Siena, located in Tuscany, offers a wealth of attractions for visitors to enjoy. From the stunning churches and palaces to the famous fountains and gates, there is something for everyone. If you’re interested in architecture, the Best Things to See in Siena are:

1. 1. Piazza del Campo
   2. Siena Cathedral
   3. Palazzo Pubblico
   4. Torre del Mangia
   5. Fonte Gaia
   6. Il Facciatone
   7. Piccolomini Library
   8. Fontebranda
   9. Chigi Chapel
   10. Santa Maria della Scala
   11. Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista
   12. Siena Cathedral Bell Tower
   13. Basilica of San Domenico
   14. Palazzo Salimbeni
   15. Porta Romana
   16. Palazzo Buonsignori
   17. Fonte Nuova d’Ovile
   18. Basilica of San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi
   19. Fortezza Medicea

In less than 2 hours, you can see 17 of the 19 best sights on our suggested Siena Walking Tour. Of course, it will take considerably longer if you tour all the attractions open to the public (which you definitely should do). Depending on how much time is spent staring at the frescos, you should be able to see and tour all the Siena sights in a full day.

If you still have time, you can take an additional 30 minutes and see the Palazzo Salimbeni and the Fonte Nuova d’Ovile. This walk will take you through parts of the old town not included in the original walking tour.

This website contains affiliate links that may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Piazza del Campo (aka Il Campo) is paved with red brick divided by 10 lines of white travertine stone creating a shell-like appearance with nine sections representing the ruling nine magistrates in the “governo dei nove” who brought the city to its greatest period of prosperity in the early to mid-1300s.

The Piazza del Campo is the heart of Siena and is the best place to sit and people-watch. Twice a year the Campo is home to the Palio di Siena horse race.

aka Duomo di Siena aka Siena Duomo aka Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta)

Work on the impressive west facade commenced in 1284 but was halted in 1317. It was finished between 1360 and 1370.

The Cathedral is home to fantastic frescoes and sculptures by Michelangelo and Donatello.

The Palazzo Pubblico means Town Hall in Italian. Construction began in the 13th century. It is home to the civic museum and showcases many large famous frescoes in its rooms. Its most famous fresco, The Allegory of Good and Bad Government, is a must-see masterpiece.

The Tower of Mangia is part of the Palazzo Pubblico in the historic center. You can climb up to the top and enjoy amazing views of the city center and surrounding Tuscan countryside.

The Fonte Gaia by Jacopo della Quercia in the Piazza del Campo is the most important public fountain in the city. It is especially beautiful at night as it glows shades of blue and purple.

It was originally constructed in the 15th century. Over the years, weather and human rowdiness during the biannual horse races in the Campo damaged the original fountain. The current fountain is a copy, and the original is on one of the lower levels of the Santa Maria della Scala Museum.

aka the façade of the New Cathedral. During the early 14th century, plans to expand the Siena Cathedral began with the construction of a new facade. Work progressed until it was halted by the Black Death pandemic of 1346 – 1352, which decimated the population. It remains unfinished, but an interior staircase and walkway along the top allow visitors to climb up and enjoy the beautiful views. Entrance tickets can be purchased in combination with the other sites of the Duomo complex.

• Architect: Lando di Pietro
• Built: 1330 – 1357
• Address: Piazza del Duomo, 53100 Siena SI

The Piccolomini Library is located inside the Siena Cathedral. It is a small library built in honor of Pope Pius II and to house his personal manuscript collection. In addition to its collection of books, the library has beautiful frescoes painted by Pinturicchio, which celebrate the life of Pope Pius II.

• Architect:  based on designs by Raphael (probably)
• Built: starting 1492
• Address: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena SI

Fontebranda is the oldest of the numerous fountains in Siena.

• Architect: Giovanni di Stefano
• Built: rebuilt 1246
• Address: Via Fontebranda, 95, 53100 Siena SI

aka Cappella della Madonna del Voto

• Architect:  Johann Paul Schor and Gian Lorenzo Bernini
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1659

Siena is along the Via Francigena, which is an ancient road from Rome to Canterbury, England. During medieval times, it was a popular road for pilgrims on their way to and from Rome. The Santa Maria della Scala is one of the first hospitals in Europe and was created to serve the pilgrims as well as orphaned children. The hospital is now open up to the public as a museum.

• Built: opened March 29, 1090 (possibly as early as 898)
• Address: Complesso Museale di Santa Maria della Scala, Piazza del Duomo, 1, 53100 Siena SI

Battistero di San Giovanni Battista

• Architect:  Camaino di Crescentino
• Style: Gothic
• Built: 1316 – 1325
• Address: Piazza S. Giovanni, 53100 Siena SI

One of the must-see attractions in Siena is the baptismal font inside the baptistery. This masterpiece of early Renaissance art is a hexagonal font adorned with gilded bronze panels depicting the life of John the Baptist. The interior of the baptistery is also decorated with beautiful frescoes created by renowned artists such as Donatello, Giovanni di Turino, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Jacopo della Quercia. The intricate and detailed Renaissance frescoes on the ceilings add to the sublime decoration of this historic site in Siena.

• Built: completed 1313
• Address: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena SI

The bell tower has six bells, with the oldest being cast in 1149.

aka Basilica Cateriniana aka Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico

• Style: Italian Gothic
• Built: 1226 – 1265; additions completed 1465
• Address: Piazza S. Domenico, 1, 53100 Siena SI

• Owner: Salimbeni family
• Architect: Giuseppe Partini (remodel)
• Style: neo-Gothic (remodel)
• Built: 14th century; remodeled 1877 , by
• Address: Piazza Salimbeni, 1, 53100 Siena SI

The palace is now the headquarters of the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena.

• Architect: Agnolo di Ventura and Agostino di Giovanni
• Built: 1327 – 1328
• Address: Via Roma, 83, 53100 Siena SI

aka Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena

• Owner: Giovanni Bichi di Guccio
• Style: Gothic
• Built: c. 1440
• Address: Via S. Pietro, 29, 53100 Siena SI

The palace was bought by the Bonsignori family in 1476.

Fonte Nuova d’Ovile is a beautiful medieval fountain with Gothic arches.

• Architect: Camaino di Crescentino and Sozzo di Rustichino
• Style: Sienese Gothic
• Built: 1298-1303
• Address: Via Pian D’Ovile, 27, 53100 Siena SI

• Architect: Gothic, Renaissance, and Neo- Gothic
• Style: Romanesque
• Built: c. 1255 – 1537
• Address: Piazza Alessandro Manzoni, 5, 53100 Siena SI

• Architect: Baldassarre Lanci
• Style: Renaissance
• Built: 1561 – 1563 
• Address: Piazza Caduti delle Forze Armate, 53100 Siena SI

If you’re still on the fence after reading about the 19 best things to see, check out “Is Siena Worth Visiting.” We review a long list of factors you should consider before reserving a room and booking your flight.

Siena is hilly but walkable. If you have limited time, we suggest visiting the recommended itinerary in the following order:

• • Fortezza Medicea
  • Basilica of San Domenico
  • Fontebranda
  • Piazza del Campo
  • Fonte Gaia
  • Torre del Mangia
  • Palazzo Pubblico
  • Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista
  • Il Facciatone
  • Siena Cathedral Bell Tower
  • Siena Cathedral
  • Chigi Chapel
  • Piccolomini Library
  • Santa Maria della Scala
  • Palazzo Buonsignori
  • Basilica of San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi
  • Porta Romana
• Optional:
  • Palazzo Salimbeni
  • Fonte Nuova d’Ovile

Following the suggested route, you will pass 17 of the 19 Best Things to See in Siena. If you still have time and stamina, you can continue to the last two sights and take in a bit more of the historic old town before having that glass of red wine that’s waiting.

Our suggested Siena Walking Tour starts at Fortezza Medicea, passes all the major attractions, and ends at the Porta Romana on the opposite side of Old Town.

If you arrive by car and need to head back towards the start, you should go slightly out of your way and see the Palazzo Salimbeni and the Fonte Nuova D’Ovile. This route will take you through a new part of the historic Old Town.

Want to learn about the history of Siena with a guide? Book a highly-rated city tour while visiting Siena!

There are many great places to stay in Siena. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Piazza del Campo (the castle marker on the map below).  It is centrally located, near the most popular sites, and is where the best restaurants and bars are located.

Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Siena is March, April, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

We spent the first two weeks of April in Siena. The first week was cold, but it warmed up the second week. There were tourists, but it was manageable and didn’t impact our enjoyment of the city.

If you fly into Florence Airport, you can get to Siena by tram, then a train, then a taxi or bus.

First, you travel to Florence’s main train station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN), by tram. The tram will drop you off in front of the train station. From the Florence train station, you can take a regional train to the Siena Train Station. It is a 1 hr 30 min train ride. The Siena Train Station is at the bottom of the hilltop town. To get to the top, you can take either a taxi or the bus. We have heavy luggage and a French Bulldog so we took a taxi and it cost 12 euro.

Siena, Italy is located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Tuscany is in central Italy and is famous for its red wine, cured pork, and hilly countryside.

Your Siena packing list should include very comfortable walking shoes for the hard cobblestones.

Do you need wifi during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t loose it). Click below for more info.

The city of Siena is best known for its medieval architecture, particularly the Siena Cathedral and the Piazza del Campo. The Siena Cathedral, also known as the Duomo di Siena, is a stunning example of Italian Gothic architecture and features intricate mosaic floors, beautiful frescoes, and a magnificent dome. The Piazza del Campo is the main square in Siena and is famous for its unique shell shape and its annual horse race, known as the Palio di Siena. Additionally, Siena is renowned for its historic center, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city’s rich history, art, and culture make it a must-visit destination in Italy.

Yes, Siena, Italy is beautiful with its historic buildings, hilltop location, beautiful Tuscan countryside views, grand Piazza del Campo, and unique fountains.

Yes, Siena, Italy is definitely worth seeing! This beautiful city is known for its medieval architecture, historic sites such as the Siena Cathedral and Piazza del Campo, delicious Tuscan cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene. Take a stroll through the narrow streets, visit the stunning Duomo, climb the Torre del Mangia for panoramic views, and immerse yourself in the rich history and charm of Siena. It’s a destination that offers a perfect blend of history, art, and Italian culture that you won’t want to miss!

Yes, Siena is a highly walkable city. The historic center of Siena is compact and easily navigated on foot, with many narrow winding streets and charming alleyways to explore. Walking is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and atmosphere of Siena, allowing you to take in the stunning architecture, historical sites, and vibrant local culture at your own pace. Be prepared for some uphill walking as Siena is built on three hills, but the picturesque views and hidden gems along the way make it worth the effort. So lace up your comfortable shoes and get ready to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the enchanting streets of Siena!

You will need two very busy days to walk the hilltop town of Siena, marvel at the Tuscan views, have a glass of chianti in the Piazza del Campo, and see a selection of its famous sites.

If you would like to take a day trip or two to Montalcino, San Gimignano, or Montepulciano, we would recommend 3 to 4 days. Check out the below wine tasting tours from Siena to the surrounding Tuscan towns.

Yes, Siena, Italy is very expensive. It is a popular tourist destination but small in size and located on the top of a hill. So, there is not an abundance of hotel and dining options, resulting in high prices for everything.

Yes, Siena is very safe.

It is not necessary to speak Italian to visit and enjoy Siena. A large percentage of the locals speak English.