Siena travel guide: where to stay, what to do and where to eat in Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Siena.
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1
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.
Tip: Cafe terraces on the square charge a premium for table service; standing at the bar or buying a sandwich in a side street is much cheaper · Sit on the bricks near the Fonte Gaia end for the best view of the Palazzo Pubblico · On 2 July and 16 August the square is closed to normal use for the Palio, and the infield is crowded from midday · Wear shoes with grip; the brick paving slopes toward the Palazzo Pubblico
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2
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.
Tip: Tickets are reported as sold only in person at the ticket office in the Palazzo Pubblico courtyard on the Campo, not online, so arrive at opening in summer · Entry is in timed groups of limited size and the stair is a narrow single-file climb of roughly 400 steps with no lift · The tower can close in thunderstorms or high wind · Not included in the OPA SI Pass; it is sold with the Museo Civico or the Civitas Senensium ticket
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3
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.
Tip: Allow time in the Sala della Pace to read the Good and Bad Government frescoes slowly · Tickets are sold at the ticket office in the courtyard; combined tickets save money if the Tower or Santa Maria della Scala is also planned · Photographs without flash are generally permitted in the civic rooms; ask staff if unsure · The first Sunday of each month is free at several state and civic sites but check whether the Museo Civico participates
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4
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.
Tip: Buy the pass at operaduomo.siena.it or at the ticket office in the Opera complex (Piazza Duomo 8) and keep the voucher; the pass is valid for 72 hours · The marble floor is uncovered for display for part of the year, 27 June-31 July and 18 August-31 October in 2026, and tickets cost more then · Cover shoulders and knees; the Cathedral enforces a dress code and is closed to visitors during some services · Book the Porta del Cielo (Gate of Heaven) rooftop tour in advance online; it runs 1 March-6 January
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5
Piccolomini Library
A frescoed Renaissance hall off the Cathedral nave painted by Pinturicchio with scenes from the life of Pope Pius II.
Tip: Look up at the ceiling as well as the walls; the grotesque ornament is part of the cycle · Allow time for the Piccolomini choir books and the Roman copy of the Three Graces displayed here · Photography rules vary; follow signs
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6
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.
Tip: The entrance is on the street behind the Cathedral, not inside it · Study the hexagonal bronze font and its gilt panels · Covered by the OPA SI Pass
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7
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Facciatone
The cathedral museum in the unfinished nave of the planned Duomo Nuovo, with Duccio's Maestà and the Facciatone panoramic viewpoint.
Tip: Climb to the Facciatone (the unfinished facade wall) for a free-standing view of the Campo and the Cathedral dome · Look for Duccio's Maestà, made 1308-1311 for the Cathedral high altar · The museum opens earlier (9:30AM) than the Cathedral
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8
Crypt of the Cathedral (Cripta)
A rediscovered underground chamber below the Cathedral with 13th-century frescoes that stayed hidden for centuries.
Tip: Enter from the Piazza San Giovanni side · Included in the OPA SI Pass · Short visit; pair it with the Baptistery next door
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9
Santa Maria della Scala
A former medieval pilgrim hospital opposite the Cathedral, now a museum complex with frescoed halls and the Archaeological Museum.
Tip: Free on the first Sunday of each month, including the National Archaeological Museum · Tickets and information on santamariadellascala.com or tel. +39 0577 228744 · Look for the Pellegrinaio frescoes showing hospital life
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10
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena
Siena's national picture gallery in Palazzo Buonsignori with the finest collection of Sienese painting from the 13th to 16th centuries.
Tip: The gallery is on the second and third floors; allow time for the stairs · Tel. +39 0577 281161 (listed in several sources) · Free on the first Sunday of each month (state museum rule)
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
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.
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.
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.
Fortezza Medicea (Forte di Santa Barbara)
A 16th-century Medici fortress in the north-west of the centre, now a public park and event space with walkable ramparts.
Fonte Gaia
The monumental fountain at the top of the Campo, with 19th-century copies of Jacopo della Quercia's 15th-century reliefs.
Museums
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.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Facciatone
The cathedral museum in the unfinished nave of the planned Duomo Nuovo, with Duccio's Maestà and the Facciatone panoramic viewpoint.
Santa Maria della Scala
A former medieval pilgrim hospital opposite the Cathedral, now a museum complex with frescoed halls and the Archaeological Museum.
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena
Siena's national picture gallery in Palazzo Buonsignori with the finest collection of Sienese painting from the 13th to 16th centuries.
Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Accademia dei Fisiocritici
A small natural history museum in a former Vallombrosan monastery, founded by a scientific academy of 1691.
Oratorio di San Bernardino and Museo Diocesano
A Renaissance oratory beside San Francesco decorated by Sodoma and Beccafumi, with a diocesan museum of sacred art.
Nature
Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena
The university botanical garden on the green southern slope inside the walls, with terraces, greenhouses and quiet paths.
Orto de' Pecci
A municipal garden with a view, a small farm, vegetable plots and a cafe in the south-east of the old town.
Fortezza Medicea (Forte di Santa Barbara)
A 16th-century Medici fortress in the north-west of the centre, now a public park and event space with walkable ramparts.
Cultural
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.
Crypt of the Cathedral (Cripta)
A rediscovered underground chamber below the Cathedral with 13th-century frescoes that stayed hidden for centuries.
Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico
The brick Gothic church of the Dominicans that holds the head of St Catherine of Siena and frescoes by Sodoma.
Fontebranda and the Sanctuary of St Catherine
The medieval fountain below San Domenico and the sanctuary built around the house of Catherine of Siena.
Basilica of San Francesco
A large Franciscan Gothic church on the northeastern edge of the centre with Lorenzetti frescoes and a quiet piazza.
Accademia Musicale Chigiana and Palazzo Chigi-Saracini
A Gothic palace on Via di Città that houses a world-renowned music academy, a collection of art and concert hall.
Palio di Siena
The bareback horse race run in the Campo on 2 July and 16 August between ten of Siena's seventeen contrade (districts).
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Cathedral complex (Opera della Metropolitana) 10:00AM-7:00PM from 1 April to 31 October and 10:30AM-5:30PM in winter; Torre del Mangia 10:00AM-7:00PM from 1 March to 31 October (last entry 6:15PM) and to 4:00PM in winter; many churches close for a midday break; state museums are often closed or on reduced hours on Mondays
- Fees
- Torre del Mangia about EUR 10 (~$12); Museo Civico + Tower about EUR 15 (~$17); Civitas Senensium combined ticket about EUR 20 (~$23); OPA SI Pass (Cathedral complex) about EUR 16-20 (~$18-23); Santa Maria della Scala about EUR 9 (~$10); Pinacoteca about EUR 6 (~$7); major churches such as San Domenico and San Francesco are free. All figures are reported and should be confirmed
- Best Times
- April-June and September-October for weather; weekday mornings for the Cathedral and Campo; avoid 2 July and 16 August unless attending the Palio
- Booking
- OPA SI Pass and Porta del Cielo tours: operaduomo.siena.it or call centre +39 0577 286300 (opasiena@operalaboratori.com). Santa Maria della Scala: santamariadellascala.com, tel. +39 0577 228744. Torre del Mangia and Museo Civico: ticket office in the Palazzo Pubblico courtyard, Piazza del Campo 1
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Buy the OPA SI Pass online or at the Opera ticket office (Piazza Duomo 8) and visit the Cathedral complex within the 72-hour validity
Arrive at the Torre del Mangia ticket office at 10:00AM in summer; the tower is reported as in-person sales only and slots sell out
Cover shoulders and knees in churches; the Cathedral enforces the dress code
Siena is hilly and cobbled: wear comfortable shoes and expect steep streets between the Campo, the Duomo and San Domenico
Many state museums and Santa Maria della Scala are free on the first Sunday of each month
Driving in the centre is restricted by the ZTL; park at Santa Caterina or Il Campo and walk or use the escalators
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed in Siena?
Two days cover the Campo, Duomo complex, Museo Civico and San Domenico at a relaxed pace; a long day trip can see the main sights.
How much does the Torre del Mangia cost?
About EUR 10 (~$12) on its own, or about EUR 15 (~$17) with the Museo Civico; tickets are reported as sold in person at the Palazzo Pubblico ticket office.
Is there a combined ticket for the cathedral?
Yes, the OPA SI Pass covers the Cathedral, Piccolomini Library, Baptistery, Crypt, Museo dell'Opera and Facciatone for 72 hours at about EUR 16-20 (~$18-23).
Which sights are free?
Piazza del Campo, the Fonte Gaia, the Fortezza Medicea grounds, and churches such as San Domenico and San Francesco are free to enter.