Siena, a historical old town going strong since the medieval era, is a spotlight for history buffs and scenic landscape seekers around the world. With a short ride from Florence, Siena is steeped in a gorgeous landscape with a typical charm of Tuscany, peppered with beautiful Renaissance buildings soaked in stunning terracotta and rose colors, a thousand-year-old wall, and a traditional horse race that takes place twice a year.
On top of that, medieval art and beautiful frescoes have been perfectly preserved for thousands of years, adding a unique touch to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this article, I’ll give you a glimpse into this tranquil old town of Siena, the best things to see and do, as well as the best way to get there from Florence.
How To Get To Siena From Florence?
By Train
There are 15 local trains traversing back and forth between Firenze Santa Maria Novella in Florence and Stazione di Siena in Siena in a day.
The train is roughly two hours. The Siena train station is located at the foot of a hill, which means you need to hail an escalator from inside the Porta Siena shopping center to the hilltop. From there, it’s a short walk to the old town (city center) of Siena.
By Bus
Take bus #131R (Rapida) from Autostazione and Piazzale Montelungo in Florence to Piazza Gramsci or at Viale Tozzi in Siena in just over an hour. You can buy the tickets directly at a ticket booth at one of those bus stations.
Public transports such as trains and buses are the best way to keep the cost down if you’re on a shoestring. The downside is that you can’t cover that many attractions just by relying on your foot.
On top of that, if you wish to cover other parts of Italy such as Arezzo, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or Monteriggioni in a day, it’s too much hassle to round it up that way.
In this case, an organized tour will come into play. It’s an excellent time savor. All you need to do is book a hotel in Florence, sign up for the best tour with your favorite itinerary, and come back to the hotel at the end of the day without any hassle. Plus, with a local guide accompanying you along the way, you’ll learn so much more than you would if venturing out on your own.
Join A Day Trip From Florence
Since both Arezzo and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are easily accessible by train, I opted for the one-day guided tour starting out from Florence with a stop at Siena and Monteriggioni before ending up at San Gimignano.
Here are my recommended day trips with different itineraries you can consider:
Without further ado, let’s jump into a sample itinerary below for a heads-up!
7 Best Things To See And Do In Siena
Piazza Salimbeni
Centrally located as the main city square in Siena, Piazza Salimbeni is known as the banking hub of ancient Italy, housing some of the oldest banks in all of Europe, including the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. The square is named after the Salimbeni family, the wealthiest family in Siena back in the 14th century with their affluence coming from commerce, wheat, spices, and silks.
Via Banchi Di Sopra
The extensive street is a popular gathering point for the locals when the sun beams down. Via Banchi Di Sopra is lined up by an array of boutique stores and souvenir retailers. Here you can find plenty of pasty shops selling panforte, an authentic Italian fruit cake.
Piazza Tolomei
Piazza Tolomei is a hidden gem in Siena, named after the Tolome family, an affluent menage in the banking and trading industry in the XI and XII centuries. One of the most iconic properties left behind by the Tolomei family that still stands the test of time is this notorious stone building. Built in the early 13th century, the heritage house now becomes the oldest residence in Siena.
The 17 Contradas of the Siena Palio
59 contradas (districts) of Siena have reduced in numbers with 17 of which remained today. Each district goes by a different symbol, color, and motto as a form of identification in their competition of a horse race that takes place twice a year on the 2nd of July and 16th of August. The traditional horse race has become one of the most talked-about events in Siena, with each race having ten horses and jockeys to represent each district.
Piazza del Campo
Dubbed as some of the most marvelous central squares in all of Europe, Piazza del Campo serves as a centerpiece for scenic bars and restaurants with a view for people-watching.
Loggia Della Mercanzia
Located just behind Piazza del Campo, Loggia Della Mercanzia is an ancient Gothic-Renaissance piece of art enveloped by the streets of Banchi di Sopra, Banchi di Sotto, and Via di Città. The building was completed in 1428, boasting dramatic architecture with a massive veranda covered by three arches and propped up by exquisite columns and embossments.
Sienna Cathedral (Duomo di Siena)
Last but not least, Siena Cathedral is a historic cathedral perched on top of Piazza del Campo. The iconic building has stood the test of time since 1263, welcoming notorious figures such as Pisano, Donatello, and Michelangelo with their frescoes and works of art perfectly preserved here.
2 Best Traditional Goodies To Buy In Siena (And Where To Go)
- Ricciarelli di Siena PGI: a traditional Italian sweet treat using oven-baked dough, bitter almonds, sugar, and egg white.
- Panforte di Siena: an Italian fruitcake stuffed with nuts and dried fruit using honey syrup to support the texture.
These local goodies are available for sale at Sweets And Wine (Dolci E Cantine Prodotti tipici artigianali Italiani), La Bottega del Tartufo, and Nino and Friends.
Siena is one of my favorite cities to visit in Italy. It retains some of the richest history in Europe with the banking and trading cultures being the bloodline in the course of history. If you visit this part of Italy for the first time, don’t forget to stop by Monteriggioni and San Gimignano on a day trip.
- A Day In Monteriggioni: The Best Things To See And Do
- A Day In San Gimignano: Getting There, Best Day Trip, Things To See And Do