Add dates

Siena Culture & history

Our most recommended Siena Culture & history

From Florence: Day Trip Pisa, Siena & San Gimignano w/Lunch

1. From Florence: Day Trip Pisa, Siena & San Gimignano w/Lunch

Experience the wonders of Tuscany on one memorable day. Leave Florence for a 12-hour excursion and see the beautiful landscapes, architecture, and artworks of the region. Treat yourself to some local cuisine, and opt for a guided tour in your preferred language to learn even more about the historic area. Begin with the visit at Piazza del Campo, where the Palio di Siena horse race is run, and Piazza del Duomo, where you will see the exterior of the magnificent cathedral. After some free time in Siena you'll have lunch in a typical Tuscan winery. Then go ahead to the vineyard, where you can enjoy some local wine and visit San Gimignano, a UNESCO-listed medieval town. Continue to Pisa and to visit its stunning Piazza dei Miracoli. Admire the Baptistery, the cathedral, and, of course, the famous leaning tower.

Siena: Siena Cathedral Complex Pass (OPA SI Pass)

2. Siena: Siena Cathedral Complex Pass (OPA SI Pass)

See notable features of the Duomo of Siena with the OPA SI fast-track entry pass. In addition to discovering the Cathedral of Siena, visit the Baptistery, the Crypt, the Piccolomini Library, and the adjacent Museo dell'Opera, Oratory, and Facciatone viewpoint with one convenient ticket. Enter the Duomo and be amazed by its grand scale as you stroll along its stunning mosaic marble floor. Admire sculptures such as The Feast of Herod by Donatello and St. Paul by Michaelangelo, amongst many artworks which are dotted around the cathedral. Visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni within the Duomo to marvel at the splendid Baptismal Font. From here, head down into the Crypt, the underground quarters that remained hidden for more than seven centuries. Then, stroll through the Piccolomini Library and gaze up at the vibrant and colorful frescoes which adorn its walls. Admire the stunning work by Pinturicchio, which depicts ten episodes from the life of Pope Pius II. Access the Museo dell'Opera which houses a selection of archaeological fragments and artwork once part of the cathedral. See a variety of Gothic sculptures by Giovanni Pisano and paintings by Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti. Head into the Oratory of San Bernardino to admire the collection of the Diocesan Museum of Religious Art, with its core at the upper oratory chapel. Discover a variety of Siennese paintings from between the 13th to the 18th century. Finish up your visit to the complex with a climb up to the Facciatone viewpoint. Be enchanted by the unforgettable view over the city of Siena and the beautiful rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside.                                                                                            

Siena: Siena Cathedral & Piccolomini Library Entrance Ticket

3. Siena: Siena Cathedral & Piccolomini Library Entrance Ticket

Benefit from fast-track entry to Siena Cathedral and admire the stunning artwork and architecture of its interior. Walk along its ornate marble mosaic floor and visit the Piccolomini Library known for its collection of vibrant frescoes. Skip the line and enter the Cathedral and admire one of the foremost masterpieces of renaissance art and architecture in Italy. Gaze at elaborate altarpieces, a sculpture by Michelangelo, and all manner of ornate decorations scattered throughout its vast interior. Enter the Piccolomini Library, which contains a sprawling series of 10 frescoes by Pinturicchio chronicling the life of Pope Pius II. Gaze upwards at the domed ceiling, masterfully adorned with complex patterns and further scenes from the pope’s life.

Siena: Guided City Tour with Cathedral Skip-the-Line Entry

4. Siena: Guided City Tour with Cathedral Skip-the-Line Entry

Explore the beauty of Siena on a small group or private walking tour. See its famous monuments and hidden treasures with an expert guide. Benefit from pre-reserved tickets to Siena Cathedral. Meet your guide at the San Domenico Basilica and admire its Gothic architecture. Follow a winding route to take in panoramic views of the city, including the Duomo and Torre del Mangia. Find out about Siena in the Middle Ages, see the imposing palaces said to be the oldest in the area. Have a break to take in the charm of the 14th-century seashell-shaped square, Piazza del Compo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the magnificent Fonte Gaia fountain with its side reliefs of "The Creation of Adam" and "The Flight from the Garden of Eden." Learn about the history of the contrada (districts) that challenge each other twice a year during Siena’s Palio horse race. Walk to one of the most typical contrada and immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere. Follow your guide to see one of the local pastry shops that reflect the glory of Italy in using the centuries-old recipes to make traditional Ricciarelli and Panforte. Finally, explore one of the most fascinating cathedrals in Italy with pre-reserved tickets. Follow your guide to marvel at the magnificent marble mosaic inlay floor, stained glass, and medieval masterpieces by Duccio and Pisano. See the Renaissance highlights: several Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini sculptures and frescoes by Pinturicchio in the Libreria Piccolomini. Armed with a wealth of knowledge about Siena, say goodbye to your guide in the square in front of the cathedral.

From Florence: Tuscany Day Trip with Lunch at Chianti winery

5. From Florence: Tuscany Day Trip with Lunch at Chianti winery

Begin your journey of Tuscany at Florence’s central train station, where you will be greeted by your guide who will take care of you throughout the day.  Head straight to Siena, Italy’s most picturesque medieval city, whereupon arrival your guide will take you on a walking tour. Look up to admire the lovely terracotta roofs adorning the buildings and marvel at the magnificent Gothic and Romanesque architecture of the main cathedral.   Next, head to the hilltop town of San Gimignano, a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for the tower houses built in the Middle Ages. Enjoy free time here to see its splendid squares, palaces, churches, and magnificent towers. The last stop on your Tuscan excursion is a visit to Pisa and its iconic leaning tower. Take a stroll through the Piazza dei Miracoli and see other marvelous monuments, before driving back to Florence. Best of all, choose from either a small-group or private guided experience to make your trip special. Choose the lunch option to enjoy a homemade lunch paired with an informal wine tasting at a traditional wine estate in the Chianti wine region. Savor 4 regional wines at lunch and learn about their unique production techniques. Feast on an organic, farmhouse meal while you overlook the rolling vineyards under the Tuscan sun.

From Siena: Brunello di Montalcino Guided Wine Tour W/ Lunch

6. From Siena: Brunello di Montalcino Guided Wine Tour W/ Lunch

Enjoy the beautiful Tuscan landscapes on the way to the famous wine hill of Montalcino with your guide. Learn about the process and passion involved in creating the famous Brunello Wine, and enjoy a local lunch. First, walk in the vineyards and explore the cellars where the wine is produced and aged before enjoying an introductory tasting of the world-famous Brunello wine. Then visit the hilltop town of Montalcino. See the town's medieval fortress, and spend time browsing the shops and streets. Take in the incredible views of the valleys and vineyards below. Next, enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch at a family-run winery, accompanied by the delicious wines produced at the facility. Next, continue to the stunning and ancient Benedictine Abbey of Sant'Antimo, a special place set in a breathtaking landscape. In the afternoon, visit a third winery where you’ll get a detailed description of the wine-making process. Learn how the vines are cared for and about the long aging process in oak barrels. After visiting the cellars and getting to know the winemakers, you’ll sit down for a final tasting before the return drive to Siena.

Siena 2-Hour Walking Tour & Skip-the-Line Duomo Tickets

7. Siena 2-Hour Walking Tour & Skip-the-Line Duomo Tickets

Discover the beauty of Siena during a 2-hour walking tour, one of the world's most well-preserved medieval cities. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets and marvel at the architecture. Visit the Basilica di San Domenico and learn more about St Catherine, patron of Italy. Learn about the grand history of this proud Republic and discover the traditional Palio, a spectacular festival that features a wild bare-back horse race around Piazza del Campo, the city's central square. Learn about the Contrade or city neighborhoods and how they wait all year to participate in this fundamental race. Visit Siena's historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to marvel at the magnificent architecture of Palazzo Salimbeni, today the world's oldest Bank, attesting to the wealth and trade of its glorious past. See Palazzo Tolomei, an imposing private Gothic building and the main square with its monuments and fountain. Discover the culinary traditions of the town and finally walk to one of the most spectacular cathedrals in Italy, the Duomo of Siena.  Your English-speaking local tour guide will escort you inside the Siena Cathedral to visit the chapels and to see the impressive masterpieces by Donatello, Michelangelo, and other artists, an unforgettably rich building of centuries of art and devotion.

Siena: Palazzo Pubblico Entry Ticket

8. Siena: Palazzo Pubblico Entry Ticket

Enter the Palazzo Pubblico of Siena and visit the Civic Museum with this entry ticket. Located inside the Palazzo Pubblico, the Civic Museum is a 13th-century building home to impressive wall-to-wall fresco paintings. Explore the museum to learn about the history of Siena and see precious artifacts. Exchange your voucher for an entry ticket at the ticket office and begin your visit in the Sala del Risorgimento. This room hosts fresco paintings that depict the life of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy. Walkthrough the Sala di Balìa and see wall paintings from the 15th-century by Spinello Aretino and Martino di Bartolomeo. Also, see the Sala dei Cardinali where precious carved coffers keep reliquaries. Move forward to the Sala del Concistoro, famous for its Beccafumi vault, and see Taddeo di Bartolo's 15th-century Cappella. Continue on to the Sala del Mappamondo, the widest room of the Palazzo Pubblico and used as the meeting place of the General Council. See the famous Maestà, a Gothic masterpiece painted by Simone Martini. The museum entry ticket also includes a visit to the 14th-century gallery, Loggia dei Nove, which offers a beautiful view of the landscape behind Palazzo Pubblico.

Historic Siena: Guided Walking Tour

9. Historic Siena: Guided Walking Tour

See the highlights of Siena on a walking tour as your guide tells you about the development of the city over the centuries and you enjoy the spectacular scenery and monuments. As you visit Siena’s major attractions such as the central Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Comunale, the Cathedral, and the majestic Basilica of San Domenico you’ll learn about each of these sights in depth from your guide. You’ll also hear about the noble families that were instrumental in the history of the city, including the Piccolomini, Tolomei, and Salimbeni, and see their palazzos. You’ll learn about the great tradition of the palio and hear stories of pilgrimage and saintliness that distinguish Siena. You can decide to finish the tour with a visit to Cathedral where numerous artistic treasures are preserved. Entrance to the Cathedral is available at an additional cost. You’ll see works by artists such as Pisano, Duccio di Buoninsegna, Donatello, Pinturicchio, and Gianlorenzo Bernini. During the summer you can also see the marvelous marble floor, which is a unique work in the history of art.

Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, & Monteriggioni Day Tour

10. Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, & Monteriggioni Day Tour

Explore the heart of beautiful Tuscany on a full-day tour of the towns of San Gimignano and Siena, then discover the bucolic wine region of Chianti. Depart from Florence by an air-conditioned bus to your first stop, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano. Discover one of the most splendid examples of an Italian medieval town. Distinguished by its famous towering skyline, San Gimignano stands along the Via Francigena on the hills of the Upper Val D’Elsa. Get acquainted with the Tuscan environment with the town’s Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine, saffron, and Santa Fina pottery. Enjoy some free time to stroll through the town on your own and see its beautiful squares, architecture, churches, and side streets. Afterward, head out to a unique location in the Chianti countryside to enjoy a wine tasting. Once you hop off the bus, be guided around a splendid winery. Get introduced to the estate's fascinating history and background. Head inside the cellars to learn the secrets of Chianti winemaking together with the local host. Then enjoy a delicious wine tasting of Chianti Classico. Continue to Siena for a guided tour of its enchanting architectural styles, including the Cathedral (exterior only) and Palazzo Comunale (Municipal Building, exterior only) in Piazza del Campo. The famous shell-shaped square provides the stage for the thrilling Palio horse race, run twice every summer.

29 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Frequently asked questions about Siena

What are the best day trips and excursions from Siena?

The best day trips and excursions from Siena are:

San Gimignano

What are the best deals and discounts on activities and attractions in Siena?

What are the most popular museums and exhibitions in Siena?

Other Sightseeing Options in Siena

Want to discover all there is to do in Siena? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Siena

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 4,972 reviews

Wonderful trip! One of the highlights on our trip to Italy! So much information and history. We loved it! Things to note it is a LOT of walking. We walked the 10 minute walk from our hotel to the train station so that added on but we clocked over 20K steps that day. I would say we are fairly average size Americans, my husband is 5'9, I'm 5'6 the bus was a bit of a tight squeeze with no bathroom. If we had been taller or plus sized it would have been very uncomfortable.

Stefano, our guide, was excellent. He was engaging and enthusiastic. He wanted to know about us all and was an entertaining host. Kathleen, our Siena guide, was also brilliant. The lunch at the farmhouse was superb and the trips to Saint Giniamno and Pisa were also fantastic. It was a lovely day and we would recommend it to anyone!

The tour was conducted by Walkabout. It was one of the most organised tour I had in Italy. Guide Lavinya was excellent. Her knowledge in Tuscany region and passion for tour is excellent. Great experience with Wine testing. Good to know the local history of Florence, Siena , San G and Pisa..I highly recommend this tour

Alice was an absolute star. Extremely knowledgeable, helpful and kind. You'll be lucky to have her as your guide. Choose to get the lunch! It's a great time with the group and great food

A very gratifying experience for a first contact with Tuscany, a small group and a very professional guide.