Piazza del Campo
Siena's shell-shaped medieval main square, a brick-paved sloping piazza ringed by palaces, and the arena of the Palio horse race.
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About Siena
Siena is a medieval hill city in Tuscany and a UNESCO World Heritage site, built around the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico with its Torre del Mangia, and a striped-marble Gothic Cathedral with the Piccolomini Library and Museo dell'Opera. The historic centre is compact, hilly and largely car-free, and the seventeen contrade (districts) still compete in the Palio horse race each 2 July and 16 August. Siena is also the gateway to Chianti and the Val d'Orcia, and works as a base for day trips to San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Pienza and Montalcino.
- Capital
- Rome (national capital); Florence (regional capital of Tuscany); Siena is the capital of the Province of Siena
- Largest city
- Siena (largest city of the Province of Siena)
- Population
- About 53,000 (comune of Siena)
- Languages
- Italian
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Europe/Rome (UTC+1, summer UTC+2 CEST)
Explore Siena by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Siena
The 18 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Torre del Mangia
The 102-metre brick-and-travertine bell tower of the Palazzo Pubblico, climbed by about 400 steps for the best view over Siena's roofs.
Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico
The Gothic town hall on the Campo, home to Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Allegory of Good and Bad Government and Simone Martini's Maestà.
Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta)
A striped black-and-white marble Gothic cathedral with an inlaid marble floor, a Nicola Pisano pulpit and the Piccolomini Altar.
Piccolomini Library
A frescoed Renaissance hall off the Cathedral nave painted by Pinturicchio with scenes from the life of Pope Pius II.
Baptistery of San Giovanni
A Gothic baptistery built under the Cathedral apse, with a font by Jacopo della Quercia and bronze reliefs by Donatello and Ghiberti.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Siena Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Siena, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Siena
- Days 1-2Siena city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Siena
- Days 1-3Siena comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Siena, departure
Where to stay in Siena
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget EUR 75 (~$86)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range EUR 170 (~$196)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury EUR 400+ (~$460+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Grand Hotel Continental Siena
Grand Hotel Continental Siena is a 5-star hotel in a 16th-century palazzo, described by its operator as the only 5-star hotel in the historic centre. It is at Banchi di Sopra 85, 53100 Siena area, about 300 m in a straight line from Piazza del Campo.
Check rates on Booking.comCertosa di Maggiano
Certosa di Maggiano is a luxury hotel in a Carthusian monastery founded in 1314, set in gardens and olive groves south-east of the walls. It is at Strada di Certosa 82, 53100 Siena area, about 1.8 km in a straight line from Piazza del Campo.
Check rates on Booking.comVilla Ermellina Siena, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Villa Ermellina Siena, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a 4-star Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel (formerly Hotel Garden) in the Camollia district north-west of the walls. It is at Via Custoza 2, 53100 Siena area, about 2.1 km in a straight line from Piazza del Campo.
Check rates on Booking.comNH Siena
NH Siena is a 4-star NH chain hotel beside the Lizza gardens, listed with 129 rooms. It is at La Lizza 1, 53100 Siena area, about 600 m in a straight line from Piazza del Campo.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Siena
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Osteria Le Logge
Michelin-listed osteria in a former grocery shop on Via del Porrione, serving Sienese and Tuscan cooking in a tiled, intimate dining room a short walk from Piazza del Campo.
Antica Trattoria Botteganova
Established trattoria just outside the walls on the Chiantigiana road, known for refined Tuscan cooking, a serious wine list and a quieter setting than the Campo.
Antica Trattoria Papei
Family-run trattoria in Piazza del Mercato, directly behind the Palazzo Pubblico, serving simple, inexpensive Sienese food to locals and visitors.
Osteria Boccon del Prete
Small osteria opened in 2002 on Via San Pietro, with Palio photographs on the walls and a short menu of Sienese dishes including pici with almond pesto.
Osteria di Nonna Gina
Family-run osteria a short walk below the Campo on the San Domenico side of the centre, with a handwritten daily menu of Sienese home cooking.
Osteria Il Carroccio
Osteria on Via Casato di Sotto, a short walk from Piazza del Campo, serving classic Sienese pasta, grills and desserts.
Book a food tour in Siena We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Siena
Transportation options in Siena include local buses, taxis, and rental cars. Check local conditions before planning your travel.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 35 (~$40) | EUR 90 (~$104) | EUR 250 (~$288) |
| Food (per day) | EUR 20 (~$23) | EUR 45 (~$52) | EUR 100 (~$115) |
| Transportation | EUR 5 (~$6) | EUR 10 (~$12) | EUR 25 (~$29) |
| Activities | EUR 15 (~$17) | EUR 25 (~$29) | EUR 25 (~$29) |
| Daily total | EUR 75 (~$86) | EUR 170 (~$196) | EUR 400+ (~$460+) |
Best time to visit Siena
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Siena sits at about 320-350 metres on three hills, so summers are warm but cooler than the Tuscan plains; July-August highs are often around 30-32C (86-90F), winters are cold and can bring fog or occasional snow. Spring and autumn give the best balance of weather and crowds. The Palio takes place on 2 July (Madonna di Provenzano) and 16 August (Assumption), with trial races in the days before; the Cathedral floor is uncovered for display from late June to the end of July and from mid-August to the end of October in 2026, and tickets cost more then.
Essential travel tips
- Buy the OPA SI Pass for the Cathedral complex at operaduomo.siena.it or Piazza Duomo 8; it is valid for several days and covers the Library, Baptistery, Crypt and Museo dell'Opera
- Torre del Mangia tickets are sold at the ticket office in the Palazzo Pubblico courtyard; arrive at 10:00AM in summer
- Book accommodation months ahead for the Palio dates (2 July and 16 August)
- Park outside the ZTL at Santa Caterina or Il Campo and use the escalators; avoid driving into the centre
- Churches require covered shoulders and knees; many close for a midday break
- Pick up panforte, ricciarelli and cantucci as souvenirs, and try pici pasta and wild boar (cinghiale) dishes
Safety information
Keep phones and wallets in zipped inner pockets in Piazza del Campo, on Via di Citta at busy times and on buses to Florence
Watch bags at the railway station, Piazza Gramsci bus terminal and on crowded buses, where pickpocketing is most likely
Check cafe menus on Piazza del Campo for table-service charges before sitting
Cobbled streets are steep and uneven and wet stone is slippery; wear shoes with grip
Walk the centre at night on well-lit streets such as Via di Citta and Via Banchi di Sopra; call a taxi (+39 0577 49222) for the station or outer hotels
During Palio days (2 July and 16 August) expect dense crowds, closed streets and limited exits from the Campo; agree a meeting point
Drink tap water; carry a bottle in summer when temperatures exceed 30 C
Keep a photocopy of your passport and store emergency numbers in your phone: 112 for all emergencies
Do not drive into the ZTL; set the satnav to avoid it and park outside the walls
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Siena?
Entry requirements follow Italy/Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card; non-EU visitors from many countries may stay visa-free for up to 90 days; others require a Schengen visa. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with the nearest embassy or the official immigration website before traveling.
What currency is used in Siena?
Siena uses the Euro (EUR). ATMs are available in the centre and near the station. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but small amounts of cash help for markets, cafes and some church donations.
What language is spoken in Siena?
The main language is Italian. English is generally understood in tourist areas, hotels and the university district. A few basic Italian phrases are appreciated.
What are the top attractions in Siena?
The top attractions are Piazza del Campo, the Torre del Mangia and Museo Civico in the Palazzo Pubblico, the Cathedral with the Piccolomini Library and Museo dell'Opera, Santa Maria della Scala, the Pinacoteca Nazionale and the Basilica of San Domenico.
How do I get from Florence to Siena?
By regional train from Florence Santa Maria Novella via Empoli (about 1.5 hours) or by Autolinee Toscane coach (about 1h15 on faster services) to the Piazza Gramsci terminal. Check at-bus.it and trenitalia.com. The railway station is about 1.5 km below the centre.
When is the Palio held?
The Palio di Siena is run on 2 July and 16 August each year in Piazza del Campo. Book accommodation well ahead and arrive early to stand in the free infield.