The first time we visited the Siena Cathedral, it was a hot July afternoon and our kids, then 9 and 11, were well past the point of cathedral fatigue after several days of museums and churches. We weren’t expecting this to be the stop that won them over. But inside, with the mosaic floor on display and the striped marble walls soaring above us, all four of us stopped in our tracks. Our kids were amazed. So were we. Siena Cathedral is that kind of place.
Years later, Tim and I came back without them and dedicated an entire day to the cathedral, working through every part of the complex, from the Crypt to the Gate of Heaven to the top of the Facciatone, so we could write this guide. The floor was uncovered again, which was lucky, and we ended the day with dinner at Osteria da Divo, a cave-like restaurant just down the street that we highly recommend.
Between those two visits, we’ve seen every corner of this complex. This guide covers everything you need to know: which ticket to buy, how to book the Gate of Heaven before it sells out, when to go to avoid the worst crowds, how to structure your time so you see it all without rushing, and photos of each part of the complex.
At a Glance: Siena Cathedral
TICKETS | Cathedral only: €7 (€10 when floor is uncovered) · Opa Si Pass: €16/€18 · Porta del Cielo Pass (includes Gate of Heaven): €23
HOW FAR AHEAD TO BOOK | At least 2 weeks in advance in peak season
BEST TICKET FOR MOST VISITORS | Porta del Cielo Pass — it includes everything and the Gate of Heaven is the highlight
HIGHLIGHTS | Gate of Heaven, the Interior and mosaic floor, Piccolomini Library, the Panorama (Facciatone)
TIME NEEDED | 1 hour for cathedral only · 2.5–3 hours for the full complex
MOSAIC FLOOR UNCOVERED | Late June–July and mid-August to mid-October
DRESS CODE | Knees and shoulders must be covered
May 2026 Update: Verified pricing and hours for 2026; added new photos.
Is the Siena Cathedral Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
Italy has no shortage of cathedrals, and after a few days on the road, they can start to blur together. But not the Siena Cathedral. Its black and white striped marble, the colors of Siena’s coat of arms, gives it an appearance unlike anything else in the country, and that’s before you step inside.
The interior contains works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and Nicola Pisano, four of the greatest artists of the Renaissance, all in a single building.
The mosaic floor alone took Sienese artisans five centuries to complete, with 56 panels telling stories from the Old Testament and the pagan world. For most of the year it’s covered to protect it, which makes visiting during the uncovered window feel like a genuine privilege.
Then there’s the story of the cathedral itself. In the 1300s, Siena attempted to double the size of the building, a project so ambitious it would have made it the largest cathedral in the world. The Black Death of 1348 stopped construction cold. Those unfinished walls still stand today, and walking to the top of them for a view over the city is one of the best things you can do in Siena.
We’ve visited twice and would go back. It genuinely impressed our kids at ages 9 and 11, which tells you something. This is one cathedral that earns every minute you give it.
The Siena Cathedral
Things to Do at the Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral is part of 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).
The Façade of the Siena Cathedral
Ticket Type: None required (free!)
One of the best things to do at the Siena Cathedral is to admire it from the outside.
The west façade, which is where the main entrance into the cathedral is located, is gorgeous. French Gothic, Classic architecture, and Tuscan Romanesque architecture are blended together to create one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy.
Statues and sculptures adorn the exterior of the cathedral. Most of what we see are replicas and the original statues are safely housed within the Cathedral Museum.
As you walk around the cathedral, you can fully appreciate its black and white marble walls and the unfinished façade of the “New Cathedral.”
Interior of the Siena Cathedral
Ticket Types: Cathedral, Opa Si Pass, and Porta del Cielo
Hours: Hours vary by season, but in general the cathedral is open from 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday and from 1:30 pm to 6 pm on Sundays and public holidays. Get updated hours for your visit here.
Step inside one of the most breathtaking cathedrals in Italy.
The mosaic floor, zebra-striped walls, stained glass windows, sculptures, and paintings all combine to create a truly beautiful place to visit in Italy. We have visited this cathedral several times and it is one of our favorites. It even amazed our kids, who were 9 and 11 at the time, which is saying something.
There is a lot to see inside of the Siena Cathedral. Plan on spending about 30 minutes here if you want to see everything on the list below.
The Mosaic Floor
The marble mosaic inlay and graffito floor is one of the most ornate floors in all of Italy. Between the 14th and 19th centuries, Sienese artisans created 56 inlay panels for the floor of the Siena Cathedral.
These various panels tell different stories, some from the pagan world, the Gospel of St. Matthew, and the Old Testament. Some of the most important panels include the She Wolf Suckling the Twins, Moses Striking Water from the Rock, and The Slaughter of the Innocents.
To protect the floor, sections of it are covered for most of the year. The entire floor is uncovered from late June through the end of July and again from mid-August to mid-October. You can get the official dates of when it will be uncovered here.
The Pulpit
The pulpit was sculpted by Nicola Pisano and several other artists from 1265 to 1268. It is made of Carrara marble and shows scenes from the Life of Christ and has statues of Prophets and Evangelists. It is the earliest remaining work in the cathedral.
Works of Art Inside the Siena Cathedral
Several famous Renaissance artists created sculptures and paintings for the Siena Cathedral. These include:
- Sculptures of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Pius, and St. Augustine by Michelangelo
- Sculpture of St. John the Baptist by Donatello
- Sculptures of St. Mary Magdalen and St. Jerome by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Madonna of the Vow by Dietisalvi di Speme
Stained Glass Windows
Also not to be missed are the colorful stained glass windows throughout the Siena Cathedral. The rose window is a replica. The original is located inside of the Operal del Duomo museum. However, the stained glass window The Last Supper dates back to 1549.
The Piccolomini Library
Ticket Types: Cathedral, Opa Si Pass, and Porta del Cielo
Hours: Same as the Siena Cathedral. Hours vary by season, but in general the cathedral is open from 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday and from 1:30 pm to 6 pm on Sundays and public holidays. Get updated hours for your visit here.
The Piccolomini Library was built to honor Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini (Pope Pius II) and to protect the books the pope collected. Commissioned by Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, the nephew of Pope Pius II, the frescoes tell the life story of Pope Pius II.
The library was built in 1492 and from 1503 to 1508, Pinturicchio and his assistants, including Raphael, painted the frescoes that cover the walls. Don’t miss the Three Graces, which is a Roman copy of the original Greek statue.
The entrance into the Piccolomini Library is located inside of the Siena Cathedral, on the left-hand side of the nave. It takes just a few minutes to visit the library and it is well worth it. This is one of my favorite places to visit in the Siena Cathedral, with its vividly colored frescoes, covering the walls and ceiling.
Piccolomini Library
The Panorama & New Cathedral
Ticket Types: Opa Si Pass and Porta del Cielo
Hours: Hours vary by season, but in general the Panorama is open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, with reduced hours November 1 through March 31. Get updated hours for your visit here.
For one of the best views of the Siena Cathedral and Siena, be sure to visit the Panorama and the New Cathedral, also called the Panorama from the Unfinished Façade and the Panorama dal Facciatone.
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.
On the top of the unfinished walls is a terrace with a great viewpoint where you can look down on the Siena Cathedral and over the town of Siena. This is referred to as the Panorama.
The Panorama from the Unfinished Facade (photo taken on the Gate of Heaven tour)
Entrance into the Panorama is inside of the Cathedral Museum. Climb the stairs to upper level. There will be signs directing you to the Panorama (Facciatone).
Depending on the time of day, there is a very good chance that you will wait in line. A limited number of people are permitted to visit the Panorama, because the spiral staircases are only wide enough for one-way traffic. It is a slow-moving line (we had about a 30-minute wait midday), so even if it is short, it could take a while. But it is worth it.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: To avoid the wait in line, plan to do this first thing in the morning or later in the evening, near closing time.
On a visit to the Panorama, you will visit two levels. From the museum, you will climb a narrow, spiral staircase to the first level. Here is the view.
The view of Siena from the lower level of the Panorama
The view of the Siena Cathedral from the lower level
The lower level walkway
After roughly 5 minutes on the first level, you and your small group will be directed to climb another narrow staircase to the upper level. The view from here is phenomenal, both of the Siena Cathedral and Siena. Here is the view.
The view of Siena from the upper level of the Panorama
The view of the Siena Cathedral from the upper level
Tim on the upper level of the Panorama
We did this midday in September and our entire visit lasted 45 minutes, which includes the wait in line.
The Cathedral Museum
Ticket Type: Opa Si Pass and Porta del Cielo
Hours: 9:30 am to 7:30 pm April 1 to October 31 with reduced hours the remainder of the year. Get updated hours here.
The Cathedral Museum, also called the Museo dell’Opera, is located inside of the north aisle of the New Cathedral.
This museum 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
On the top level of the museum is the entrance into the Panorama of the Unfinished Façade. You can go here first, and then visit the rooms and exhibits of the museum as you work your way back to ground level. If you just want to see the Rose Window, that is on the first level.
The Crypt
Ticket Type: Opa Si Pass and Porta del Cielo
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm April 1 to October 31 with reduced hours the remainder of the year. Get updated hours here.
This “hidden gem” was discovered and then renovated in 1999. At this time, areas under the Siena Cathedral underwent a restoration project, revealing the amazing frescoes in the crypt of the cathedral. For centuries, these frescoes were hidden beneath the cathedral, which may be why they are so well preserved. The uncovering of these frescoes has been described as one of the most important recent archaeological finds.
The frescoes in the Crypt were painted in the 12th century and they tell stories from the Old and New Testaments.
Frescoes inside the Crypt
The Crypt is very small and a visit here lasts 5 to 10 minutes. Entrance into the Crypt is located on the right side of the Siena Cathedral, just a few steps from the entrance into the Cathedral Museum.
The Baptistery of San Giovanni
Ticket Type: Opa Si Pass and Porta del Cielo
Hours: 10 am to 7 pm April 1 to October 31 with reduced hours the remainder of the year. Get updated hours here.
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.
Entrance into the Baptistery is at the back of the Siena Cathedral. A visit here lasts 5 to 10 minutes.
The Gate of Heaven (Porta del Cielo)
Ticket Type: 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.
The groups are limited to 18 people. During the tour, you get to walk on a few outdoor walkways for great views of Siena, the cathedral, and the unfinished façade of the New Cathedral.
Here is what you can expect to see along the Gate of Heaven tour.
First, you will climb a spiral staircase to the upper level of the cathedral. This is the most strenuous part of the tour.
Once you emerge from the staircase, you will walk along an upper hallway on the inside of the cathedral. From here, there are a few windows with views down onto the cathedral floor.
The view of the Pulpit and mosaic floor
Windows on the upper level of the cathedral with a view of nave.
Next, you walk out onto an outdoor terrace. From this very narrow walkway, you look out over the roof of the Siena Cathedral and the unfinished section of the New Cathedral.
The view of Town Hall
The view of the Facciatone
The view long the outside of the cathedral
I don’t know what I liked more…the view from the outdoor terrace or the next part of this experience, where you cross the nave on walkway and can gaze along the inside of the Siena Cathedral. It is an incredible view.
As you head towards the front of the cathedral, you will briefly walk outside again, although the views aren’t quite as good as from the first outdoor terrace.
Once again, you will cross over the nave. Now that you are at the front of the Siena Cathedral, you can look down the entire length of it.
Your visit ends by walking down a spiral staircase to the main level of the Siena Cathedral.
Practical Information
Time: The tour takes 25 minutes from start to finish.
Ticket: To take the Gate of Heaven Tour, you will need to purchase a Porta del Cielo ticket. When you purchase this ticket, you will reserve your time slot in advance. 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.
Hours of Operation: Hours vary by season, but in general the Gate of Heaven tour is offered from 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday during peak season, with reduced hours in the off season, and from 1:30 pm to 6 pm on public holidays. The Gate of Heaven tours are offered from March 1 through January 6. Get updated hours for your visit here.
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. It is located inside the Oratory of San Bernardino building, which was built in the Middle Ages to host the fraternities of St. Francis and St. Mary.
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.
Siena Cathedral Tickets
There are three different tickets to visit the Siena Cathedral and related sites.
Cathedral
Cost: €7; when the floor of the cathedral is uncovered, the cost is €10
Validity: 3 days
Includes: Siena Cathedral and Piccolomini Library
Note: On the Vivaticket website (the official ticket seller), this ticket is called the NP-INTERO PREV ticket.
Opa Si Pass
Cost: €16; when the floor of the cathedral is uncovered, the cost is €18
Validity: 3 days
Includes: Siena Cathedral, Piccolomini Library, the Crypt, the Baptistery, the Cathedral Museum, and the Panorama of the Unfinished Façade
Note: On the Vivaticket website (the official ticket seller), this ticket is called the NP-OPASIPASS PREV ticket.
GetYourGuide: The Opa Si Pass is available on GetYourGuide, if you prefer that platform. An advantage of GetYourGuide is the ability to cancel up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund (the last we checked; check the fine print in case this changes).
Porta del Cielo Pass
Cost: €23
Validity: 3 days
Includes: The Gate of Heaven plus all the sites on the Opa Si Pass (Siena Cathedral, Piccolomini Library, the Crypt, the Baptistery, the Cathedral Museum, and the Panorama of the Unfinished Façade)
All three passes include the audioguide.
For updated pricing and to purchase your ticket in advance, visit the official website.
If you plan to tour the Gate of Heaven, purchase the Porta del Cielo Pass, and you also get access to everything within the monumental complex.
For each of these passes, you have three days to visit all of the sites, so you don’t have to cram them all in on one day. If you were to see all of them, it will take about 2.5 to 3 hours.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Print a copy of your ticket or screenshot your ticket with the bar code once you make your reservation, just in case you don’t have cellular service when you arrive at the cathedral.
The view from the Panorama of the Unfinished Facade
How to Get to the Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral is located in the city center of Siena. This area is pedestrian only, so you cannot take a bus or taxi to get here. However, from the Siena Cathedral, it is a 5 or 10-minute walk to most sites in town.
Best Time to Visit the Siena Cathedral
We’ve visited in July and September, and both times the mosaic floor was uncovered, which made a real difference. The floor is one of the most extraordinary things in the cathedral, and seeing it fully revealed rather than hidden under wooden boards is worth planning around if you can manage it.
July was hot and crowded, but the energy inside was still wonderful. September felt a little more relaxed, though midday at the Panorama still had a real wait. We spent 45 minutes there total, including the queue, which was fine but worth knowing in advance.
If we had to pick, September through early October is the sweet spot: the floor is still uncovered, the summer peak has eased, and the light in Siena is beautiful at that time of year.
- Spring (April–May): Comfortable weather, manageable crowds, good all-around option
- Summer (June–August): Hot and busy, but the mosaic floor is uncovered — worth it if you book early and go at opening
- Fall (September–mid-October): Our favorite. Fewer crowds than summer, floor still uncovered, lovely light
- Winter (November–March): Quietest time of year, but reduced hours throughout the complex and the Gate of Heaven has limited availability
Best Time of Day to Visit the Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral is one of Siena’s most visited attractions, so expect large crowds here all day, especially from 10:30 am through 3:00 pm.
If you want to avoid the long line to visit the Panorama of the Unfinished Façade, go to the Cathedral Museum at opening time and then go right to the entrance to the Panorama. Once you are finished here, tour the museum and then visit the other sites of the duomo complex.
The Baptistery and the Crypt do not typically have a line to enter, or if they do, they tend to be short. There can be a line to enter the cathedral, since you will go through security, but there is no bypassing this wait, even on a skip the line tour.
For the Gate of Heaven experience, you will book a time slot in advance, so you do not have to wait in line to do this.
The end of the day tends to be less crowded than midday, so visiting the cathedral and related sites from 5 pm to 7 pm could have less people and less lines. Just double check the closing times on the official website before you go and be aware that last entry is generally 30 minutes before closing time.
Siena Cathedral Itinerary
Here is an itinerary for a visit to the Siena Cathedral from April 1 to October 31, when the cathedral opens at 10 am. For the remainder of the year, start at 10:30 am. Be aware that many sites of the duomo complex do not open until early afternoon on Sunday, so you will either have to adjust the timing of this itinerary or save your visit for a different day of the week, if your visit is on a Sunday.
10:00 am: Panorama from the New Cathedral
10:30 am: Cathedral Museum
11:00 am: Baptistery
11:10 am: Crypt
11:20 am: Siena Cathedral and Piccolomini Museum
12:00 pm: Gate of Heaven
The ceiling of the Siena Cathedral
Siena Cathedral Tips
Book the Gate of Heaven well in advance. Groups are capped at 18 people and time slots fill up fast in peak season. We recommend booking at least one to two weeks ahead, and even further out if you’re visiting in July or August. Don’t leave it until you arrive in Siena.
Watch out for Sunday hours. Many parts of the complex, including the cathedral itself, don’t open until 1:30 pm on Sundays and public holidays. If you’re only in Siena for one day and that day falls on a Sunday, either plan your morning around other parts of the city or adjust your expectations for how much of the complex you’ll see.
The Panorama line moves slowly. Even a short queue can take a while because the spiral staircase is only wide enough for one-way traffic. Go at opening time or late afternoon to minimize your wait. We visited midday in September and spent 45 minutes there total, including the queue, just so you know what to factor in.
Check the mosaic floor dates before you go. The floor is uncovered from late June through July and again from mid-August to mid-October. Outside of those windows it’s covered with wooden boards to protect it. It’s still a beautiful cathedral either way, but if you have any flexibility in your travel dates, it’s worth aligning your visit with the uncovered period. The official dates are posted on the Opera del Duomo website each year.
Your audioguide is already included. All three ticket types include an audioguide, so there’s no need to add one on. Pick it up when you enter and use it. It adds a lot of context to the artwork and floor panels that you’d otherwise walk right past.
Screenshot your ticket before you arrive. Cellular service near the cathedral can be unreliable. Save your ticket confirmation with the barcode to your photos so you’re not scrambling at the entrance.
Don’t rush the Piccolomini Library. It takes five minutes and most people breeze through it, but the Pinturicchio frescoes covering every wall are genuinely extraordinary. Slow down in here.
The Crypt is easy to overlook — don’t. The entrance is easy to miss, tucked just outside the cathedral near the Museum. The frescoes inside were hidden under the cathedral for centuries, which is part of why they’re so well preserved. It’s one of the more underrated stops in the whole complex.
Do the Gate of Heaven last. The tour ends inside the cathedral, which means you can stay and explore the interior at your own pace afterward. It’s a natural way to finish your visit.
Dress Code
Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the cathedral. This is not always strictly enforced, but it’s not worth the risk of being turned away at the door, especially if you’ve pre-booked a Gate of Heaven time slot.
Best Spots for Photos at the Siena Cathedral
The exterior shot most people want is from directly in front of the west façade. Inside, the nave looks best from just inside the entrance, where the full length of the striped columns and the dome come into frame together. If you’re doing the Gate of Heaven, the walkway across the nave is the most dramatic photo opportunity in the entire complex; looking down the full length of the cathedral from above is unlike anything else. The view of Siena from the upper level of the Facciatone is another one not to miss.
What to Do After Your Visit
Santa Maria della Scala was one of Europe’s first hospitals. It has been converted into a museum. Frescoes from the 14th century cover some of the walls and you can see chapels, relics, and sculptures within the 10,000 square meters of space this complex of museums inhabits. Santa Maria della Scala is located in front of the Siena Cathedral.
Santa Maria della Scala
Have lunch or dinner. There is a small café next to Santa Maria della Scala which is a convenient place to grab a snack. Osteria da Divo is a great restaurant a few blocks from the Siena Cathedral that serves lunch and dinner in a very cool cave-like setting. We had dinner here and highly recommend it.
Osteria da Divo
Tours of the Siena Cathedral
A tour is not necessary, if you are able to purchase tickets on the official website in advance. However, if you aren’t able to get a ticket for Siena Cathedral (for example, if tickets are sold out), or if you prefer to tour the cathedral with an experienced guide, then you can book a tour.
Through GetYourGuide, this private walking tour of Siena includes a guided tour of the Siena Cathedral as does this small group tour.
Tours & Tickets
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a ticket to enter the Siena Cathedral?
Yes, you need a ticket to enter the Siena Cathedral. You cannot visit the Siena Cathedral for free. The cost is €7 (€10 when the floor is uncovered), which allows you to visit the interior of the cathedral and the Piccolomini Library.
What is the best ticket for the Siena Cathedral?
For most visitors, the Porta del Cielo Pass (€23) is the best value. It includes the Gate of Heaven tour plus everything else in the complex: the cathedral, Piccolomini Library, Crypt, Baptistery, Cathedral Museum, and Panorama. If you’re skipping the Gate of Heaven, the Opa Si Pass (€16) covers everything else. The cathedral-only ticket (€7) is worth it only if you’re very short on time.
How far in advance should I book Siena Cathedral tickets?
For the Gate of Heaven, book at least two weeks ahead in peak season, although earlier is better, since tickets sell out. For general admission tickets, booking a day or two ahead is usually sufficient, though booking further in advance never hurts during summer.
How much does it cost to visit the Siena Cathedral?
The cathedral-only ticket costs €7 (€10 when the mosaic floor is uncovered). The Opa Si Pass, which adds the Crypt, Baptistery, Museum, and Panorama, costs €16 (€18 when the floor is uncovered). The Porta del Cielo Pass, which includes the Gate of Heaven tour plus everything else, costs €23. All tickets are valid for three days.
When is the mosaic floor uncovered?
The mosaic floor is uncovered from late June through the end of July and again from mid-August to mid-October. The exact dates vary slightly each year and are posted on the official Opera del Duomo website. Outside of these windows, most of the floor is covered with wooden boards to protect it.
How much time do you need to visit the Siena Cathedral?
Plan on about an hour if you’re visiting the cathedral and Piccolomini Library only. For the full complex, including the Crypt, Baptistery, Museum, Panorama, and Gate of Heaven, allow 2.5 to 3 hours. Since your ticket is valid for three days, you don’t need to fit everything into a single visit.
Can kids visit the Siena Cathedral?
Yes, and it’s one of the few cathedrals in Italy that genuinely impresses children. We visited with our kids at ages 9 and 11 and they were captivated, particularly by the striped marble interior and the mosaic floor. The Gate of Heaven involves narrow spiral staircases, so it’s worth considering for younger or less mobile visitors, but the rest of the complex is very manageable for families.
Plan Your Visit to Siena
There is more to see and do in Siena than simply visit the Siena Cathedral.
Get started with our guide to the best things to do in Siena, which covers the top places to visit (Torre del Mangia, Piazza del Campo, and the historic heart of the city), as well as where to stay and where to eat.
If you have one day in Siena, we’ve put together a detailed one-day Siena itinerary that pairs the cathedral with the other highlights of the city in a logical order, so you’re not backtracking. The cathedral fits naturally into either the morning or early afternoon depending on when you’ve booked your Gate of Heaven slot.
Siena is also one of the best day trips from Florence, and one of the most rewarding stops on a longer Tuscany itinerary. If you’re still building out your trip, our Tuscany itinerary covers how to structure three days, five days, or a full week in the region.
If you have any questions about how to visit the Siena Cathedral, let us know in the comment section below.
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Volterra, Italy: Best Things to Do, Map & Tips
Volterra, Italy is one of the most rewarding Tuscan hill towns to visit and one of the most underrated. We climbed the tower of Palazzo dei Priori for a 360° view of the countryside, walked a Roman theater that dates back to the 1st century AD, climbed Torre del Maschio with a guide and just […]
Monteriggioni: Best Things to Do, Photos, and Helpful Tips
Monteriggioni is a small, walled town in Tuscany, Italy. A visit here is quick, with a stroll through town and a walk on the walls topping the list of things to do in Monteriggioni. It’s well worth adding onto your visit to Tuscany, especially if you have plans to drive through nearby towns such as […]
10 Day Italy Itinerary: Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice
There’s a moment on the train from Rome to Florence, about an hour in, where the landscape shifts from the flat Roman countryside to something greener and hillier, and you realize you’re already in a different Italy. We’ve made that journey more than once over six trips to Italy, and it never gets old. This […]
2 Days in Rome: The Perfect Rome Itinerary for Your First Visit
If you are planning your first visit to Rome and have limited time, this Rome itinerary is perfect for you. With 2 days in Rome, you have just enough time to visit the highlights. Tour the Vatican Museums, enjoy the amazing view from St. Peter’s Basilica, marvel at the Colosseum, get a history lesson at […]
Venice Bucket List: 20 Amazing Things to Do in Venice, Italy
Venice is one of our favorite spots in Italy. With its winding canals, stunning architecture, and rich history, Venice is one of the most enchanting cities in the world. It is also small and compact, perfect to be explored with just a few days’ time. In this guide, we’ll take you through the absolute best things […]
Planning to Hike the Cinque Terre? Here’s What to Know for 2026
The Cinque Terre is one of Italy’s most iconic coastal hikes, connecting five colorful villages by cliffside trails overlooking the Mediterranean. Here’s exactly how to hike the Cinque Terre from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, including trail closures, ticket costs, one-way rules, and what to expect in 2026. We hiked the entire route as a family. Our […]
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