Siena
The best-preserved medieval Gothic hill town, known for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, black-and-white striped cathedral, and twice-yearly Palio horse race. The top choice for a day trip from Florence.
Siena sits on three hills about 70 km south of Florence. In the 12th to 14th centuries it was a banking and trading republic that rivaled Florence. After the Black Death of 1348, its development stalled, which left its medieval townscape remarkably intact. The entire historic centre was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
The heart of the city is the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, which slopes toward the Town Hall and is often called the most beautiful medieval square in Europe. It is surrounded by 14th-century palaces and cafés. Inside the Town Hall, the Civic Museum houses Ambrogio Lorenzetti's fresco 'Allegory of Good and Bad Government.' You can climb the 102-metre Torre del Mangia (about €10, 400 steps) for a view over the whole city. Every year on 2 July and 16 August, riders representing the 17 contrade (districts) race bareback around the square in the Palio, Italy's most passionate traditional festival.
Siena Cathedral (combined ticket about €8–13) is famous for its black-and-white striped marble and the 56 inlaid floor panels, which are uncovered from June to October. Inside are Pinturicchio's frescoes in the Piccolomini Library and sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo. You can book a climb to the roof via the 'Gate of Heaven.' Nearby, the Santa Maria della Scala museum and the National Picture Gallery are also worth a visit.
Local specialties include pici (hand-rolled thick pasta), wild boar ragù, and panforte, a dense nut-and-fruit sweet.
Getting there: Take the SITA/Autolinee Toscane 131R express bus from Florence. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and goes direct to the edge of the old town. Trains require a transfer, and the station is outside the walls. If driving, park in the car park outside the walls, then walk or take the escalator up the hill.
Plan at least a full day, or stay overnight to enjoy the square when it is empty after dark. The old town has steep slopes and many steps. Some museums open shorter hours on Sundays. During the Palio, book accommodation several months ahead.
Opening hours
All day (cathedral 10:00–19:00, opens 13:30 on Sundays; until 17:30 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Monteriggioni
- Chianti Wine Region
- San Gimignano
- The Mall Luxury Outlets
- San Miniato al Monte
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens
- Basilica of Santa Croce