Tourist Attractions in Siena

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Siena

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Siena

Picturesque Siena is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. It is located in the blessed land of Tuscany, a unique gastronomic region where many delicacies of Italian cuisine and dozens of varieties of excellent wine originate. Siena is surrounded by fertile landscapes that have been protected by UNESCO for their exclusivity.

The city’s streets, squares, palazzos and ancient temples are centuries of history set in stone. Since the Middle Ages, the Palio horse races have been held in Siena. To this day, they still take place according to a ritual established centuries ago. This event attracts a huge number of tourists to the city every year, who fill all the free space of the Piazza del Campo.

Excursion to Siena is included in most of the tourist itineraries on which “package travellers” are taken. Independent tourists also enjoy visiting this amazing island of the Middle Ages, which has preserved its unique flavour.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Siena

Il Campo

 0/5

Siena’s central square, where the façades of luxurious palazzos and mansions overlook the piazza. At the north-west end of the piazza is the marble Fountain of Joy (Fonte Gaia), created in the early 15th century. The place became famous thanks to the Palio races, which are held here every year. Piazza del Campo is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.

 0/5

A traditional horse race held annually in Siena on 2 July and 16 August. The history of the competition dates back to the 16th century, when the inhabitants of the city invented a new holiday to replace the forbidden bullfighting. Each district (contrada) of Siena puts up its own jockey for the Palio. The process of choosing a jockey is accompanied by colourful rituals that have not changed since the Middle Ages.

Torre del Mangia

 4.6/5

807 reviews

Palace on the Piazza del Campo, built between the 13th and 14th centuries especially for the meetings of the republican government of Siena. It is built in the best traditions of medieval Italian architecture with some emphasis on the Gothic style. Next to the palazzo stands the Torre del Mangia, a 102 metre high bell tower topped by a covered marble gallery.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

 0/5

The fountain adorned the Piazza del Campo in 1419. It was created by the sculptor J. della Quercia. The Fonte Gaia is designed as a pool into which water flows from the mouths of marble wolves and lions (these animals are the symbol of Siena). In the arched niches of the walls are placed magnificent sculptures. The originals of these sculptures are now in the Palazzo Pubblico Museum. At the fountain, tourists can only see copies.

Duomo di Siena

 4.8/5

24024 reviews

A solemn temple of Gothic architecture, built between 1215-1263. The famous Niccolò and Giovanni Pisano worked on it. Individual works continued until the XIV century under different architects. The façade and interior of the building are decorated with white, black and red marble. Inside the cathedral there is a statue of John the Baptist by Donatello and a pulpit made by N. Pisano. Pisano.

Open time

Monday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 1:30 – 5:00 PM

Piccolomini Library

 4.9/5

185 reviews

The library is located in the grounds of Siena Cathedral in rooms painted with early 16th century frescoes by the painter B. di Betto, better known as Pinturicchio. These images are of great cultural value, as is a 4th century Roman sculpture located against one of the walls. The book depository was created in 1492 at the request of Cardinal F. Piccolomini Todeschini to house the collection of books of Pope Pius II.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Battistero di San Giovanni Battista

 4.6/5

668 reviews

The Baptistery is part of the architectural complex of Siena Cathedral. It was built in 1316-1325 by C. di Crescentino in the Italian Gothic style. The marble baptistery font and elements of the interior decoration were worked on by famous Renaissance sculptors – Donatello, L. Ghierti, G. di Nerocchio, D. di Turino, J. della Quercia. The walls of the baptistery were painted by the hand of L. di Pietro (known as Vecchietta).

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Opera delle Metropolitana

 4.2/5

879 reviews

Museum of 1869, located in the Cathedral of Siena. The exhibition occupies several rooms in the right aisle. The extensive museum collection consists of marble sculptures by L. Pisano, J. della Quercia, D. Martini and other masters, as well as works by Renaissance and late Baroque painters. It also houses Donatello’s famous Madonna del Perdono.

Open time

Monday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

 4.4/5

66 reviews

The museum is located on the ground floor of the Palazzo Pubblico. It consists of works of art created by craftsmen and artisans mainly between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. In the museum you can see collections of ceramics, weapons, coins, jewellery and sculpture. The walls of the exhibition rooms are decorated with skilful frescoes by A. Lorenzetti. The city council used to meet in these rooms.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina

 4.6/5

1262 reviews

St Catherine of Siena was a religious and political figure as well as a talented writer. Her works contributed to the formation of the Italian literary language. She was canonised in the 15th century, and in the 19th century she was declared patroness of Italy along with Francis of Assisi. In the ancient XIV century house where the saint’s family lived, a sanctuary was established, which quickly became a pilgrimage centre.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Santa Maria della Scala

 4.7/5

1364 reviews

In the Middle Ages, Santa Maria della Scala was known as one of the largest hospitals in Europe. It provided shelter for pilgrims, travellers, street children and disadvantaged citizens. The main facade of the complex faces the Piazza del Campo. Today it houses the Archaeological Museum, the Briganti Library, the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Children’s Art Museum.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena

 4.4/5

619 reviews

Art gallery occupying the buildings of Palazzo Buonsignori and Palazzo Brigidi. Its collection consists of works by Italian masters from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as later works up to the end of the 18th century. In the 1970s the exposition was enriched with works by Flemish and German painters. In addition to paintings, the Pinakothek also exhibits sculpture.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico

 4.6/5

3527 reviews

The church of the Dominican Order, built in the 13th century. It looks more like an impregnable fortress with massive walls and narrow windows than a place where people come to pray and ask God for help. The fact is that its construction took into account the possibility of a military clash with the neighbouring Republic of Florence. In the event of war, the basilica could be used as a shelter and a place to withstand a siege.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Basilica of Saint Francis

 4.6/5

1287 reviews

A 13th century temple belonging to a Franciscan monastery. The façade and the right wing of the building retain Romanesque features, while the other parts of the building are in the later Italian Gothic style. In 1655 a devastating fire destroyed the magnificent Baroque interiors of the basilica. After restoration, the interior was given a more modest appearance.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi

 4.6/5

267 reviews

A 15th century church, originally built in the Gothic style and subsequently rebuilt several times to more modern architectural standards. The last reconstruction of the church took place in the 20th century. The interior of Santa Maria dei Servi is painted with frescoes depicting the lives of the Apostles-Evangelists and episodes from the life of John the Baptist.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Vestri Palace

 4.4/5

82 reviews

The palace was commissioned by the noble Mariscotti family in the 12th century. In the following centuries, the building changed owners several times. Each new family decorated the building according to their ideas of beauty. The last owner of the palazzo was Count Chigi-Saracini, who in 1932 established a music academy in the palace, which later became world-famous.

Open time

Fortezza Medicea

 4.5/5

10866 reviews

The defensive structure was built in the 16th century, when the history of the Republic of Siena was already coming to an end. Its powerful fortress walls are flanked by lateral pentagonal bastions. Over time, the fort lost its military significance and was disarmed, and a picturesque urban garden was laid out around the walls. Today, the fort houses a library, an audio archive, a wine cellar and the office of the Jazz Association.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Fontebranda

 4.6/5

1577 reviews

Fontebranda is a fountain located on the site of an ancient freshwater spring. Its streams flow alternately into three bowls. The first one was used to quench people’s thirst, the second one was used to water animals, and the third one was used for washing laundry and other household needs. In the XIII century a pavilion was built here. The fountain is located on the territory of the city district of the same name.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena

 4/5

635 reviews

The history of the garden began in the 16th century with the apothecary’s garden at the University of Siena. In the eighteenth century, exotic plant species were cultivated here. Over time, the area became insufficient, and in the XIX century the plantings were moved to the place where they are still located today. The territory of the garden is divided into landscaped areas – a rock garden, a fern forest, agricultural land and tropical greenhouses.

Open time

Podere Val D'Orcia Resort - Tuscany Equestrian

 4.4/5

86 reviews

Agricultural land and natural landscapes of the Italian province of Tuscany, located in the vicinity of Siena. This picturesque and fertile valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Val d’Orcia is made up of well-tended vineyards, cultivated fields, cypress groves and green hills, among which numerous farms and small private estates are spread out.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM