Before you go

Your trip to Siena.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Siena – Toscana Destination Toscana about 75 km from Florença

How to get there

Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola Amerigo Vespucci (FLR) Florença · 80 km
Siena 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. From Rome or Milan, take the train to Florence. From Florence there are direct buses that reach Siena in just over an hour and regional trains, sometimes with a change in Empoli, in about 1h30. The train station is in the valley, about 2 km from the center; city buses and moving walkways help with the climb.

How many days

One day is enough for the Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico, the tower and the Duomo. With two days you can leisurely include Santa Maria della Scala and a trip to Monteriggioni or San Gimignano. For the Val d'Orcia—Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano—allow an extra day, preferably by car.

When to go

April to June and September to October are usually the most pleasant months for climbing up and down the slopes. The Palio is run on July 2 and August 16, with trial days beforehand; the city fills up and the square is closed for the race. In winter, from December to February, it is cold and there are far fewer visitors.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For Siena, no: the center is walked on foot and is closed to traffic, with a ZTL. A car is useful for Monteriggioni and, especially, for the Val d'Orcia, where buses are few. Drivers should use the parking lots outside the walls, from which moving walkways lead up to the center.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Siena

Morning
Duomo, Libreria Piccolomini and Facciatone
Arrive early at the Duomo to see the marble floor and the Libreria Piccolomini before the tour groups. Then, at the Museo dell'Opera, climb the Facciatone to see the city from above.
Afternoon
Piazza del Campo and Palazzo Pubblico
Walk down to the Piazza del Campo and have lunch nearby. In the afternoon, visit the Museo Civico in the Palazzo Pubblico, with the frescoes of the Good and Bad Government, and climb the steps of the Torre del Mangia.
Late afternoon
Streets of the contrade
Stroll along the Via di Città and the Via Banchi di Sopra, the main streets, and notice the plaques and flags of each contrada, the neighborhoods that compete in the Palio.
Evening
Dinner near the Campo
Return to the illuminated Piazza del Campo. For dinner, from about 7:30 or 8:00 pm, look for Sienese dishes such as pici, the thick handmade pasta, and ribollita.

2 days in Siena

Day 1

Morning
Duomo and Facciatone
Start with the Duomo, with its pavement, Nicola Pisano's pulpit and the Libreria Piccolomini. Then, at the Museo dell'Opera, see Duccio's Maestà and climb the Facciatone.
Afternoon
Santa Maria della Scala
On the other side of the Duomo square, spend the afternoon at Santa Maria della Scala, the former hospital, with the Pellegrinaio and the original sculptures from the Fonte Gaia.
Late afternoon
Piazza del Campo
Descend to the Piazza del Campo and sit on the square's sloping pavement, as the locals do, to watch the light change on the facade of the Palazzo Pubblico.
Evening
Dinner in the contrade
Choose a trattoria in the streets around the Campo or in the Via del Porrione area, where the evening scene is more local.

Day 2

Morning
Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia
Start the second day at the Museo Civico, before the heat, and climb the Torre del Mangia; tickets sell out when the day's capacity is reached.
Afternoon
Monteriggioni
Head to Monteriggioni, about 15 km away, by car or bus. Walk around the square and along the path atop the castle walls, with views over the Chianti hills.
Late afternoon
Return to Siena
Back in Siena, walk to the basilica of San Domenico, a high point from which you can see the Duomo and the Torre del Mangia side by side.
Evening
Sweets of Siena
After dinner, sample the city's sweets, such as panforte, made with dried fruit and spices, and ricciarelli, soft almond biscuits.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Can you do a day trip from Florence to Siena?

Yes. Direct buses take just over an hour and arrive near the center; trains take about 1h30 and stop at the station, further down. A full day is enough for the Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Duomo.

Can I see the Palio of Siena?

The Palio is run on July 2 and August 16 in the Piazza del Campo. The center of the square is open to the public, but it fills hours in advance and there is no guarantee of space; seats on the stands and balconies are sold well in advance. Trial races take place in the days before, and are also open.

Does Siena have many hills/steep streets?

Yes. The city is on three hills and the streets rise and fall considerably. Wear comfortable shoes and take advantage of the moving walkways that connect the station and some car parks to the center.

Is it worth staying overnight in Siena?

Yes — it's worth staying to see the Piazza del Campo early in the morning and at night, without the crowds of day visitors. Siena is also a good base for San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and the Val d'Orcia.

How to get from Siena to the Val d'Orcia?

The most practical way is by car: Montalcino is about 40 km, Pienza about 55 km and Montepulciano about 65 km away. There are buses from Siena to these towns, but schedules are limited, making it hard to visit more than one in a day.

Back to Siena