


{"id":14924,"date":"2023-09-14T16:17:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T16:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/?p=14924"},"modified":"2026-01-05T22:17:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T22:17:38","slug":"1-day-in-siena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/1-day-in-siena\/","title":{"rendered":"A Day In Siena (Walking Itinerary + Map 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\"><strong>1 day in Siena, Italy:<\/strong> <strong>How to see Siena in a day with this easygoing self-guided itinerary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:18px\">If you can only spend one day in Siena, follow our walking itinerary through the medieval streets to see the top sites, and discover why this is Tuscany&#8217;s favourite hilltop city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Siena is an atmospheric Gothic city<\/strong> that sits alone on a high hill in a picture-postcard setting among the olive groves and vineyards of Chianti. Val d\u2019Orcia rolls away to the south, rural lanes guarded by cypress meander across a rural landscape to the fabled hilltop towns of Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Journeying northwest of Siena, the stone towers of the famous walled hill towns, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, and Volterra, spear the Tuscan skyline in a succession of scenic panoramas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">As you\u2019ll discover, <strong>there are many reasons to visit Siena for a day<\/strong>. Staying here for two or three days is even better because Siena is the perfect base for exploring Tuscany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-piazza-di-campo-tuscany-italy-itinerary.webp\" alt=\"The top site of Siena is Torre del Mangia tower in Piazza di Campo main square.\" class=\"wp-image-14931\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-background\" style=\"background-color:#e2f7fa;font-size:18px;text-transform:uppercase\"><strong>1 DAY IN SIENA (itinerary)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:17px\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1. <strong>Palacio Salimbeni <\/strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2.<\/strong> <strong>Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3.<\/strong> <strong>Piazza del Campo<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4.<\/strong> <strong>Torre del Mangia<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>5.<\/strong> <strong>Piazza del Duomo<\/strong> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>6.<\/strong> <strong>Siena Cathedral<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>7.<\/strong> <strong>Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>8.<\/strong> <strong>Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#e2f7fa;font-size:18px\"><strong>PLANNING A TRIP TO TUSCANY?<\/strong><br><strong>SEE OUR HELPFUL GUIDES TO:<\/strong><br><strong>* <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/1-day-in-florence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Florence<\/a><\/strong><br><strong>* <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/why-visit-pisa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pisa<\/a><br>* <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/lucca-italy-a-day-in-tuscanys-walled-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>Lucca<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-table-of-contents uagb-toc__align-left uagb-toc__columns-1 uagb-toc__collapse uagb-block-002a9073      \"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-scroll= \"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-offset= \"30\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Table of Content<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M192 384c-8.188 0-16.38-3.125-22.62-9.375l-160-160c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.75 0-45.25s32.75-12.5 45.25 0L192 306.8l137.4-137.4c12.5-12.5 32.75-12.5 45.25 0s12.5 32.75 0 45.25l-160 160C208.4 380.9 200.2 384 192 384z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__list-wrap \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#top-landmarks-to-see-in-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Top Landmarks to See in Siena<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#a-day-in-siena-itinerary-map\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">A Day in Siena: Itinerary Map<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#porta-camollia\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Porta Camollia<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#piazza-salimbeni\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Piazza Salimbeni<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#basilica-di-san-francesco\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Basilica di San Francesco<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#insigne-collegiata-di-santa-maria-in-provenzano\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#piazza-tolomei\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Piazza Tolomei<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#piazza-indipendenza\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Piazza Indipendenza<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#croce-del-travaglio\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Croce del Travaglio<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#piazza-del-campo\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Piazza del Campo<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#fonte-gaia\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Fonte Gaia<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#palazzo-pubblico-di-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Palazzo Pubblico di Siena<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#torre-del-mangia\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Torre del Mangia<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#siena-palio-race\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Siena Palio Race<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#siena-cathedral-complex\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Siena Cathedral Complex<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#duomo-di-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Duomo di Siena<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#via-francigena-in-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Via Francigena in Siena<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#santa-maria-della-scala-museum\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Santa Maria della Scala Museum<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#santuario-casa-di-santa-caterina\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#basilica-cateriniana-di-san-domenico\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#fortezza-medicea-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Fortezza Medicea (Siena)<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#giardini-della-lizza\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Giardini della Lizza<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#why-siena-is-worth-visiting-for-2-or-3-days\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Why Siena is Worth Visiting For 2 or 3 Days<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#day-trips-from-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Day Trips From Siena<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#related-postswhere-to-go-after-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Related Posts:Where To Go After Siena<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#how-to-get-to-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">How to Get to Siena<\/a><ul class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#getting-to-siena-by-air\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Getting to Siena by Air<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#how-to-get-to-siena-by-train\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">How to Get to Siena by Train<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#how-to-get-to-siena-by-road\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">How to Get to Siena by Road<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#road-distance-to-tuscany-hill-towns-from-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Road Distance to Tuscany Hill Towns from Siena<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#best-time-to-visit-siena\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Best Time to Visit Siena<\/a><\/ul><\/ul><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Things To Do In Siena In A Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-piazza-di-campo-what-to-see-in-siena-in-a-day.webp\" alt=\"Jaun and I standing in Piazza di Campo one of Siena's famous sites.\" class=\"wp-image-14932\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The unusual shell-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Siena&#8217;s famous sites.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Seven kilometres of defensive walls curve around <strong>Siena&#8217;s historical centre<\/strong>,<strong> a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong> considered to be <em>&#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/717\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the embodiment of a medieval city<\/a>&#8216;<\/em>. Built over three hills, 15th-century street planners drew the city together with three main thoroughfares leading to the central Piazza del Campo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Siena railway station is outside the historical walls, at the foot of the hill. The Flixbus also stops here. To reach the historic centre, take the escalators from the nearby shopping centre, get the bus or a taxi, or simply walk 25 minutes uphill to Porta Camollia (one of the original main gateways into the ancient walled city). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The main bus station is located closer to the centre in Piazza Gramsci (near Giardini La Lizza park). From here it&#8217;s roughly a three-and-a-half kilometre round walk to take in the top places of interest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Easy to visit and walkable<\/strong>, <strong>Siena old town is pedestrian-friendly and traffic-free. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Top Landmarks to See in Siena<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"297\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-torre-del-mangia-palazzo-pubblico-piazza-del-campo.webp\" alt=\"A must-see on a 1 day Siena itinerary is Palazzo Pubblico with Mangia Tower.\" class=\"wp-image-14956\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Palazzo Pubblico with Mangia Tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ol style=\"background:linear-gradient(108deg,rgba(255,245,204,0.49) 0%,rgba(182,227,212,0.4) 50%,rgba(51,168,181,0.45) 100%);font-size:18px\" class=\"has-background wp-block-list\">\n<li>Piazza Salimbeni<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Basilica of San Francesco<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Piazza Tolomei<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Piazza Indipendenza<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loggia della Mercanzia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Piazza del Campo\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia, Museo Civico<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Piazza del Duomo\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Siena Cathedral and Museum, Facciatone, Bapistery of San Giovanni Battista, Santa Maria della Scala<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fortezza Medicea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Giardini della Lizza<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The historic sites listed above can be visited in a day. However, if you prefer to take it easy or are only in Siena for a few hours, concentrate on the main points of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Siena must-sees are the famous Piazza del Campo, and nearby Piazza del Duomo<\/strong> with its landmark black and white marble Cathedral. Both have panoramic viewpoints over the city, from Torre del Mangia and the Facciatone, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Don&#8217;t worry if you&#8217;re not really into museums or entering places of worship, the joy of visiting Siena is the ambiance. The feeling of stepping back into the Middle Ages, wandering along cobblestone streets, dipping under arches and down alleyways, to public squares hidden behind a maze of Gothic fa\u00e7ades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\"><strong>A Day in Siena: Itinerary Map<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">I\u2019ve mapped out our route through the medieval quarter and marked the top sites to see along the way. <strong>This makes an easy-to-follow walking itinerary of Siena that you can do in a day.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/edit?mid=1TahU9020TlIIq-c3x_PbSPuoy6cijg0&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-map-1-day-itinerary-historic-centre-walking-route.webp\" alt=\"Google map of a 1 day in Siena walking itinerary.\" class=\"wp-image-14955\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Walking route around Siena medieval quarter &#8211; <em>Photo courtesy<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/edit?mid=1TahU9020TlIIq-c3x_PbSPuoy6cijg0&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Google Maps<\/a><\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>*<\/strong> <em>Click on the image above to see the interactive Google Map of&nbsp;the walking route <em>from Porta Camollia<\/em><\/em> <em>through Siena medieval quarter to the main sites. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This is roughly the route we took on our self-guided walk through the medieval streets of Siena. Starting from Porta Camollia, the circular itinerary is just over 4 kilometres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Porta Camollia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-porta-camollia-medieval-city-gateway-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"Porto Camillio gateway into the walled city is the start of our Siena itinerary.\" class=\"wp-image-14939\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Porta Camollia is one of the portals to the medieval city of Siena.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Porto Camollia is the northern gateway to the walled city and a great start to a day of medieval culture. Historically, the three-arched portal was the entry point for pilgrims on the ancient <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Via_Francigena\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Via Francigena<\/a>. In 1555, the original gate was destroyed in the siege of Siena and replaced a few decades later. Details include the sun symbol and sculpted marble relief on the brick fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Step onto Via Camollia and head towards the centre of town. This is the Istrice <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Contrade_of_Siena\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Contrada<\/a>&nbsp;one of Siena&#8217;s 17 feudal districts. There are several restaurants along this strip that serve local specialties. If you come back this way in the evening, we found Osteria Il Vinaio di Bobbe e Davide a good place to dine.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-itinerary-via-banchi-di-sopra-walking-street-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"A walk through the medieval streets of Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14942\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Via Banchi di Sopra<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Via Camollia joins Via dei Montanini where there&#8217;s a bakery that makes wonderful pastries! Continue onto Via Banchi di Sopra, one of the main walking streets, and on the left-hand side you&#8217;ll find Piazza Salimbeni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Piazza Salimbeni<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Piazza Salimbeni is a small square flanked on three sides by Gothic and Renaisscance-style mansions: Palazzo Salimbeni, Palazzo Spannocchi, and Palazzo Tantucci. A flourishing money-lending trade in this part of Siena gave rise to the first bank in the world, the current Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena which opened here in 1624. Curiously, this financial entity started up as a pawn shop in 1472.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-palacio-salimbeni-medieval-city-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"Siena's Piazza Salimbeni with medieval palaces and a marble statue.\" class=\"wp-image-14937\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Piazza Salimbeni<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The statue standing on the plaza represents Sallustio Bandini, the acclaimed 16th-century priest, economist, and politician born in Siena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Basilica di San Francesco<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/e\/e1\/SanFrancescoSiena1.JPG\" alt=\"Huge Basilica di San Francesco church on the Siena skyline.\" style=\"width:400px;height:300px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Basilica di San Francesco on the Siena skyline.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Basilica di San Francesco<\/strong> is worth a quick visit if you&#8217;re in Siena for the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Carry along down Via Banchi di Sopra to Via dei Rossi &#8211; this is a medieval alleyway reached under the brick arch on the left-hand side just after Piazza Salimbeni (there&#8217;s a sign to the Basilica on the archway so you can&#8217;t miss the turning). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">In a few minutes, you&#8217;ll come to <em>Arco dei Frati Minori <\/em>one of the gateways in the original city wall. The Basilica of San Francesco stands in the plaza on the other side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This massive redbrick Gothic-style Basilica, on the eastern flank of Siena, is a landmark on the city&#8217;s skyline. The original church and monastery, constructed for the Franciscan Friars in the 13th century, was transformed several times over the centuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Distinctive features include the 15th-century central rose window on the fa\u00e7ade. Black and white marble panelling interspersed with stained glass windows clad the walls of a huge interior nave covered with a vaulted wooden roof. The little side chapels are decorated with frescoes and priceless artwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\">Basilica di San Francesco is open every day from 7.30 am to 12 noon, and from 3.30 pm to 7 pm. Entrance is free of charge.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Siena%2C_basilica_di_provenzano%2C_esterno_01.jpg\/562px-Siena%2C_basilica_di_provenzano%2C_esterno_01.jpg\" alt=\"Fa\u00e7ade of Santa Maria in Provenzano in Siena.\" style=\"width:300px;height:411px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Santa Maria in Provenzano Church.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Santa Maria in Provenzano is a collegiate church and shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the next stop on our itinerary. The striking white marble fa\u00e7ade and cupula dome are in Renaissance-Baroque style, designed in 1595. The pure white interior is embellished with centuries-old paintings of catholic saints and religious scenes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A terracotta icon of the Madonna, protected by adoring silver angels on the main altar, is a focal point. One of Siena&#8217;s annual Palio horse races is held on July 2 to honor the miracle-working &#8216;<em>Madonna in Provenzano<\/em>&#8216;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano is located on Piazza Provenzano, a 5-minute stroll southwest from Basilica di San Francesco. Another 2-minute walk and you&#8217;ll be back on main street Via Banchi di Sopra, more or less opposite Piazza Tolomei.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Piazza Tolomei <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-piazza-tolomei-medieval-tuscany-italy-.webp\" alt=\"Piazza Tolomei with San Cristoforo Church and the Column of a She-Wolf.\" class=\"wp-image-14944\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Piazza Tolomei with San Cristoforo Church and the Column of a She-Wolf.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Piazza Tolomei<\/strong> opens out on the left-hand side as you continue down Via Banchi di Sopra towards the heart of medieval Siena. Points of interest are the Chiesa di San Cristoforo (11th century church with a neoclassical brick fa\u00e7ade), Palazzo Tolomei (12th century gothic-style palace, the oldest in Siena) and the Column of the Lupa She-Wolf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>The She-Wolf is the symbol of Siena<\/strong>. The legend dates back to the founding of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/rome-in-1-day-itinerary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>Rome<\/strong><\/a> and the story of when Romulus slayed Remus. The sons of Remus, Aschio and Senius rode off with a statue of the Capitoline Wolf from the Temple of Apollo and built a fortified hilltop city they named Sena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Piazza Indipendenza<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-piazza-indipendenza-medieval-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"The Loggia and Palazzo Ballati on Piazza Indipendenza in the walled city of Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14945\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Loggia and Palazzo Ballati on Piazza Indipendenza.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Piazza Indipendenza<\/strong> is another of Siena&#8217;s small historical squares, a 2-minute walk from Piazza Tolomei (take a right, then left turn). Its claim to fame is the Loggia which fronts <strong>Palazzo Ballati<\/strong> (a 14th-century crenellated tower house), and <strong>Teatro dei Rozzi<\/strong> (a theatre inaugurated 1817 whose roots go way back to the Rozzi Congregation, a poetry group that started up in 1531!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Street signs and name plaques make it simple to find your way to places of particular interest in Siena. Wandering off into the labyrinth of backstreets is fascinating and no worries about getting lost!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Croce del Travaglio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-logia-de-la-mercancia-medieval-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"Loggia Della Mercanzia on Siena's central walking street Via di Citt\u00e0.\" class=\"wp-image-14938\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Loggia Della Mercanzia on Via di Citt\u00e0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The end of Via Banchi di Sopra intersects with Via di Citt\u00e0 and Banchi di Sotto at <em><strong>Croce del Travaglio<\/strong><\/em> &#8211; the &#8216;crossroads&#8217; where Siena&#8217;s three arterial streets meet. You&#8217;re now a few steps away from <strong>Piazza del Campo, the historical centre of Siena<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"567\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-via-della-galluzza-medieval-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"Ancient brick archways of Chiasso del Bargello passageway in medieval Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14947\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chiasso del Bargello is one of the passageways on Via di Citt\u00e0 which leads to the Piazza del Campo. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A succession of stately buildings shield Piazza del Campo in a scene-setting way. <strong>Loggia Della Mercanzia<\/strong> is one of these (the colonnaded fa\u00e7ade adorned with saintly statues faces <em>Croce del Travaglio<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Eleven passageways lead into Piazza del Campo &#8211; you&#8217;ll find <em>Vicolo San Pietro<\/em> and <em>Vicolo di San Paolo<\/em> either side of Loggia Della Mercanzia, and <em>Chiasso del Bargello<\/em> a little further along Via di Citt\u00e0. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Pass under the brickwork arches and the monumental square appears suddenly, it&#8217;s a dramatic effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Piazza del Campo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-piazza-del-campo-top-site-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"Siena's shell-shaped Piazza del Campo is ringed by medieval mansions.\" class=\"wp-image-14959\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Piazza del Campo is Siena&#8217;s unique main square.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>One of the greatest medieval squares in Italy, Piazza del Campo<\/strong> is certainly unique. Siena&#8217;s monumental piazza fans out like a seashell, semicircled by a curtain of Late Gothic mansions, red brick herringbone-patterned paving gently sloping to the grand Palazzo Pubblico which encloses the far side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Initially the town&#8217;s marketplace, in the early 14th century &#8216;il Campo&#8217; was transformed into the medieval wonder you can see today. Effectually it&#8217;s an open-air stage. The Palio horse races are held here, an extraordinary event that takes place twice a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The <em>palazzi signorelli<\/em> (stately homes) which overlook the square were planned to a uniform architectural design in accordance with the urban laws of those times. The ground floors have mainly been turned into restaurants, caf\u00e9s, and gelaterias. The terraces out front are a good place to relax for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Fonte Gaia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-fonte-gaia-fountain-piazza-del-campo-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"Fonte Gaia is a fountain with marble statues in Siena's medieval town square.\" class=\"wp-image-14961\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fonte Gaia Fountain in Piazza del Campo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Fonte Gaia<\/strong> puts an elegant touch to Piazza del Campo. The &#8216;joyous fountain&#8217; is fed by an underground aqueduct, part of the network of canals that flow beneath the city of Siena. These date to medieval times when engineers devised a system to bring fresh water through subterranean brick tunnels, up to the hilltop town from river sources kilometres away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Once upon a time vital for drinking water as well as laundry, artisan trades, and irrigation, the <em>Bottini di Siena<\/em> channels still supply the local fountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Like many historic monuments in Italy, Fonte Gaia is mainly a replica, the marblework by Tito Sarrocchi (1866). The original work of art by Jacopo della Quercia (1419) can be seen in the Santa Maria della Scala museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Palazzo Pubblico di Siena<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The first impression as you walk into Piazza del Campo is surprise, it&#8217;s amazing that such a big square can be hidden out of sight! Then you&#8217;ll be drawn towards Palazzo Pubblico, the true focal point.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-palazzo-pubblico-piazza-del-campo-top-site-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"Palazzo Pubblico with Torre del Mangia is the highlight of a Siena walking itinerary.\" class=\"wp-image-14957\" style=\"width:450px;height:300px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Palazzo Pubblico with Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo.  <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Uniquely designed in 1297 to be the Republic of Siena&#8217;s statehouse, Palazzo Pubblico is the turreted building that curves around the lower part of the piazza. The tall bell tower, Torre del Mangia was added a few decades afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Over 800 hundred years later, the &#8216;Public Palace of Siena&#8217; continues to be the city town hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">As well as the local government offices, the Civic Museum and Rinnovati Theatre are both housed in Palazzo Pubblico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Cappella di Piazza <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cappella-di-piazza-del-campo-torre-mangia.webp\" alt=\"Sculptured marble loggia of the chapel stands on the fa\u00e7ade of Palazzo Pubblico.\" class=\"wp-image-14960\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cappella di Piazza fronts Torre del Mangia.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A white marble loggia stands out from the fa\u00e7ade of Palazzo Pubblico, fronting the Torre del Mangia tower. This is the <em>Cappella di Piazza<\/em>, a small Roman Catholic Chapel guarded by saintly statues and wrought iron railings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The Cappella pays homage to the Virgin Mary and was erected by those who survived the Great Plague which decimated Siena in 1348.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Courtyard of the Podest\u00e0<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cortile-del-podesta-courtyard-palazzo-pubblico-italy.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15031\" style=\"width:300px;height:450px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View up from the Courtyard of the Podest\u00e0 to Torre del Mangia.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A doorway beside Cappella di Piazza opens onto <strong>Cortile del Podest\u00e0<\/strong>, a courtyard inside the left wing of Palazzo Pubblico. From here you can access the Civic Museum, Rinnovati Theatre, and the Mangia Tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Regardless of whether you decide to visit these sites, the \u2018Courtyard of the Governor\u2019 is a must-see. Free to enter, just wander inside to soak up the patio&#8217;s medieval atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Don\u2019t forget to look upwards and capture the picture-perfect scene \u2013 ancient walls ringed with colonnaded windows reach up to frame the medieval tower set against the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This entranceway &#8216;<em>entrone<\/em>&#8216; into Palazzo Pubblico plays a significant role in Siena&#8217;s most famous event &#8211; horses waiting to participate in &#8216;<em>il palio<\/em>&#8216; are led into the Podest\u00e0 courtyard before each race begins. The videos of previous races that are continually streamed here throughout the year are a good way to envision the exciting contest.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Museo C\u00edvico de Siena<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Located on the first floor of Palazzo Pubblico, the halls of <strong>the Civic Museum<\/strong> hold Siena&#8217;s finest treasures, the priceless 13th century frescoes which embellish the walls and ceilings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The masterpiece, known as &#8216;<strong>The Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government<\/strong>&#8216;, was commissioned by the city&#8217;s medieval councillors (known as the &#8216;Government of the Nine&#8217;). Ambrogio Lorenzetti created a series of symbolic murals illustrating how life in the town and the surrounding countryside could be affected by a good or bad government! Justice, prudence, and peace reflect a fertile and prosperous Siena where the people are happy, while tyranny, avarice, and war lead to poverty, famine, and violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Paintings and sculptures by 14th and 15th-century Sienese artists are other highlights in this evocative museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Museo Civico<\/strong> <strong>opening times and prices:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong>The Museo Civico is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm <\/strong>(until 6 pm 1st November to 28th February). Closed on Christmas day. Opening times for the museum and Torre del Mangio vary around the dates of the Palio Race events (consult <a href=\"https:\/\/museocivico.comune.siena.it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">the official website<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong>Entrance to Museo Civico<\/strong> is 6\u20ac, family ticket 22\u20ac, under 11s go free. A combined ticket for Museo Civico and Torre del Mangia costs 15\u20ac, or Museo Civico + Torre del Mangia + Santa Maria della Scala for 20\u20ac. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-1-day-itinerary-palazzo-publicco-entrance-tickets.webp\" alt=\"Ticket booths in Podest\u00e0 courtyard for entrance to Palazzo Pubblico museum, theatre and tower.\" class=\"wp-image-15033\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Podest\u00e0 courtyard in Palazzo Pubblico &#8211; entranceway to Mangia Tower, the museum and theatre. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Teatri di Siena<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Rinnovati Theatre<\/strong> is a magical venue that exudes centuries of Sienese culture. Locally known as <em>Teatri di Siena<\/em>, the old-fashioned playhouse inside Palazzo Pubblico dates to 1536. Rebuilt in the 1700s after fires and an earthquake, the theatre was most recently restored in 2009. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The small stage festooned with plush curtains is semi-circled by 4 tiers of private boxes while a huge chandelier sparkles glamorously over the central seatings. A varied programme of theatrical performances, live concerts, opera and musicals, contemporary dance, recitals, comedies, and kiddies&#8217; shows, entertain an audience of all ages (chiefly Italians).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Torre del Mangia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-torre-del-mangia-piazza-del-campo.webp\" alt=\"Torre del Mangia is the tallest tower in Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-15034\" style=\"width:300px;height:454px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Torre del Mangia is the tallest tower in Siena.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Torre del Mangia is the distinctive XIV-century campanile and clock tower that adjoins Palazzo Pubblico. The slim, brickwork structure crowned with a marble belfry was designed to be the tallest tower in Siena (87 mt high). It&#8217;s one of the tallest medieval towers in Italy today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Four hundred steps spiral to the top of the tower but the effort is compensated by panoramic views over Piazza del Campo, across to the cathedral, and the entire historic centre of Siena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Entrance tickets to go up Torre del Mangia Tower are available at ticket offices in the Palazzo Pubblico, and in Santa Maria della Scala, on the day of your visit. Tickets are for specified 30-minute time slots and can&#8217;t be booked in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong>Torre del Mangia opening times and prices:<\/strong><br>Daily from 1 November to 28 February, 10 am to 4 pm; March 1st to October 31st, 10 am to 7 pm; Closed Christmas day. Entrance costs 10\u20ac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Siena Palio Race<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">As you&#8217;ve no doubt gathered, <strong>&#8216;The Palio&#8217; is Siena&#8217;s famous horse race <\/strong>and Piazza del Campo is the venue. A passionate 3-lap bareback race around the town square, the local jockeys wearing the colours of the 10 participating contrades are cheered on by the fanatical crowds (the entire population of Siena, and hundreds of visitors from across Italy and the world).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>&#8216;Palio di Siena&#8217; takes place twice a year during the summer, on the 2nd of July and the 16th of August.<\/strong> The excitement builds up on the days leading up to both dates with pageant parades and trial races, and street parties afterwards in the winning contrade (neighbourhood). While it&#8217;s entirely a local affair, and not a touristy attraction, everyone is welcome to join in the high-spirited fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">If you&#8217;re specifically coming to Siena to see &#8216;The Palio&#8217; on a day trip, it can be done. Book tickets to a private balcony overlooking Piazza del Campo well in advance. Plan to get to the city early to see the sites, have a late lunch then take up your place. Alternatively, look for an organised trip that guarantees a seat on one of the grandstands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Although standing in the arena is the free option to watch the Palio race (admission isn&#8217;t charged into Piazza del Campo) you&#8217;ll be amongst the crush of enthusiastic locals, who&#8217;ve arrived at first light to stake their place, and will have to stand for hours in the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Siena Italy, the PALIO!!!! 2023\" width=\"890\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/i_hSvnK2jPQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Il Palio 2023 &#8211; This is the vibe in Siena on the day of the Palio Race!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Siena Cathedral Complex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>The monumental Duomo Cathedral Complex is the top historic site in Siena<\/strong> and <strong>only a 2-minute walk away from Piazza del Campo<\/strong>. Signposts point the way through the ancient streets &#8211; turn off the main Via di Cittia, onto Via delle Campane, then along Via di Monna Agnese, and you&#8217;ll come to a trinity of medieval plazas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"font-size:18px\">\n<li> A flight of steps down the side of Siena Cathedral leads to <strong>Piazza San Giovanni<\/strong> where you&#8217;ll find the entrance to <strong>the Crypt, and the Baptistery<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Piazza Jacopo della Quercia <\/strong>runs along one side of the cathedral where you&#8217;ll see the entrance to <strong>the Cathedral Museum<\/strong> and <strong>the Facciatone landmark<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Piazza del Duomo<\/strong> fronts the main fa\u00e7ade of <strong>Siena Cathedral<\/strong> (<strong>the Piccolomini Library<\/strong> is inside the cathedral) and the <strong>Santa Maria della Scala Museum<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The L-shaped &#8216;square&#8217; takes its name from the Duomo di Siena, the Roman Catholic cathedral that has stood here since the early 1200s, built over ecclesiastical sites dating to the VII century. An ongoing project, the Dome was finished in 1264, the Campanile erected in 1312 and the Baptistery added four years later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A second nave was being constructed to double the Duomo&#8217;s considerable size when the black plague caused work to stop in 1348, and it was never completed. This unfinished section of Siena Cathedral is known as the Facciatone &#8211; the unusual landmark is a spectacular viewing platform with some of the best vistas over the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Duomo di Siena <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy.jpg\" alt=\"Tourists outside the ornate marble Gothic Cathedral on a walking tour of Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14934\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Duomo of Siena (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><em>Il Duomo<\/em>, the <strong>Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta<\/strong>, is the most beautiful church in Siena and one of the most interesting cathedrals to visit on a trip to Italy. While the Duomo di Firenze is undoubtedly bigger with its immense dome, the inside of Florence&#8217;s cathedral is fairly stark compared to the interior artistry of Siena Cathedral. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The fa\u00e7ade of Siena&#8217;s Cathedral is an intricate mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Classical design featuring the distinctive white and black marble striped effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Saints, prophets, and gargoyle beasts, sculpted onto the ornate west frontage and side towers, look down to protect the three arched portals. Above this main entrance to the temple, a great Rose Window is framed by triangular gables decorated with golden mosaics depicting holy scenes, while Archangel Michael points his spear heavenwards from the pinnacle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Entering the cathedral is pretty unreal, every surface richly embellished with works of art by early Italian Renaissance masters&#8230; the black and white marble columns, the octagonal pulpit, sacred paintings, chapels and altars, frescoed walls and ceilings, and wooden choir stalls are all worthy of mention. Other pieces of notable artwork are the sculptures by Michelangelo and Donatello.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>The marble mosaic floor<\/strong> creating a biblical tapestry is so priceless that it&#8217;s protected with a covering and only revealed for visitors to view a few weeks of the year. <strong>Fifty-six marble panels<\/strong> are inlaid over a floor area of 13,000 square metres, crafted by a succession of Sienese artists who worked on the masterpiece from the 14th to the 19th century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This grandeur continues on the cathedral&#8217;s awesome ceiling. The golden star-studded canopy under the cupola portrays the Kingdom of Heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"> <strong>The cathedral floor<\/strong> is usually &#8216;uncovered&#8217; from June 27 to July 31, and August 18 to October 18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Piccolomini Library<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><em>Libreria Piccolomini<\/em> is reached through a marble archway on the lefhand side of central nave of Siena Cathedral. The &#8216;library&#8217; was commissioned in 1492 to hold a literary collection belonging to Pope Pius II (Eneas Silvio, an eminent member of Siena&#8217;s Piccolomini family). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Piccolomini Library<\/strong> is an exquisitely decorated hall with Renaissance frescoes that were painted by Pinturicchio and Rafael, to illustrate the life of the Sienese Pontiff. A collection of manuscript books are also on show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Gate of Heaven<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-porta-del-cielo-italy.webp\" alt=\"Ornately frescoed interior of the dome in Siena Cathedral.\" class=\"wp-image-14979\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8216;Kingdom of Heaven&#8217; under the dome of Siena Cathedral.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Admit it, do you feel a burning curiosity to explore ancient buildings, look behind closed doors, and see where those hidden stairways lead? Well, that&#8217;s the cool thing about Siena Cathedral, you&#8217;re allowed into the fascinating bits that are normally off limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Porta del Cielo &#8216;Gate of Heaven&#8217;<\/strong> is likened to Jacob&#8217;s &#8216;ladder to Heaven&#8217; (Genesis 28:12). In Siena Cathedral this refers to a spiral staircase that leads to rooms under the roof which were closed to the public for centuries, and two walkways high above the main nave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">It&#8217;s a brilliant chance to capture photos of the prayer hall and altar from above, and to step out onto passageways for birdseye views outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Museo dell&#8217;Opera (Siena Cathedral Museum)<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/operaduomo.siena.it\/museo-dellopera\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Museo dell&#8217;Opera<\/a><\/strong> is the museum in the righthand nave of Siena Cathedral, the &#8216;unfinished&#8217; wing with a separate entrance. In this sense, &#8216;<em>Opera<\/em>&#8216; signifies a foundation for the upkeep of religious buildings in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Many of the sculptures on the fa\u00e7ade of Siena Cathedral have been replaced by replicas, the originals can be admired in The Statue Gallery on the ground floor of the museum backlit by a huge stained glass Rose Window. Other masterpieces and reliquaries from the cathedral, together with treasures from other local churches, are safeguarded in the museum and showcased in the 3-storey exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Panorama del Facciatone<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"455\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-facciatone-viewing-point.webp\" alt=\"Tourists walking on top of Panorama del Facciatone tall unfinished wall of Siena Cathedral.\" class=\"wp-image-14935\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Panorama del Facciatone is the unfinished part of Siena Cathedral.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>The Facciatone<\/strong> is a colossal wall on the &#8216;unfinished&#8217; wing of Siena Cathedral. One of Siena&#8217;s top tourist attractions, climb the inner stairways to the walkway on top to capture the unforgettable scene over the cityscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Access to the Panorama del Facciatone is on the top floor of the museum, from where you&#8217;ll be guided in small groups to avoid crowding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A narrow stone staircase spirals up to Facciatone&#8217;s lower walkway where there are views over the rooftops to Piazza del Campo and Mangia Tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">From here a second spiral staircase leads to the upper level which has panoramic visitas over the walled city to the surrounding Tuscan countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Battistero di San Giovanni<\/strong> <strong>and the Crypt<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>The Crypt<\/strong> under Siena Cathedral wasn&#8217;t on show until fairly recently. In 1999, excavations revealed the ancient frescoes and relics of the city&#8217;s patron saints. The doorway is set in the side of the cathedral, halfway down the flight of steps that leads to Piazza San Giovanni and the Baptistery.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-baptistery-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"The entrance to the Baptistery is at the back of Siena Cathedral.\" class=\"wp-image-15016\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The entrance to the Baptistery<strong> <\/strong>is at the back of Siena Cathedral.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Baptistery of San Giovanni<\/strong> is ensconced underneath Siena Cathedral. The entrance is around the back and reached down steps along the righthand side of the cathedral. Dating to the early 1300s, the baptismal font is the centrepiece inside the ornately paneled nave. Features include Renaissance sculptures in bronze and in marble, by Donatello and Jacopo della Quercia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Information for Visiting Siena Cathedral<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Mass is generally held in Siena Cathedral at 9.30 am during the week<\/strong>, or 8 am, 11 am, 12.15 pm, and 6 pm on Sundays, holidays, and the eve of holidays. If you genuinely want to attend mass, enter through the Porta del Perdono (Gate of Forgiveness).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Siena Cathedral Opening Times and Prices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong>Siena Cathedral<\/strong> <strong>opening hours for tourists:<\/strong><br>1st March to 31st October: 10.30 am to 7 pm (Sundays and public holidays 1.30 pm to 6 pm);<br>1st Nov to 28th Feb: 10.30 am to 5.30 pm <em>except Christmas season<\/em> (Sundays and public holidays 13.30 pm to 5.30 pm);<br>26th December to 6th January: 10.30 am to 6 pm (Sundays and holidays 13.30 am to 5.30 pm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong>Adult entrance price<\/strong> <strong>to Siena Cathedral and the Piccolomini Library<\/strong> costs 7\u20ac, or 10\u20ac when the floor is uncovered;<br>The<strong> &#8216;Opa Si Pass<\/strong>&#8216; gives access to the Cathedral, Piccolomini Library, Museum dell&#8217;Opera del Duomo, the Facciatone (Panorama of the New Cathedral), the Crypt, and Baptistry: 14\u20ac (16\u20ac when the floor is uncovered);<br><strong>Porta del Cielo ticket<\/strong> gives access to the entire cathedral complex with a timed slot for the Gate of Heaven: 21\u20ac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:18px\">If you&#8217;re only in Siena for a day, bear in mind that the whole cathedral complex can take three hours to see (passes are valid for 3 days which is great for those staying in the city for longer).<br>Check the times and updated prices on <a href=\"https:\/\/operaduomo.siena.it\/en\/visiting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the official site<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Duomo di Siena | La Citt\u00e0 del Cielo: il panorama di Siena dal Facciatone\" width=\"890\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4QIdTQvpWVc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Via Francigena in Siena<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Siena is on the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Via_Francigena\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Via Francigena<\/a><\/strong> <strong>pilgrimage route<\/strong> to Rome. Described as the Lombard Way in the year 725, the journey covers some 2000 km of trails from England&#8217;s Canterbury Cathedral, across France, Switzerland and Italy, to the Vatican City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">More solitary than the Camino de Santiago in Spain, Italy&#8217;s Francigena Way can be done in stretches if you don&#8217;t have 3 months to spare, and the energy to walk or cycle such a long way! <strong>Siena Cathedral is one of the places that stamps the Pilgrim&#8217;s passport<\/strong>, if your up to doing a stage in this part of Tuscany.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Santa Maria della Scala<\/strong> <strong>Museum<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Located in Piazza del Duomo opposite Siena cathedral, <strong>Santa Maria della Scala<\/strong> <em>&#8216;Saint Mary of the Steps&#8217;<\/em> is the intriguing building on Piazza del Duomo opposite the steps leading up to the Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-santa-maria-della-scala-piazza-del-duomo-tuscany.webp\" alt=\"Visitors walking outside the brick fa\u00e7ade of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14936\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Santa Maria della Scala in Piazza del Duomo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>One of the first hospitals in Europe, Santa Maria della Scala<\/strong> was founded around the 12th century to provide care for the sick and needy, and hospitality for pilgrims travelling to Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The community hospital, orphanage, and pilgrims lodgings were financed by donations, and the income from agricultural land belonging to the charitable foundation. It was also a cultural centre that commissioned artworks, such as frescoes and altarpieces, from Jacopo della Quercia and other Sienese artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">At the rear, the extensive premises sprawl down the hillside in a labyrinth of interconnecting rooms on different levels. Used as a hospital right up to the 20th century, Santa Maria della Scala is gradually being renovated and a large part is now a museum that showcases the history, art, and archaeology of Siena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The museum has various exhibitions and collections worth seeing. Highlights include the Pilgrim\u2019s Hall (<em>Pellegrinaio<\/em>), the Old Chapel (<em>Sagrestia Vecchia<\/em>), and the Archaeological Museum housed in underground tunnels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">While you may not have time to wander around this fascinating site on a day trip, Santa Maria della Scala is a good excuse for spending longer in Siena. Meanwhile, take a peak at the inside on the official website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.santamariadellascala.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Santa Maria della Scala Museum<\/a> is open <\/strong>generally from 10 am to 7 pm (in winter the museum shuts at 5 pm on weekdays and remains closed on Tuesdays). <br>Entrance costs 9\u20ac for adults. Tickets can be bought at the entrance or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Santa Caterina<\/strong> <strong>di Siena<\/strong> is one of Europe&#8217;s six Patron Saints, and co-patron of Rome and Italy. A lay sister of the Third Order of Saint Dominic and a religious visionary, Caterina lived a life of holy devotion and penance until she passed away at the age of 33 in 1380. Much of her young life was spent caring for the sick during the Black Plague. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A mystic and spiritual writer with a forceful personality, St Catherine used her influence and diplomatic skills to advocate peace between the Republics of Italy and the Papal States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">You can visit her birthplace and family home, the <a href=\"https:\/\/santacaterina.siena.it\/the-shrine-of-the-house-of-saint-catherine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Shrine of the House of Saint Catherine<\/a>, in the Fontebranda district of Siena. The property was acquired by Siena Town Council after her death. The cloistered courtyard, 2 chapels, and numerous artworks were later added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong>Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina<\/strong> is open every day from 9 am to 12.30 pm and 5 pm to 6.30 pm. Entrance is free of charge. Photography is not permitted inside the chapels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-basilica-cateriniana-di-san-domenico-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"View to Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico on an itinerary of Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14933\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View to Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Basilica of San Domenico is worth a visit if time allows and you don&#8217;t mind a walk uphill. This colossal church is one of Siena&#8217;s landmarks, built in 1225 for the Dominican friars who came to Siena to preach their religious beliefs. The sombre interior has a high ceilinged Gothic nave flanked by side chapels, including the Santa Caterina Chapel where sacred relics of Saint Catherine of Siena are kept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\"><strong>Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico<\/strong> is open 7am to 6.30 pm (November to February 8.30 am to 5.30 pm). Entrance is free. Photos cannot be taken inside the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Fortezza Medicea<\/strong> <strong>(Siena)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The House of Medici dynasty built several forts between the 15th and 16th centuries, the Forte di Santa Barbara in Siena is one of these. The quadrangular red brick fort was later transformed into a public park and recreational area. There is a tree-shaded walk on top of the broad rampart walls with panoramic views over the city to Basilica of San Domenico, Siena Cathedral, and Torre Mangia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Also known as Fortezza Medicea, the fortress walls surround a large amphitheatre which is the venue of open-air movies, live concerts, art fairs, sports activities, and wine tasting! Siena Summer Festival is held here from June to October with dozens of events for all ages. It&#8217;s the perfect place to spend an evening if you&#8217;re visiting Siena in summertime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Giardini della Lizza<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-giardini-la-lizza-garibaldi-statue.webp\" alt=\"Equestrian statue in La Lizza park in Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14946\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Garibaldi statue in Giardini della Lizza.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Outside the entrance to Medici Fortress, Giardini della Lizza is the end of our walking itinerary around Siena. Lizza Gardens is a large park designed between the 18th and 19th centuries complete with a fountain and statues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The park is the scene for outdoor events and festivals throughout the year so you&#8217;ll often find something on, like the giant Ferris wheel while we were there. In December, Giardini della Lizza turns into a Christmas Village with an ice-skating ring, kiddies rides, craft stalls, and street food. A Wednesday morning open-air market is also held here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A stroll through the gardens leads to Via La Lizza, and Piazza Gramsci where the main buses to Siena stop. There are several eateries in the vicinity, including a large cafeteria where we finished this particular day in Siena with a black cherry and cream <em>amarena gelato<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">From here it&#8217;s only half a kilometre back to back to Camollia Gate, the start of this circular walking route around Siena (Via La Lizza joins Via Gazzani, and shortly afterward you&#8217;ll find the left-hand turn onto Via Camollia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Reasons to Stay in Siena for 2 or 3 Days <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">As you can see, <strong>Siena is worth visiting for at least a day<\/strong>. Can I convince you to stay longer? It&#8217;s a lively little city with loads of restaurants and caf\u00e9s, not only touristy places but also traditional eateries where the Sienese dine. Unlike Florence, where mass tourism has taken over, Siena is a homely town where local folk live. Yes, there are lots of visitors but it&#8217;s not heaving with daytrippers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">In fact, I chose Siena as a base rather than one of the famous Tuscan villages which get absolutely packed with coachloads of sightseers. However, if you&#8217;re hiring a car and want to stay somewhere more rustic, look for a little-known hamlet or a farmhouse in rural Siena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Why Siena is Worth Visiting For 2 or 3 Days<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1250\" height=\"703\" data-id=\"14951\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAM_8575.jpg\" alt=\"A farmhouse and vineyards in \" class=\"wp-image-14951\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Farmhouse in Val d\u2019Orcia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"14952\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/val-d-orcia-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"A farmhouse, cyprus trees and vineyards in Val d\u2019Orcia, Siena.\" class=\"wp-image-14952\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vineyards in Val d\u2019Orcia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" style=\"font-size:18px\">\n<li>Siena is the ideal base for seeing more of Tuscany on day trips (Florence, Pisa, Lucca, the Tuscan hill towns and villages)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wine tasting tours, olive mills, truffle hunting, and cooking lessons in a Tuscan farmhouse are some of the local culinary experiences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Day Trips From Siena<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Located in central Tuscany, Siena is convenient for exploring the whole region, and beyond. Here are ideas for cool day trips.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/tuscany-vespa-itinerary-italy.webp\" alt=\"Me, Kali standing by a red Vespa on our Siena itinerary.\" class=\"wp-image-14943\" style=\"width:450px;height:300px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Exploring Val d\u2019Orcia on a Vespa.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ol style=\"background-color:#fcb90014;font-size:18px\" class=\"has-background wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take the train to Florence;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enjoy a day at Chianciano Terme baths;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See Pisa and the Leaning Tower;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visit the famous hill towns of Tuscany;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore Val d\u2019Orcia on a Vespa;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Join a wine-tasting tour of Chianti;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go to a local festival;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take the bus to Bologna. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Related Posts:<\/strong><br><strong>Where To Go After Siena<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"487\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/venice-burano-island-tre-ponte-italy.jpg\" alt=\"Canal view from Tre Ponte bridge on Burano Island, Venice Lagoon.\" class=\"wp-image-8542\" style=\"width:350px;height:244px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Burano Island, Venice Lagoon.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul style=\"background-color:#fcb90014;font-size:18px\" class=\"has-background wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/rome-in-1-day-itinerary\/\" title=\"\">Rome<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/1-day-in-florence\/\" title=\"\"><strong>Florence<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/why-visit-pisa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>Pisa<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/lucca-italy-a-day-in-tuscanys-walled-city\">Lucca<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/cinque-terre-itinerary\/\" title=\"\"><strong>La Spezia and Cinque Terre<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/2-days-in-bologna-italy-what-to-do-and-where-to-stay\/\" title=\"\"><strong>Bologna<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/best-places-for-food-in-emilia-romagna\/\" title=\"\"><strong>Emilia Romagna<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/2-day-venice-itinerary-best-places-to-visit-in-italy\/\" title=\"\">Venice <\/a><\/strong>and<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/venice-lagoon-islands-how-to-visit-torcello-murano-burano\/\" title=\"\">The Lagoon Islands<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-background has-medium-font-size\" style=\"background-color:#e2f7fa\"><strong>Useful Info for Visiting Siena<\/strong>, <strong>Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How to Get to Siena<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Getting to Siena by Air<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Nearest International Airports<\/strong>: <br>Pisa Galileo Galilei (PSA): 120 km from Siena<br>Florence Airport (FLR): 80 km from Siena<br>Bologna Airport (BLQ): 160 km from Siena<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>How to Get to Siena by Train<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"253\" data-id=\"14948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-railway-station-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"Arriving at Siena railway station ready start of our day's itinerary.\" class=\"wp-image-14948\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Outside Siena Railway Station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"253\" data-id=\"14949\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-train-station-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14949\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Platform at Siena Railway Station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>It&#8217;s easy to get to Siena by train<\/strong> from Florence, Pisa, La Spezia, Rome, and many other Italian cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Siena Railway Station<\/strong> is roughly 2 km from Porta Camollia, the nearest portal into the walled city from the train terminal. You&#8217;ll come out onto Piazzale Rosselli where there are taxis and frequent buses to the old town (a 5-minute ride up the hill). Taking the escalators from inside Galleria PortaSiena shopping centre is another way of getting there. Otherwise, it&#8217;s a straightforward uphill walk that takes around 25 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Examples of Train Times to Siena<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\" class=\"has-background wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Florence to Siena<\/strong>: 1 h 30 min;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pisa to Siena<\/strong>: 1h 45 min <em>(Florence line to Empoli (30 min) change train to Siena (1h 10 min);<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bologna to Siena<\/strong>: 2 h 30 min (<em>change train at Firenze Santa Maria Novella)<\/em>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>La Spezia to Siena<\/strong>: 3 h 15 min (<em>change train at Empoli)<\/em>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rome to Siena<\/strong>: 3 h 15 min (<em>fast train from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella, change  train to Siena<\/em>) OR 3 h 30 min (<em>train to Chiusi-chianciano Terme, change to Siena<\/em>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>How to Get to Siena by Road<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Distances to Siena by road<\/strong> and the rough time this takes on a car journey along the quickest route. Flixbus has a frequent intercity bus service between Siena and these Italian cities.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"254\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-flixbus-ticket-office-tuscany-italy.webp\" alt=\"Flixbus ticket office in Siena station.\" class=\"wp-image-14950\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Flixbus ticket office in Siena station.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul style=\"background-color:#fcb90014\" class=\"has-background wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Florence to Siena:<\/strong> 1 h 5 m&nbsp;(73 km) by car, 50 minutes by Flixbus;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pisa to Siena:<\/strong> 1 hour 50 min (125 km) by car via Empoli, 2 h 10 m by Flixbus;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lucca to Siena:<\/strong> 1 h 45 m (140 km) by car via Florence OR 2 h 10 m (162 km) via Pisa and Livorno; 2 h 5 m by Flixbus;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>La Spezia to Siena:<\/strong> 2 h 30 m (215 km) by car via Florence; 3 hours 35 m by Flixbus;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bologna to Siena<\/strong>: 2 hour 5 min (170 km) by car via Florence; 2 h 30 m by Flixbus;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rome to Siena:<\/strong> 2 h 45 m (235 km) by car, 2 h 45 m by Flixbus to Roma Tiburtina bus station.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-background-color has-background\"><strong>Parking in Siena<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Siena Old Quarter is a camera-controlled restricted traffic zone, and car parks located are outside the city centre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Il Campino is a free parking area below Medicea Fort<\/strong>. There is also a paid car park by Fortezza Medici, <em>Parcheggio Stadio<\/em> with 800 parking spaces (2\u20ac per hour, 26\u20ac for a day).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Parking your car by Siena train station in <em>Parcheggio La Stazzione<\/em> is a good option, as it only costs 2\u20ac for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Alternative more centrally located car parks are <em>Parcheggio Il Campo, Parcheggio Santa Caterina, and Parcheggio Il Duomo<\/em> which charge 2\u20ac per hour or 35\u20ac for the day. If you&#8217;re staying in a hotel in Siena, you should get a better rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Road Distance to Tuscany Hill Towns from Siena<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"background-color:#fcb90014;font-size:18px\" class=\"has-background wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Monteriggioni <\/strong>14 km;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>San Gimignano<\/strong> 36 km;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Volterra<\/strong> 50 km;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Montalcino <\/strong>42 km;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pienza<\/strong> 56 km;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Montepulciano<\/strong> 62 km.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-background has-medium-font-size\" style=\"background-color:#e2f7fa\"><strong>Best Time to Visit<\/strong> <strong>Siena<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Siena is a beautiful city that can be enjoyed year-round, but if you\u2019re looking for the best time to visit, consider planning your trip between April and June or in autumn. During these seasons, you\u2019ll enjoy mild temperatures and fewer tourists than in the peak summer months of July and August which can be hot and humid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">If you\u2019re interested in attending the famous Palio horse race that takes place twice during summer months, plan your visit accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Keep in mind that Siena is a compact city with just a few big sites, so it\u2019s easy to visit if you only have one day. Some of the top places to visit include Siena Cathedral, (the Duomo Complex) and Santa Maria della Scala, Piazza del Campo with the Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, and Basilica of San Domenico.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"tadv-color\"><strong>Discover the World with<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"tadv-color\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/KaliTravel_logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"33\">&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"tadv-color\"><strong>the blog with a focus on independent travel<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1 day in Siena, Italy: How to see Siena in a day with our easy self-guided walking itinerary. Discover the top sites of Tuscany&#8217;s medieval hilltop city.<\/p>\n<p class=\"continue-reading-button\"> <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/1-day-in-siena\/\">Read more&#8230; \/ Leer m\u00e1s&#8230;<i class=\"crycon-right-dir\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":14953,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[914,7624],"tags":[8351,6390],"class_list":["post-14924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe-en","category-italy","tag-city-destination","tag-unesco-world-heritage-site-en"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",128,85,false],"medium":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",1200,800,false],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",1200,800,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",1200,800,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",1200,800,false],"custom":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",225,150,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",150,100,false],"header":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",225,150,false],"slider":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",600,400,false],"columns":["https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/siena-cathedral-top-site-tuscany-italy-1.jpg",302,201,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Kali","author_link":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/author\/karen\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"1 day in Siena, Italy: How to see Siena in a day with our easy self-guided walking itinerary. Discover the top sites of Tuscany's medieval hilltop city. Read more... \/ Leer m\u00e1s...","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kalitravel.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}