Siena in Tuscany has always been an Italian city I’ve wanted to visit ever since watching the exciting opening scenes of the Palio di Siena from the 007 movie A Quantum of Solace. If you haven’t heard of the famous Palio horse race, it’s one of Italy’s best-known sporting events and takes place twice a year.
Ten horses and bareback riders dressed in the appropriate colours represent 10 of the 17 contrade (city wards). Each contrada has its own unique colours and represents an area of the city – with their flags and emblems adorning the streets during the four-day event. During the race, the horses thunder round the edges of the beautiful Piazza del Campo, and hundreds of people pile into the square or onto balconies of the surrounding buildings to watch. It looks phenomenal.
So when we stayed in Villa Pia on the border between Umbria and Tuscany, in the province of Perugia, and discovered Siena was only just over an hour away – we jumped at the chance to go and spend the day there. But unfortunately, we had just missed Palio by a week. Sob…
While you won’t be able to see everything in a day, you can still cover off a good deal of Siena’s must-see sights (and still find time to stop for gelato). The first part of this guide features everything we did during our day trip to Siena, so it’s useful to get an idea of what’s achievable in a single day. I’ve also included a few extras, in case you’ve got more time on your hands. Read on for my pick of the best things to do in Siena…
Admire the Duomo di Siena
Siena Cathedral (or Duomo) is a spectacular sight. It’s giant wedding cake of a building, covered in white frosting with a zebra-striped campanile spearing the sky. Move in for a close-up and you’ll see monochrome marble, gold-tiled mosaics and ridiculously ornate sculptures.
Inside, it’s just as opulent, with black-and-white marble pillars, gothic art and star-studded ceilings. If you’re lucky enough to visit when the floors are uncovered, take a good look – the huge marble panels have been etched and inlaid with scenes from the bible and from Siena’s many-layered history.
You’ll need to buy a ticket first – the ticket office is in the corner of the Piazza del Duomo, to the right of the cathedral (you can also buy tickets in advance online). There are a few different options to choose from, depending whether you also want to visit the museums, baptistery, etc, and whether or not the cathedral floors are covered. The pass that covers everything is valid for three consecutive days, so it’s worth it if you’re in Siena for longer than one day. And whether you go inside to see the interior of the baptistery or not, make sure you wander over (it’s round the back of the cathedral), as the façade is just as impressive as the one out front.
The Duomo is open year-round. There are lots of different ticket options and prices – see online for more details.
Stop for lunch at Piazza del Campo
Siena’s centro storico (historic centre) is spread over a hilltop, surrounded by Tuscan countryside. It centres around the Piazza del Campo, a huge main square that’s bordered by Gothic and medieval architecture.
Once the site of a Roman marketplace, you can’t fail but to find yourself amongst the pigeons and tourists in the sloping Piazza del Campo. Not only will you be able to follow the steady stream of people heading to Siena’s civic and social centre, but the scores of (expensive) cafés around the perimeter offer welcome relief from the searing Italian heat. (You can also pick up a takeaway sandwich or gelato elsewhere and pick a good spot on the pavement. Don’t worry – you won’t be the only one!)
Climb the Torre del Mangia
The Campo is set on a slope, with the Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall) running along the bottom. Instead of a church campanile, City Hall’s 330-foot-high municipal tower dominates the square – and you can take a ride right up to the top to get the most glorious views of the city and the Tuscan hills beyond. Climbing up the tower is a serious thigh workout (there are around 300 steps) and a claustrophobic experience, but it’s worth it for the views from the top of the tower.
Torre del Mangia is open year-round, seven days a week (except Christmas Day). Tickets are available at the base of the tower; you can also buy combined tickets which include the Civic Museum (Museo Civico) and Santa Maria della Scala.
Eat a few scoops of gelato
On every corner of the city, we came across numerous gelato parlours – several with long queues outside! And it’s not surprising, such is the quality of the Sienese ice cream. For just a few euros you can buy yourself several scoops of deliciousness. We were absolutely amazed by the inventiveness of different flavours and choices on offer and made sure we tried several. A few names worth remembering are Gelateria Masgalano, La Vecchia Latteria and Gelateria Nice – that said, it’s hard not to find amazing gelato in Siena!
Get lost in the backstreets
In Siena, every street looks like it’s been lifted from a postcard (the entire centro storico is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the best ways to experience Siena’s historic old town is to wander aimlessly along the narrow streets, ducking into little cafes or stopping for gelato when it gets too hot.
We found ourselves taking leisurely strolls through these maze-like lanes, discovering quaint shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as hidden gems such as walls lined with ornate iron rings – used to tie horses to. That was the fun of it – getting lost in this architectural Gothic time-warp of warm-coloured buildings and ochre rooftops, and trying to make our way back to the centre. We didn’t have a map and nor did we really need one. Monkey needed to hitch a lift at this point – but it means he got a good view from up high!
Wandering the streets means that you end up finding some unexpected gems – including children’s playgrounds, a great respite from all the crowds if you’re travelling with little ones. We came across a park called Orti Dei Tolomei, near the Natural History Museum and Botanical Gardens, and it was so pleasant to sit in the shade under the olive trees and admire the views of Siena. Monkey loved the climbing frame. We also found another near the Piazza Gramsci, which had a playhouse and a small pond.
Visit one of Siena’s museums
Exploring Siena means walking through medieval history. But if you want to discover more about the area and get away from the searing heat, then there are plenty of museums to satisfy inquisitive minds and art lovers. My recommendations would be The Natural History Museum, or the Siena National Art Gallery (Pinacoteca Nazionale). Meanwhile, over near the Duomo is a Children’s Arts Museum which has interactive installations and workshops – a perfect place for families.
Relax at Orto Dei Pecci
This lovely park is just a five-minute walk from Piazza Del Campo and overlooks the city. If you go to the Ristorante All’Orto De’ Pecci for lunch or dinner, you will be able to gain access. On the restaurant grounds, there is a fenced area with goats, peacocks and a donkey, as well as a goldfish pond, a medieval vegetable patch and a large green area with picnic tables. If you’re visiting Siena with kids, they are bound to love it.
Cool off at the Acquacalda swimming pool
In summer, the city gets super hot (over 30 degrees). It’s wise to take a break and cool down at the local swimming pool. You’ll find an outdoor pool for adults, as well as a shallow one for children. Sit on the free pool chairs or pay to relax on the sun decks. The outdoor pool is open between July -August, and you can reach it by bus from Piazza Gramsci.
Go horse riding at Paradiso Del Cavallo
If you’re in town for more than a day or two, consider going for a horse ride in the Sienese woods. Located in town, just 6km from the city centre, the Paradiso Del Cavallo is a manège which organises half-day trips for both beginner and expert riders.
Book a wine tasting
Tuscany produces some of the most famous wines in the world – but there are also plenty of lesser-known varieties that are well worth sampling. Many of the city’s enotecas (wine bars) will offer tastings – you can book in advance, but often you can simply pop in and order a flight or a guided tasting on the spot. Definitely one of the best things to do in Siena, in my opinion!
Siena FAQs
Can you visit Siena as a day trip from Florence?
Absolutely! MTM’s contributing editor, Laura, did just that on her most recent trip to Florence, catching a bus from the terminus near Santa Maria Novella station and arriving in Siena just over an hour later. You can also get the train from Florence to Siena, but Siena’s train station is further from the city centre, so you’ll need to walk half an hour or so to get to the centro storico. Or you could hire a car – there are car parks located on the edges of the centre.
Should I stay in Siena?
I didn’t – we were based around an hour away, at the lovely Villa Pia in the heart of Tuscany’s countryside. You absolutely can stay in Siena (and it’d be lovely to spend a few days here). It would give you plenty of time to see the best sights at a relaxed pace, as well as enjoying long lunches, shopping and wine tasting.
If you do stay overnight, you’ll also get to enjoy the city in the early morning or late evening, when the day-trippers have gone and the streets are quieter. It’s particularly magical walking through the centro storico at golden hour. Plus, staying locally gives you more flexibility to book guided tours, explore nearby towns like San Gimignano or Montalcino, or take a Tuscan cooking class.
There are accommodation options to suit every budget – from boutique hotels and historic palazzi to cosy B&Bs and agriturismos just outside the city.
Is Siena a good place to visit with kids?
Yes, most definitely. It’s walkable, there are lots of places to stop for a cold drink or ice-cream (always important when travelling with kids), and there are a scattering of playgrounds, as I mentioned above. As a whole, we found Tuscany really family-friendly – one of the best places in Italy for a holiday with little ones.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
The most popular times are during the two Palio races on 2 July and 16 August. However, spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer lovely weather with fewer crowds.
Can I drive into Siena?
Siena’s historic centre is a ZTL (limited traffic zone), so if you’re driving, plan to park outside the centre in designated car parks and walk or use public transport from there. We found parking spots pretty easily. Be warned, though, parking spots can be quite tight if you have a larger car!
How accessible is Siena for people with limited mobility?
Siena is built on hills and has many cobbled streets, which can be challenging. However, many major sites like the Duomo and Piazza del Campo have step-free access. It’s worth checking accessibility info for each site in advance.
Are guided tours worth it?
If you want historical context, guided walking tours are a great way to really get to the heart of Siena, particularly if you’re short on time. There are also themed tours (Palio, food, or wine-focused) for a deeper dive.
What local food should I try in Siena?
Don’t miss dishes like pici cacio e pepe (thick pasta with cheese and pepper), ribollita (a Tuscan vegetable stew – and a particular favourite of mine), and local sweets like panforte (like a rich fruit and nutty Christmas cake) and ricciarelli (almond biscuits).
Do I need to book Palio tickets in advance?
Yes – grandstand or balcony spots sell out months and months in advance. While it’s free to stand in the centre of Piazza del Campo, it can get extremely crowded.
