What to Do in Siena: The Complete Guide to Tuscany's Medieval Gem

Top 10 Things to Do in Siena

1. Piazza del Campo & The Palio

The heart of Siena beats in this extraordinary shell-shaped square that slopes dramatically toward the Palazzo Pubblico. Unlike typical rectangular Italian piazzas, Il Campo's unique design creates natural theater.

Twice each summer (July 2 and August 16), the Palio di Siena transforms this elegant square into medieval chaos. Ten horses representing different contrade thunder around the Campo in a 90-second race that's equal parts tradition and passion. Jockeys ride bareback, strategy matters more than speed, and the winner's neighborhood celebrates for months.

Can't visit during the Palio? The square captivates year-round. Join locals sprawling on the sloped bricks at sunset, sipping wine and watching daily life unfold.

• 📍 Location: City center (car-free zone)
• 💰 Price: Free
• ⏱️ Time needed: 1-2 hours

• 💡 Pro tip: Visit early morning for photos without crowds. Café terraces charge premium prices, locals bring picnics instead.

   

2. Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena)

Siena's Cathedral assaults you with beauty from every angle : the striped marble façade, the intricate mosaic floor and the Michelangelo sculptures. This Gothic masterpiece took two centuries to build.

The marble floor alone deserves serious attention. Medieval and Renaissance artists created 56 panels depicting biblical scenes and allegories. These masterpieces remain covered most of the year, uncovered only from mid-August through October.

The Piccolomini Library explodes with color. Pinturicchio's vibrant frescoes depicting Pope Pius II's life cover every wall, creating one of the Renaissance's most perfectly preserved spaces.

• 📍 Location: Piazza del Duomo
• ⏰ Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM, Sun 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM
• 💰 Price: €12 (cathedral + library)
• ⏱️ Time needed: 1.5-2 hours

• 💡 Pro tip: Book the "Opa Si Pass" (€13) for multiple sites. The rooftop terrace (€8) offers incredible views.

   

3. Climb Torre del Mangia

Those 400 steps are worth it. The Torre del Mangia rises 88 meters above Piazza del Campo, offering 360-degree views across medieval Siena's terracotta roofs to distant Tuscan vineyards.

Built between 1338 and 1348, this bell tower stands slightly taller than Florence's Palazzo Vecchio (a deliberate statement about Siena's importance). Limited capacity means you won't share the summit with crowds.

• 📍 Location: Piazza del Campo
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (winter shorter)
• 💰 Price: €10
• ⏱️ Time needed: 45-60 minutes

• 💡 Pro tip: Book online in advance, daily capacity is limited. Visit late afternoon for the best light.

   

4. Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico

The fortress-like Palazzo Pubblico has governed Siena since 1297. Today its rooms house one of Tuscany's finest art collections.

The star attraction is Ambrogio Lorenzetti's "Allegory of Good and Bad Government" : a sweeping fresco showing medieval Siena under wise rule versus tyranny. Created in 1338-1339, it's one of the most important secular paintings of the Middle Ages.

You're literally walking through chambers where Siena's Council of Nine governed a medieval republic.

• 📍 Location: Piazza del Campo
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (winter 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
• 💰 Price: €14

• ⏱️ Time needed: 1-1.5 hours

   

5. Explore the Contrade (Medieval Neighborhoods)

Understanding Siena requires understanding the contrade : seventeen neighborhoods that divide the historic center into fiercely independent mini-republics. Each has its own flag, colors, symbol (eagle to porcupine to caterpillar), church, museum, and identity extending back centuries.

Residents are baptized into their contrada, creating lifelong allegiance more powerful than family ties. During the Palio, contrade alliances and rivalries dictate everything.

Visit a contrada museum (most are tiny, free, and staffed by passionate volunteers) to grasp this cultural phenomenon. Each displays Palio trophies, historic costumes, and centuries of neighborhood memorabilia.

• 📍 Location: Throughout historic center
• 💰 Price: Free (museums donation-based)
• ⏱️ Time needed: 1-2 hours

• 💡 Pro tip: Download a contrade map before exploring. Each fountain makes a perfect photo op.

   

6. Santa Maria della Scala

Directly opposite the Duomo stands a building most tourists walk past – their loss. Santa Maria della Scala served as one of Europe's first hospitals for over 800 years. Today this massive complex houses museums and art spanning from Etruscan artifacts to contemporary installations.

The Pellegrinaio features stunning 15th-century frescoes depicting hospital life. Below ground, Etruscan tunnels reveal Siena's pre-Roman past. Unlike Siena's famous attractions, this rarely sees crowds.

• 📍 Location: Piazza del Duomo (opposite cathedral)
• ⏰ Hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
• 💰 Price: €9
• ⏱️ Time needed: 1.5-2 hours

• 💡 Pro tip: Perfect rainy-day alternative with excellent rooftop Duomo views.

   

7. Walk the Medieval Streets

Siena's greatest attraction might be simply wandering its medieval streets. Via di Città curves between tall brick buildings unchanged in centuries. Side alleys dive steeply downhill, revealing hidden piazzas and neighborhood fountains.

Get deliberately lost. The compact center means you'll never stray far, but the joy lies in discovery : finding perfect medieval alleyways bathed in afternoon light, stumbling upon contrada fountains, or discovering tiny churches.

The brick-paved streets create a warm glow at sunset. This isn't a museum, it's a living medieval city.

• 💰 Price: Free

• 💡 Pro tip: Early morning or evening light creates the most atmospheric photos.

   

8. Taste Sienese Cuisine

Sienese cuisine is rustic and distinctly different from Florence's refined offerings. The city's signature pasta, pici, resembles thick, hand-rolled spaghetti with satisfying chew. Order it cacio e pepe or all'aglione.

Don't leave without trying “panforte”, a dense medieval confection of honey, nuts, and spices. Ricciarelli are almond cookies with soft, chewy centers. Find the best versions at artisan bakeries around the Campo.

The surrounding Chianti region produces Tuscany's famous wines. For unique tasting, visit the Enoteca Italiana inside the Fortezza Medicea.

💡 Pro tip: Avoid restaurants on Piazza del Campo. Walk five minutes into any neighborhood for authentic spots where locals eat.

Must-try specialties:

• Pici cacio e pepe or all'aglione
• Panzanella (summer) or ribollita (winter)
• Panforte and ricciarelli

• Chianti Classico wine

   

9. Panoramic Views from Fortezza Medicea

When Florence conquered Siena in 1555, they built this fortress to maintain control. Today it offers panoramic views across the city and countryside while locals jog and picnic in the peaceful park.

Climb the ramparts for 360-degree views that rival Torre del Mangia's without the claustrophobic staircase or entry fee. The northern side overlooks Siena's medieval skyline, while the southern side gazes across rolling Tuscan hills.

• 📍 Location: Northern edge of center (10-minute walk from Campo)
• 💰 Price: Free
• ⏱️ Time needed: 30-45 minutes

• 💡 Pro tip: Perfect sunset spot. Bring wine and snacks for an impromptu picnic.

   

10. Day Trip to San Gimignano

The medieval "Manhattan of Tuscany" rises from the hills just 30 minutes from Siena. San Gimignano's fourteen surviving towers create Italy's most distinctive silhouette.

Wander the main street, climb Torre Grossa for sweeping views, and sample Vernaccia white wine in centuries-old cellars. The frescoed churches and medieval atmosphere complement Siena perfectly.

Our Tuscany travel pass makes getting there remarkably easy, connecting Siena and San Gimignano with comfortable coaches. Multiple daily departures let you plan your own schedule.

• ⏱️ Time needed: Half-day to full-day

• 💡 Pro tip: Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid cruise ship crowds.

   

How to Get to Siena?

The smartest way to visit Siena is with our Tuscany bus tour, connecting Florence, San Gimignano, and Siena with comfortable coaches featuring air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

The Siena stop at Parcheggio del Campino sits just 15 minutes' walk from Piazza del Campo. Multiple daily departures give you complete flexibility, with passes valid for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days.

No driving stress, no ZTL fines, no expensive parking, no navigation headaches. Simply relax and enjoy the stunning Chianti countryside between cities.

Itinerary Suggestions

What to Do in Siena in One Day

• Morning: Start at Piazza del Campo, climb Torre del Mangia (pre-book), explore Palazzo Pubblico frescoes.
• Lunch: Head into the contrade for authentic trattoria lunch with pici all'aglione.
• Afternoon: Visit the Duomo complex (1.5-2 hours), then wander medieval streets and explore a contrada museum.

• Evening: Return to Campo as locals arrive. Sprawl on the bricks with wine and watch sunset paint the palazzo golden.

   

What to Do in Siena in Two Days

• Day One: Follow the one-day itinerary at relaxed pace, adding Santa Maria della Scala and more “contrade” exploration.

• Day Two: Morning at Fortezza Medicea, explore northern neighborhoods. Afternoon Tootbus to San Gimignano, or stay in Siena for deeper cultural immersion.

   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What not to miss in Siena?

Piazza del Campo (shell-shaped main square), the Gothic Duomo with marble floors (best August-October), Torre del Mangia for views, contrade neighborhoods, and authentic pici pasta at local trattorias.

Is Siena worth visiting?

Absolutely. Authentic medieval Italy with fewer crowds than Florence, car-free historic center, stunning Gothic architecture, and living contrade traditions. More affordable and atmospheric while delivering world-class art. Stay two days to fully experience it.

How do I get from Florence to Siena?

Easiest: Tootbus Terracotta route (8:30 AM/3:00 PM departures, 1.5 hours through Chianti). Alternatively, hourly trains (1.5 hours via Empoli) or regional buses from Florence station.

Can you do Siena and San Gimignano in one day?

Yes, especially with Tootbus. Morning in Siena (Campo and Duomo), midday bus to San Gimignano (30 minutes), explore 3-4 hours, then return. The flexible pass allows hopping between cities at your own pace.