taytrum travels

If you’re wondering what to do in Siena for a day this is the perfect guide for you. Siena, Italy has several things to do, foods to try, and seasonal festivals if you time your visit right. This Siena itinerary will detail the top things to see and do, where to eat, where to park, and where to get the best view in Siena. Plus, it includes budget friendly options.

I visited Siena, Italy in the summer of 2022 as a day trip after a wedding in Tuscany. After having explored much of Italy, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked Siena. It is charming, walkable, and compact. I especially like that it is a smaller size and less crowded than Florence, Rome, and Venice.

During the Middle Ages Siena was one of the major cities of Europe. It controlled most of southern Tuscany and had its own constitution and a quasi-democratic government. Today, it has a population of about 54,000 people and is the capital city of the province of Siena. Its heritage and city center are well preserved behind medieval walls.

Getting There

Siena is located in the Tuscany region roughly 44 miles (70 kilometers) from Florence. A day trip to Siena is possible from many Italian cities like Florence, Pisa, and San Gimignano. Fitting a quick trip to Siena is easy if you are spending a few days in Florence.

Siena is easily accesible from the rest of the region by bus, train, or car. There are usually hourly direct bus departures from Florence and San Gimignano. The bus option takes about 90 minutes from Florence and an hour from San Gimignano. The bus is usually cheaper than the train. By train, you can also usually find hourly departures from Florence. More variable departures happen from Perugia, Pisa, and Rome and take about 2-4 hours to get to Siena.

You can also visit Siena on an organized day trip from Florence to take all of the planning and guess work out of it (plus visit San Gimignano).

When to Visit Siena

Generally, the best times to visit Siena are during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) seasons. During these months, the weather is usually mild and pleasant, making it ideal for exploring the city’s historic sites and enjoying outdoor activities. Additionally, visiting during these seasons allows you to avoid the peak tourist crowds that usually flock to Siena during the summer months. In September an open aire film festival called Cinema in Fortezza occurs in Siena.

The summer season, especially July and August, can be quite hot and crowded, making it less ideal for sightseeing. However, if you want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Palio di Siena, a famous horse race held in the Piazza del Campo, then visiting during the summer is recommended, as the race takes place on July 2 and August 16 each year.

Places to Visit in Siena

This Siena travel guide will help you break down the absolute don’t miss sights and things to do on a quick single day visit.

1. Explore Piazza del Campo

This iconic square is the heart of Siena and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has a unique shell-shaped layout with the historic Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia at the center. For about $10, you can climb the 400 steps up the tower for a great view over the city. The Palazzo Pubblico sits at the south end of the square and is still used as Siena’s town hall. There is also a museum inside for an entrance fee. The Campo is a great spot to sit at a cafe and relax.

The Campo is also the site of one of the best festivals in Italy: The Siena Palio. Twice a year a bareback horse race lasting only a minute and a half runs around the Campo. While the race itself is very short, the festivities last all day and night. You can experience the Palio on July 2nd and August 16th.

You can check out the Piazza del Campo and learn more with a walking tour.

2. Visit the Siena Cathedral (Duomo)

Don’t miss the stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture of the Siena Cathedral, one of Italy’s best churches. Here you’ll find an intricate facade, stunning interiors, and the Piccolomini Library, adorned with frescoes by Pinturicchio. Many of the frescoes depict scenes from the life of Pope Pius II, a prominent figure in Sienese history.

The interior and exterior are noteworthy and unique for their blackish-green and white bands of marble. The floor also has an intricarte marble mosaic. The oldest bell in its belltower was astoundingly created in 1149. The Siena Cathedral was planned to be significantly larger than its current size, with the intention of creating the largest cathedral in the world. However, due to the outbreak of the Black Death in the 14th century and consequential financial constraints, the construction was halted.

With only one day in Siena, you may find yourself tight on time. A skip the line ticket for Duomo will really help with that as it gets very crowded here.

3. Shopping on Via Banchi di Sopra and Mercato di Siena

This bustling street is one of the main shopping areas in Siena, featuring a mix of popular Italian and international brands, as well as specialty shops. You’ll find a variety of clothing stores, shoe shops, and accessory boutiques along this vibrant street. The Mercato di Siena, located near the Fortezza Medicea, offers an array of fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and local treats.

Free Things to do in Siena

If you’re on a budget, you’re in luck in Siena. One of the best things to do in Siena is to wander the medieval streets. For budget travelers, I also recommend Mercato di Siena, where you can experience the vibrant atmosphere of the local market and see a variety of fresh produce, cheeses, and local goods. There are also many free parks and gardens around Siena, especially outside the historic center where things are more expensive due to tourism. Head to the free public gardens (Giardini Pubblici in Italian) and don’t miss the impressive view of Duomo from Vista Panoramica di Siena.

If you’re on a budget, but are willing to spend a little bit I do think the experience of seeing the inside of Duomo is worth it. If you are torn between spending $10 at either Duomo or the Palazzo Pubblico, I recommend Duomo between the two.

Where to get the best view of Siena

One of the best views in Siena is from the Torre del Mangia. However, you’ll have to pay at least $10 and climb 400 steps for the bird’s eye, central view over Siena. If you’re not up for the climb or for spending the entrance ticket fee, you can head to Vista Panoramica di Siena for a view of the city from afar.

Lunch

Some of the best food in Siena can be found within the historic walls. For a lunch that doesn’t leave you feeling too full or heavy, try Osteria Da Trombicche. They serve healthy and intentionally crafted portions of home-made pasta in an elevated, modern restaurant. For a more casual option, try Trattoria la Tellina for their classic checkboard red table clothes and their amazing tiramisu.

You may also be interested in a walking wine and food tour so you can combine exploring, drinking, and eating all in one.

Dinner

You can have an incredible meal at La Taverna di San Guiseppe. Set in a brick and stone cavernous shaped, but intimate space, this restaurant serves delicious Italian food. It also features an impressive, rustic wine cellar. I had a seared pear and goat cheese with local honey appetizer here that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.

A more budget friendly option is the pizzeria Di Nonno Mede near San Domenico Basilica. They also have a great terrace.

Where to Park in Siena

You can’t drive within the historic city of Siena. Instead, you’ll need to park outside the city walls in one of the parking garages or hunt down some street parking. In most cases, parking requires payment at a digital kiosk. One garage to try is called Santa Caterina. Another more popular garage is Parking Il Campo Siena. You can sometimes find free parking at Parcheggio Pubblico Gratuito Il Campino.

Is Siena Worth Visiting?

Yes, Siena is renowned for its well-preserved medieval buildings, including its famous Siena Cathedral (Duomo). The cathedral showcases a great example Gothic architecture and colorful stained-glass windows. The city’s historic center, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a buzzing atmosphere perfect for people watching and admiring the view. Siena has narrow streets to wander and charming squares to sip espresso.

Siena also makes a great base for further exploring. There are many daytrips from Siena. You can easily explore more of Tuscany in places like San Gimignano, Arezzo, and Montepulciano.

If you’re road tripping through Tuscany, don’t miss spending a full or half day in Siena.

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