One Day in Siena, Italy: 6+ Sites to See in a Spectacular Tuscan City

Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tuscany, Italy. This medieval town contains various historical sites to spend time at, and visitors can spend hours wandering through the pedestrian areas. Twice a year a popular horse race, Palio, is held within the city. Many of the main sites can be seen in one day in Siena, but if you have more time, you could easily spend a week enjoying the area and go wine tasting in Tuscany.

Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Siena here. 

How to get to Siena

The best and easiest way to get to Siena from Florence is to take the train. There is no need to buy a ticket ahead of time as the price is fixed and there are frequent trains. You can buy a ticket at the ticket window in the train station or from a self-service machine. Make sure to validate it on one of the green machines before you go onto the train. The trip takes about an hour and a half, and there are around 16 trains a day.

Where to Stay in Siena

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Siena hotels here!

I recommend visiting Siena as a day trip if you are short on time. If you decide to spend several days here, the best area to stay is near the Piazza del Campo, but Siena is a small, walkable city, so there is not really a bad location. One day in Siena is the perfect amount of time to be introduced to the sites.

Alternatively, you could stay outside the city in Tuscany like we did at this villa.

What to See in One Day in Siena

Piazza del Campo

Cost: Free

Hours: 24/7

Start your one day in Siena at the Piazza del Campo. This is the main square of Siena where many locals spend time relaxing, often with some food and a bottle of wine. Back in the day, this was the location of the local marketplace. The Piazza del Campo is the location of the horse race, Palio di Siena, which takes place twice a year. 

Palazzo Pubblico

Cost: $10

Hours: March -Mid-October: 10am-7pm, Mid-October-February: 10am-4pm

Next, head over to Palazzo Pubblico. This is the town hall of Sienna that dates back to 1297. In this plaza, you will find the entrance to the Torre del Mangia, completed in 1348. This tower offers some impressive views of Siena. This district tower can be seen from most places in Siena. On a clear day, you can even see many Tuscan vineyards. Note that there are 300 stairs to hike up to the top of the tower, so make sure to pause when you need to. Plan to spend at least an hour in the Torre. 

Siena Cathedral

Cost: $16

Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30am-5pm, Sun: 1:30pm-5pm

Following climbing the Torre del Mangia, head over to the Siena Cathedral. The Siena Cathedral is one of the other main landmarks of Siena. This Cathedral dates back to 1263. The inside of the church is immaculately decorated, containing various statues and decorative elements, such as the mosaic floor and superb works of art. Also inside the cathedral is Biblioteca Piccolomini, which contains gorgeous works of art. Artists such as Donatello and Bernini contributed to decorating this cathedral. 

Osteria il Vinaio di Bobbe e Davide

Cost: $$

After wandering through the Cathedral, head to a lunch stop. Grab lunch at Osteria il Vinaio di Bobbe e Davide. This place is known for having delicious homemade pasta. Everyone in my group tried a different pasta and all were very flavorful and tasty. It was hard to choose a favorite. They also have very inexpensive spritz, which is a perfect drink to try on a hot day. A Spritz is made of Aperol, sparkling wine, and a dash of club soda.

Other Sites in Siena

Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering through the streets and the shops in Siena. Opt to visit the Basilica of San Francisco, another church that was built in 1255. The inside contains gorgeous stained glass windows. Another option is to visit the Fortezza Medicea, a medieval fort and castle built by Duke Cosmino in the 1500s. It overlooks Siena and offers gorgeous panoramic views. If museums are more your thing, head to the Accademia dei Fisiocritici, a museum of Natural History that is located in a former Monastery.

Ristorante Bar La Favorita

Cost: $$

Eat dinner at Ristorante Bar La Favorita. This restaurant is a bar, coffee shop, gelateria, and restaurant all in one! Opt to have pre-dinner drinks in the bar. The restaurant has very reasonable prices. All of the dishes we tried were delicious! After dinner, make sure to grab some gelato to go and walk around Siena at night. 

One day in Siena

One day in Siena makes for the perfect day to escape the hustle and bustle of other cities. There are delicious restaurants, amazing views, and lots of places to stop and relax. It is the perfect stop on an Italy itinerary.

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