Top 10 Things to Do in Siena, Italy

Siena is a popular day trip destination in Tuscany. It’s easy to get to from Florence and many tours of Tuscany include at least a few hours in Siena.

Siena also makes a fabulous home base for exploring Tuscany. It has several advantages over Florence that we will get to later in this guide.

First, we list the 10 best things to do in Siena, followed by practical information to help you plan your trip, from a one day Siena itinerary, to advice on where to stay, where to eat, and how to plan your day trip from Florence.

Interesting Facts about Siena

Siena is one of the largest hill towns in Tuscany. It is located about 80 km south of Florence, making it one of the closest day trip destinations from Florence.

Legend has it that Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, sons of Remus and nephews of Romulus. According to another legend, Romulus and Remus were abandoned as infants, suckled by a she-wolf, and were later raised by a shepherd. Romulus went on to found Rome in 753 BC.

Historically, Siena was a major banking center and is home to the oldest bank in the world, Monte dei Paschi bank. The University of Siena is one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world, founded in 1240.

The historic center of Siena is a World Heritage UNESCO Site and one of Italy’s most popular cities for tourism.

The Palio

The Palio is a horse race that is held every year on July 2 and August 16. Ten horses and riders compete, each representing their contrada, or neighborhood. Each contrada has its own colors and mascots, which you can see hanging on flags as you walk through the historic city center.

The race is held in Piazza del Campo. It only lasts 90 seconds, as the horse and riders make 3 frenetic laps around the square. People gather on grandstands and in the center of Il Campo. It is a thrilling thing to witness if you are in town during one of these races.

Best Things to Do in Siena

1. The Siena Cathedral

The Siena Cathedral is one of Italy’s most beautiful cathedrals. It was constructed with white and black marble, giving it a striped appearance, both inside and out. The cathedral is beautiful on the outside but it is even more breathtaking on the inside. The striped walls, colorful ceilings, and ornately tiled floor make this one of the most unique cathedrals you will see in Italy.

Siena Cathedral | Best Things to Do in Siena

The Siena Cathedral is part of a bigger complex of buildings called the Monument Complex of the Cathedral. This “complex” includes the Siena Cathedral and associated sites, including the crypt, the baptistery, the museum, the Piccolomini Library, the Oratory of San Bernardino, the Gate of Heaven, and the Panorama from the Unfinished Façade (the Facciatone).

Here’s a quick overview about each site within the Siena Duomo Complex, but we cover these in much more detail in our Guide to the Siena Cathedral.

The Siena Cathedral aka Duomo di Siena

The Siena Cathedral is the main attraction at the complex. You will need a ticket to enter the cathedral. If you plan to visit everything within the duomo complex, then purchase the Porta del Cielo Pass.

A visit inside of the cathedral usually lasts about 30 minutes. There is a lot to see here, including the amazing mosaic floors, the pulpit that was sculpted by Nicola Pisano, and sculptures by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Ceiling of the Siena Cathedral | Best Things to Do in Siena

Piccolomini Library

Entrance into the Piccolomini Library is inside of the cathedral, on the left-hand side of the nave. This colorful room is covered with vibrant frescoes that tell the life story of Pope Pius II. This rooms also protects the books that the pope collected on his travels.

Piccolomini Library | Best Things to Do in Siena

The Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Baptistery was added on to the Siena Cathedral in the early 14th century. The interior of the Baptistery is covered with beautiful frescoes. Donatello, Giovanni di Turino, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Jacopo della Quercia all contributed to the creation of the Baptismal font.

The Crypt

The Crypt is an area of the complex that was recently excavated. The frescoes in the crypt were painted in the 12th century and tell stories from the Old and New Testaments.

The Cathedral Museum

The Cathedral Museum, also called the Museo dell’Opera, contains a lot of the original works of art that were made for the Siena Cathedral. On this list are the stained-glass Rose Window by Duccio di Buoninsegna, sculptures by Pisano and Donatello, the altarpiece by Duccio di Buoninsegna, and the Treasury.

The Rose Window in the Cathedral Museum

The Panorama from the Unfinished Façade

The “New Cathedral” is the portion of the cathedral that was constructed but never finished in the 1300’s. The arrival of the Black Death halted construction and it was never resumed, leaving behind these walls and a portion of the nave of the New Cathedral.

Referred to as the Panorama or Facciatone, there are two levels of terraces where you can view the Siena Cathedral and the town of Siena.

This is one of the best experiences of the duomo complex and worth the wait in line. You can get to the Panorama from the Cathedral Museum.

The terraces of the Panorama aka the Facciatone

On the top level of the Panorama (the header photo for this guide was taken here)

The view of Piazza del Campo and Palazzo Pubblico from the lower level

The view of the Siena Cathedral from the Panorama

The Gate of Heaven (Porta del Cielo)

The Gate of Heaven is a guided tour of the roof and terraces of the Siena Cathedral. It’s one of the best things to do at the Siena Cathedral, since you get to tour “hidden” areas of the cathedral and get unique views of the nave.

To do this, purchase a Porta del Cielo ticket and reserve your time slot. This is a popular activity and we recommend reserving your time slot at least a week in advance, although even more time is better, since this is a popular thing to do in Siena.

The view of the exterior of the cathedral on the Gate of Heaven tour

The view of the nave on the Gate of Heaven tour

The Oratory of San Bernardino

The Oratory of San Bernardino is a museum that contains Sienese paintings from the 13th century to the 18th century. This building is not located near the Siena Cathedral. It is located on the opposite side of town, next to the Basilica di San Francesco. Due to its location, it is out of the way from most sites in Siena and most likely won’t make it into your itinerary, if you only have one day in Siena.

2. Santa Maria della Scala

Santa Maria della Scala was one of Europe’s first hospitals.

Siena is located along the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage path to Rome. This hospital was founded along this route in 898. Over the centuries, the hospital was enlarged many times until it became the enormous complex of buildings we see today.

Inside of this complex are chapels, a series of frescoes depicting the Life of the Virgin which date back to 1398, famous altarpieces, and an archaeological site. Santa Maria della Scala is now a museum where you can visit much of this complex.

Frescoes in Santa Maria della Scala | Best Things to Do in Siena

Chapel inside of Santa Maria della Scala

A visit here can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your interests.

For hours and pricing, visit the official website.

3. Piazza del Campo

Piazza del Campo, also called Il Campo, is the main square of Siena. This wide open space is surrounded by medieval buildings and outdoor cafes. The main focal point of the square is Palazzo Pubblico and its iconic tower (Torre del Mangia).

Piazza del Campo | Best Things to Do in Siena

Looking down on Piazza del Campo from Torre del Mangia

Il Campo is where the Palio is held twice a year. It can be hard to imagine a horse race being held here but what a sight that would be!

There are quite a few cafes that line Il Campo. Normally, it’s best to avoid the main squares in Italy for lunch and dinner. The food tends to be overpriced and mediocre and that is the case in Siena as well. However, it is a very nice place to sit down, have a coffee, cocktail, or glass of wine, and do a little people watching. Sao Paolo Pub is one of the highest rated restaurants that sits on Piazza del Campo.

4. Fonte Gaia

This fountain is located on Piazza del Campo. It was completed in 1342 and the water that supplied the fountain was piped in from 25 kilometers away.

In 1419, Jacopo della Quercia sculpted the marble panels that decorate the fountain. Many of the original sculptures were moved to Santa Maria della Scala tin 1858 and replaced by copies sculpted by Tito Sarrocchi.

Fonte Gaia | Best Things to Do in Siena

Fonte Gaia | Best Things to Do in Siena

5. Palazzo Pubblico & the Civic Museum

Palazzo Pubblico, also called the town hall, is the seat of Siena’s government. This medieval building was constructed in 1297 and it sits on Piazza del Campo. Made of stone and brick, Palazzo Pubblico is one of Italy’s most recognizable buildings.

Palazzo Pubblico | Best Things to Do in Siena

The inner courtyard of Palazzo Pubblico is free to visit. From here, you can enter the Civic Museum and climb Torre del Mangia.

Palazzo Pubblico courtyard

Many of the rooms inside of Palazzo Pubblico are covered with frescoes, which you can see on a visit to the Civic Museum. Highlights include seeing the frescoes in Sala dei Nove (the Hall of Nine) and Sala del Mappamondo (the Hall of the Globe).

Tickets: You can purchase an individual ticket to the Civic Museum or get a combined ticket along with Torre del Mangia and/or Santa Maria della Scala. This can be done onsite or online in advance.
Website: Visit the official website for hours and pricing.

6. Torre del Mangia

Torre del Mangia (the Tower of Mangia) is the tall, skinny tower rising up from Palazzo Pubblico. Construction began in 1338 and it took 10 years to complete this 87-meter tall building (it is 102-meters tall if you count the lightning rod).

It gets its name from its first bell ringer. Giovanni di Balduccio had the nickname Mangiaguadagni, which means earnings eater, since he spent most of his money on food. The nickname was shortened to Mangia, giving the tower its name Torre del Mangia, or tower of the eater.

From the top of Torre del Mangia, you get a breathtaking view over Siena. But be prepared to do some work to get here. It is over 400 steps to the top and there is no elevator.

Worth it? Absolutely. We took tons of photos from the top of Torre del Mangia. Here are a few of our favorites.

The view of the Siena Cathedral | Best Things to Do in Siena

More of Siena from Torre del Mangia | Best Things to Do in Siena

7. Explore the Historic Heart of Siena

One of the best things to do in Siena is to explore the maze of streets that branch out from Piazza del Campo. The historic heart of Siena is pedestrian only, with the exception of a delivery car or truck here and there.

We love wandering the city streets of Siena. As you stroll through the city, you’ll pass by smaller squares, small churches, cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Via di Città is one of the main streets that runs parallel to the outside of Piazza del Campo. This street is also one of the best places to go shopping in Siena.

Piazza Salimbeni | Best Things to Do in Siena

Loggia della Mercanzia | Best Things to Do in Siena

Loggia del Papa | Best Things to Do in Siena

8. City Gates

Like many Tuscan towns, the city of Siena is surrounded by medieval walls. The entrances into Siena are through openings in these walls, which are also called gates.

Some of these gates still form entrances into the city today. Most likely, as you enter the historic city center of Siena, whether it is from the train station or bus station, you will pass through one of these gates.

Porta Camollia is the one you will most likely pass through, especially if you arrive to Siena by train. This gate is located on the northeast part of Siena, in between the train station and historic city center.

Porta Camollia | Elena Odareeva/shutterstock.com

There are other historic gates, but these sit farther out from the historic city center, so you will have to go out of your way to see them. On this list are Porta Pispini and Porta Romana.

9. Basilica of San Domenico

The Basilica of San Domenico, also known as Basilica Cateriniana, originally dates back to the mid-13th century but has been enlarged several times. Inside are several relics of St. Catherine of Siena. St. Catherine was canonized as a saint in 1461 by Pope Pius II and was declared a patron saint of Italy in 1939 by Pope Pius XII.

This church is located just west of the historic city Siena, about a 7-minute walk from the Siena Cathedral and a 7-minute walk from Piazza del Campo. It is free to visit and you can get opening hours on the official website.

10. Take a Day Trip

Siena makes an excellent home base for exploring Tuscany.

When we visit Tuscany, we usually spend a few nights in Siena, since it is located very close to towns such as Montalcino, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, and Volterra.

Using Siena as Your Home Base for Exploring Tuscany

Siena is centrally located in Tuscany. From here, you have a lot less travel time to get to many Tuscan hill towns, compared to Florence.

Siena has a train station and bus station, which makes it easy to travel to many Tuscan towns using public transportation.

If you plan to rent a car to explore Tuscany, Siena is one of the best places to stay in the region. You will have to park your car outside of the historic city center and then walk into town, but that is the case for most hill towns in Tuscany. Parking and driving in Florence can be a nightmare, so if you have plans to rent a car for a few days, Siena is a better place to stay.

Having traveled through Tuscany using public transportation and by car, we highly recommend renting a car for this portion of your trip. Having a car gives you a lot more freedom to explore the hill towns at your own pace.

Here are several great day trips from Siena that you can do by car:

Montalcino + Pienza + Montepulciano. In less than an hour you can drive to Montalcino (it takes 2 hours from Florence). Visit Montalcino, then Pienza, then Montepulciano, which are three lovely towns clustered together in Val d’Orcia, one of the prettiest parts of Tuscany.

Monteriggioni. Located right outside of Siena, this small walled town takes just a few hours to visit. Walking the walls is the highlight here.

San Gimignano + Volterra. Visit San Gimignano in the morning, followed by Volterra. Climbing the towers in both towns and sampling Tuscan foods are the best things to do on this day trip.

Florence. To get to Florence, it takes 2 hours by bus and an hour and fifteen minutes by car. It’s possible to stay in Siena and day trip to Florence. This is best for people who have more of an interest in touring the hill towns of Tuscany rather than spending a lot of time in Florence. But if you can do both (stay in both Siena and Florence), plan on 1 to 2 nights in Florence and 1 to 2 nights in Siena for the best of both worlds.

A bit farther away are Arezzo, Cortona, and Lucca, ranging from 1.25 to 2 hours of travel time one-way.

Best Things to Do in Siena: On a Map

Where to Eat in Siena

La Taverna di San Giuseppe. This is our top recommendation in Siena since it is one of the best dining experiences in town. This restaurant offers excellent Italian food, a massive wine list, and impeccable service. It is a Michelin-starred restaurant but has a very casual atmosphere. La Taverna is a great place to go if you want gourmet food without spending a small fortune.

La Taverna di San Giuseppe | Best Things to Do in Siena

Osteria da Divo. This is a fine dining restaurant that is another one of our favorites in Siena. A portion of the dining area fills Etruscan tombs dating back over 2000 years ago. It is located near the Siena Cathedral. This restaurant is a bit more expensive than La Taverna di San Giuseppe.

Osteria da Divo | Best Things to Do in Siena

Gino Cacino di Angelo. If you are looking for a budget restaurant that serves great food, this is a nice option. This wine bar and restaurant serves paninis and cheese and meat platters. This is another favorite local spot so expect Italian menus and Italian speaking staff. Note: they close at 8 pm.

Where to Stay in Siena

LUXURY: Hotel Athena. This is a 4-star hotel on a stunning property and it is just a 10-minute walk to Il Campo and the Duomo. From their terrace you will have a wonderful view of Siena and Tuscany. If you are traveling by car, this hotel is a great option because they offer free parking.

MID-RANGE: Residenza D’Epoca Palazzo Piccolomini. This is where we stayed on our most recent visit to Siena. Our apartment was enormous and had a very nice view of Basilica di San Francesco. Take your pick between 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. These apartments come with a washing machine and small kitchen. It’s a great choice for families or those traveling long term and need to do some laundry.

MID-RANGE: Palazzo Ravizza. This 3-star hotel is located within the historic city center of Siena. Palazzo Ravizza also offers a garden with a terrace overlooking the hills of Tuscany.

BUDGET: Hotel Italia. This is another 3-star hotel but with its location near the train station, and outside of the heart of Siena, it comes with a lower price. This is a boutique hotel offering 65 rooms that gets rave reviews. It’s a 20-minute walk to Il Campo but it is located conveniently near the train station.

How to Get to Siena

From Florence

To get between Florence and Siena, your best bet is the bus (not the train). Buses are cheaper and faster. From the bus station in Florence (near the Santa Maria Novella train station), take the direct bus to Siena. The journey takes about one hour and fifteen minutes. Do not take the local bus because it makes more stops along the way for a total time of 2 hours. You will arrive in Siena at Piazza Gramsci, the main bus terminal.

Buses leave 2 to 3 times per hour and you can buy your bus ticket at the station just before boarding the bus.

If you have a rental car, it takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to drive to Siena.

From Rome

By Train. There are no direct trains between Rome and Siena. Most likely you will have to transfer in Chiusi. Tickets range from €18 to €50 and the journey can take between 3 and 5 hours.

By Bus. The travel time averages 3.5 hours and tickets cost roughly €22. It is a slight savings over the train, and in most cases, you will arrive in Siena at about the same time. So, it’s more of a personal preference if you travel by train or by bus.

Parking in Siena

The city center of Siena is pedestrian only. If you have a hotel in the historic city center, you will have to park outside of town and then walk to your hotel. There are numerous parking lots located around the outskirts of Siena. Your hotel may have parking at one of these lots or should be able to assist you as to the most convenient lot.

On our most recent visit to Siena, we stayed near the on the north side of the city center at Residenza D’Epoca Palazzo Piccolomini. We parked at Parcheggio San Francesco, rode the series of escalators up to the Basilica di San Francesco, and walked to our hotel. This took about 15-minutes one-way.

How Much Time Do You Need in Siena?

Plan on spending one full day in Siena, to give yourself enough time to tour the Siena Cathedral and related sites, visit Palazzo Pubblico and climb Torre del Mangia, have a drink in Piazza del Campo, and stroll through the historic city center. For dinner, eat at La Taverna di San Giuseppe or Antica Osteria da Divo.

If you have less time (for example, you are on a quick day trip from Florence or another town in Tuscany), essential things to do in just a few hours include the views from Torre del Mangia, a visit to the Siena Cathedral, and some time walking through the historic heart of Siena.

One Day Siena Itinerary

We have a detailed One Day in Siena Itinerary, but here is a quick overview as to how to plan your time if you have one full day in town.

9:30 am: Breakfast
10:00 am: Purchase tickets for Torre del Mangia
10:15 am: Siena Duomo Complex
1:15 pm: Lunch
2:30 pm: Palazzo Pubblico & Torre del Mangia
4:00 pm: Historic center of Siena, with the option to visit Santa Maria della Scala and Basilica of San Domenico
7:00 pm: Dinner

Tours of Siena

If you like the idea of touring Siena with a knowledgeable guide, this 2-hour walking tour gets great reviews and includes your ticket into the Siena Cathedral.

How about a small group pasta and tiramisu class that takes place in a small family home in Siena?

Take a day trip from Siena to Montalcino and San Gimignano. This tour includes a wine tasting.

Take a day trip into the Chianti wine region from Siena on this 5-hour tour that includes a visit to two wineries.

This Brunello di Montalcino wine tasting includes a visit to three wineries, Montalcino, and the Abbey of Sant’Antimo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Siena worth visiting?

Siena is one of our favorite towns, not only in Tuscany but all of Italy. Visiting the Siena Cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, is a big highlight, as is enjoying the view from the top of the Tower of Mangia, having a cup of coffee or glass of wine in Piazza del Campo, and wandering the medieval streets of the historic city center.

How much time do you need in Siena?

In order to see the main sights in Siena, you will need one full day. One day in Siena gives you enough time to tour the Siena duomo complex, explore the city center, visit Palazzo Pubblico and climb to the top of Torre del Mangia, visit Santa Maria della Scala, and have lunch and/or dinner in town.

If you have less time (for example, you are on a quick day trip from Florence or another town in Tuscany), essential things to do in just a few hours include the views from Torre del Mangia, a visit to the Siena Cathedral, and some time walking through the historic heart of Siena.

Do I need to rent a car to visit Siena?

Siena is well connected to Florence and the Tuscan region by train and bus, so there is no need to rent a car. However, if you like the idea of touring the Tuscan hill towns on your own, having a rental car will give you more freedom and flexibility to do this.

More Information for Your Trip to Tuscany

SIENA: Plan your visit to Siena with our articles One Perfect Day in Siena and How to Visit the Siena Cathedral.

FLORENCE: If you are planning your first visit to Florence, don’t miss our guide to the 10 Best Things to Do in Florence. We also have guides about the best rooftop bars in Florence, the best viewpoints in Florence, and how to visit the Florence Cathedral.

FLORENCE ITINERARIES: Learn how to plan your time with our articles on how to spend One Day in Florence and Two Days in Florence.

DAY TRIPS FROM FLORENCE: Here are 15 day trips to take from Florence, with practical information on how to plan your day.

TUSCANY: Get started with our guide to the Best Things to Do in Tuscany. Learn how to plan your visit with our Tuscany Itinerary, which has sample itineraries, whether you have 3 days, 5 days, or an entire week in Tuscany.

TUSCAN HILL TOWNS: Check out our detailed guides to Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Lucca, Volterra, Arezzo, and Cortona. 

If you have any questions about the best things to do in Siena, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Italy

ITALY ITINERARIES: If you are just beginning to plan your Italy itinerary, take a look at our 10 Days in Italy Itinerary for five different ways to spend 10 days in Italy. We also have a detailed 10 day itinerary that includes Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, and Venice. For those with more time, check out our 14 day Italy itinerary, which covers the highlights of Italy.

BEST OF ITALY: In our guide to the Best Places to Visit in Italy, we list 25 beautiful destinations to consider for your next trip to Italy.

ROME: For a list of the top experiences in Rome, read our article Best Things to Do in Rome. Learn how to put these together in our 2 Day Rome Itinerary, where to eat in our Rome Restaurant Guide, how to visit the Colosseum, and where to stay in our Rome Hotel Guide. And don’t miss our guide to the Best Rooftop Bars in Rome.

SAN MARINO: San Marino is a tiny country located entirely within Italy. It is gorgeous to explore and one of the most underrated places to visit in Europe.

MATERA: Matera is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy. Here is a list of the best things to do in Matera, where to eat in Matera, and the best viewpoints of Matera.

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