Italy · Region
Siena
Siena is a medieval Tuscan hill town built around the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, famed for its Gothic Duomo and for the twice-yearly Palio horse race that transforms the square into a dirt track. Its brick-red skyline and car-free historic core have changed remarkably little since the 14th century, making it one of Italy's best-preserved medieval cities.
Day Trips from Siena (Florence · Pisa · Bologna)
Top attractions
attraction Horti Leonini: Siena Travel Guide (4.4★)
Horti Leonini is a small Renaissance garden in San Quirico d'Orcia, on the Via Francigena between Siena and Montalcino, open daily 8am to 7pm and free to enter. 4.4★ (1,104 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Palazzo Salimbeni: Siena Travel Guide (4.6★)
Palazzo Salimbeni sits on Piazza Salimbeni in Siena, a few minutes' walk north of Piazza del Campo, and it's the historic headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the world's oldest surviving bank. 4.6★ (3,023 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Santa Maria della Scala: Siena Travel Guide (4.6★)
Santa Maria della Scala in Siena is the former pilgrim hospital on Piazza del Duomo, directly across from the Cathedral, now a sprawling museum of frescoes, archaeology and Renaissance art. 4.6★ (1,788 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Siena Cathedral: Travel Guide
Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) is one of Italy's great Gothic-Romanesque cathedrals, its black-and-white striped marble facade and interior visible from Piazza del Duomo in the historic center.
Top-rated things to do in Siena
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Where to stay in Siena
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Frequently asked questions about Siena
How do I get to Siena?
There is no airport in Siena itself; the nearest airport is Florence (FLR), from which travelers typically continue by regional train (change may be required, e.g. at Empoli) or by direct regional bus to Siena, a journey of roughly ~1-1.5 hours. Siena's own train station sits outside the walled center, so onward travel into town is usually completed by local bus or the escalators up to the historic core.
How many days should I spend in Siena?
Allow ~1-2 days to see the main sights around Piazza del Campo and the Duomo at a relaxed pace, or a half-day if visiting on a fast side-trip from Florence.
What is Siena known for?
Siena is a medieval Tuscan hill town built around the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, famed for its Gothic Duomo and for the twice-yearly Palio horse race that transforms the square into a dirt track. Its brick-red skyline and car-free historic core have changed remarkably little since the 14th century, making it one of Italy's best-preserved medieval cities.