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Table of Contents:
How to get to Siena from Florence
When to travel to Siena
Siena is perhaps the only city in Italy that can compete with Florence for the title of “Capital of Culture”. Here, the spirit of the Middle Ages has been preserved almost in its original form, and the huge number of attractions per square meter will not let even the experienced traveler get bored. In fact, Siena needs no introduction; it is one of the most visited cities in Italy, along with neighboring Florence.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Siena. I figured out how to get to the city, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Siena.
In my opinion, tourists can visit Siena at any time of the year no matter what, because the main attractions of the city are architectural and they are open for observing throughout the year. Winters in Siena can be a little bit rainy, but other seasons are rather sunny and warm, so do not hesitate to come to Siena at any time of the year; the city does not disappoint you anyway!
How to get to Siena
Where do you fly into to get to Siena? Getting to Siena is quite easy, be it Florence, Pisa or Rome airports. The distance between Pisa and Siena is about 120 km; the distance between Florence and Siena is 80 km; the distance between Rome and Siena is approximately 235 km. The current flight timetable to any of these cities can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. I usually use Aviasales when planning my own trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options.
How to get to Siena from Pisa
By train: The distance between Pisa and Siena is about 120 km. Upon arrival in Pisa, you can get from the airport to the railway station on a special monorail, called the Pisa Mover. This is a convenient and fast way to get into the city. The monorail operates from 6 am to midnight, every 10 minutes. You can then travel from Pisa railway station to Siena by train, although you need to change at Empoli. The travel time including a change takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. I really like this online planner as it helps me a lot to figure out how to get around Europe. I can truly recommend using Raileurope when planning your trips.
By bus: Also, as an option, you can use the services of regular buses. The convenient thing is that they run directly from the airport, and there is no need to get to the bus station within the city. However, a change is also required, but in Florence. Transportation is carried out by Tiemmespa bus company.
By rented car: One more suitable way to get to Siena is to rent a car at Pisa airport. To rent a car you need to have a passport (or an ID), an international driver’s license and a bank card. During the high season, this option is very popular among tourists, so it is recommended to book a car in advance. This can be done via various online services, such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Based on my experience, both online services are good. I would recommend comparing their results when searching for available car rental options. Pisa and Siena are connected with the SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno highway. The approximate travel time is 1.5 hours (see on the map).
How to get to Siena from Florence
By public transport: Florence is located closer to Siena than Pisa – approximately 80 km away. Direct trains run between the cities. The travel time is about 1.5 hours. Trains depart from Santa Maria Novella railway station starting at 06.30 am and then every hour throughout the day. The last train departs at 21.30. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. It is one of my favourite online services for planning trips around Europe. I can definitely recommend it.
By rented car: By car you can get from Florence to Siena along the Raccordo Autostradale Firenze-Siena highway. The distance is 80 km. The travel time is 1 hour 15 minutes on the road. You can also use the A1/E35 highway. In that case the distance is 100 km. The travel time is about 1 hour 45 minutes on the road (see on the map). The routes pass through the Tuscany region, so picturesque views are guaranteed. You can rent a car in Florence in advance via various online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings etc. According to my experience, both online services have a decent search and a lot of useful filters to sort the results.
How to get to Siena from Rome
By public transport: There are no direct trains from Rome to Siena, but you can reach your travel destination by train, having made a change in Florence. The travel time is about 3,5 hours. Trains depart from Siena every half an hour so you can leave Siena at any time of the day. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service.
By car: A great number of car rental offices can be found in Rome, be it the city area or any of the airports. To rent a car you need to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card. Car renting in Rome is an extremely popular option so I would recommend booking a car in advance before arriving in Italy. A car for renting can be booked via the different international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Based on my map research, the distance between Rome and Siena is more than 200 km so the travel time is about 2,5-3 hours. They are connected with the A1/E35 motorway (see on the map).
Where to stay in Siena
Siena is the second most popular tourist center in Tuscany after Florence, so the hotel infrastructure here is considered to be quite developed. As I found out, tourists can stay in hotels of various star categories, apartments, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, and vacation homes. For budget travelers, there is an option to spend the night in a hostel. Based on my research, accommodation places that get high ratings from tourists in Siena include the following hotels and inns:
Albergo Chiusarelli 3* is located close to the bus station and the city center. There is a restaurant and a bar on site. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories; breakfast is included in the price. In summer you can relax on the terrace or in the garden. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. Paid public parking is available nearby. The front desk serves guests 24 hours a day;
B&B Sallustio Rooms is located in the city center, within walking distance of the main attractions. You can stay in rooms of various categories; buffet breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is provided for a fee. Luggage storage can be found at the front desk;
B&B Il Barbero is located in the center of Siena. The hotel offers double rooms, some of which have a balcony. Depending on the room type, breakfast may be included in the price or paid additionally. The hotel has a terrace for relaxing. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Private parking is provided nearby for an additional fee. Luggage storage services can be found at the front desk;
BnB Paolina is located in a picturesque place. It offers a panoramic terrace and rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price, and the room also includes a toaster, a coffee pot and mini-fridge. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Parking is provided for an additional fee. Luggage storage services can be found at the front desk;
Palazzo del Papa B&B is located in the very “heart” of Siena. Guests can stay in double rooms; breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Public parking is provided nearby for an additional fee. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I discovered that the hotel gets the best ratings for its location and convenient touristic infrastructure.
What to see in Siena
Siena is full of medieval buildings including churches, cathedrals, squares and museums. The value of these monuments is their authentic form, which has been preserved throughout the ages. It means that tourists and travelers have the opportunity to feel like they are in the “heart” of a medieval Italian city. In addition, Siena is located in the Tuscany region, which, in turn, is one of the most picturesque regions in the country, just look at the famous Tuscan fields! To my mind, the Tuscan sea shore is also no less attractive!
Tourists most often begin their observing of Siena from Piazza del Campo. All the most “postcard” views of the city are concentrated here. The square is made in the shape of a shell and is surrounded on all sides with historical monuments. One of them, for example, is the Palace of the Commune. The palace facade is similar to a fortress, especially its jagged turrets on the roof.
The Torre del Mangia tower is adjacent to the Palace of the Commune. The height of the tower is more than 100 meters, and it is one of the tallest towers in Siena. The tower is also interesting for tourists because inside its walls there is an observation deck with the best views of the city. True, to climb to the 88-meter height of the site, you need to overcome 400 steps on foot!
Other magnificent buildings in Piazza del Campo also include the Sansedoni Palace (a 13th-century terracotta building made in the Gothic style), the Fonte Gaia fountain, surrounded on three sides with marble walls and decorated with sculptures, and some other objects.
Next, from Piazza del Campo, tourists move to the Siena Cathedral. It is located on the square called Piazza del Duomo. At one time, the local cathedral served as the residence of the bishop. The facade of the building is decorated with marble and numerous sculptural compositions. The rose window and mosaic elements also stand out. The style is Gothic. You can also find a tower that serves as a belfry. The tower is made in a similar Gothic style, and its height is about 77 meters. As I found out, not far from the Cathedral there is also a baptistery, which has similar architectural features.
Other significant religious sites in the city include the Basilica of St. Dominic, the Basilica of St. Francis, the Basilica of Osservanza and others. It is noteworthy that many religious buildings in Siena are built on hills and are visible from almost all points of the city.
Most of the city museums are devoted to art. And if you are really interested in fine art, then in the museums of Siena you can find “real pearls” of Italian art. The City Museum, Metropolitan Museum, National Pinakothek, Medici Fortress and others are recommended for visiting in that case.
When not sightseeing, you can also check out local parks. Here you can relax and admire panoramic views of the city at the same time. In my point of view, the Orto de Pecchi Park is especially good for strolling around. It is located close to the city center and offers views of Piazza del Campo. Also, in Siena you can find the Botanical Garden. There is no landscape design inside the garden, but exotic plants and trees can be found in its area. I would definitely recommend visiting both the Orto de Pecchi Park and the Botanical Garden.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Jukka
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…