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ITALY IS OPEN.
Siena is a perfect one day road trip from Florence. Just a 1 hour and 10 minute drive and you can be in one of the most captivating towns in Tuscany. You’re going to love it! It’s romantic, medieval and, oh, so much less crowded than even the quietest of days in Florence!
We drove to Siena from Florence for one reason! We had heard about a restaurant called Cane e’ Gato that we really wanted to try. With reservations made, we took the short drive in our rental car and arrived early in the day so we could first take in a few sites in this compact town.
Siena is known for its mouthwatering cuisine, its museums, churches and the Palio which takes place twice a year in the city’s center, Piazza del Campo! The historic Piazza del Campo is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
COVID TRAVEL CONDITIONS FOR U.S. CITIZENS as of January 6, 2022 : Italy is OPEN to U.S. Citizens and citizens from several other countries. See exceptions and testing, vaccine and quarantine information for travel to Italy here. See how to travel safely during the Covid pandemic .
Siena, Italy
I’d say Siena is probably one of my favorite cities in Italy. It is so incredibly enchanting!
Dating back to the Etruscan era, just like a lot of Italian towns, Siena has a very rich history. Most of its medieval buildings were developed in the Middle Ages, and today you can still find this unique architecture in its monuments, churches and palaces.
The streets of Siena are very steep, so do be sure to wear comfortable shoes and take a few breathers.
Things to See and Do in Siena
Free Walking Tour
The first thing we do in any new city we visit is take advantage of the free walking tours offered by GuruWalk. Take a free walking tour to see the city, or a free walking tour with food tastings. Although the tours are free, please bring along some cash to tip your enthusiastic local guide! We usually tip between $10 and $20 for each of us, depending on the quality of the tour.
Piazza del Campo
Siena is pretty compact and has very few famous sites. But, one of the main sites you absolutely must see while in town is Piazza del Campo, and you really can’t miss it. This is the center of life in Siena.
I could easily spend my entire day just hanging out in Piazza del Campo’s wide open space admiring my surroundings while watching all of the people coming and going. This Piazza left me utterly speechless!
Piazza del Campo is the main public square in Siena, and I really can’t even describe just how incredibly beautiful it is… you just have to see it for yourself.
It was once a marketplace where three hillside communities met, the Castellare, the San Martino, and the Camollia. In 1349 it was paved in red brick in a fishbone pattern and 8 lines of travertine which divide the Piazza into 9 sections. These sections together make sort of a shell-like shape that point directly to the civic headquarters, Palazzo Pubblico.
Along the Piazza are houses, or Palazzi Signorili. These buildings housed noble Italian families. The palaces, as with all of the other buildings in the square, were created within the government architectural guidelines of 1297, which is why all of the buildings in the square are so similar. If they weren’t harmonious in structure, the buildings were torn down and rebuilt.
Palio
Piazza del Campo has some major events going on. One of these events, the Palio, is held twice a year. They fill in the Piazza with a thick layer of dirt and have a medieval horse race.
There are 10 neighborhoods selected out of 17. These 10 horses and riders dress in the colors of their contrade, or neighborhood, and ride bareback around the Piazza. The race runs only for 3 laps and about 90 seconds. Find out about attending Palio in Siena.
Torre del Mangia
In Piazza del Campo at the Palazzi Pubblico is the City Tower a/k/a Torre del Mangia. You’ll see this Tower before you see anything else in or around Siena… it’s huge!
The City Tower was built in between 1338 and 1348 and is the second tallest in Italy. From the top of the tower, 400 steps up, you can get magnificent 360 degree views of the city and surrounding Tuscan hills. It’s a huge climb, and there is no elevator. Wear comfy shoes and take your time!
Siena Cathedral
Another spectacular site that you absolutely must see in Siena is the Siena Cathedral. Out of all of the churches in Italy, this is one that is forever etched in my mind.
It is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in all of Italy. The Cathedral was built between the years 1215 and 1263 in the form of a Latin cross. It’s dome was completed a year later, in 1264. Later, a lantern was placed on top of the dome by Bernini. The Bell Tower of the cathedral has 6 bells, the oldest one cast in 1149.
The outside of the Cathedral is stunning. Its facade was designed by Giovanni Pisano with Venetian mosaics, a rose colored window, and striking green, red and white marble.
Inside is just as striking as the outside, with white and black marble striping on the walls. The striping on the walls contrasts with the rich blue domed ceiling set with gold stars. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photographs of the inside of the Cathedral.
Magnificent inlaid marble mosaics on the floors are a highlight of the interior. There are 56 panels from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The panels represent scenes from the Old Testament. Unfortunately, unless you’re in Siena in the month of September, you will only be able to see the panels near the entrance. The complete uncovered floor can only be seen during 6-10 weeks each year.
Walk through the church on your own or take a private tour.
Palazzo Pubblico
The Palazzo Pubblico is the Town Hall in Piazza del Campo. Its medieval construction began back in 1297 after it was ordered by the “Nine”, a council of merchants and bankers who governed Siena in the 13th century.
The Palace is slightly curved to match the curve of the Piazza. There is a large sun at the top which is to represent Jesus, and the entire building is topped with what look like decorative battlements. However, these ramparts were actually built in this way to help a shooter stand fully upright.
Most of the rooms in the palace have amazing frescoes that were commissioned by the city. The most famous of the frescoes, and one you should not miss, is The Allegory of Good and Bad Government.
Centro Storico di Siena
Be sure to spend some time roaming around this lovely medieval town. Pop into some of the little wine and cheese shops, or a trattoria for a Tuscan feast.
Dine at Trattoria Cane e’ Gatto
When we were researching on TripAdvisor where to eat in Tuscany, Trattoria Cane e’ Gatto kept popping up at the top of the list.
We arrived to find a small, beautifully decorated and lit restaurant on a quiet street. The owner actually greeted us, and even walked us outside to say goodbye after our meal. The service and the food were just what we were hoping for!
Not only was the food delicious, it was creatively presented. It is a little pricey, but you get what you pay for… an unforgettable meal.
Attend an Opera
Have you ever been to an opera? I had not… and I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. However, it’s true that you either love or hate the opera after your first one. I love it! In Siena you can attend a show where amazing artists perform music from some of the most famous operas.
Shows take place March through November at the Church of Santo Stefano in Siena every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:15pm.
Top Tours for Siena
Annual Festivals and Events
Plan a trip around one of Siena’s annual festivals and events.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Siena is from late September through October, or between April and May. These months provide the most comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds!
Finding and Booking Accommodations
Because Michael and I want to get a real locals experience when traveling, we rented a small farmhouse just outside of Florence, in Molino del Piano, on VRBO. It had all of the comforts of home, and it was away from the busy city, but close enough to get there in 5 minutes.
Lodging is one of the most important aspects of planning a trip. You want to find the right place for the best price. Our favorite resource when we want to rent a home or apartment is VRBO. The search engines we use for making all other reservations for lodging are Booking.com and Agoda. Booking and Agoda really seem to have the best deals on hotels, B&B’s and rental properties, and they will price match! Read more about finding and booking accommodations.
Language and Currency
You’ll find a lot of Italians can speak a little bit of English. However, they love it when you at least attempt to speak their beautiful language. Learn Italian with Rosetta Stone before visiting.
The currency in Italy is the Euro. Check exchange rates here. Although the country is still mostly a cash based economy, most merchants do accept credit cards. However, leave your American Express at home, as most only accept Visa and MasterCard.
How to Get to Siena
Most visitors to Siena arrive either by car or train from Florence.
Flying directly into Pisa International Airport (PSA) is easy and inexpensive. In fact, if you’re staying in Florence, I recommend you fly into Pisa or Rome. Michael and I use 2 different search engines to find cheap flights: CheapOair and Expedia. See how to get the best deals on flights.
DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT, and make sure your passport is up to date! Most countries will not permit you to enter unless your passport has more than six months remaining before it expires.
Do you need a Visa or Vaccinations?
With ivisa.com, you can check to see what documents you will need to enter Italy, and you can apply right there for expedited travel documents, including visas and health declaration forms.
Drive from Florence
More than likely, you will be staying in Florence and making a day trip to Siena. The drive will take you approximately one hour.
If you don’t already have a car, rent one from AutoEurope to get the best deal. See my tips and tricks for renting a car.
Train from Florence
Taking a train from Florence to Siena will take you a little more time, about 1.5 hours. Use Trainline.com to check fares, schedules and book your ticket.
Getting Around
You cannot drive a car into the center of Siena. Therefore park your rental car outside of the city’s walls or you will chance a large fine. If you come by train, you can get to the city center with a taxi or an Uber from the train station. A taxi will cost you around 12 to 15 Euro. Although Uber is available in Siena, it’s a little different here. They are mostly Uber Black, nicer cars and more expensive.
Once you are inside the city walls, the only way to get around is on foot. So, wear some comfy, flat walking shoes and take your time enjoying gorgeous Siena.
Watch This
There are 2 movies that I loved which were filmed here. The first one is called “Only You”. It stars Robert Downey, Jr. and the adorable Marisa Tomei (from My Cousin Vinny). You’ll see several scenes throughout Italy, including the romantic Siena.
The other movie is called Obsession. This is one of my favorites because I just love Cliff Robertson. In fact, I met him years ago at the airport. He was super nice! This is a psychological thriller directed by the very talented Brian De Palma!
Share Your Travel Tips and Comments
As always, if you have any of your own travel tips to add to this post, any remarks on the article, or if my information needs an edit or addition, please leave your comments below. I value all of your input.
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