The best things to do in Siena include some of the most extraordinary medieval experiences available anywhere in Italy — and Siena consistently surprises visitors who arrive expecting a simple day trip from Florence and stay far longer than planned.
Siena is a perfectly preserved medieval city on a dramatic hilltop in the heart of Tuscany, with a magnificent Gothic cathedral, one of the most beautiful public squares in the world and a fiercely proud civic identity that has remained essentially unchanged for seven centuries. The best things to do in Siena span world-class art and extraordinary Gothic architecture to the legendary Palio horse race that brings the entire city to a standstill twice a year.
1. Experience Piazza del Campo
Piazza del Campo is the finest of all the best things to do in Siena — and one of the most magnificent medieval public spaces in the world. This extraordinary shell-shaped piazza, sloping gently towards the Palazzo Pubblico at its base, has been the heart of Sienese public life for over 700 years. Divided into nine sections representing the Council of Nine that governed medieval Siena, the Campo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sitting in the Campo — on the sloping brick pavement, with a gelato, watching the world go by — is one of the great free pleasures of Tuscany. Go early morning or at sunset for the most magical light on the surrounding medieval buildings.
Free — no ticket needed. ✅
2. Visit Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral — Duomo di Siena — is one of the most extraordinary Gothic buildings in Italy and one of the best things to do in Siena. The striped black and white marble facade, the magnificent interior decorated with an extraordinary inlaid marble floor (covered most of the year to protect it), the Piccolomini Library with its stunning Renaissance frescoes by Pinturicchio — every element of this cathedral is exceptional.
The Piccolomini Library alone is worth the Cathedral entry price — its brilliantly coloured frescoes are among the finest examples of Renaissance painting in Tuscany.
Entry from €6. ✅
3. Climb the Torre del Mangia
Climbing the Torre del Mangia — the magnificent medieval tower attached to the Palazzo Pubblico on Piazza del Campo — is one of the best things to do in Siena for views. The 88-metre tower offers the finest panoramic view of Siena, the Campo below and the surrounding Tuscan countryside from its top. On clear days the views extend for miles across the characteristic Sienese hills.
The 503-step climb is steep but the view is extraordinary.
Entry from €10. ✅
4. Visit the Palazzo Pubblico Museum
The Palazzo Pubblico — Siena’s magnificent 14th-century town hall on Piazza del Campo — houses one of the most important collections of medieval art in Italy and one of the best things to do in Siena. The Sala del Mappamondo contains Simone Martini’s extraordinary Maestà fresco — one of the masterpieces of Italian Gothic painting. The Sala della Pace houses Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Allegory of Good and Bad Government — the most important secular medieval fresco cycle in existence.
Entry from €10. ✅
5. Watch the Palio di Siena
Attending the Palio di Siena — the legendary bareback horse race held twice a year in Piazza del Campo — is one of the most extraordinary best things to do in Siena. On July 2 and August 16, ten horses representing Siena’s 17 contrade (city districts) race three times around the Campo in a spectacle of medieval pageantry, fierce civic rivalry and almost uncontrolled emotion that has taken place without interruption since the 13th century.
The race itself lasts just 90 seconds but the preparation — trial races, flag throwing ceremonies, medieval processions — builds over several days. The free standing area in the Campo fills with 50,000 people — arrive hours early for a good position. Grandstand seats cost €200-500 and book out months ahead.
Free standing area available. Grandstand seats from €200. ✅
6. Explore the Contrade Neighbourhoods
Exploring Siena’s extraordinary contrade (city districts) is one of the best free things to do in Siena. The city is divided into 17 contrade — each with its own animal symbol, colours, church and museum — whose fierce rivalry and fierce loyalty define Sienese identity. Walking between the different contrade neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character, is one of the most rewarding ways to understand Siena’s unique culture.
Look for the contrade fountains and flags throughout the city. Each fountain is a working public water source — still used by local residents.
Free — no ticket needed. ✅
7. Visit the Pinacoteca Nazionale
The Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena — the city’s national art gallery — is one of the best things to do in Siena for art lovers. Housed in a Gothic palazzo, the gallery contains the finest collection of Sienese Gothic and early Renaissance painting in the world — works by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini, Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti and dozens of other Sienese masters whose extraordinary gold-ground paintings defined European art for two centuries.
Entry from €4 — outstanding value for the quality of the collection. ✅
8. Day Trip to the Val d’Orcia
Taking a day trip into the Val d’Orcia — the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of rolling hills, cypress trees and medieval villages south of Siena — is one of the best things to do in Siena as a base. The towns of Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino — each extraordinary in its own right — are all within 40 minutes by car.
Rent a car on ourcar rental Siena pagefor maximum flexibility. See ourTuscany car rental guidefor complete driving information.
9. Eat Sienese Food and Drink Brunello
Eating and drinking in Siena is one of the best things to do in Siena for food and wine lovers. The local cuisine — pici pasta with wild boar ragù, ribollita bean soup, bistecca alla Fiorentina from the Chiana valley — is outstanding. The local wines — Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — are among Italy’s greatest.
Enoteca Italiana — the Italian wine museum in the Fortezza Medicea — offers tastings of every Italian wine region in an extraordinary setting.
Budget: €15-25 for excellent Sienese dinner with local wine. ✅
10. Watch Sunset Over the Crete Senesi
Watching the sunset over the Crete Senesi — the extraordinary pale clay landscape southeast of Siena — is one of the most beautiful free things to do in Siena and one of the most spectacular natural experiences in Tuscany. The rolling pale hills, eroded into dramatic formations and dotted with isolated farmhouses and cypress trees, glow extraordinary shades of gold and pink at sunset.
Drive or cycle 15 kilometres southeast of Siena towards Asciano for the finest Crete Senesi views.
Free — no ticket needed. ✅
Practical Tips for Siena
- Take the bus from Florence.The SITA bus from Florence to Siena (1h 15m, €8) is faster and cheaper than the train — always use the bus.
- Stay overnight.Siena is most magical in the evening when day trippers leave — even one night changes the experience completely.
- Book Palio seats months ahead.Grandstand seats for the Palio sell out 6-12 months in advance — book as soon as you confirm your travel dates.
- Visit the Duomo floor.The extraordinary inlaid marble floor of Siena Cathedral is only uncovered for a few weeks in August and September — time your visit accordingly.
For official travel information visit theItalian Tourism Board.
Plan Your Siena Trip
- 🏛️ Best Things to Do in Florence.
- 🗺️ Best Day Trips from Florence.
- 🍷 Best Italian Wine Regions
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