low-angle photography of brown gothic building interior

Siena

Siena is a medieval city in central Tuscany known for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, its striped Duomo and the Palio horse race. Go for the square and the cathedral, and stay overnight if you want the streets after the day visitors leave.

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Siena is a medieval city in central Tuscany, southwest of Florence. Most visitors come from Florence by bus or train. The center is built around the Piazza del Campo, a shell-shaped square that slopes down toward the Palazzo Pubblico and its tower, the Torre del Mangia. The Duomo, the cathedral, has a black and white striped marble facade. In the Middle Ages Siena rivaled Florence, and that rivalry shows in the brick and stone streets and in the contrade, the city's neighborhood districts that compete in the Palio.

A day trip from Florence is enough to see the square and the cathedral. Staying overnight lets you walk the streets after the day visitors leave. The Palio, a bareback horse race run around the Campo each July and August, draws crowds and fills hotels, so check the dates before you book. Spring and autumn bring mild weather and fewer visitors than summer.

Siena in five

Stay one night to see Siena after the day trippersThe Campo and the Duomo are busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon. An evening and early morning here are calmer and cooler, which is the main reason to sleep rather than day trip.Where to stay in Siena
Buy the Duomo pass, and queue early for the towerThe Opa Si Pass covers the cathedral complex for three days. The Torre del Mangia cannot be booked ahead: tickets are sold only at the Museo Civico office on the day, in groups of 25.Siena day trip from Florence
Plan around the Palio on 2 July and 16 AugustThe horse race in the Campo runs twice each summer, with trials in the days before. Rooms rise in price and the city is far busier, so decide early whether you want to watch or avoid it.
Pick bus or train from FlorenceDirect buses are often faster than trains from Florence, which usually change at Empoli. Check current timetables, and weigh a regional train against an express bus.Siena day trip from Florence
Park outside the walls and check the ZTLCameras guard the old center. A hotel can register your plate so you may unload luggage by the shortest route, but the streets around the Campo stay closed to visitors' cars.Where to stay in Siena

Things to do in Siena

See all attractions in Siena

Ornate cathedral with tall striped bell tower under sky

Sight · SienaSiena’s Duomo

Sight · SienaMuseo Civico

Museum · SienaPiccolomini LibraryBook a cathedral entry time online if you want to reduce time spent queuing.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SienaPut the places you like in Siena on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA); Siena has no airport
Getting there: Bus or train from Florence, about 1.25 to 1.75 hours
Getting around: On foot; the old center is hilly and largely car free
Best base: Inside the walls near the Campo, or Camollia for quieter streets
Time needed: 1 night; a day trip gets the crowded hours

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cold, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cool, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring starts
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Spring, Easter
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Green, mild
JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Warm, long days
JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh32°Low18°Palio, hot
AugustClear7 rainy daysHigh32°Low19°Palio, hot
SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, harvest
OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Mild, truffles
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Rain, quiet
DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cold, lights

Average daily high and low in Siena, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Siena

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 3%

Siena

10:57 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today15°5°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
Tue15°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed16°6°25%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 25%.
Thu15°8°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri15°9°21%Friday: Rain. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 21%.
Sat14°7°19%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 19%.
Sun16°5°11%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 11%.

Updated 07:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Siena

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

SienaPalio di SienaJul 2, 2027 · Read the event guide

Every year

Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
Apr–JunMaggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence, a day trip
Jun–SepSaracen JoustArezzo, a day trip
Jul–AugFestival PucciniPisa, a day trip
JulUmbria Jazz FestivalPerugia, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Siena

Stays in SienaCampo, Camollia and farm staysCheck availability

Siena tours and ticketsGuided walks and Tuscan hill-town daysCompare tours

eSIM for TuscanyMaps for the hill lanes and bus timesRead the guide

Travel insurance for ItalyCover for Palio weekend cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Siena, checked

Tower tickets cannot be reserved. They are sold only at the Museo Civico office on the day; groups of 25 climb every 45 minutes.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Opa Si Pass: €14, or €16 while the floor is uncovered (27 June to 31 July and 18 August to 31 October in 2026); valid for three consecutive days.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
The Palio is run on 2 July and 16 August every year; check the official Palio page for the current programme.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Siena guides

Crowd gathered in a large, historic italian piazza

Where to stayWhere to stay in Siena: four bases, from the Campo to a Tuscan farmChecked Oct 1, 2026

Head to headSiena or San Gimignano: which Tuscan hill town should you pick?Checked Oct 1, 2026

ItinerarySiena day trip from Florence: bus or train, plan and when to stayChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Siena

San Gimignano

The tower town 1 to 1.5 hours away

Read the guide Montalcino

Brunello wine country south of Siena

Read the guide All of Italy

Regions, rail, entry rules and money

Read the guide

Siena FAQ

Is Siena worth visiting?

Yes. The Campo, the Duomo and the lanes are among the best-preserved medieval centers in Italy. It works best with a night, so you see them after the day trippers leave.

How many days do you need in Siena?

One night and two half-days cover the Campo, the Duomo complex, the tower and a slow dinner. A day trip works if you start early; add a night to see the city after the day trippers leave, or if you plan any wine country.

Is Siena better than Florence?

They are different: Florence has the big museums, Siena has atmosphere and fewer queues. Many visitors see Florence for sights and sleep in Siena for a calmer evening.

What is the Palio di Siena and when is it?

A horse race around the Campo, run on 2 July and 16 August each year. The city is far busier and rooms sell out early, so check the official Palio page for the programme and book well ahead.

Can you take a train from Florence to Siena?

Yes, but it usually changes at Empoli and can take longer than the bus. Many travelers prefer the direct bus, so compare both on the day before you go.