Siena is the typical city that, if found elsewhere, would hit the ball ... but as it is close to Florence it goes quite unnoticed among tourists and travelers.
Wrong, because this Tuscan city has much to offer and it is also one of the most peaceful places to spend a morning wandering around and discovering its greatest jewels. If you have planned a visit to Siena, take note: we will tell you everything you can see and do a day in Siena.
* At the end of the article we give you a lot of useful information to prepare your visit to Siena
The jewel in the crown of the city: going to Siena without going to Plaza del Campo is like going to Madrid and not eating a squid sandwich ... sacrilege! It is one of the most beautiful medieval squares in all of Europe: it is characterized by its curious shell shape and for being the scene of the controversial Palio de Siena.
Beauty apart, the square offers some unmissable views: on the one hand there is the Gaia fountain (a small fountain from 1419, adorned with beautiful bas-reliefs) and the Public Palace, with the famous Torre del Mangia (Where, if you do not suffer from vertigo and / or claustrophobia, you can go up to have the best views of the city).
Although the best of Plaza del Campo is without a doubt its environment: sitting in the center of the square and seeing you surrounded by all its medieval buildings and the funny Tuscan accent, is a fun contrast that deserves to be lived. I did until the rhyme. I i i!
Tip: if you like tours, you can do this through the city center (includes a visit to the Cathedral).
You guessed: we go from square to square and we throw because we have to. Or something like that. To what we were going: the Plaza del Duomo is another essential stop in Siena, the reason is that here is one of the cathedrals most majestic of all Tuscany and one of the best examples of Italian Gothic art. It is striking to see that the entire cathedral is built with white marble and dark green (almost black), the colors of the city of Siena. In its interior, in addition, there are hidden a few treasures that bear the signature of Donatello, Pisano, Pinturicchio and Michelangelo.
Small detail: your visit is not free (grr!), So you must decide if you are worth spending the 4-7 € of the entrance ticket to the cathedral (the price depends on the date of visit, more info here) or € 8-15 for the “Opasi Pass” pass that also allows access to the baptistery, the bookstore, the crypt and the panoramic terrace.
Right in front of the Duomo is Santa Maria della Scala, one of the first pilgrim lodges in history. Although probably, after much walking and feeding the soul ... you will want to feed the stomach.
If you have parked the car in the northern part of the city you will have to go through this huge basilica. The construction is quite sober, but best of all are the views of the city from its surroundings.
From the Basilica San Domenico if you continue along the steep Via della Sapienza you reach this beautiful square. The protagonists here are the Palazzo Salimbeni, with a beautiful facade, which today is the headquarters of the main bank of Siena, and the statue of Sallustio Bandini.
The Palazzo Chigi Saracini, one of the most beautiful medieval palaces in Siena, stands in one of its thousand streets. Impressed its curved facade on two levels (the first two levels of marble and the last of brick) and its stone tower. Today this building houses a private art exhibition and is the headquarters of the prestigious Accademia Musicale Chigiana. You can enter your porticoed patio where there are beautiful frescoes on the roof and a well in the center.
Siena is a very beautiful city, it is best to explore its historic center to discover the most charming corners. In addition, being a fairly small city, you can kick from one side to the other in a short time (yes, be prepared to go up and down stairs, slopes and descents).
You can not miss walking by Via Bianchi di Sopra Y Via Bianchi di Sotto wave Via di Città, the main pedestrian arteries and the heart of the city. In them are the best medieval palaces like the Palazzo Chigi Saracini, the Palazzo Piccolomini, the Palazzo delle Papese wave Loggia di Mercanzia.
Tip: this tour will help you to know the main points of the city at the hand of a local and also has a mmm gastronomic part! More info here.
If there is something that characterizes this beautiful medieval city are its 'contrade'. They correspond to each of the 17 neighborhoods in which Siena was historically divided, each has a symbol that is identified with its name (aquila, bruco, chiocchiola, civetta, drago, giraffa, istrice, leocorno, magnifying glass, nicchio, oca, panther, jungle, tartuca, tower, valdimontone). They function as public bodies although they are best known for being the competitors of the famous (and controversial) Palio di Siena. It will not be strange to see flags hanging on the balconies and facades with the colors and symbols of the Contrada where you are walking.
Do you know more stuff what to see and do a day in Siena?
USEFUL INFO
TICKETS
If you plan to enter all the places of interest, we recommend that you get a Opa Si Pass, which includes the entrance to the Cathedralat baptistery, go down to the crypt, the visit to dell'Opera museum and climb to panoramic terrace of the Facciatone. The price varies from the period. More info here.
WHERE TO EAT IN SIENA?
Eating badly in Tuscany is very difficult, but not impossible, so keep an eye out, the trap traps are everywhere!
To eat something fast and cheap:
La Piccola Ciaccineria:Pizza portions at € 1.5-2. Via San Pietro, 52. Web.
- Salumeria il Cencio: sandwich shop in Piazza del Campo, the panino with the porchetta 3-4 €). The best thing about this site is that you can go upstairs to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Piazza del Campo from your balcony, yes ... if you suffer from vertigo you better sit on the balcony steps! Piazza del Campo, 70
- Pasta & Enough: a small place next to Piazza del Campo with pasta to take from € 5. Via del Porrione.
To eat something more elaborate:
- The taverna di San Giuseppe:For many it is one of the best restaurants in Siena, quality dishes with medium-high prices € 8-10 the first, € 12-20 the second. Via Giovanni Dupre 132. Web.
- Osteria il Bargello: first between € 6.50 and € 7.50 and main between € 7.50 and 8.50. Via di Città, 55. Web.
SIENA'S BEST ICE CREAM
And of course ... we recommend you try the best ice cream in Siena:
- Kopakabana Gelateria (The name is not very Tuscan, but here they make the best ice cream in Siena and this is what matters). Via Rossi 52.
WHERE TO PARK FOR FREE IN SIENA?
We arrived by car so we had to find our lives to find free parking in Siena. We found it, but it was full, and after 3 or 4 laps we decided to leave it in the payment area ... proof not achieved!
The free parking area in Siena is in Viale Vittorio Veneto, next to the Parcheggio della Fortezza and the Parcheggio dello Stadio (both paid). This entire street is a free zone, almost to the stadium. We went 3 or 4 laps hoping to find somewhere, but we had no luck. In the end we leave it in a cross street, in the payment area, with the rate of € 1.50 per hour.
From Viale Vittorio Veneto to the center of Siena is a 15-minute walk, passing through the stadium and the huge Basilica of San Doménico. Also from here there are beautiful views of the city.
VISIT TO SIENA FROM FLORENCE
You have the option of arriving in Siena from Florence for free or joining one of the tours that depart from the Tuscan capital and travel beautiful places of this region, among which is Siena:
- For free: there are regional trains that leave from the station of Firenze S. M. Novella to Siena throughout the day from 08:10 every hour and take an hour and a half. The price is € 9.10. For the return trains leave at XX: 18, and the last one is at 21:26. The price is the same.
- With tour: you can join any of these tours
- Excursion to San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti. More info here.
- Excursion to Pisa, San Gimignano and Siena.More info here.
- Sunset in Siena and dinner at Chianti.More info here.
