicorn, Caterpillar, and Seashell!). Whereas strolling across the historic middle, you may decide which contrada you’re in based mostly on flags and symbols adorning the streets.
Go wine tasting
You may’t go to Tuscany with out making an attempt some native wine! Siena is surrounded by vineyards in one of many high wine-producing areas in not simply Italy, however the entire world, and a wine tour will get you up shut and private.
This half-day wine tasting journey departing from Siena is the right approach to get pleasure from some native wine and see some attractive Tuscan surroundings. You’ll go to the charming hilltop city of Montalcino, the place you’ll go to a number of native wineries and vineyards. Montalcino is the place Brunello di Montalcino comes from — certainly one of my absolute favourite pink wines.
Along with having fun with tastings at every cease, you’ll additionally study extra about wine manufacturing within the area, getting the prospect to listen to from the house owners of family-run Tuscan wineries.
Take a cooking class
I really like taking cooking lessons in Italy. They’re an effective way to immerse your self in one of many issues Italy is greatest at: meals! With a neighborhood cooking class, you may learn to put together regional delicacies (and, in fact, benefit from the outcomes of your cooking on the finish!)
It is a nice cooking class in Siena. Over the course of a number of hours, you’ll put together a scrumptious multi-course meal with native elements, and even study to make pasta from scratch! You’ll benefit from the fruits of your labor, accompanied by some Tuscan wine.
Go on a scorching air balloon journey
If you happen to’re looking for an unforgettable expertise in Siena, why not take a scorching air balloon journey? You may glide over Siena and the Tuscan countryside, getting a singular chicken’s eye view of the panorama.
This scorching air balloon tour contains breakfast earlier than your scorching air balloon flight and a glass of glowing wine upon touchdown. You’ll soar over the rolling Tuscan hills dotted with vineyards, olive groves, and historical villages on this one-hour scorching air balloon journey.
Simply needless to say scorching air balloon rides are extraordinarily weather-sensitive, and sadly extra of my scheduled balloon rides all over the world have been cancelled than have gone ahead. Simply hold your expectations in test — however I hope it occurs for you!
Take a day journey to San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a superb day journey from Siena. This charming Tuscan hilltop city is hanging due to its skyline of stone towers, nearly like a medieval Manhattan. It’s a lot smaller than Siena, and it’s the right place to spend a day wandering round and absorbing the environment.
If you happen to’re based mostly in Florence, you may e book the day journey that I took and cherished that features Siena, San Gimignano, and lunch at a Tuscan winery within the Chianti area. That’s an effective way to see all of it!
If you happen to’re staying in Siena, this tour visits each San Gimignano and Volterra, a beautiful Tuscan city that was featured within the Twilight books and movies.
You can even go to San Gimignano by yourself from Siena by taking the 130 bus, which you’ll catch proper by the prepare station — it takes simply over an hour, however you should definitely test the schedule earlier than you go as a result of it doesn’t all the time go all the best way to San Gimignano. There isn’t a prepare to San Gimignano.
Go truffle searching
Fortunate you — Siena is known for its truffles. And you may transcend simply tasting them in a dish at certainly one of Siena’s eating places — you may truly hunt for truffles your self!
This distinctive truffle searching tour permits you to be a part of a neighborhood forager attempting to find mushrooms within the hills round Tuscany.
You’ll depart from Siena and be a part of your host and his canine as you scour the woods for truffles, even having the prospect to dig some out your self. You’ll conclude this tour by returning to Siena and sampling some truffle merchandise in a neighborhood gourmand store.
How A lot Time to Spend in Siena, Italy
So how a lot time must you spend in Siena? Siena is a superb place to go to on a day journey from Florence, and one full day ought to provide you with sufficient time to see all the foremost sights.
Siena is a vacationer hotspot, but it surely’s additionally a working metropolis that feels a lot extra native than Florence. For that purpose, I feel it makes a pleasant base.
You may simply go to smaller Tuscan cities and villages on day journeys from Siena earlier than returning within the night to get pleasure from dinner at one of many many scrumptious native eating places.
If you happen to’re basing right here for a number of days, I particularly suggest visiting the close by Val d’Orcia area, which incorporates good cities like Pienza (my favourite city in Tuscany!), Montalcino, and Bagno Vignoni.
Tips on how to Get to Siena, Italy
How do you get to Siena? From Florence, you might have a number of choices. The primary is taking the prepare to Siena. There are direct trains from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Siena Centrale that take about 1.5 hours.
Driving is definitely barely quicker, taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes. There are additionally buses that run from Florence to Siena. The 131R bus leaves from the Florence bus station (subsequent to the Santa Maria Novella prepare station).
If you happen to simply need to go to Siena, you may take the prepare or bus independently. Nonetheless, if you wish to go to different locations in Tuscany on a day journey, it’s greatest to e book an organized day journey that features transportation.
This full-day tour from Florence, the one I took, contains visits to Siena, San Gimignano, and lunch at a winery; whereas this Siena tour from Florence additionally features a fast cease in Pisa.
The place To Keep in Siena, Italy
The place must you keep in Siena? There are lodging choices for each funds in Siena, from luxurious five-star motels to easy and conventional mattress & breakfasts.
I like to recommend staying within the historic coronary heart of Siena. It’s essentially the most handy location for exploring Siena, and the historic middle has a extremely particular environment.
Listed here are the perfect motels in Siena for each value vary:
Greatest Time To Go to Siena, Italy
When is the perfect time to go to Siena? It’s all about the perfect time to go to Tuscany! Tuscany is a year-round vacation spot, however you may count on the excessive season to final from spring by fall, with peak season in the summertime months.
Personally, I really like visiting Tuscany within the fall months — October might be my favourite month general for touring in Italy. Fall is a superb time to go to Siena for milder climate and considerably fewer crowds (although Florence will nonetheless be fairly busy at the moment).
The Palio di Siena, Siena’s well-known horse race, is held twice annually, on July 2 and August 16. These are absolute peak dates in Siena and you may count on lodging costs to be sky-high — don’t come to Siena round these dates until you’re right here for the Palio!
Is Siena Price It?
Sure, Siena is completely price it! I’ve loved each of my visits to Siena a lot. I really like the look of town, and as soon as once more — the Duomo di Siena is my favourite church in Italy. In quite a lot of methods, the previous city of Siena appears like the center of Tuscany.
I hope you might have the perfect time in Siena — and all of Tuscany!
Extra on Florence and Tuscany:
Planning a Journey to Italy:
Cool Locations in Northern Italy:
- Three Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
- 30+ Epic Issues to Do in Rome, Italy
- Information to the 5 Cities of Cinque Terre
- Parma, Italy: A Colourful, Artsy, Scrumptious City
- The place to Keep in Rome: Greatest Neighborhoods and Lodging
- Three Days within the Dolomites: A South Tyrol Getaway
- The Immaculate, Bursting Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy
- 25 Greatest Meals Experiences in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
- 23 Greatest Issues to Do in Bologna, Italy
- 30+ Greatest Issues to Do in Venice, Italy
- 16 Cool Day Journeys from Venice, Italy
- Tips on how to Spend 1 Day in Venice, Italy
- Information to Murano Island in Venice
- Information to Burano Island in Venice
Better of Southern Italy:
- 28 Fabulous Issues to Do in Naples, Italy
- 16 Enjoyable Issues to Do in Sorrento, Italy
- Tropea, Italy: A Spectacularly Located Seaside City
- The Joys and Challenges of Touring in Sicily
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Have you ever been to Siena? Share your favourite experiences!
