Things to do in Siena: The 20 Best Places to Visit and Highlights

You’re want to visit Siena during your next trip to Italy and you’re looking for the best things to do?

You’re at the right place!

During your stay, you will of course discover the city’s best places to visit such as the magnificent Siena Cathedral, but also hidden gems of one of my favorite Italian cities.

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this guide of the best things to do in Siena, with all the must-see attractions and points of interest.

At the end of the article, you will also find itineraries to visit Siena in 1, 2 or 3 days as well as my suggestions of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in Siena? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

Visiting Siena: All Must-See Attractions

1. The Piazza del Duomo

On the Piazza del Duomo, you will find most of Siena’s must see attractions.

It’s an essential stop during your walking tour of the city. It includes:

• Siena Cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen! I’ll give you all the practical information for visiting it just below.
• The baptistery (point 4 in this Siena guide)
• The crypt (point 5)
• The Opera museum. For information, it’s in section 6 of this article.
• The Facciatone panorama (point 7)
• Santa Maria della Scala museum complex (point 8 of where to go in Siena).

2. Siena Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (Santa Maria Assunta) is the main attraction to visit in Siena.

Its construction began in the 12th century on the foundations of an earlier church and continued until the 14th century.

In 1339, an enlargement of the cathedral was even launched with the objective of building a new dome, competing with those of Pisa or Florence.

The goal was to make Siena Cathedral one of the largest cathedrals in Italy. Unfortunately, due to the plague that ravaged all of Tuscany in 1348, the works were abandoned.

The façade, designed in Roman and Italian Gothic architecture, consists of polychrome marble in white, green, and red, just like the bell tower.

As pretty as it is from the outside, it’s the interior of the cathedral that impressed me the most. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful and richly decorated that I’ve seen!

Inside, you won’t know where to look first: everything is decorated, sculpted, painted, all in a truly harmonious style that doesn’t feel “overdone”.

Don’t forget to watch where you’re stepping: the cathedral floor, made up of marble mosaics, is composed of more than 50 scenes depicting sibyls and scenes from the Bible.

Very impressive!

Completed between the 14th and 19th centuries, the flooring of Siena’s cathedral (almost 3000 m²) is unique in the world and extensively protected.

For most of the year, the floors are covered to preserve them and are unveiled only 2 months a year, between September and October (I had the chance to visit Siena in September and see them!).

But don’t worry, even if you decide to go to Siena in other months, there are plenty of other masterpieces to admire in the cathedral:

• The white and green marble pillars 
• The choir and its high altar
• The stained glass windows
• The Votive Chapel and its golden dome
• The midnight blue vault and its golden stars
• Statues and paintings by renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Pisano, or Donatello.

From the cathedral, it’s also possible to access the Gate of Heaven (porta del cielo in Italian). This way you can enjoy the view from the cupola and the roof of the cathedral.

The Gate of Heaven tour is not included in the OPA Si Pass; you need to pay an additional fee or opt for the all-inclusive ACROPOLI Pass. You can purchase these tickets directly at the ticket office, not online.

3. Piccolomini Library

The Piccolomini Library is located inside the cathedral. Its entrance is included in the OPA Si Pass.

It was Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini who decided to build the library in 1492. He was strongly inspired by the example of France, where most cathedrals have a library.

The purpose was to preserve the numerous illuminated manuscripts and valuable books from the collection of his uncle, Pope Pius II.

The room is entirely dedicated to him: a series of ten frescoes painted by Pinturicchio (a renowned painter who worked in Rome and the Vatican) recall the main episodes of his life.

4. San Giovanni Baptistery

During your stay in Siena, you should definitely visit the baptistery. It would be a shame to miss out, as the visit is included in the City Pass.

Built between 1310 and 1320, the façade mimics that of the cathedral. Inside, you’ll be amazed by the richly decorated interior, which houses numerous 15th century paintings and frescoes characteristic of Siena’s art style.

In particular, you’ll discover 12 scenes illustrating the Creed, the Christian doctrine taught by the Apostles that contains 12 articles.

5. The Crypt of Siena Cathedral

Let’s continue this list of the best things to do in Siena. Near Piazza del Duomo, you should also visit the crypt of the Duomo.

During renovation work in 1999, the crypt was accidentally discovered. It is thought to have been bricked up and forgotten during the cathedral expansion works in 1339. That’s almost 700 years!

Here, stunning 13th-century paintings were found, remarkably well preserved, with vivid colors, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testament.

6. Museo dell’Opera

Your visit to Siena continues with the Museo dell’Opera, the cathedral museum.

Founded in 1869, the museum primarily houses statues that once adorned the façade of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. They can be viewed in the statue gallery located on the ground floor.

On the upper floors of the museum, you can also admire paintings from the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, as well as a room with several reliquaries.

Finally, it’s on the top floor of the museum that you’ll have access to the Facciatone viewpoint. I will tell you everything about it just below.

The OPA Si Pass includes the museum and the Facciatone.

7. The Facciatone

Among the tourist attractions in Siena, make sure not to miss climbing up the Facciatone. As I mentioned earlier, access is through the Museo dell’Opera.

The Facciatone is the name given to the unfinished facade of the new cathedral of Siena, which was never completed due to the plague epidemic that struck the city.

After a short climb up the narrow spiral staircase inside the façade, you will come out onto a panoramic terrace offering a 360° view over the city’s rooftops, the Duomo, Piazza del Campo, and the surrounding countryside.

It’s simply one of the best viewpoints in Siena!

Note that only 30 people at a time are allowed up to admire the panorama from the Facciatone. So there might be a bit of a wait.

A guard controls access at the entrance, and there is also another one at the top. The visits are timed, you have about 20 minutes to go up, take photos, and come back down.

8. Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex

Let’s continue this Siena tourist guide and talk about Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex.

Located in a former hospital, one of the oldest and largest in Europe, the complex houses several museums, including the National Archaeological Museum and the Children’s Museum.

You’ll also discover several fascinating frescoes and paintings about the lives of pilgrims, orphans, and the sick who passed through the hospice.

Theren you can also see the exhibition on the Fonte Gaia, the Squarcialupi Palace, and the chapel of Our Lady.

9. The Oratory of Saint Bernardino

The Oratory of Saint Bernardino is the last site included in the OPA Si Pass.

It’s not located in the same place as the other buildings and is about 10 minutes walk from Piazza del Duomo. The entrance is next to the Basilica of Saint Francis and a university building.

Dating from the 15th century, the oratory houses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art and features paintings from the 13th to the 17th century.

10. Piazza del Campo

Continue your tour in Siena with a visit to Piazza del Campo.

Alongside Piazza del Duomo, it’s undoubtedly another must-see square in Siena and, truth be told, it’s stunning!

Located at the heart of the city, this immense elliptical-shaped square with red brick pavement is divided into 9 sections, representing the 9 citizens who ruled the city. It was built in the 13th century.

Today, it’s one of Italy’s most famous squares and has for sure contributed to Siena being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Piazza del Campo is lined with cafés, restaurants, and palaces. It’s dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, which I’ll tell you more about below. You can also admire Fonte Gaia, the first marble fountain in the city.

Each year, in the summer, Piazza del Campo hosts one of the most important events for the people of Siena: the Palio.

The Palio is a horse race featuring representatives from the different contrada (“districts” of Siena).

Each contrada has a distinct identity with a crest, anthem, motto, and a totem animal that gives it its name: Aquila (Eagle), Pantera (Panther), or even Chiocciola (Snail!).

The horse races take place every 2nd of July and 16th of August, and needless to say, the atmosphere is electric. The Palio is also always preceded by a historical costume parade of more than 700 people.

11. Palazzo Pubblico – Museo Civico

On the Piazza del Campo, you can visit the Palazzo Pubblico.

Since the Middle Ages, the Palazzo has been the seat of the city government, housing administrative offices.

But here’s some good news: the upper floors of the palace are dedicated to the civic museum and are home to very beautiful rooms adorned with numerous masterpieces created by masters of the Sienese School.

Here are the best things to see at Museo Civico:

• The Mappemonde Room with its murals celebrating, among other things, Siena’s victories over its rival Florence.
• The Room of the Nine, where the council of nine governors met to lead the Republic of Siena. It features one of the museum’s most famous frescoes: Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government.
• The Balia Hall with frescoes on the Sienese Pope Alexander III
• The Lord’s Chapel
• The Consistory Hall decorated with Gobelins tapestries
• The Risorgimento Hall featuring 19th-century frescoes of the wars of independence.

The entrance costs 10€ and you can find more information here.

12. Torre del Mangia

You can’t miss it – Torre del Mangia towers over Piazza del Campo and is attached to the Palazzo Publicco.

Built from 1325, the brick tower stands 102 meters tall. That’s exactly the same height as the Duomo, meant to demonstrate the equality between the Church and the State.

You can climb the 400 steps to the top of the tower. From up there, the view over Siena, the square, the cathedral, and the surroundings is truly magnificent.

The cost to ascend Torre del Mangia is 10€, or 15€ if you opt for a combined ticket with the Museo Civico.

13. Fortezza Medicea

In addition to the Torre del Mangia and the Facciatone, there’s another great viewpoint where you can go to admire Siena—and great news: this one is free!

Fortezza Medicea is located close to the stadium, about a 15-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo. By walking around the ramparts on foot, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Siena’s cathedral and the city as a whole.

For the best photos, you should go there at sunset.

14. The Churches of Siena

Aside from the cathedral, during your stay in Siena, you should visit the other churches in the city:

• Basilica di San Domenico: worth seeing more for its exterior as the interior is huge but quite plain. Note that one of the chapels houses the relic of Saint Catherine’s head.
• Basilica Santa Maria dei Servi, which offers a nice view of Siena from its churchyard
• The Church of Saint Martin, one of the oldest in the city
• Basilica of Saint Francis with a rather plain interior but beautiful stained glass windows. Interestingly, it is the burial place of 18 members of the Tolomei family who were killed by the rival Salimbeni family using meat skewers during a banquet! An episode straight out of Game of Thrones! 😅
• The Church of Santa Maria di Provenzano
• The Church of Saint Augustine

15. Other Squares and Points of Interest to See in Siena

While wandering through the historic center of Siena, take the opportunity to pass by some squares and buildings that are worth a look:

• Piazza Salimbeni, where you can find Salimbeni family palace and Monte dei Paschi, one of the world’s oldest banks
• Piazza Tolomei, with the Tolomei palace (the Salimbeni rivals) and the Church of Saint Christopher
• Piazza del Mercato, with a nice view of the Palazzo Pubblico on one side and the Basilica di Santa Maria on the other
• The Loggia della Mercanzia, located at the Croce del Travaglio, the meeting point of Siena’s 3 historical districts
• The Piccolomini Palace and Loggia del Papa, showing typical Renaissance architecture
• National Pinacotheca of Siena, where works of great Sienese artists such as Simone Martini, the Lorenzetti brothers, or Duccio di Buoninsegna are preserved.
• Palazzo Chigi Saracini, housing the Music Academy. The courtyard hosts a quaint café that’s calm and reasonably priced. Perfect if you’re looking to take a little break away from the crowds.

Best Things to Do Around Siena

Now that you know all the best places to visit of the city, let’s now explore the surroundings of the Siena.

From Siena, you can easily explore the main cities of the region as well as the beautiful Tuscany countryside.

Here are the best things to do around Siena:

16. The Chianti Vineyards

Wine lovers should not miss out on a visit to the Chianti vineyards. It’s the perfect destination for a day trip around Siena.

If you’re interested in tasting Tuscan wines, you should opt for a guided tour.

Although you’ll need to make your way to the vineyard yourself, you’ll get to enjoy a guided tour of the cellars and a tasting of 4 or 5 wines paired with charcuterie and cheese.

To book this 2-hour guided visit of the Chianti vineyards, just click on the following button:

There’s also a 3-hour version of the tour, with lunch included. You need to book it using the following button:

17. San Gimignano

If you want to visit the areas around Siena, you definitely should head to San Gimignano.

This medieval village is one of the most picturesque in the Tuscan countryside and a must-see near Siena. It’s just 50 minutes away from the city, located halfway between Florence and Pisa.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Gimignano is famous for its 14 towers that can be seen from nearly everywhere and add lots of charm to the place!

These tower houses, numbering 75 at their peak numbered, were built by noble families. The taller the tower, the wealthier the family was.

Within the walls, you can also explore several historic monuments like the Duomo and the Piazza del Popolo.

To visit San Gimignano from Siena, you can opt for an organized day trip. The tour includes not only the village, but also wine tasting, lunch, and a stop at the Montalcino fortress.

You need to book your day trip to San Gimignano by clicking on the button below:

18. Pienza

Near Siena, you can also visit Pienza, just 1 hour away by car.

Located in the Val d’Orcia, known for its beautiful typical Tuscan villages, the historic center of Pienza, like Siena’s, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This village is the birthplace of Pope Pius II, who contributed to its development after his election by ordering the construction of a papal palace, a square, and the cathedral, with the goal of making Pienza one of the most beautiful cities of the Renaissance.

In Pienza, you can see:

• Piazza Pio II 
• The Cathedral
• Palazzo Piccolomini, the former residence of Pope Pius II. Tickets available here.

To visit Pienza, you can also opt for an organized day trip from Siena. It’s super convenient if you haven’t rented a car and want to see Pienza and other beautiful Tuscan villages such as Montalcino and Montepulciano.

The tour includes: transport + guide + 1 wine tasting + self-guided visits of Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Pienza. It’s going to be a fantastic day!

19. Pisa

Pisa is for sure one of the most famous cities to visit near Siena.

Here are the best things to do in Pisa:

• Piazza dei Miracoli, which is home to the city’s most beautiful monuments
• The Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Pisa Cathedral
• The Camposanto
• The walls of Pisa
• Borgo Stretto

For more information about the best things to do in Pisa and all my best tips to plan your visit, you should read my other article: The 21 Best Things to Do in Pisa.

20. Florence

Florence is the largest city close to Siena. It would be a shame to miss it during your trip to Italy, especially since it’s just 1h30 by car or train from Siena!

Here are Florence’s must-see attractions:

• Florence Cathedral, where you should really climb to the top of the dome for a stunning view over the city
• The Galleria dell’Accademia, housing Michelangelo’s masterpiece: The over 4-meter tall David
• The Uffizi Gallery and its impressive collection of paintings by some of the best Renaissance artists (Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio)
• The Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo is buried
• Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens
• Piazzale Michelangelo: the best viewpoint to see all of Florence’s landmarks
• Palazzo Vecchio

The best way to plan your visit to Florence is to check out my other article: The 27 Best Things to Do in Florence.

How Many Days to Visit Siena?

One day is sufficient to visit Siena and its main points of interest.

If you’re planning to spend 2 days or more in Siena, you will also have time to explore the surroundings!

To help you plan your stay, I will now give you itineraries to visit Siena and its surroundings in 1 or 2 days:

One Day in Siena

If you’ve decided to spend 1 day in Siena, here’s how you should organize your day:

• Start by visiting all the monuments located on the Piazza del Duomo that are included in the OPA Si Pass:
  • The Cathedral
  • The Crypt
  • The Baptistery
  • The Museo dell’Opera
  • Il Facciatone
• Optionally, you can visit the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex. In that case, it would be better to choose the ACROPOLI Pass.
• Go to Piazza del Campo
• Visit the Palazzo Publico
• Climb to the top of the Torre del Mangia
• Stroll through the historic center’s streets to see the churches, palaces, and other squares of Siena
• At the end of the day, head to Fortezza Medicea to watch the sunset.

2 Days in Siena

If you’re planning to spend 2 days in Siena, in addition to the day 1 itinerary mentioned above, you should go explore the nearby villages.

If you wanna go on a day trip (returning to Siena in the evening), you should focus on the following (click on the orange links for more info and to book):

• The Chianti vineyards
• San Gimignano
• Pienza

If you wish to go to Pisa or Florence, I would rather recommend planning to spend at least 1 night there.

Where to Stay in Siena

• Hotel Italia: Located a 20-minute walk from Piazza del Campo. Double rooms are a bit dated (some are newly renovated but not all), yet spacious and comfortable starting from €70 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: close to the station, generous breakfast, parking, and very friendly staff.
• NH Siena: Situated 10 minutes from Piazza del Campo and 1.5 km from the train station. Modern double room with city views starting from €90. Strong points: the ideal location to visit Siena, comfortable bedding, tasty breakfast. It’s my top pick for its excellent value for money in Siena.
• Hotel Athena: Nestled within the city walls, 10 minutes’ walk from the cathedral. Spacious and elegant double rooms starting from €110. Strong points: terrace with breathtaking views, free parking, comfy beds.
• B&B Il Corso: Located on Piazza del Campo. Cozy and warmly decorated double rooms starting from €120, breakfast included. Strong points: excellent reception, great breakfast, refined decor.
• La Barriera di San Lorenzo: Situated 800 meters from Piazza del Campo. Spacious and bright double rooms starting from €140. Strong points: tranquility, location, very friendly owners, excellent breakfast with fresh products, homemade jams, and cakes. One of the best choices for your holiday in Siena!
• Grand Hotel Continental Siena – Starhotels Collezione: A 5-star hotel just 250 meters from the Piazza, in the historic center. Double rooms decorated with artwork and period furniture starting from €230, breakfast included. Strong points: attentive staff, good breakfast buffet, the hotel’s charm. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Siena!

Where to Eat in Siena

• Bagoga: Located on Via della Galluzza, not far from Piazza del Campo. The restaurant serves authentic and typical regional cuisine. The pasta is excellent (as are the other dishes!) and the staff are super friendly. All of this comes with an excellent value for money.
• Morbidi: Situated on Via Banchi di Sopra. Ideal for lunch, the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat buffet at noon for only €12 per person (water included)! There’s a really good selection, everything is local (cold cuts, cheese), fresh and well-cooked. The best place in Siena to eat quickly and heartily in a lovely setting with a warm atmosphere.
• Chianti & Pizza from Mister Pizza: Located on Via delle Terme. If you’re craving a great pizza during your vacation in Siena, head to this pizzeria! The pizzas are excellent, hearty, and affordable. You can opt for a whole pizza or order several slices if you want to try different varieties (which is quite likely!).

And if you want to try all the local culinary specialties at once, you can opt for guided food tour. Your guide will take you to the best shops and taverns in the city to taste cured meats, cheese, pasta, truffles, and cakes!

You can book this activity in Siena by clicking the button below:

For those who want to get hands-on and take home all the secrets of the regional cuisine, you should consider taking a Tuscan cooking class.

During the 4-hour class, you’ll benefit from the advice of an Italian chef, and of course, you’ll get to taste your dishes at the end of the class!

To book your cooking class in Siena, click the following button:

How to Get to Siena?

The city of Siena does not have its own airport. The two closest airports are those of Florence and Pisa.

As flight prices to Italy can vary significantly, it’s a good idea to compare them as early as possible. To do so, you can use our flight comparator in partnership with Skyscanner. It’s the way to ensure you get the best fare.

Once you land in Pisa or Florence, you have 2 options to get to Siena:

1) By car.

If you’re looking to rent a car to go to Siena, I recommend using Booking.com Cars.

The website allows you to compare rates from all car rental companies, both national and international, and to see which one offers the best value for money.

If your credit card insurance does not cover damage to your rental car, you can also choose to take out the complete protection insurance. It guarantees you a refund of costs in case of an accident or theft. Tested and approved: they reimbursed me more than 1200 euros in total!

Another advantage: changing or cancelling your reservation is free.

Compare car rental prices in Siena now:

2) By train.

Siena is about 1.5 hours by train from Florence and just over 2 hours from Pisa.

You should check the train schedules and fares and book your tickets directly here:

Siena Tourist Map

To help you get a better idea of the city, I have created a tourist map of Siena listing all the places to visit I talk about in this guide of the best things to do in Siena. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow.

And you, what do you plan to do in Siena?

If you need any help to plan your stay, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section below.

Italy travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling in Italy? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Italy: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Italy are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to do in Italy – All the must-see places!

• Itinerary: One Week in Tuscany – The perfect itinerary to visit Tuscany in 6, 7 or 8 days

• Cinque Terre: The definitive guide to plan your visit
• Florence: The 27 best things to do and must-see attractions
• Milan: The Top 15 things to do in the city and around
• Pisa: Top 21 must-see attractions + Tips
• Rome: The 25 best things to do and see
• Siena: Top 20 best places to visit
• Turin: The 20 must-see attractions
• Venice: The 31 best things to do (+ Tips)

• 2 days in Florence
• 3 days in Florence
• 4 days in Florence
• 5 days in Florence

• 2 days in Milan
• 3 days in Milan
• 4 days in Milan

• 2 Days in Rome – How to visit Rome in 48h
• 3 Days in Rome – The best itinerary to visit Rome in 72h
• 4 Days in Rome – The best places to visit in 4 days
• 5 Days in Rome – How to spend 5 days in Rome
• 6 Days in Rome – The ultimate Itinerary + Where to stay
• One week in Rome – The perfect 7-day itinerary

• 2 Days in Venice – An Epic 48h itinerary
• 3 Days in Venice – The perfect 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Venice – Itinerary + Best Things to do + Tips

• Where to stay in Milan? My guide to the best areas and hotels for a perfect stay
• Where to stay in Rome? – The definitive guide of the best areas!
• Where to stay in Venice? My selection of the best hotels and districts for an epic stay

• Omnia Card: The definitive guide

• Colosseum: The 7 best skip the line tickets
• Trevi Fountain: History, Secrets and Facts
• Rome’s Hidden Gems: The Definitive Guide with 17 secret spots!
• The 20 Best museums in Rome – With all my best tips!

• Rome in May: The definitive guide to plan your visit: weather, things to do, itineraries and more!
• Rome in June: Guide + All my best tips

You’re using Pinterest? Here is the picture to pin!