Discover Siena: Top 10 Experiences You’ll Lov

10 Best Things to Do in Siena

1. Be Amazed by the Scale of Piazza del Campo ❤️ Must Visit

Piazza del Campo is probably one of the most beautiful medieval squares you will see in Italy. Due to its odd shape that resembles a clamshell more than a square, this place has become one of the most famous landmarks of Siena.

The history of Piazza del Campo dates back to the 13th century when it was first developed as a market square. Over the centuries, the square has undergone several changes and has become a key hub of commerce in the city.

Today, it is home to a number of important buildings, including the Palazzo Pubblico (town hall) and the Torre del Mangia (tower), which have stood for hundreds of years. Twice a year, Palio di Siena, a horse race is also held at the edges of the piazza as well as other annual activities like cycling races, etc.

Stepping onto Piazza del Campo can feel like stepping back in time to the medieval period, when Siena was a thriving city-state, as you will find yourself surrounded by Gothic-style structures like the Tower of Mangia, and Pubblico Palace, as well as the traditional Italian-style sand-colored buildings from all sides.

The square is also massive with a circumference of over 330 meters and there are all sorts of charming restaurants and cafes as well as all the shops in the market often held at the center of the square for you to indulge yourself in.

The square is right at the center of the city and it is connected via many pedestrian streets from all sides so there is no way you will miss it. If you can't find it, simply follow the tall tower of Torre del Mangia and you will be there in no time.

Where to Stay in Siena?

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2. Go Up Tower of Mangia

Located right by Piazza del Campo, the Tower of Mangia is an 88-meter tall medieval tower constructed in the 14th Century as part of Pubblico Palace (Town Hall) to be used as a watchtower to keep an eye on the surrounding area and provide early warning of any threats to the city.

Nowadays, the tower is open to the public and you can climb to the top of the tower and take in the panoramic views from the observation deck. The tower is also home to a small museum, which provides information about the history of the tower and the city of Siena.

To get to the top, you are going to have to get to the tower as early as you can and buy the ticket from there. They only allow a certain number of people per day and it can get completely booked out as early as 10 AM so be sure to be there in time if you wish to go up to the top. Unfortunately, the ticket can not be booked in advance.

Once you got the ticket, you will then have to climb around 400 steps and you will be rewarded with an incredible view over Siena and its surroundings. The tower is open from 10 AM to 1:45 PM and again from 2:30 PM to 8 PM in the summer every day and the ticket should cost about 10 EUR. You can also get a combined ticket for 20 EUR which will include Pubblico Palace as well as other museums in the area. For more information, check out the official website.

3. Explore Pubblico Palace

Pubblico Palace is a Gothic-style palace located right in the center of Siena at Piazza del Campo and it is one of the most famous landmarks of the city.

The history of the Palazzo Pubblico dates back to the 13th century when it was first constructed as the seat of the government of Siena. Today, it is home to the town hall of Siena as well as the Civic Museum which is open to the public.

One of the most striking features of Pubblico Palace is its beautiful Gothic exterior featuring pointed arches and ornate decorations, while the interior is adorned with frescoes, tapestries, and other works of art you can see in the museum.

If you are interested in visiting the Palazzo Pubblico, the palace is open every day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The entrance fee is €6 for adults and €3 for children. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines, which can be especially long during peak tourist season.

4. Admire the Beauty of Duomo di Siena

Duomo di Siena is definitely one of the highlights of visiting Siena. This beautiful cathedral is located right at the heart of the city and it is one of the most beautiful and prominent pieces of architecture you will see here.

The history of the Duomo di Siena dates back to the 12th century when the first cathedral was constructed on the site. The current cathedral, which is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, was completed in the 14th century and has been beautifully preserved ever since.

Right from the get-go, you will be amazed by the cathedral's exterior adorning beautiful features like detailed sculptures and intricately-designed facade unrivaled by any church you have seen before.

The amount of detail that went into sculpting all these sculptures must have been monumental. Every single inch of the cathedral's facade is so incredibly detailed that it will take you a whole minute to see them all.

The interior is also as impressive as the outside with the iconic black and white striped columns and walls, stunning frescos, and colorful mosaics that will blow your mind. Seeing the inside of this cathedral is definitely worth the entrance fee.

To enter the cathedral, you can either queue up and buy the ticket at the entrance which can be quite long, or buy one online prior to your arrival. For the ticket, I highly recommend you get Siena Cathedral Complex Pass (OPA SI Pass), a ticket that includes access to the cathedral as well as all the museums and viewpoints such as Piccolomini Library and Facciatone. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Sienna and worth every dime especially if you plan to do most of the things I mentioned in this travel guide.

5. Be Amazed by Piccolomini Library

Another impressive sight to see when you are in Siena is Piccolomini Library, a beautiful Renaissance library known for its stunning frescoes and it is located inside the Duomo di Siena which you can visit together.

The history of the Piccolomini Library dates back to the 15th century when it was commissioned by Pope Pius II, a native of Siena. The library was designed by the architect Bernardo Rossellino and was decorated with frescoes by the artist Pinturicchio. The library is named after Pope Pius II, who was born Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini.

The frescoes are some of the prettiest frescoes you will see here. They depict scenes from the life of Pope Pius II and are considered some of the finest examples of Renaissance art in Italy. The library is also home to a number of important manuscripts and books, which are housed in a series of beautifully decorated cases.

To enter Piccolomini Library, you are going to have to buy a ticket that includes access to it. As I recommended before, I highly recommend you get the Siena Cathedral Complex Pass which also includes free access to the library as well as other museums.

6. Visit Opera delle Metropolitana and Check Out the View from Facciatone

Not too far from Duomo di Siena, you will also find Opera delle Metropolitana a museum dedicated to preserving the history and art of Siena and it is home to Facciatone, an observation deck located atop an unfinished church facade, with an incredible view over the whole Duomo di Siena area as well as centuries-old towers.

The museum itself is pretty good with a great collection of artworks from Siennese artists but the highlight for me is definitely getting access to Facciatone, the unfinished church facade that was intended to expand the cathedral.

It was part of a cathedral expansion project, but the project was never completed due to a lack of funds. Today, the Facciatone stands as a testament to the ambition and ingenuity of the people of Siena, and also a great viewpoint to see the piazza and the Duomo from high up.

Unfortunately, you can not buy the ticket to the museum individually. The only way to get access to the museum is to pay for Siena Cathedral Complex Pass which is a good deal if you wish to see every place I mentioned in this travel guide. The museum is open from 10:30 AM to 6 PM every day.

7. Visit Santa Maria della Scala

Santa Maria della Scala is another great museum to visit when you are in Siena if you are interested in the history of Siena and in seeing the beautiful frescoes the place is known for.

The museum used to be a hospital when it was founded in the 11th century and served its function for over 700 years. The hospital was one of the first in Europe to provide medical care to the poor and the sick, and it played a significant role in the development of healthcare in the region.

Today, the Santa Maria della Scala is a museum that houses a collection of art, artifacts, and documents related to the history of the hospital and the city of Siena as well as the stunning frescoes from renowned artists like the "Last Judgement" by Pietro Lorenzetti, the "Life of the Virgin" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, the "Madonna and Child" by Domenico di Bartolo, and many more.

The ticket to get inside Santa Maria della Scala is around 12 EUR and you can buy an online ticket from here. The museum is open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day.

8. Hang Out in Palazzo Salimbeni

Along the pedestrian street that connects Siena train station to its old town, you will find Palazzo Salimbeni, a building constructed in the 14th century and served as the headquarters of the Salimbeni banking family.

The palazzo was built in the 14th Century in beautiful Gothic architecture and it is known for its striking features which include a series of arched windows, stone balconies, and a large plaza where the statue of Sallustio Bandini stands.

Today, Palazzo Salimbeni is home to the headquarters of the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which is considered to be one of the oldest banks in the world. It is a meetup place for people and a great place to hang out especially if you enjoy people-watching.

9. Check Out the View from Fortezza Medicea

For the best viewpoint award in Siena that will allow you to see the beautiful Siena cityscape from afar, I have to give it to Fortezza Medicea, a 16th Century fortification constructed by the Medici Family, who made themselves known throughout Tuscany as the ruler of Florence at the time.

The fort was initially designed to protect the city from invaders and was equipped with a series of walls, towers, and gates. Nowadays, you will find a number of gardens and parklands, which are popular spots for picnics and leisurely strolls for locals and tourists alike.

From the walls of the Fortezza Medicea, you will have a breathtaking view of Siena's old town. The red-orange buildings of the city, which give rise to the term "sienna" to describe a reddish shade of brown, are visible in their entirety from this vantage point. It is a sight not to be missed.

The fortress is open 24/7 and there is no entrance fee to enter which is awesome. Definitely, something you don't see in many places in Italy. If you want to the true scale of Siena and how beautiful its cityscape is, be sure to check out Fortezza Medicea.

10. Walk Through Porta Camollia

Last but not least, you should also check out Porta Camollia, a stunning medieval gate which, depending on how you get to Siena, is probably one of the first things you will see when entering Siena's old town.

Porta Camollia is one of the oldest city gates in Siena constructed way back in the 13th Century, named after the Roman road that passed through it, the Via Camollia and it is considered to be a great example of medieval fortification. Right at the center, you will find the Medici coat of arms, which is another reminder of how powerful they were in Tuscany.

I heard that you can also go up to the top of the gate for an incredible view over Siena and its surroundings but for the life of me, I couldn't find a way up so if you find it, do let us know in the comments below. Just watch out for the cars when you walk around here as it is still used for traffic.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Siena, Italy while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Northern Italy

I hope you found this Italian travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• First time visiting Italy? Here are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy.
• Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2-Weeks Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
• Want to travel around Italy for one month, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south? You are going to love this backpacking itinerary packed with information: One Month Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
• Looking for a complete itinerary for Northern Italy? Check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Northern Italy Itinerary.
• Every trip to Northern Italy starts in Milan. If you are a first-timer, here are the 16 best things to do in Milan.
• Have a day to spare in Milan? Why not spend it in the hilltop fortress of Bergamo. Here are the 11 best things to do in Bergamo.
• Ah... Venice, the city of art, culture, and the birthplace of the Renaissance. You simply can't visit Italy without witnessing it with your own eyes. To assist you in planning a trip there, here are the 15 best things to do in Venice.
• Planning a trip to Lake Como but not sure where to begin? Check out the 10 Best Places to Visit in Lake Como.
• For a complete backpacking guide to Lake Como, check out: The 3-Day Lake Como Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
• Want to visit Lake Como as a day trip from Milan? Check out: One-Day Lake Como Itinerary from Milan.
• For an off-the-beaten-path place to visit in Northern Italy, you can't go wrong with Bologna. For a complete travel guide, check out the 10 Best Things to Do in Bologna.
• Want to explore the Dolomites but not sure where to begin? Check out: the 10 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites.
• For a complete backpacking itinerary for the Dolomites, check out: the 7 Days Dolomites Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
• At the heart of sunny Tuscany lies Florence, one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Italy. If you are planning to visit Florence, check out: 16 Best Things to Do in Florence.
• Cinque Terre, known for its picturesque stacked houses on cliffs and coastlines, is the perfect destination for those looking to escape the bustling city life in Northern Italy. To start planning, be sure to check out: A Complete Guide to Backpacking Cinque Terre.
• Planning to visit Pisa and the Leaning Tower? Check out: 10 Best Things to do in Pisa.
• For a complete 7-day backpacking itinerary in Central Italy that will take you from Rome to Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out: 7 Days Backpacking Italy Itinerary.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.