Siena and Florence spent much of the medieval period as rivals — militarily, economically, artistically — and Siena lost decisively enough that its centre was essentially frozen in the 14th century, never rebuilt in the Renaissance style that swept Florence. The result today is one of Italy's best-preserved Gothic cities, and a genuinely different atmosphere from Florence in a single day trip.
Getting there
Direct regional trains run from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Siena in roughly 1.5 hours, with fairly frequent departures. A faster option is the bus (run by Tiemme/Flixbus operators), which on some routes is quicker than the train since it goes more directly, arriving nearer the historic centre. Either way, Siena's station or bus terminal both require a short uphill walk or local bus into the old town itself.
What to see
- Piazza del Campo — the famous shell-shaped main square, one of Europe's great medieval public spaces and the site of the Palio horse race each July and August.
- Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) — a black-and-white marble masterpiece with an interior arguably even more striking than Florence's own Duomo, including an intricately inlaid marble floor uncovered only part of the year.
- Torre del Mangia — the bell tower overlooking Piazza del Campo; the climb rewards with a view over the whole city and surrounding countryside.
- The narrow medieval streets — Siena's centre is compact and largely traffic-free, and simply wandering between the main sights is a genuine pleasure.
How much time to allow
A full day is ideal: enough time for the Duomo, the tower climb, lunch in or near the Campo, and unhurried wandering. It's tight but doable as a half-day if you're combining it with Chianti wine country on the same trip — see our Chianti guide.