How To Explore Siena In One Day: The Top Things To Do

Are you looking to get mislaid successful an enchanting metropolis successful Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards and steeped successful history?

I emotion it erstwhile you stumble upon an unexpected treasure! Siena successful Tuscany was that for us. I had it penciled arsenic a possible, arsenic our workplace enactment was lone 30 minutes away. But erstwhile we arrived astatine our workplace stay, I did not privation to permission its serene beauty.

Our farm host is simply a circuit usher successful Siena, and she convinced america it was worthy it, and sent america away with a database of insider tips.

Siena is casual to sojourn successful a day, but beauteous capable to enactment longer. It’s present we discovered, what is present my favourite religion successful Europe – The Duomo of Siena!

Sweet Sienna

You’ll find determination are galore things to bash successful Siena successful 1 day, which makes it the cleanable Tuscan time travel from Florence.

The metropolis seamlessly blends history, culture, and breathtaking beauty, whilst besides offering a laid-back consciousness that you tin lone find successful the bosom of Tuscany, Italy. 

Siena whitethorn beryllium a city, but it’s tiny capable to locomotion astir and spot the highlights successful conscionable 24 hours.

We visited for the time from our Tuscan workplace enactment astir 30 minutes away. The owner’s spouse is simply a circuit usher for the metropolis of Sienna, and she wrote a database of the apical things to bash successful Sienna for america to follow. 

I was amazed astatine however unsocial and beauteous Sienna was – it was a hidden gem of our Italy summertime trip. 

In this guide, we’ll beryllium sharing however you tin walk 1 time successful Siena, by incorporating the unforgettable attractions, unmissable moments, and however to conveniently get determination and backmost from Florence.

Why Visit Siena, Tuscany?

Piazza del Campo

For anyone looking to research the quaint portion of Tuscany, past you’ll privation to instrumentality a travel to Siena. This charming and culturally affluent municipality is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture and well-preserved historical center, which besides happens to beryllium a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After taking conscionable a abbreviated thrust extracurricular of Florence, you’ll beryllium transported into a fairytale municipality with winding constrictive streets, beauteous squares, and a laid-back atmosphere.

I was stunned astatine however beauteous this metropolis was – 1 of the astir awesome medieval cities I’ve been to. 

Siena is besides a haven for nutrient lovers. You tin indulge successful accepted Tuscan cuisine, specified arsenic hearty ribollita soup, succulenta bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak), and delectable Pecorino cheese. 

Panforte, a dense unleavened effect cake, originated successful Siena and is fantastic with a portion of pecorino food and a solid of prosecco.

You tin brace your repast with a solid of Chianti vino for a genuinely authentic culinary acquisition (after all, this is the Chianti Region!).

Visiting Siena allows you to immerse yourself successful its history, respect its architectural wonders, savor delicious nutrient and wine, and witnesser the unique, quiescent ambiance of the Tuscan countryside. 

It’s a destination that combines beauty, culture, and a genuine sensation of Tuscany.

How to Get to Siena?

City connected a hill

When it comes to getting to Siena, determination are respective proscription options available, but the champion mode is to prosecute a car and drive. 

From Florence it’s a 1-hour thrust on 1 highway. It’s besides lone 1 hr 45 minutes from Pisa by car. And it lone took america 30 minutes from Tenuta Di Mensanello. 

Sienna is simply a metropolis connected apical of a hill, truthful streets are steep and narrow. It’s champion not to thrust up into the metropolis halfway to park, but conscionable beneath the metropolis astatine the bottommost of the hill. It tin beryllium challenging to find parking connected weekends owed to the play markets. Try parking astatine Parking St. Caterina connected Via Fontebranda. It’s conscionable a abbreviated locomotion up the elevation from determination into the city.

If you don’t drive, the champion mode to get determination is by train. You tin drawback a nonstop bid from Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station) which takes 1.5 hours. Some trains necessitate you to alteration astatine Empoli, but astir are direct. There are respective trains moving passim the day.

The bid is simply a large enactment arsenic you tin beryllium backmost and bask the scenery. Check Omio for bid times and availability and to publication your tickets. WE foudn them to beryllium precise businesslike erstwhile booking bid question successful Italy.

You tin besides find buses, particularly FlixBus which is simply a long-distance autobus institution that operates crossed Europe. Buses are convenient and businesslike and instrumentality conscionable implicit an hr with 1 halt connected the way.

Things to Do successful Siena successful One Day

Now you cognize however to get to Siena, it’s clip to stock with you however you tin walk 1 time successful Siena! You tin spot immoderate of these attractions successful immoderate bid you like, since Siena is tiny and walkable.

Duomo of Siena

The Duomo of Siena

As this is the champion happening to bash successful Siena – and 1 of the best things to bash successful Tuscany – I urge doing this archetypal truthful you person capable time. We did it past and didn’t person capable clip to spot everything. You tin easy acceptable the different Siena attractions astir this one.

Siena is the Duomo of Siena, which is conscionable a abbreviated locomotion from the Piazza del Campos, your adjacent stop.

This magnificent cathedral, officially known arsenic the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is an architectural marvel that attracts visitors from astir the world.

I was blown distant by however beauteous and unsocial this cathedral was. I person ne'er seen thing similar it before. I enjoyed it much than the celebrated Duomo successful Florence.

While the extracurricular of the Florence cathedral is much awesome (although akin successful benignant and color) the wrong of the Duomo of Siena is mode much awesome and makes the wrong of Duomo of Florence look precise dull. 

Construction of the Duomo began successful the 12th period and continued for respective centuries, resulting successful a stunning blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. 

The exterior of the cathedral is adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and vibrant mosaics, showcasing the unthinkable craftsmanship of the era.

Step wrong the Duomo, and you’ll beryllium greeted by a breathtaking interior, filled with striped marble columns, intricately designed level mosaics, and the celebrated Piccolomini Library – a gorgeous country filled with beauteous frescoes by Pinturicchio. 

Don’t miss the accidental to ascend the Facciatone, a panoramic terrace that offers sweeping views of Siena’s rooftops.

The Siena Duomo analyzable includes the Crypt, the Baptistery, Piccolomini Library, the Museo dell’Opera, the Oratory, and the Facciatone Viewpoint.

Piccolomini Library

Museo dell’Opera

The Crypt

We missed the Facciatone viewpoint arsenic it’s tiny truthful determination was astir a 30-minute wait, and we didn’t person capable time.

All the antithetic parts of this monolithic cathedral were bonzer and worthy seeing.

While you whitethorn beryllium tempted to look up wrong the Duomo, don’t hide to look down astatine the marble floor, which is an creator masterpiece successful its ain right, consisting of implicit 50 unsocial panels depicting biblical scenes, allegories, and mythological figures.

Italian Renaissance painter, Giorgio Vasari called it the astir beautiful, largest and astir magnificent level that was ever made”.

We decided astatine the past infinitesimal to sojourn Siena AND chose to spot the Duomo last. That meant we were not prepared with pre-booked tickets, oregon the cognition I americium sharing with you. 

It was casual capable to get tickets wrong the duomo and determination was nary enactment (although I’ve heard it tin beryllium precise agelong particularly successful the morning.) BUT we did request a timed introduction summons to ascent up to the rooftops. Unfortunately, the lone clip disposable was aboriginal successful the day and the circuit was 90 minutes. We had to get backmost to our agritourismo for a cooking people truthful could not spare the time.

I was truthful disappointed to miss this acquisition touring the Porta del Cielo – the cathedral rooftops, which is meant to beryllium spectacular. This truly was my favourite religion successful Europe – easy surpassing the Vatican.

The Cathedral of Siena, it is simply a large illustration of the Italian’s emotion of extravagant creation and interior plan and good worthy the summons price.

The Opa Si Pass is the summons people you want, which gives you entree to the Crypt, the Baptistery, Piccolomini Library, the Museo dell’Opera, the Oratory, and the Facciatone Viewpoint.

Tours to the Porta del Cielo are other and booked separately – marque definite you person the clip to bash it.

Piazza del Campos

Piazza del Campo

Nestled wrong the bosom of Siena, lies the astir fashionable attraction successful the city, bursting with historical charm and a captivating allure – Piazza del Campo. 

This celebrated medieval quadrate is simply a must-visit for anyone readying to walk a time successful Siena.

Built astatine the convergence of 3 past hilltop towns, Piazza del Campo serves arsenic the cardinal gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.

Piazza del Campo restaurants

History comes live arsenic you rotation done this enchanting square, arsenic it’s surrounded by precocious Gothic buildings and palaces. Once the residences of almighty families, they present location bustling restaurants, cafes, and shops, adding vibrancy to the country and serving arsenic the eventual spot for radical watching.

Piazza del Campo is besides renowned for hosting the Palio di Siena, a thrilling equine contention held doubly a year. Witnessing this past contented unfold amidst the fervor and excitement of the crowds is an acquisition similar nary other.

Torre del Mangia

Torre del Mangia

Standing gangly astatine 87 meters precocious successful the bosom of Siena’s Piazza del Campo, the Torre del Mangia is simply a magnificent 14th period operation that is champion known for hosting stunning views of Tuscany.

Built successful 1325, the Torre del Mangia, besides known arsenic the “Tower of the Eater,” is simply a marvel of architectural craftsmanship. It’s said its sanction comes from 1 of its erstwhile bell-ringers, who had a estimation for being an extravagant eater.

Visitors tin ascent up 400 winding steps to scope the top, wherever they volition beryllium rewarded with  mesmerizing vistas implicit Siena and the countryside beyond.

From Piazza del Campo you tin locomotion into a crushed level of The Palazzo Pubblico into a tiny courtyard. Look up done the unfastened extortion for a large presumption of the tower. 

Palazzo Pubblico

The Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia connected the Piazza del Campo

Another landmark not to miss successful the Piazza del Campos is the Palazzo Pubblico, which stands arsenic a testament to the city’s affluent past and creator legacy. This expansive palace, besides known arsenic the Town Hall, is simply a fantastic illustration of Siena’s gothic architecture and contains immoderate of the astir unthinkable fresco paintings.

It was built betwixt 1297 and 1310, this iconic landmark was erstwhile the residence of Signoria and Podesta, arsenic good arsenic the location of the Government of the Nine of the Republic of Siena. 

You tin research the interior of the palace which is filled with absorbing rooms and artwork. Be definite to cheque retired the Salone del Mappamondo, a expansive hallway adorned with the magnificent Maestà fresco by Simone Martini. 

You should besides cheque retired the stunning Sala dei Nove, oregon Hall of the Nine, which served arsenic a gathering spot for the city’s governing council.

A sojourn to the palace allows you to larn astir the governmental and taste past of Siena arsenic good arsenic soak successful the creator ambiance of the place. 

Basilica Cateriniana of San Domenico

This basilica church, besides known arsenic the Basilica of San Domenico, holds immense value successful the city’s spiritual and taste fabric.

It was built betwixt 1226–1265, and renovated again successful the 14th century. Its extracurricular facade is of a Gothic style, portion the wrong houses a multitude of important frescoes and relics. 

One of the highlights of a sojourn to the Basilica Cateriniana is the accidental to spot the ornate reliquary that houses the dismembered, mummified caput of Saint Catherine of Siena, a revered fig successful Catholicism.

I was rather amazed astatine however small St Catherine’s caput was. It was the size of a tiny child. Apparently, her thumb is successful present arsenic well, but we couldn’t find that. 

I couldn’t instrumentality pictures of her head, but I could of the carved heads connected this chill doorway extracurricular the church!

If this sounds a small morbid to you, past you’ll find the intricate frescoes and spiritual ambiance much pleasing.

It is forbidden to instrumentality photos inside.

As we parked adjacent to this basilica, we visited this archetypal earlier walking into the main portion of the city.

Wander the Streets

Wandering the charming streets of Siena is an acquisition successful itself. The metropolis is brimming with architectural wonders and a captivating ambiance that draws you successful from each street.

Siena’s streets are a treasure trove waiting to beryllium explored. You’ll find narrow, steep alleyways, hidden corners, picturesque squares, and charming boutique shops that exude an enchanting medieval atmosphere. 

The streets of Siena are not conscionable pathways lined with shops and cafes; they are a gateway to the city’s taste heritage. Keep your eyes unfastened for the graceful marble reliefs adorning the historical buildings and halt by a gelato store to indulge successful the culinary delights that specify the cities successful Tuscany.

You tin locomotion astatine the backmost of Piazza del Campos for a beauteous presumption retired to the countryside. 

Pay attraction arsenic you are walking up to the metropolis from the parking batch arsenic well, arsenic the views of the metropolis and Duomo are rather pretty. 

Best Coffee and Gelato successful Siena

The champion you tin get!

Tuscany is the location of gelato, having originated successful Florence. It’s perfectly acceptable to person gelato each time portion successful Italy, and the artisanal scoops recovered astatine La Vecchia Latteria volition not fto you down.

It was the 2nd champion gelato I had successful Italy – the champion was successful Florence. I had hazelnut and cocoa chip! 

Our agriturismo hosts recommended this arsenic the champion gelato, truthful this is simply a section extremity for you! 

She besides recommended cafe Fiorella arsenic the champion java successful Siena, seconded by her sommelier!

Caffè Fiorella siena is simply a tiny spread successful the partition cafe located astatine the outskirts of Piazza del Campos. There are lone a fewer spaces for seating, this is your emblematic Italian bid and portion astatine the bar. 

SErvice is swift and businesslike to cater to the ever evolving section assemblage moving done here. I was rather fascinated watching arsenic I drank my cappuccino and astir apt offended everyone successful the cafe, arsenic the Italian Way is nary beverage aft 11am! 

Across from present is simply a section cocoa store if you (or the kids) privation to sneak successful for a tasty treat. 

Final Thoughts

Siena is simply a metropolis with a timeless allure that simply captivates immoderate traveler here. Its tiny size means it’s casual to research connected foot, and you tin easy spot the highlights successful 1 breathtaking time here. 

What I loved astir our time successful Siena, is that it was rather relaxing successful examination to the attraction packed cities of Florence and Rome.

We could unbend much and conscionable bask an ambling gait with capable clip for america to person a lingering meal astatine our workplace enactment and an day cooking class. It was a time good lived and the benignant of question days you imagination of.

We anticipation this usher helped you program your one-day travel to Siena and gave you immoderate inspiration for what to do. If you recovered it helpful, delight stock it with your friends and connected your societal channels!

You whitethorn besides similar these different adjuvant guides for question successful Tuscany:

• A Tuscan Food & Wine Tour successful Florence (the Perfect Dinner Experience)
• Guide to Chianti Towns: Driving The celebrated Italian Wine Region
• 14 Stunning Places to Visit successful Tuscany, Italy
• 16 Amazing Things to Do successful Florence, Italy (Insider’s tips)