Siena
Siena is a pearl of medieval art and history that will enchant you with its beauty and charm. In this blog entry you will find everything you need to know to plan and enjoy your trip to Siena. You’ll get to know the sights of Siena, get tips on where to stay, and learn where to park your car. Siena also delighted us with its delicious cuisine – you will find our personal culinary tips at the end of the blog.
We will also provide you with our TIMETABLE, so you are perfectly prepared and can visit Siena in 1-2 days. We’re sure you’ll fall in love with this fascinating city, just like we did.
Day 1 – Siena
Morning
In the morning we are out and about with the dog. All sights can be easily visited with a dog.
| Time | Agenda |
| 08:00 | Breakfast accommodation in Vagliagli |
| 09:00 | Departure Vagliagli |
| 09:30 | Arrival garage Siena |
| 10:00 | Arrival hotel, unload luggage |
| 10:00-14:30 | Sightseeing Siena morning, incl. lunch with Megan |
| 12:15-13:15 | Lunch Osteria il Carroccio with Megan |
- First, visit Piazza del Campo, the landmark of Siena, and the heart of the old town. The square forms the center of the historic center of Siena, so we ended up here again and again. The Fonte Gaia fountain is also located on the square.
- While you’re there, buy your ticket to the Torre del Mangia viewpoint right away. We recommend a visit in the evening, but you should buy the ticket in the morning already to save your spot!
- Next, visit the Palazzo Pubblico, where the Museo Civico is also located. You can visit the courtyard with your dog, but unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the museum.
- Afterward, head to Piazza and Palazzo Salimbeni, the former residence of the wealthy and influential Salimbeni family. Unfortunately, Palazzo Salimbeni cannot be visited from the inside.
- If you’re well on schedule, you can visit the “Woman in the Window” – a white sculpture that seems to look cautiously out of a nondescript townhouse.
- Before lunch break, stop by the Basilica di San Francesco. It is a bit off the beaten track and that’s exactly what makes it special in our opinion.
More details and information (including entrance fees, opening hours and whether dogs are allowed) about the mentioned sights can be found in the section below: All Sights From Day 1 In Detail
Afternoon
We planned the afternoon without a dog, leaving enough time to visit the rest of the sights. If you still need to check in at your accommodation, we have planned some time for that as well.
| Time | Agenda item |
| 14:30-15:30 | Check-in accommodation, Megan stays in the room |
| 15:30-19:00 | Megan stays in the room |
| 15:30-18:15 | Sightseeing Siena afternoon without Megan (Duomo, all areas) |
| 18:15-19:00 | Torre del Mangia Viewpoint without Megan |
| from 19:00 | Dinner, see culinary tips Siena |
- In the afternoon we start with the Duomo complex and the famous Duomo Santa Maria Assunta di Siena, with its black and white facade color and the dark green, white, and red marble, it is an architectural masterpiece of Italian Gothic with Romanesque and Classicist influences. The Libreria Piccolomini is in a side wing of the Duomo with an impressive cycle of frescoes by Pinturicchio and handwritten manuscripts.
- Optionally, you can also visit the Porta del Cielo with a bird’s-eye view over the nave of the Duomo. We didn’t visit it due to time constraints.
- You can reach the Facciatone viewpoint via the Duomo Museo. On the way up, however, you will be guided through the entire museum to split up the visitors a bit. Only small groups will be allowed to ascend to the viewpoint for a few minutes. The view of Siena afterwards is great, so it’s worth the wait.
- Underneath the cathedral is the Cripta with wall paintings that were hidden until recently.
- Right next to the Duomo is the Battistero di San Giovanni.
- For the cathedral complex, we recommend the Opa Si Pass, which gives you three consecutive days to visit the individual areas of the cathedral complex.
- We ended the day with a great view from Torre del Mangia. It is almost mandatory. A narrow staircase with 300 steps to the top awaits you. The view is worth it!
More details and information (including entrance fees, opening hours and whether dogs are allowed) about the mentioned sights can be found in the next section: All Sighs From Day 1 In Detail
All Sights From Day 1 In Detail
Piazza del Campo
We started our day of sightseeing visiting Piazza del Campo, one of the most famous landmarks in Siena and the heart of the old town. As the square is the historic center of Siena, we ended up here again and again.
Piazza del Campo is semicircular and slightly sloping. The area of today’s square was originally used as place where rainwater could drain off, but also markets were occasionally held. To commemorate the Nove Signori (Reign of the Nine), who ruled the city at the end of the 13th century, the square is divided into nine segments. You can also see this from the Torre del Mangia, where the square looks like a fan or a shell from above.
At any time of the day, tourists and locals alike gather in Piazza del Campo and make themselves comfortable on the ground. If you want, you can enjoy the special atmosphere from one of the numerous cafés and restaurants and let your gaze wander over the spacious square. The Palazzo Pubblico with its gigantic tower, Torre del Mangia, attracts everyone’s attention, but the other historic buildings also provide a beautiful ambience.
Siena is world-famous for the Palio di Siena horse race, held in Piazza del Campo since the Middle Ages. It takes place twice a year: on July 2nd and August 16th.
Our tip: Get up early! We took our dog Megan for a morning walk to Piazza del Campo at around 8:00 – at that time we had the entire place to ourselves.
Info: Dogs allowed, no entrance fee
Torre del Mangia viewpoint (buy ticket)
In the courtyard of the Palazzo Pubblico, you can buy your ticket for the Torre del Mangia at the ticket office. It is not possible to reserve a ticket in advance and the number of people for the ascent is limited.
Our Tip: So, we recommend that you stop by the ticket office early, i.e. preferably at 10 a.m., when the ticket counter opens, so you have a good chance of getting a ticket for your desired time. We chose the last time slot (18:00). In hindsight, this turned out to be perfect.
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: Tickets are only available on site and cost 10 € per person. You can save money with a combined ticket, which includes the tower and the Museo Civico. (See Museo Civico)
Opening hours: 10:00-19:00 Ticket office closes at: 18:15
Palazzo Pubblico and Civic Museum
The construction of Siena’s most famous building, the Palazzo Pubblico, began in the late 13th century to serve as the seat of the city’s government and magistracies. The terracotta-coloured Palazzo Pubblico with its gigantic Torre del Mangia is not only worth seeing from the outside, it is also worth taking a look into the inner courtyard. There you can also buy your ticket for the Torre del Mangia and/or the Museo Civico.
We didn’t visit the Museo Civico due to time constraints. If you are interested in art, then a tour of the museum is worthwhile. In addition to the sumptuous rooms, you will see paintings, sculptures and frescoes from the 14th to 19th centuries, including some famous frescoes such as the “Guidoriccio da Fogliano” or the “Of Good and Bad Government”.
Inner courtyard:
Info: Dogs allowed, no entrance fee
Civic Museum:
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: 6 €
Combined ticket: Museo Civico+Santa Maria della Scala 14 €, valid for 2 days
Combined ticket: Museo Civico+Torre del Mangia 15 €, valid for 1 day
Combined ticket: Museo Civico+Torre del Mangia+Santa Maria della Scala 20 €, valid for 2 days
Opening hours: 10:00-19:00 ticket office closes at 18:15
Online tickets: Only partially available. Tickets for the Museo Civico and the combined tickets for Museo Civico and Santa Maria della Scala are available online. All other tickets including the Torre del Mangia are not bookable online and can only be purchased at the ticket office of the Museo Civico and the Torre del Mangia. Link: Il Museo Civico | Comune di Siena
Fonte Gaia
Directly at the Piazza del Campo, opposite the Torre del Mangia, you’ll find the Fonte Gaia fountain.
It was built in 1419 under Jacopo della Quercia, but the figures were replaced by replicas in the mid-19th century. The originals are located in the loggia of the Palazzo Pubblico. By the way, the fountain Fonte Gaia translates to “fountain of joy”, as the inhabitants at that time were simply happy about the new fountain. With an altitude of 321m above sea level, it is the highest fountain in Italy.
Although it’s not nearly as famous as the Trevi Fountain in Rome, it’s worth a quick stop or break to admire the fountain and its decorations. In addition, you will be in the middle of Piazza del Campo and thus have a great view of the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia.
Info: Dogs allowed, no entrance fee
Piazza and Palazzo Salimbeni
A well-known photo spot in Siena is Piazza Salimbeni, a 14th-century rectangular piazza formed by three buildings. The building on the right is Palazzo Spannocchi, on the left is Palazzo Cantucci.
However, the main building in the middle, the Palazzo Salimbeni, is the eye-catcher par excellence. Especially in the evening, the palace is worth seeing, as it is very nicely illuminated. The palazzo initially served as the residence of the wealthy and influential Salimbeni family.
Unfortunately, Palazzo Salimbeni cannot be visited from the inside, because it houses the Monte Paschi di Siena bank, the oldest bank in Europe, which still owns the buildings surrounding the square.
In the center of Piazza Salimbeni there is a statue of the archdeacon, economist and politician Sallustio Bandini.
Info Piazza: Dogs allowed, no entrance fee!
Info Palazzo: cannot be visited!
The Woman in the Window
On the way to the Basilica di San Francesco, on Via die Rossi 123, you will find the artwork and photo motif “The Woman in the Window”, also known as “La Dama Ignuda e l’Antica Fonte con Barbicone”, a white sculpture that seems to look cautiously out of a nondescript town house.
We would only recommend this “sight” to you if you also visit the Basilicia di San Francesco, we would not walk there for just “The Woman in the Window “.
Info: Dogs allowed, no entrance fee
Basilica Di San Francesco
The Basilica di San Francesco was built between 1326 and 1475 under Agostino di Giovanni and Agnolo di Ventura. Built in the Romanesque style, it was expanded into a Gothic structure over the next two centuries. The church is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi and only received a campanile in 1763.
The Basilica is off the beaten track and that’s what makes it special in our opinion. As a counterpart to the magnificent cathedral of Siena, the Basilica is definitely worth a visit from the inside. It looks like a large, empty room, where the focus is on the essentials and the quiet and peaceful atmosphere gives you time to take a deep breath after a strenuous day of sightseeing.
Info: No dogs allowed! Free of charge
Opening hours: 08:00-12:30 and 15:30-19:00
Duomo Santa Maria Assunta di Siena incl. Libreria Piccolomini (Optional: Porta del Cielo)
In the afternoon, after a short break, walk to the cathedral complex. These include the Duomo with the Libreria Piccolomini and the Porta del Cielo, the Museo dell’Opera, the Facciatone observation deck, the Cripta and the Battistero di San Giovanni. You can visit all the highlights with a single pass, all information can be found in the information for the tickets below.
As soon as you reach Piazza del Duomo, the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta di Siena will immediately catch your eye with its black and white facade color and dark green, white, and red marble, as well as other magnificent details. Even from the outside, it is an architectural masterpiece of Italian Gothic with Romanesque and Classicist influences. More than 5 centuries went into the construction of the cathedral! Insane! If the cathedral had been redesigned in the 14th century as planned, it would be the largest church in the world today. However, due to the outbreak of the plague, the plans were abandoned.
Our Tip: We recommend you visit the cathedral from the inside and allow more time for all the splendor and pageantry.
A special feature of the interior of the Duomo di Siena is its floor. It consists of ornately decorated marble slabs – a unique work of art worldwide. To admire all 56 fields with the most diverse depictions of biblical or historical scenes, you should take a little time. Attention: Much of the floor is covered for protection most of the time and is only exposed from about mid-August to mid-October.
Furthermore, there are countless art treasures to marvel at. Duccio di Buoninsegna, Nicola Pisano, Donatello, Pinturicchio, Beccafumi, Michelangelo and Bernini are just a few of the artists who have immortalized themselves here.
As with the exterior facade of the cathedral, the zebra pattern continues inside. The black-and-white striped pillars lead the gaze upwards to the mighty dome. The dark blue ceiling with ribbed vault is reminiscent of a starry sky.
By the way, the black and white marble stripes on the walls and columns of the Duomo reflect the colors of the civic coat of arms of Siena. According to legend, it commemorates the black and white horse of Senius and Aschius, the two founders of Siena.
After visiting the Duomo, you can visit the Libreria Piccolomini. It is in a side wing of the cathedral. This is a small room, we had to queue for a short time and then we were able to walk around at walking pace to marvel at the impressive cycle of frescoes by Pinturicchio and handwritten manuscripts. The frescoes depict stations from the life of Enea Silvio Piccolomini on his way to the papacy. But the walls and ceiling are also ornately decorated, so it’s not hard to get lost in the magnificent details.
Info: Only with an extra ticket (and via a separate entrance) you can reach the so-called Porta del Cielo. You can expect a great bird’s eye view over the nave of the cathedral. Unfortunately, since it is no longer included in the Opa Si Pass and we didn’t have that much time, so we skipped the Porta del Cielo.
Info: No dogs allowed!
Opening hours:
Duomo di Siena, Libreria Piccolomini, Museo Duomo daily 10:00-19:00; On SUN 13:30-18:00;
Duomo di Siena on Saturday: SA 10:30-18:00;
Facciatone, Cripta and Battistero daily 09:30-19:30;
Porta del Cielo same opening hours as Duomo
Entrance fees:
Combined ticket OPA SI PASS: Monumental complex of the Duomo di Siena (Duomo, Libreria Piccolomini, Museo Duomo + Facciatone, Cripta and Battistero)
This ticket gives you access to all listed areas except Porta del Cielo. The ticket is valid for three consecutive days, which means you don’t have to see all the sights at once.
There is also the possibility to buy your ticket at the ticket office on site, but we would not recommend this, because it is quite possible that the contingent is exhausted, and you will not get a ticket for the desired day.
Our Tip: Online tickets: We bought our ticket online through Opera Duomo Siena:
Opera Duomo Siena – Siena Opera della Metropolitana
Other online options:
Siena: Dom-Komplex-Pass (OPA SI Pass) | GetYourGuide
If you book the tickets via GetYourGuide, you can cancel them free of charge up to 24 hours in advance!
Museo dell’Opera (Museo Duomo) & Facciatone Viewpoint
Next to the Duomo is the museum (Museo dell’Opera della Metropolitana, Museo Duomo). The entrance is in a side building to the east of the Duomo. The museum is spread over several floors. A wide variety of paintings, sculptures and furnishings of the Duomo await you. Among other things, the works of Duccio di Buoninsegna are exhibited here. Among them is the Maestà, the altarpiece that once adorned the high altar of the cathedral. Impressive paintings such as the Madonna degli Occhi Grossi, one of the oldest of the Sienese school, can also be seen here.
Our Tip: It is certainly very interesting for those interested in art (but we walked through quickly to get to the Facciatone viewpoint), as you can only reach the view via the Museo Duomo. Unfortunately, it is impossible to go directly to the viewpoint, because you will be stopped by the staff on each floor of the Museo Duomo and forced to visit each floor before you reach the viewpoint. Yes, this was a bit tedious and time-consuming, but also understandable, because the viewpoint can only be reached via a narrow round staircase and for safety reasons only small groups are allowed up for a few minutes. That’s why they try to split up the visitors a bit, because otherwise the queue up to the viewpoint would be even longer. The view over Siena is great, so it’s worth the wait.
Our Tip: Due to the waiting times, be sure to plan 1 to 1 1/2 hours for the visit to the Museo Duomo and the Facciatone viewpoint.
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: see Duomo
Opening hours: see Duomo
Cripta
After the Duomo, Museo dell’Opera and the viewpoint, you can visit the rest later or even another day, because with the Opa Si Pass you have three consecutive days to visit the individual areas of the Duomo complex.
Since the entrances to the Cripta and Battistero are outside the cathedral, you will need to show your ticket again.
Diagonally opposite the Museo dell’Opera , you can access the Cripta via a separate entrance on the eastern side of the Duomo.
The Cripta is located directly below the Duomo and, like the Duomo, dates to the 13th century. It first served as the main altar’s foundation and later became a place of veneration and storage of relics. However, the Cripta was only discovered in 1999 and thus slumbered in secret. Today, you can marvel at the murals it contains. The Cripta is very mystical and fascinating due to the entire labyrinthine construction. A lesser-known part of the Duomo di Siena, but not to be missed in your sightseeing program!
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: see Duomo
Opening hours: see Duomo
Battistero di San Giovanni
One entrance further, on the opposite side of the main entrance of the Duomo, is the Battistero di San Giovanni, the Gothic Battistero. During reconstruction, the Duomo had become too long and in order to support it, the Battistero was simply placed under the choir of the main church. The vault inside, which is supported by pillars, is enormous, as the weight of the Duomo must also be carried.
Our Tip: The Battistero is of course small compared to the Duomo, so you don’t have to spend so much time here. The main attraction is the hexagonal baptismal font made of marble. It is considered a masterpiece of the early Renaissance, thanks to its bas-relief by Jacopo della Quercia, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Donatello.
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: see Duomo
Opening hours: see Duomo
Our Tips for visiting the cathedral complex
We recommend that you visit the Facciatone viewpoint in the late afternoon to experience Siena shining in orange light. We would do the tour of the Duomo first thing in the morning so that you can enjoy the interior of the cathedral without crowds.
Avoid Sundays and public holidays during your visit, because then the rush is particularly big, and the opening hours are additionally shortened. We were in Siena on the weekend, there was also a big event, so it was very crowded!
If you are in Siena for longer, we would recommend that you split the visit of the individual areas of the Duomo complex into at least 2 days, then it will be less stressful.
Since we only spent 1 ½ days in Siena and also had our dog Megan with us, we visited all areas of the Duomo in one afternoon and the planned 2 ½ hours (with waiting time at the viewpoint Facciatone) were already very sporty.
Torre del Mangia viewpoint
Siena’s largest landmark, called Torre del Mangia, is 87 meters (102 meters with lightning rod) high. It is the municipal tower of the Palazzo Pubblico. It was built of brick between 1338 and 1348 and even got a mechanical clock as early as the 14th century, which was unusual for the time.
There is also a little story behind the name of the tower. Mangia is a form of the verb “mangiare”, which means to eat in Italian. The first bell ringer was probably very wasteful, he spent his money on good food, which earned him the nickname Mangiaguadagni (which means “revenue eater”), which was abbreviated to “Mangia” and then transferred to the bell tower.
The tower is at the famous Piazza del Campo and is one of Siena’s must-see sights. Today, you can climb the tower via narrow stairs (300 steps!) and enjoy an unforgettable view of Siena and the countryside.
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: The tickets are only available on site and cost 10 € per person. You can save money here with a combined ticket, which includes admission to the tower and the Museo Civico. (See Museo Civico)
Opening hours: 10:00-19:00. Ticket office closes at: 18:15
Day 2 – Siena
Morning
All sights in the morning can again be visited with a dog. So, take your dog on another tour through Siena!
| Time | Point of the day |
| 07:00-08:30 | Walking and Sightseeing Siena with Megan (Piazza del Campo & Duomo di Siena) |
| 08:30-09:30 | Breakfast accommodation in Siena |
| 10:00 | Check-out accommodation Siena, luggage Lobby |
| 10:00-14:30 | Sightseeing Siena morning, incl. lunch with Megan |
| 13:30-14:30 | Lunch Osteria Permalico with Megan |
| 14:45-15:30 | Accommodation Siena, call garage, load luggage |
| 15:30 | Departure Siena |
- We start the second day in Siena with our visit to the fountain Fontebranda , which you can combine with a short walk with your dog!
- Afterward, head to the Santuario di Santa Caterina, the birthplace of St. Catherine of Siena. We only visited them from the outside, as we had our dog with us.
- The Basilica di San Domenico is in the west of Siena’s old town and is one of the most important church buildings in Siena. It took almost 240 years to build!
- On the way back from the Basilica di San Domenico to the old town, you will pass the fantastic viewpoint Terrazza Panoramica (Vicolo del Campaccio – Via Camporegio). Also highly recommended at sunset!
- Another viewpoint Vista Panoramica di Siena is located on Viale XXV Aprile – Via Bruno Bonci, next to the Bistrot Prosperino.
- Afterwards, you can stop by the Fortezza Medicea. On the walls of the fortress, you can take the dog for a walk and enjoy a fabulous view of the old town.
More details and information (including entrance fees, opening hours and whether dogs are allowed) about the mentioned sights can be found in the section below. All Sights Of Day 2 In Detail
All Sights Of Day 2 In Detail
Fontebranda
The second day in Siena starts with our visit to the fountain Fontebranda , another historic fountain in Siena. It is in the southern part of Siena, outside the old city walls, in the “Contrada dell’Onda” district.
The fountain consists of three Gothic arches and a large water basin. It has a long history, as it supplied Siena with water via a kilometer-long underground canal system as early as the Middle Ages. In the past, the basin was divided into three parts: for people, for animals and for washing clothes. Today, colorful fish swim in it.
Info: Dogs allowed, no entrance fee
Santuario di Santa Caterina
The Santuario di Santa Caterina, also known as Santuario Cateriniano, is one of Siena’s most emblematic attractions. It is the birthplace of Saint Catherine of Siena, a famous saint and mystic of the 14th century. Since 18.6.1939 she has been the patron saint of Italy.
Nothing remains of the original dwelling, as most of the rooms have been converted into church buildings. The architecture is a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.
Inside the building, you can learn more about the life of St. Catherine. The sanctuary serves as a place of worship and prayer for people from all over the world.
Since we were traveling with our dog that day, we only looked at the Santuario di Santa Caterina from the outside.
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: free
Opening hours: 09:00-18:00
Basilica Di San Domenico
The Basilica di San Domenico is in the west of Siena’s historic center, close to the Artemio Franchi football stadium, on the Colle di San Domenico hill in Campo Regio. The Basilica of San Domenico is one of the most important churches in Siena. It took almost 240 years to build this mendicant church, the construction of which was kept very simple. Inside, however, you can admire beautiful frescoes.
Due to its association with Saint Catherine of Siena, it is also known as the Basilica Cateriniana. In one chapel there is the head relic of St. Catherine.
Info: No dogs allowed!
Entrance fees: free
Opening hours: 7:00-18:30
Viewpoint Terrazza Panoramica Vicolo del Campaccio – Via Camporegio
On the way back from the Basilica di San Domenico to the old town, we walked along Via Camporegio and found the second perfect panoramic view of Siena. At the end of the street at Ristorante San Domenico, you can take some great photos of Siena from the terrace. Then you can continue along the narrow path (Vicolo del Campaccio), and you will come back to the Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina.
Our Sunset tip: Although you can’t watch the sun go down here, the viewpoint before sunset is still recommended, because you can marvel at Siena in the orange light and take great photos! If you would like to dine comfortably at Ristorante San Domenico, we recommend that you make a reservation in advance!
Info: Viewpoint: Dogs allowed ; Ristorante: We don’t know if dogs are allowed.
Viewpoint Vista Panoramica di Siena Viale XXV Aprile – Via Bruno Bonci
We had an impressive view of Siena from this viewpoint, the view was simply breathtaking! Megan also liked this majestic view very much and so she positioned herself for a photo! You’ll find the viewpoint right next to Bistrot Prosperino on Viale XXV Aprile – Via Bruno Bonci.
Our Sunset tip: Like the viewpoint Panoramico Vicolo del Campaccio -Via Camporegio, you can’t watch the sun go down here, but you can watch Siena glowing in an orange light.
Info: Dogs allowed, no entrance fee, no opening hours
Fortezza Medicea
The Fortezza Medicea is a historic fortress located in the northwest of the old town. The fortress was built in the Renaissance style by order of the Medici family between 1561 and 1563 on a hill to watch over the city.
Nowadays, the Fortezza Medicea is used for cultural and public events and serves as a recreational area for both locals and tourists.
Our Tip: On the walls of the fortress, you can go for a walk with the dog and enjoy a fabulous view of Siena’s old town from afar. This attraction was nothing special for us, but a nice change to walk the dog outside of downtown Siena.
Info: Dogs allowed ,no entrance fee, no opening hours
Organizational stuff
Trip Duration – How many days should I plan to explore Siena?
For visiting the main sights of the city, as well as for enjoying the culinary delights of the city, you should spend at least 2-3 days (2 nights) in Siena.
Unfortunately, we only had 1 ½ days (1 night) on our round trip through Tuscany. Especially when visiting the cathedral complex it became a bit stressful.
For a deeper insight into the history of this fascinating city, we recommend 4 days (3 nights). If you want to discover the area around Siena, you can plan 5 days (4 nights) or more. Siena is very centrally located and allows you to explore neighboring cities such as Firenze, San Gimignano, Volterra or the regions of Val d’Orcia and Chianti. See our other posts for inspiration: <LINK>
When to go – When is the best time to visit Siena?
The best time to visit Siena is spring (March to May), the weather is mild and the landscape around Siena is lush green.
Our tip: We were in Siena at the end of April – in the morning it was still a bit cold, in the afternoon already summery warm, so ideal for a trip with a dog.
Autumn (late September to November) is another pleasant time to visit Siena, as it is still warm, but not as hot as in summer.
Winter (December to February) also has its charm, if you don’t mind the cold and rain, then you can get to know Siena from its quiet side during these months.
Parking & Transportation – Which parking spaces can you recommend? What public transportation do I need in Siena?
The medieval city has a ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) system, so the old town is closed to regular car traffic. If you are staying in Siena, please contact your accommodation for parking. If your accommodation does not provide a parking space, or you are only visiting Siena as part of a day trip, we recommend that you park your car in one of the following parking lots:
- Parcheggio La Stazione: The first half hour in the car park is free, 0.50 € cents for the 1st hour and 2.50 € from the 2nd hour. This car park is the cheapest. From here, an escalator leads up to the entrance to the city (Porta Camollia). Right near the Porta is the Pasticceria Buti Siena. From Porta Camollia it is about a 20-minute walk to Piazza del Campo. If you are staying overnight, please check the costs.
- Parcheggio San Francesco in Siena: The costs here are 2.50 € per hour. You can park on the outskirts of the city and take the escalator from there. If you are staying overnight, please check the costs.
- Parcheggio Santa Caterina/Fontebranda: There are also escalators that lead to the center. The car park is located near the Basilica di San Domenico, Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina and Fontebranda. 2.00 € per hour. If you are staying overnight, please check the costs.
- Il Campo: From this car park it takes about 10 minutes to walk to Piazza del Campo. Open 24 hours. 2.00 € per hour, 35.00 € per day. If you stay in a hotel in Siena, it is 25.00 € per day.
- Il Duomo: This medium-sized car park is located close to the cathedral. Open 24 hours. 2.00 € per hour and 35.00 € per day.
All the attractions in Siena are within walking distance! So you do not need any public transportation in Siena!
Our Tip for Your Accommodation!
We can highly recommend the comfortable and chic accommodation Casatorre dei Leoni, if you are planning only one or two nights for Siena and are therefore looking for a hotel close to the city center with private parking/valet parking.
The elegantly furnished suites, with their unique style of old and new, are a real gem. The large common room, where the delicious breakfast is served in the morning, invites you to linger after a long day of sightseeing. There are only 3 suites and 3 apartments, a family atmosphere that we always appreciate.
The hotel is about 200 meters from Piazza del Campo, making it perfect for visiting the city on foot. The hotel staff were very friendly, and our dog Megan felt very welcome.
There is no parking directly at the property, but the hotel offers valet parking:
Valet parking (€30 per day) must be booked in advance. Upon arrival in Siena, go directly to the address of the parking garage (outside the historic center of Siena). There you will hand over the car key to a driver, who will then drive your car and take you and your luggage to the hotel. There you will have time to drop your luggage and the driver will then take your car back to the garage. The hotel staff will contact the driver as soon as you need your car back and in about 20 minutes your car will be back in front of the hotel.
Our Tip: The reason why we describe the valet service in so much detail, well, we didn’t realize that the driver would drive to the hotel WITH US in the car. Since we will spend 5 weeks in Italy, we also had a lot of luggage, plus the dog, there was no room for a third person in the car. So, Christoph walked to the hotel, and Megan, I and the driver went to the hotel in our car. It was all very unusual for us, but in the end, everything worked out well. 😊
We were very satisfied and would highly recommend Casatorre dei Leoni for your stay in Siena.
Culinary Tips For Siena
Restaurants
Osteria il Carroccio: WOW and WOW! This authentic little osteria not far from Piazza del Campo is a real gem. One of the best restaurants we had lunch in Tuscany. We had 2x antipasti, 2x primi piatti and 1x dolce. Particularly recommended are the artichoke pie and the gnocchetti with cabbage pesto and truffle.
Great authentic Osteria atmosphere, homemade pasta, friendly service and tasteful reasonably priced food! Our table neighbors were locals, no wonder with the great quality! The Osteria is very small and always full, so we strongly recommend that you make a reservation in advance!
Info: Dogs allowed!
Antipasti:
- “Palline di Pecorino con lardo e sala di pere” (left picture)
- “Tortino di Carciofi con crema di pecorino e tartufo freso” (right picture)
Primi Piatti:
- “Gnocchetti con pesto di cavolo nero e tartufo fresco” (left picture)
- “Pici Cacio e Pepe” (right picture)
Dolce:
- Tiramisù
Osteria Permalico: Top! Quaint and traditional osteria, authentic dishes, generous portions – we were full. The service was friendly, if a bit slow, but you must consider that we were there on a Sunday at lunchtime and the place was full. Great value for money! Be sure to make a reservation!
Info: Dogs allowed!
Primi Piatti: “Tagliatelle al ragù di coniglio con olive”
Secondi Piatti: “Polpette di manzo con maionese aromatizzat all’origano” (picture below)
Secondi Piatti: “Tonno del Chianti”
“Tonno del Chianti” is a traditional specialty of the Chianti region, not tuna, but pork. The pork legs/pork loins are cooked and then the meat is marinated in olive oil. The final product looks like pickled tuna, and so the dish got the name “Tonno del Chianti”. It is served at Osteria Permalico with red onions and bread.
Other Restaurant Recommendations
La Taverna di San Giuseppe: Michelin star. The restaurant is very well known and was recommended to us for dinner. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a place anymore, so make sure to make a reservation in time. If you’re a fan of wild boar and truffles, you must go there.
Ristorante La Locanda dei Tintori: Small restaurant in a steep side street of Siena, great and friendly service, great chef, be sure to book, excellent meat dishes (rabbit), homemade pasta, artichoke pie. Close to Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina.
Osteria Nonna Gina: Typical osteria, handwritten Italian menu, they will be happy to help you with the translation. The Nonna is still cooking here, be sure to make a reservation, good value for money, local pasta, gnocchi. Located west of the cathedral.
Coffee
Torrefazione Fiorella: The best café in the old town for a “caffè al banco” – this means that you drink the espresso at the bar, quick, quick and off you go sightseeing! If you want to have some breakfast with your coffee, then we recommend a cornetto filled with pistachio crème. There are also coffee beans to take home – we took a pack with us of course!
Gelato
Gelateria Il Masgalano: This small gelateria is located near the Basilica di San Domenico. We can highly recommend dark chocolate, pistachio and café Arabica. There are also lactose-free and vegan ice cream flavors.
Sweets
You can’t leave Siena without trying its traditional pastry specialties. Probably the most famous specialty is “Panforte”. A dense, rich cake made of candied fruits, nuts, honey, spices, which is usually pressed into round shapes and dusted with icing sugar. Traditionally, this pastry is enjoyed at Christmas and on special occasions in Siena. If you prefer more spices in combination with cocoa, then try “Panpepato”.
Another popular Sienese specialty is the “Ricciarelli”. These are soft, almond-based cookies dusted with icing sugar. They have a characteristic oval-elliptical shape and are slightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Pasticceria Buti Siena: This pasticceria is located just outside Siena. Gianni and Rosanna (blog entry Chianti South) gave us this tip. The quality is top, and it is good price for value. Of course, here you can also enjoy the typical sweets such as Panforte, Panpepato, Cantucci, Ricciarelli. However, Pasticceria Buti is known for its exclusive “Caramellato”. A fragrant puff pastry with a rich, delicious filling of Crema Chantilly all’Italiana. A sweet seduction!
Pagnifico il Magnifico: The historic bakery is one of the oldest in the city and is located near Piazza del Campo. It offers all the traditional Tuscan sweets. We bought Ricciarelli, Panforte and Cantucci there for home.
Nannini: The Nannini family’s café/pasticceria is an institution in Siena. The ambience inside reminds us of the Viennese coffee house. The selection of cakes and pastries is impressive and leaves nothing to be desired. In the front area there are bar tables and a large counter where you can order. In the back there are some small tables with armchairs, where there is also a service. We were there on a Sunday, the restaurant was very well attended, so the service was a little overwhelmed. We recommend that you don’t necessarily visit the café during peak hours and on weekends. It’s better to order at the counter and then consume the delicacies at the bar tables.
Attention: All information in the article for opening hours and prices is as of 2023.