Overview
Siena was Florence's great medieval rival. Its brick palaces and steep lanes spread over three hills around the Piazza del Campo, the setting for the Palio horse race held twice each summer.
The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its striped cathedral and the paintings of the Sienese school are its other highlights.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are ideal. The Palio (early July and mid-August) draws very large crowds.
Highlights
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1
Piazza del Campo
The sloping, shell-shaped main square.
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2
Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia
The town hall, with frescoes, and its tall tower.
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3
Cathedral
A striped marble cathedral with an inlaid floor and the Piccolomini Library.
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4
Santa Maria della Scala
A former hospital, now a museum complex.
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5
Contrade
The city's historic neighbourhoods, each with its own emblem.
Getting there
Buses from Florence to Siena take about 1 hour 15 minutes and stop near the centre; trains take about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the station is below the town, linked by escalators.
Practical tips
- Opening & tickets
- Opening times, ticket rules and transport timetables change, so check official information before you go.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Official information: Visit Tuscany: Siena. Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.
Map
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