A Day in Siena: The Heart of Tuscany
Arriving in Siena
It is a common misconception that Siena is only possible to visit if you are traveling with a car. This misconception isn't 100% inaccurate, but Siena is still obtainable by train or bus. Siena's train station is very small, meaning that trains aren't super frequent. There is a train from Florence to Siena that takes about an hour and a half and costs about €12. There are also buses for about the same price but tend to take a little longer.
If you are arriving by car, there are many parking lots located around the city that are open to the public. Some of these lots are free and some are paid, just make sure to check before leaving your car. If you are arriving by train or bus, you'll be dropped off on the north side of the city, about a 30 minute walk from the city center. This walk to the city center is 80% uphill, which is why I recommend catching a taxi from the station. A taxi from the train station to Piazza del Campo should cost you no more than €15. Piazza del Campo is where our day will begin.
Piazza del Campo
Piazza del Campo sits in the heart of Siena and is home to Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, which both make up the main palace of Siena. Palazzo Pubblico was originally constructed in 1297 for the royal government of Siena, but currently serves as a museum and UNESCO Heritage Site. Admission into the palace begins at €6 per person. Torre del Mangia is the tower located next to the palace. This tower served as the original watchtower and belltower for Siena in the 13th century. Today, the tower is open for visitors to climb its 400+ steps, and admission starts at €10.
Piazza del Campo also offers restaurants, bars, and shops along its border. These restaurants and cafes in Piazza del Campo offer outdoor seating which make a perfect place to grab a snack and watch the people go by. My personal favorite is Il Bargello, which is located near Fonte Gaia and offers an amazing Aperol spritz for only €3.
Lastly, the big tradition of Siena: Palio. Dating back to 1633, Palio is Italy's most famous horse race. The participants of the Palio are professional jockeys that represent their home districts. These districts are better known as “Contrada”, and Siena is divided into 17 of them. Each Contrada has its own flag with a unique emblem and colours. While walking around Siena's city center, it’s easy to know which Contrada you’re in because of all the flags and emblems hanging like street signs.
Palio happens twice a year, once in early-July and once in mid-August. During the weeks of Palio, it is all that Siena cares about. And once its race day, nearly the entire city comes to Piazza del Campo to pack in like sardines and watch the race. For more information on Palio, click here: https://www.discovertuscany.com/siena/palio-siena.html
Things to do in Siena
Of course, there is a whole city to explore outside of Piazza del Campo. But if I'm being honest, it isn't a whole lot of sightseeing but rather strolling through the quiet city streets. So from this point on, I recommend getting lost in the streets of Siena and seeing what you can find. The streets of Siena are built in such a unique way, with steep walkways and breathtaking viewpoints around the city. There are only a few large sites to see in Siena outside of the main square, which I have listed here:
Places to eat and drink in Siena
Siena is known for its traditional Tuscan food. With over 100 restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the city, it is hard to make a wrong decision. Below are some of my favorites in Siena:
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Thank you for reading through this guide and happy adventuring!
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