There’s something profoundly enchanting about wandering through Siena Italy that makes you feel like you’ve stepped directly into a Renaissance painting. This Tuscan gem, with its terracotta-roofed buildings and winding cobblestone streets, has preserved its medieval character so perfectly that you can almost hear the echo of horses’ hooves from centuries past.
In this short itinerary I’ll guide you through the monuments of Siena but also some small areas you might not have considered.
Let’s dive into it
Map of Siena Italy
Start of your itinerary
The amazing part of Siena is that it’s largely car-free, making it a walker’s paradise. What I love the most about visiting smaller cities is to wander around and not have to think about bus schedules. Siena is a common day-trip from Florence, but no matter which city you come from, you’ll most likely arrive at Siena Central Train Station. From here it’s only an 11 minute walk to Porta Camollia, one out of eight of Sienas’ gates. What many visitors don’t realize is that Siena Italy is still partially surrounded by its original medieval walls, accessed through eight historic gates.
Porta Camollia: The Welcoming Gateway to Siena Italy
On the northern side of Siena city centre, this gate was traditionally the main entrance for those arriving from Florence. The gate has an inscription which reads “Cor magis tibi Sena pandit” translated to “Siena opens her heart to you wider than this gate”; a welcoming message that’s greeted travelers since the Renaissance. Isn’t that cool to think about!
Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico: the Spiritual Sanctuary of Siena Italy
A short 14 minute walk from Porta Camollia is this stunning 11th century church, dedicated to Saint Catherine of Siena Italy. The basilica houses relics of the saint, including her preserved head… yep you read that right. Quite creepy but now you know.
It’s a very simple church but what makes it stand out is how it’s perched on a hill overlooking the city.
Opening hours: 8.45am – 5.45pm
Entry: free
Piazza Salimbeni
5 minutes down the road is Palazzo Salimbeni, the headquarters of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena (the world’s oldest surviving bank, founded in 1472), which anchors the square with a neo-Gothic facade. Surrounded by renaissance palaces is the Piazza Salimbeni, with a statue of the Italian economist Sallustio Bandini.
Inside, you will find a small exhibition related to the history of the bank, but other than that the square just offers a small breathing room from the bustle of the city.
Chiesa di San Cristoforo
Just 2 minutes from Piazza Salimbeni is another small square: Piazza Tolomei. Here stands Chiesa di San Cristoforo, a Romanesque church characterized by an elegant neoclassical facade, which is often overlooked by tourists.
It’s not a big sight, but worth a little lingering.
Piazza del Campo: The Iconic Heart of Siena Italy
By now you should be able to hear the bustle of the heart of Siena Italy, none other than Piazza del Campo. Widely considered one of the most beautiful medieval squares in all of Europe, Piazza del Campo has been the center of Sienese life for over 700 years.
The piazza’s distinctive scallop shell shape is divided into nine sections by white travertine lines and slopes at a noticeable angle toward the town hall (Palazzo Pubblico) at the lowest point, making it feel like a giant outdoor theater. This design isn’t just aesthetic, it also served practical drainage purposes in medieval times.
What makes Piazza del Campo truly special is that it remains a vibrant, living public space rather than just a tourist attraction. Here locals meet to catch up on the latest news. Students study and socialize on the bricks. Children run around in the car-free space and street performers make the square come to life.
The Palio: the famous horserace in Siena Italy
Twice each summer (July 2 and August 16), the Piazza del Campo transforms into a racetrack for the Palio di Siena, one of Italy’s most intense and historic horse races. Tens of thousands of spectators pack into the center of Siena every summer but the Palio isn’t just a tourist spectacle; it’s a deeply meaningful tradition.
Torre del Mangia
The third tallest historic tower in Italy with its 87 metres in height has stood at Piazza del Campo since 1348. Today it’s one of the coolest viewpoints of Siena. However the 400 step climb up the Torre del Mangia is long and narrow. But as said, the 360-degree panoramic views are absolutely spectacular and worth it.
Do you need tickets to climb Torre del Mangia?
Yes. It costs €10 and you’re given a time slot for when you can start the climb up, as there’s a limit to how many can be in the tower at once.
Opening hours:
Winter: 10am – 4pm (ticket office closes at 3.15pm)
Summer: 10am – 7pm (ticket office closes at 6.15pm)
Siena Cathedral: The Magnificent Duomo of Siena Italy
This breathtaking fusion of Romanesque and Italian Gothic architecture that took nearly two centuries to complete is one of Italy’s most spectacular churches.
When I visited Siena in May 2023 I was on a tight budget (and only had a few hours in Siena) so I skipped entering the Cathedral, BUT I’m here to tell you why you shouldn’t.
One of the reasons you should definitely visit the Cathedral, is that tucked off the left aisle is the Piccolomini Library, which is one of the best-preserved Renaissance interiors in Italy.
Adjacent to the cathedral, you’ll notice massive unfinished walls and columns, that’s because in 1339, during the height of Siena’s power, city leaders decided to expand the cathedral to rival Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore. However after construction began, the Black Death of 1348 killed one-third of Siena’s population, and structural problems emerged in what had been built. The project was abandoned, leaving the dramatic architectural fragments you see today. The unfinished nave now houses the cathedral museum (Museo dell’Opera).
This is just covering the tip of the iceberg that is the Siena Cathedral. I highly recommend getting a full-access ticket and spending a morning exploring every corner of this vast complex.
Opening hours: 10am – 7pm (from mar-nov)
Tickets:
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€20
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€9
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Description: ✅ Duomo of Siena entry ✅ Baptistery entry ✅ Crypt entry ✅ Piccolomini Library entry ✅ Museo dell'Opera entry ✅ Facciatone viewpoint access ✅ Digital audio guide ❌Gate of Heaven entrance (roof of the Cathedral) |
Description: ✅ Fast-track entry to Siena Cathedral ✅ Entry to Piccolomini Library ✅ Digital audio app |
✅ Duomo of Siena entry
✅ Baptistery entry
✅ Crypt entry
✅ Piccolomini Library entry
✅ Museo dell'Opera entry
✅ Facciatone viewpoint access
✅ Digital audio guide
❌Gate of Heaven entrance (roof of the Cathedral)
✅ Fast-track entry to Siena Cathedral
✅ Entry to Piccolomini Library
✅ Digital audio app
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