Siena, Italy

Siena

A shell-shaped piazza and a striped cathedral in a Gothic hill town.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
San GimignanoItaly · Popular townSan Gimignano29 kmMontepulcianoItaly · Hidden townMontepulciano44 kmFlorenceItaly · CityFlorence50 kmSaturnia Hot SpringsItaly · Nature spotSaturnia Hot Springs76 kmPisaItaly · CityPisa87 kmLuccaItaly · CityLucca88 kmPerugiaItaly · CityPerugia89 kmOrvietoItaly · Hidden townOrvieto92 km

Things to do

2 days in Siena

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and climb the Torre del Mangia.
  2. AfternoonSee the striped cathedral, its marble floor and the Piccolomini Library.
  3. EveningHave dinner in one of the contrada neighbourhoods, each with its own flag.

Day 2

Visit San Gimignano, or drive through the Chianti wine hills.

What to eat

Pici pasta, ribollita and panforte, a spiced fruit cake.

Local tips

Make the most of Siena

Beat the crowds

Piazza del Campo is at its best early in the morning or in the evening. Day-tour buses arrive late morning.

Best photo spot

Climb the Torre del Mangia for the view over the shell-shaped square. The Facciatone, part of an unfinished cathedral, gives a high view too.

Getting there

Buses from Florence are faster than the train and stop closer to the centre. The historic centre is closed to cars.

Don't miss nearby

The Val d'Orcia, with cypress roads and hill towns like Pienza and Montalcino, about an hour south.

Good to know

The Palio horse race takes place on 2 July and 16 August; the city is packed and tickets for seats are expensive. Book the tower ahead in summer.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Siena

Our most hidden places around Siena: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Siena to take with you.

65 km away
81 km away
37 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Siena

Getting there

  • Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)55 km away
  • Pisa Airport (PSA)85 km away
  • Florence50 km away
  • Pisa85 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypePopular town
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryItaly

Questions

Siena: good to know

Is Siena worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. A shell-shaped piazza and a striped cathedral in a Gothic hill town.

How many days do you need in Siena?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Siena?

You can visit all year. Piazza del Campo is at its best early in the morning or in the evening. Day-tour buses arrive late morning.

How do you get to Siena?

The nearest airport is Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR), about 55 km away. Buses from Florence are faster than the train and stop closer to the centre. The historic centre is closed to cars.

What is there to see near Siena?

Nearby hidden places include San Gimignano (29 km), Montepulciano (44 km) and Florence (50 km).

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