Siena
A perfectly preserved medieval city of Tuscany - the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, a striped marble cathedral and the twice-yearly Palio horse race, a UNESCO site.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Siena is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Italy, a UNESCO gem of warm brick lanes and Gothic palaces spread over three Tuscan hills. At its heart is the Piazza del Campo, the great shell-shaped square where the wild Palio horse race is run twice each summer, and above it rises a magnificent striped marble cathedral, one of the finest in the country.
What you actually see
- Piazza del Campo - the great shell-shaped square and its tall tower.
- The cathedral - the striped marble Duomo with its inlaid floor and Piccolomini library.
- The Torre del Mangia - the tower climbed for a view over the city and hills.
- The Palio - the wild bareback horse race run in the square twice each summer.
When to go
Spring to autumn for mild weather; the Palio, run on 2 July and 16 August, is a spectacle but the city is packed. Otherwise it is an easy, lovely day trip from Florence.
Honest expectations
It is hilly, so expect climbs between the sights. During the Palio it is packed and chaotic, and seeing the race itself takes planning or a paid grandstand seat. It is a popular day trip, so the centre is busy in season.
Nearby
The Val d'Orcia countryside and San Gimignano are nearby; Florence is ninety minutes north.
What to pack for Siena
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
