Planning a day in Siena? You’re in for an absolute treat. When my friend and I visited this enchanting hilltop city in August 2024, it was love at first sight.
There’s something truly magical about Siena that sets it apart from other Tuscan destinations. The winding medieval streets seem frozen in time. The famous sloping Piazza del Campo draws you in like a magnet. The iconic Torre del Mangia that reaches toward the sky begging you to climb to its heights.
What we loved most was how authentic Siena felt compared to other popular Italian cities. While there were definitely visitors around, especially during midday, it was nothing like the overwhelming crowds we encountered in Florence.
Instead, Siena maintains that perfect balance where you can actually soak in the atmosphere, sit peacefully in the piazza, and feel like you’re experiencing the real Italy.
Follow along as I guide you through what to do in Siena for a day, from must-see landmarks to local spots that made our visit unforgettable.
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How To Get To Siena
Siena is well-connected to major Tuscan destinations, making it accessible from both Pisa and Florence. Here’s your complete guide to reaching this charming hilltop city from either location.
From Pisa (About 2 Hours)
By Train
From Pisa, getting to Siena by public transportation is honestly when Italy’s train system struggles. You can definitely get around Tuscany by train and bus, but it isn’t always the most convenient option. To travel from Pisa to Siena by train, you’d have to take a train to a bus to another train, which gets complicated quickly.
By Bus
You can also book a FlixBus, which offers a direct route from Pisa to Siena. This option is cheap and direct, which sounds perfect! My friend and I used this bus, and while we loved that it was direct, it also showed up super late.
I guess the moral of the story is that public transportation is possible and inexpensive, but not always reliable.
By Car
You can brave the windy roads and hire a rental car. Prices will vary depending on when you travel, but this gives you the most flexibility to explore at your own pace. If you are coming from Pisa and want to see Siena, this is the best and cheapest option!
By Private Transfer
Another option is to book a private transfer through services like GetTransfer.com for around €200-300 total. This gives you convenience and reliability without the stress of driving yourself. Although note that this cost is one way.
This other highly rated transfer service includes a little sightseeing in San Gimignano and a 3-course winery lunch with local wines and gelato. A little fun while transferring to a new location!
By Tour
Another possibility, and probably the most convenient if you don’t have your own car, would be to go by tour. Most tours do try to include a couple of different locations, so be prepared for a long day and a super inflexible schedule.
Here’s one highly rated tour that I found that sounds interesting:
From Florence (About 1-1.5 Hours)
By Train
It’s fairly easy to get to Siena from Florence by train. You can grab your train tickets through Trainline or Omio. Train is how Cheryl and I traveled and the journey was straightforward and comfortable. It would be a great option for families too.
By Bus
Taking a bus is actually a little shorter than the train since it follows a more direct route. However, we were more comfortable traveling by train than bus, so the train was our preferred choice for this route.
By Car
Driving is an easy option if you have a rental car, taking only about an hour between the two cities. This gives you the most flexibility for timing and luggage. In addition to this, you can stop at small villages in Tuscany to explore if you desire.
By Private Transfer
Private transfer services are available from Florence to Siena, offering door-to-door convenience without the hassle of navigating Italian roads yourself.
When getting a private transfer, I like to use GetTransfer.com. They even price match, so you know you are getting the best price!
By Tour
There are also many tours from Florence to Siena as day trip options. These tours almost always like to cram in as much as possible, so be prepared for a long day out in the Tuscan countryside.
Here are a few possibilities:
- Florence: Day Trip with Free Time in San Gimignano and Siena – This is a great tour option if you are looking for a budget-friendly day trip to both San Gimignano and Siena.
- Private Tour in Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti Day Trip from Florence – If you are traveling as a family or a group of 7 or less, this private tour through Tuscany is a perfect option.
- From Florence: Siena, Cortona, Montepulciano & Val D’Orcia – If you are interested in a small group tour that includes the beautiful Val D’Orcia, this is the tour for you.
Bottom Line
All transportation options work well depending on your comfort level and travel style!
While public transportation offers budget-friendly solutions, renting a car provides the most freedom to explore Tuscany at your own pace.
Private transfers and tours split the difference, offering convenience without the driving and planning stress.
Pro Tip: If you do take the train or bus, avoid walking up the hill by using the extensive network of escalators. I have never seen so many escalators in a row in my life!
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Best Time To Visit Siena
Wondering about the best time of year to visit Siena? The answer depends on what you prioritize: perfect weather, smaller crowds, or budget-friendly prices.
Peak Season
(June – August) Summer brings the warmest weather and longest days, making it ideal for outdoor exploration and extended sightseeing hours. However, this is also when Siena is at its busiest and most expensive.
Expect crowded trains, packed tourist sites, and higher accommodation prices. The intense heat can also make walking around quite challenging, especially during midday hours.
Shoulder Season
(April – May & September – October) These months offer the best time to travel for most travelers. Spring brings blooming countryside and pleasant temperatures, while early fall delivers harvest season magic with comfortable weather.
Train schedules run frequently, attractions are open with reasonable crowds, and accommodation prices are more manageable.
The weather is perfect for walking tours and outdoor dining without the summer heat.
Off-Season
(November – March) Winter and early spring offer the most budget-friendly prices and smallest crowds, but come with trade-offs. Some smaller attractions may have reduced hours or close entirely. Train schedules to more remote destinations might be limited.
However, major cities like Siena remain vibrant year-round, and you’ll have famous sites largely to yourself.
I’d recommend shoulder season when public transportation runs at full capacity and you can enjoy comfortable weather for all the walking involved in exploring these beautiful medieval towns.
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Itinerary For 24 Hours In Siena
Ready to make the most of a day in Siena? This complete 1 day in Siena itinerary covers all the must-see highlights. Discover why this UNESCO World Heritage city captures hearts with its stunning architecture, rich traditions, and timeless atmosphere.
Start Your Day With A Pastry And A Cappuccino
Before sightseeing, grabbing a coffee is an absolute must for me. For excellent coffee at a good price, choose Torrefazione Fiorella.
This tasty espresso bar also has yummy pastries to choose from as well. Its location is at the center of Siena too, making it easy to start your day of sightseeing from there.
If you are looking for more of a local spot that isn’t too far away from the center, check out Bar Sant’Agata Coffee Break. You will find a great breakfast cafe with good coffee, pastries and a nice atmosphere.
Go Directly To Torre Del Mangia
After grabbing breakfast, make your way directly to the Torre del Mangia to secure your tickets. A day in Siena would be incomplete without touring this iconic clock tower.
The ticket office opens at 10am, and arriving early is crucial since tickets sell out fast and aren’t available for advance purchase online.
Ticket Pricing
- Individual adult ticket (Tower only): €10
- Family option (2 adults + children 11-18): €25 Combo Ticket
- Santa Maria della Scala only: €9 adults, €7 for 12-19 year olds, free for kids 11 and under
- Family option (2 adults + children over 11 years old): €20
- Museo Civico + Torre del Mangia: €15
- Civitas Senensium Pass: Museo Civico + Santa Maria della Scala + Torre del Mangia: €20
- Family option (2 adults + children 11-18): €40
Cheryl and I went with the Civitas Senensium Pass, and it was completely worth every euro! Santa Maria della Scala blew us away, so I’d definitely recommend springing for a combination ticket to experience it. The Civic Museum was also gorgeous to wander through.
Tower entry is scheduled for specific time slots, but the Civic Museum and Santa Maria della Scala can be visited whenever you like during operating hours.
Since you’re working with just 24 hours in Siena, you may need to prioritize. I’d rank the Tower as the must-see experience, followed by Santa Maria della Scala, with the Civic Museum coming in third.
However, if art and history are your passions, it’s definitely worthwhile to carve out time for all three attractions.
Keep in mind that tower visits are capped at 30 minutes, you’ll want at least an hour for the Museo Civico, and Santa Maria della Scala deserves a minimum of 2 hours to properly explore.
Lunch At Il Ghibellino Osteria
When deciding where to eat in Siena, Il Ghibellino Osteria should be your top choice. Every meal we enjoyed there was outstanding, but what kept drawing us back visit after visit was their extraordinary bruschetta.
I’m being completely honest when I tell you it was the most amazing bruschetta we’ve ever tasted!
There’s something truly special about how they achieve that perfect balance of crispy toasted bread and vibrant fresh toppings that made it absolutely addictive. AND the olive oil. Still dreaming of that olive oil.
If you’re only going to dine at one restaurant during your Siena visit, this should be your choice.
Wander The Streets
Getting lost during a day in Siena is an experience you have to have.
Wandering a city is always one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes I guide myself towards specific destinations and at other times, I go wherever feels right. There’s something freeing about doing this.
I, at the same time, don’t want to miss a thing, so having a few places identified on the map is a good idea too.
Here are a few locations that you could add to your self-guided walking tour of Siena.
- Piazza Salimbeni – a picturesque square in central Siena surrounded by neo-Gothic palaces. Don’t miss the creepy heads at the top of the palace on the right.
- Santuario di Santa Caterina – a peaceful sanctuary built around the childhood home of Saint Catherine of Siena
- Fontanina Contrada dell’Oca – also known as Fontebranda, is a remarkable 13th-century Gothic fountain with three arches and lion-shaped heads that serves as the oldest fountain in Siena
- Basilica Cateriniana di San Dominico – an imposing Gothic brick church with magnificent frescoes
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Take In The Stunning View Above The City
End your walking tour around Siena at the Basilica Cateriniana di San Dominico. From there, walk towards Giardini Pubblici. Before arriving to the gardens and next to Prosperino Bistrot, you will find the viewpoint you see in the photo above.
We were lucky enough to walk by it almost every day we were in Siena as we were staying right around the corner.
Siena Cathedral
If time permits, don’t miss the breathtaking Duomo di Siena with its spectacular interior and exterior details.
Cathedral admission begins at €5 (free for children 6 and under), with pricing that fluctuates seasonally.
The Cathedral complex offers additional attractions beyond the main church. For the full experience including rooftop access and all museums, opt for the comprehensive ticket at €21 (€6 for ages 7-11).
Alternatively, you can explore the museum buildings without rooftop access for €14 (€3 for children 7-11).
We absolutely loved exploring the exterior of the cathedral when we visited Siena. The intricate details are so breathtaking.
Unfortunately, we missed touring the Cathedral’s interior. I specifically want to take the rooftop experience tour next time I’m in Siena.
The “Gate of Heaven” tour grants access to normally restricted areas of the cathedral. It offers extraordinary panoramic views both inside the sacred space and across the city beyond. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.
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Dinner
We kept returning to Il Ghibellino Osteria to eat, so I don’t have many other recommendations for where to eat in Siena, unfortunately.
The other memorable place I would suggest is a local pizzeria where you pay by the gram for your pizza. It is so tasty and very affordable.
You will have to walk a ways for it or plan your day around it though. It is up on the hill near the viewpoint by Giardini Pubblici and Fortezza Medicea. About an 18 minute walk from the center of Siena.
We also liked it because it was very close to where we were staying.
It’s called Panificio San Prospero. So so good!
Evening In The Piazza Del Campo
If you are grabbing pizza, take it to go and make your way back to Piazza del Campo. The main square in Siena is a fantastic place to chill or have a little picnic. There’s plenty of space to spread out and the atmosphere feels alive.
Evening is particularly magical as the light changes and the crowds thin out from the day’s sightseeing. You’ll find people sitting directly on the brick pavement. It’s totally normal and expected, and the sloped design actually makes it surprisingly comfortable for lounging.
The piazza comes alive with a mix of locals and tourists, creating a really relaxed vibe as people wind down from their day. Evening light creates beautiful photos with the Torre del Mangia and Palazzo Pubblico as your backdrop, making it the perfect time to capture some stunning shots of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Is One Day In Siena Enough?
Honestly? 1 day in Siena isn’t quite enough to truly experience the city’s magic. While you should absolutely visit if that’s all the time you have, Siena is too incredible to skip, I’d encourage staying longer if possible.
We spent four nights in Siena, and while we probably could have managed with three, the pace felt absolutely perfect. Having extra time allowed us to wander without rushing, take a leisurely day trip to San Gimignano, and truly embrace that slow Tuscan lifestyle that makes this region so special.
There’s something wonderful about not feeling pressured to check every sight off your list and instead letting the city reveal itself to you naturally.
Additional Things To Do In Siena
If you have 2 days in Siena or more, here are some additional attractions and experiences worth considering.
Go To A Winery
Get ready to dive into the world of Chianti wine! This is exactly the kind of authentic experience that makes Tuscany so unforgettable.
Head to La Lastra winery, a quick 10-minute drive or taxi ride from Siena. Be sure to book their wine tasting tour in advance. This tour is absolutely worth it.
The wine is delicious, the tour is both educational and fun, the meal is tasty, and the setting is absolutely perfect.
You’ll feel like you’re nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by rolling vineyards and olive groves, while still being incredibly close to the city.
Fortezza Medicea
Visit the Fortezza Medicea at sunset for one of Siena’s most magical experiences. This historic fortress transforms into a vibrant local gathering spot. You can watch the sky paint itself in brilliant colors while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying live music.
The atmosphere is wonderfully authentic and refreshingly non-touristy. You’ll find yourself surrounded by locals unwinding after their day, creating that genuine Tuscan evening vibe that’s impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter and just a short walk from the city center. No reservations needed, simply show up and soak in the casual, laid-back atmosphere.
It’s the perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and local culture all rolled into one unforgettable sunset experience.
Take A Cooking Class
When in Italy, there’s nothing quite like diving deeper into the country’s incredible culinary traditions.
These hands-on cooking classes teach you authentic techniques and local secrets that you can bring home with you. It’s a wonderful way to recreate a taste of your Italian adventure long after your trip ends.
There are a couple of magnificent options to choose from.
- Siena: Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: Budget friendly cooking class where you make different styles of pasta and tiramisu while enjoying Prosecco and wine.
- 4 Hour Private Cooking Class Unique Tuscan Experience in Siena: Learn to prepare traditional Tuscan dishes in this amazing private cooking class.
Where To Stay In Siena
If you have time for more than a day in Siena, I would recommend staying the night. Here are some amazing lodging options that are great for families.
Siena UpTown – Sabrina’s Cozy Apartment: We chose this delightful hillside retreat for our Siena adventure. It exceeded our expectations in every way. Sabrina proves to be a wonderfully welcoming and accommodating host. The location couldn’t be better. Though it may feel compact for four guests, it’s perfectly suited for three travelers or fewer. It’s ideal for those seeking a genuine Siena experience without breaking the bank.
Palazzo Piccolomini: Families requiring additional space will appreciate this property’s spacious layouts designed with families in mind. It features excellent sleeping configurations for children and stunning vistas from a peaceful location. Siena’s must-see attractions remain within comfortable walking distance. This makes it an ideal choice for families who desire room to relax while maintaining easy access to everything.
Residenza d’Epoca “Il Campo”: For a truly exceptional location, picture waking up each day to direct views of Siena’s most celebrated piazza! This well-appointed, pristine property places you directly on the Piazza del Campo with the famous tower creating your daily panorama. Though it represents a significant investment, the premium proves worthwhile when you’re residing on one of Italy’s most spectacular squares.
