Siena
Siena travel guide - Things to do and see in Siena, Tuscany
Itinerary Siena: Sightseeing tours - bike tours - day tours - wine tours
Siena is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany and Italy. In particular the city is famous for its traditional Palio (“race“) that takes place twice a year during summer.
Examples of prominent people who come from Siena are the holy Catherine of Siena and the singer Gianna Nannini, whose brother, the race driver Alessandro Nannini, now has several cafés in Siena.
Things to see in Siena, Tuscany
Check our insider's travel guide to Siena, featuring the best Events of Siena, Night Live of Siena and sightseeing tours to discover the stunning landmarks, markets, churches, museums and monuments of Siena Tuscany.
The Piazza del Campo dominates the old town of Siena.
The cathedral made from black and white marble emerged from a three-aisled Romanesque basilica.
Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina, a church dedicated to the patron of the city.
The Pinacoteca Nazionale in the elegant palace Buonsignori with its art collection.
Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala, opposite to the cathedral you’ll find this pilgrim hospice that was founded shortly after 1000 AD.
The Palazzo Pubblico (the town hall) is a palace whose construction started already in the year 1297 AD.
Typical cuisine of Siena, Tuscany
Typical dishes and products of the region are: veal and beef from the Chiana breed, “Pici”, “Crostini neri” (toast with liver paste),” Fagioli all'uccelletto” (cooked beans), “Pasta con fagioli” (pasta with beans), as well as the “Dolci” (sweets) like the “Panforte” (peppered bread or rather a specialty with 17 ingredients), “Ricciarelli” (flavored pastry in lozenge shape), and the “Castagnaccio” (chestnut cake).
Famous wines from the surroundings are e.g.: Bianco Vergine della Valchiana, Beunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Chianti Colli Senesi, Vernaccia, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Galestro, Moscadello di Montalcino and the dessert wine Passito del Santo.
Indulge your passion for Italian food or life style on a cookery holiday combined with language courses in Siena Tuscany and enjoy our hands-on cooking lessons and cookery courses in Tuscany Siena.
Events of Siena, Tuscany
The "Palio“ is the ( most famous) historical horse race between the different "contrade" (city districts).
Settimana Musicale Senese – always in July
Siena Jazz - International festival - in July and August
Concerts and exhibitions in honor of Cecillia – in November
Farmer’s market, Wednesdays from 7.30 am to 1.00 pm.
Things to do in Siena, Tuscany
In Siena there are several public indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
The ”Centro Studi Arte e Movimento“ offers a variety of courses and therapies in the area of motion and wellness, e.g. massages, shiatsu, etc.
In the vicinity of Siena there are several possibilities to take riding classes or book guided horseback riding excursions.
The nearest golf club is the Villa Gori Siena Golf Club.
Are you planing a day trip to Siena or to the tuscany countryside? Please check our travel guide for the best restaurants in Siena, wine tasting courses or selected wine tours discovering the most famous tuscan wineries of the Chianti or the Brunello region guided by a certified Tuscan wine sommelier.
Discover the marvelous countryisde of Siena and Tuscany joining a grape harvest festival or olive harvest festival, taking a bicycile tour in Tuscany visiting one of the nature parks or follow up our tracking itinerary.
If you want deeply to relax and re-charge all your energies a Spa journey would be perfect within your Siena or Tuscan holiday. Tuscany has many natural hot springs. In most towns there is a modern spa where hot springs water is brought into a swimming pool and you pay a daily ticket to use the pool.
Holiday in Siena or Tuscany countryside
The Coast line of Tuscany offers many splendid white beaches. A guide to Tuscany's best beaches with reviews and what to do when you're there, chosen by our local experts.
Our portfolio of hand picked rental villas with pool, holiday houses, romantic country houses and cottages, apartments or rooms for rent with a view in Tuscany offers you authentic, charming and private accommodation for a unique holiday experience.
No matter if you favor family holidays, beach holidays, golf holidays, luxury holidays or a pet friendly accommodation, we have the best private rentals in Tuscany available for you!
History of Siena, Tuscany
According to historical records, Siena was founded as an Etruscan settlement. Under Roman rule the settlement became a colony by the name Saena Iulia.
The Black Plague ravaged in the year 1348. Two thirds of the population of Siena died. The economy of the town suffered immensely.
In 1389 Siena formed an alliance with Gian Galeazzo Visconti that led to a dependency on Milan for a couple of years.
Pandolfo Petrucci took over the rule in 1487 and governed despotically even though he formally didn’t change the form of government. He didn’t succeed though to establish a dynasty like the Medici. After his death in 1512 the city turned to the protection of Charles V. Yet the people increasingly rebelled against the tyranny of the Spaniards but after a long period of occupation Siena was conquered in 1555 and two years later granted as a fief to Cosimo I. de Medici. This is how the city became part of the grand duchy Tuscany.
Economy
The economy bases mainly on tourism, the cultivation of wine and olive oil and the handicrafts.
Climate
The climate in Siena is temperate but warm and January records the lowest temperatures. In the course of the year, July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 22,9 ° C.
Arrival
Siena is well connected to the major cities of Italy and easy to reach by car, bus, train or airplane.
By car
Take the highway Autostrada del Sole A1 Rome-Milan until you reach the turnoff Firenze-Certosa and then continue on the freeway Superstrada Firenze-Siena until you reach the exit Valdarno. Then continue on the SS 408 Chiantigiana Montevarchi-Gaiole-Siena. At the exit Valdichiana you have to continue on the SS 326 Bettolle-Siena or you can take the SS 146 or SS 2 Cassia at the toll station Chiusi-Chianciano Terme.
Other important road connections that lead to Siena are the Superstrada Siena-Firenze, the SS 222 Chiantigiana Firenze-Siena, the SS 408 Chiantigiana Montevarchi- Gaiole-Siena, the SS 223 Siena-Grosseto, the SS 2 Cassia Firenze-Siena-Roma, the SS 326 Siena-Bettolle and the SS 146.
By bus
If you rather take the bus to Siena, several public and private service providers are offering transfers. The busses “Sena e Marozzi” connect Siena with Milan, Rome, Bologna and other cities in Italy. “Eurolines” provides connections abroad; other bus lines provide connections to Florence, Arezzo, Grosseto, Chianciano, Civitavecchia and Viterbo.
By train
Siena has a train station (about 2 km from the center) that offers connections to the following destinations: Milan-Florence-Chiusi-Rome, Florence-Empoli-Siena, Pisa-Empoli-Siena, Orbetello-Grosseto-Buonconvento-Siena, Arezzo-Sinalunga-Siena, Perugia-Terentola-Chiusi-Siena, Campiglia-Follonica-Montepescali-Siena.
By airplane
Siena has its own airport (9km outside of Siena) that offers flights in direction Malpensa and Linate Milan, Marconi Bologna, Galileo Galilei Pisa, Amerigo Verspucci Florence. Also you can use the airport Pisa as a point of transfer. Upon landing in Pisa you can take a train to Empoli and then change trains to Siena. This trip takes about 2 hours.
If you travel to Siena via Rome we recommend taking a train from the airport to the central station in Rome (journey time 25 min.). From the central station („Roma Termini“) you have to take the train to Chiusi. Here you change trains for Siena (journey time ca. 3 hours).
Local transportation
The historical center of Siena is closed to private vehicles! Therefore the center can only be reached with the city bus (Pollicino of TRA-IN) or walking. Outside the town wall there are several parking sites for your car.
With the busses of the company TRA-IN that services Siena it is easy to reach the surrounding area from the city center. The fares, timetables and lines are easy to look up at the following websites: Fares, timetables and network of the bus lines
Natalie Fritsch
Find us on Google+
Siena travel guide - Things to do and see in Siena, Tuscany
Siena
Siena travel guide - Things to do and see in Siena, Tuscany
Itinerary Siena: Sightseeing tours - bike tours - day tours - wine tours
Siena is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany and Italy. In particular the city is famous for its traditional Palio (“race“) that takes place twice a year during summer.
Examples of prominent people who come from Siena are the holy Catherine of Siena and the singer Gianna Nannini, whose brother, the race driver Alessandro Nannini, now has several cafés in Siena.
Things to see in Siena, Tuscany
Check our insider's travel guide to Siena, featuring the best Events of Siena, Night Live of Siena and sightseeing tours to discover the stunning landmarks, markets, churches, museums and monuments of Siena Tuscany.
The Piazza del Campo dominates the old town of Siena.
The cathedral made from black and white marble emerged from a three-aisled Romanesque basilica.
Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina, a church dedicated to the patron of the city.
The Pinacoteca Nazionale in the elegant palace Buonsignori with its art collection.
Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala, opposite to the cathedral you’ll find this pilgrim hospice that was founded shortly after 1000 AD.
The Palazzo Pubblico (the town hall) is a palace whose construction started already in the year 1297 AD.
Typical cuisine of Siena, Tuscany
Typical dishes and products of the region are: veal and beef from the Chiana breed, “Pici”, “Crostini neri” (toast with liver paste),” Fagioli all'uccelletto” (cooked beans), “Pasta con fagioli” (pasta with beans), as well as the “Dolci” (sweets) like the “Panforte” (peppered bread or rather a specialty with 17 ingredients), “Ricciarelli” (flavored pastry in lozenge shape), and the “Castagnaccio” (chestnut cake).
Famous wines from the surroundings are e.g.: Bianco Vergine della Valchiana, Beunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Chianti Colli Senesi, Vernaccia, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Galestro, Moscadello di Montalcino and the dessert wine Passito del Santo.
Indulge your passion for Italian food or life style on a cookery holiday combined with language courses in Siena Tuscany and enjoy our hands-on cooking lessons and cookery courses in Tuscany Siena.
Events of Siena, Tuscany
The "Palio“ is the ( most famous) historical horse race between the different "contrade" (city districts).
Settimana Musicale Senese – always in July
Siena Jazz - International festival - in July and August
Concerts and exhibitions in honor of Cecillia – in November
Farmer’s market, Wednesdays from 7.30 am to 1.00 pm.
Things to do in Siena, Tuscany
In Siena there are several public indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
The ”Centro Studi Arte e Movimento“ offers a variety of courses and therapies in the area of motion and wellness, e.g. massages, shiatsu, etc.
In the vicinity of Siena there are several possibilities to take riding classes or book guided horseback riding excursions.
The nearest golf club is the Villa Gori Siena Golf Club.
Are you planing a day trip to Siena or to the tuscany countryside? Please check our travel guide for the best restaurants in Siena, wine tasting courses or selected wine tours discovering the most famous tuscan wineries of the Chianti or the Brunello region guided by a certified Tuscan wine sommelier.
Discover the marvelous countryisde of Siena and Tuscany joining a grape harvest festival or olive harvest festival, taking a bicycile tour in Tuscany visiting one of the nature parks or follow up our tracking itinerary.
If you want deeply to relax and re-charge all your energies a Spa journey would be perfect within your Siena or Tuscan holiday. Tuscany has many natural hot springs. In most towns there is a modern spa where hot springs water is brought into a swimming pool and you pay a daily ticket to use the pool.
Holiday in Siena or Tuscany countryside
The Coast line of Tuscany offers many splendid white beaches. A guide to Tuscany's best beaches with reviews and what to do when you're there, chosen by our local experts.
Our portfolio of hand picked rental villas with pool, holiday houses, romantic country houses and cottages, apartments or rooms for rent with a view in Tuscany offers you authentic, charming and private accommodation for a unique holiday experience.
No matter if you favor family holidays, beach holidays, golf holidays, luxury holidays or a pet friendly accommodation, we have the best private rentals in Tuscany available for you!
History of Siena, Tuscany
According to historical records, Siena was founded as an Etruscan settlement. Under Roman rule the settlement became a colony by the name Saena Iulia.
The Black Plague ravaged in the year 1348. Two thirds of the population of Siena died. The economy of the town suffered immensely.
In 1389 Siena formed an alliance with Gian Galeazzo Visconti that led to a dependency on Milan for a couple of years.
Pandolfo Petrucci took over the rule in 1487 and governed despotically even though he formally didn’t change the form of government. He didn’t succeed though to establish a dynasty like the Medici. After his death in 1512 the city turned to the protection of Charles V. Yet the people increasingly rebelled against the tyranny of the Spaniards but after a long period of occupation Siena was conquered in 1555 and two years later granted as a fief to Cosimo I. de Medici. This is how the city became part of the grand duchy Tuscany.
Economy
The economy bases mainly on tourism, the cultivation of wine and olive oil and the handicrafts.
Climate
The climate in Siena is temperate but warm and January records the lowest temperatures. In the course of the year, July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 22,9 ° C.
Arrival
Siena is well connected to the major cities of Italy and easy to reach by car, bus, train or airplane.
By car
Take the highway Autostrada del Sole A1 Rome-Milan until you reach the turnoff Firenze-Certosa and then continue on the freeway Superstrada Firenze-Siena until you reach the exit Valdarno. Then continue on the SS 408 Chiantigiana Montevarchi-Gaiole-Siena. At the exit Valdichiana you have to continue on the SS 326 Bettolle-Siena or you can take the SS 146 or SS 2 Cassia at the toll station Chiusi-Chianciano Terme.
Other important road connections that lead to Siena are the Superstrada Siena-Firenze, the SS 222 Chiantigiana Firenze-Siena, the SS 408 Chiantigiana Montevarchi- Gaiole-Siena, the SS 223 Siena-Grosseto, the SS 2 Cassia Firenze-Siena-Roma, the SS 326 Siena-Bettolle and the SS 146.
By bus
If you rather take the bus to Siena, several public and private service providers are offering transfers. The busses “Sena e Marozzi” connect Siena with Milan, Rome, Bologna and other cities in Italy. “Eurolines” provides connections abroad; other bus lines provide connections to Florence, Arezzo, Grosseto, Chianciano, Civitavecchia and Viterbo.
By train
Siena has a train station (about 2 km from the center) that offers connections to the following destinations: Milan-Florence-Chiusi-Rome, Florence-Empoli-Siena, Pisa-Empoli-Siena, Orbetello-Grosseto-Buonconvento-Siena, Arezzo-Sinalunga-Siena, Perugia-Terentola-Chiusi-Siena, Campiglia-Follonica-Montepescali-Siena.
By airplane
Siena has its own airport (9km outside of Siena) that offers flights in direction Malpensa and Linate Milan, Marconi Bologna, Galileo Galilei Pisa, Amerigo Verspucci Florence. Also you can use the airport Pisa as a point of transfer. Upon landing in Pisa you can take a train to Empoli and then change trains to Siena. This trip takes about 2 hours.
If you travel to Siena via Rome we recommend taking a train from the airport to the central station in Rome (journey time 25 min.). From the central station („Roma Termini“) you have to take the train to Chiusi. Here you change trains for Siena (journey time ca. 3 hours).
Local transportation
The historical center of Siena is closed to private vehicles! Therefore the center can only be reached with the city bus (Pollicino of TRA-IN) or walking. Outside the town wall there are several parking sites for your car.
With the busses of the company TRA-IN that services Siena it is easy to reach the surrounding area from the city center. The fares, timetables and lines are easy to look up at the following websites: Fares, timetables and network of the bus lines
