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31 Best Things to Do in Siena (in 2026)
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do in Siena | Museums & Culture | Food & Drink | Outdoor Activities | Cool & Unusual
Siena is only a 40-minute drive from my hometown, and it’s definitely one of the Tuscan cities I love the most. I’ve created this list to point you to the best things to do in Siena, so you know what to add to your itinerary.
In this small guide, I will give you local insights into the city and provide an overview of the best things to do, must-visit museums and churches, what to eat and drink, and some unusual activities. With its important history and art, you can easily lose yourself wandering the narrow streets of Siena’s historic centre. I promise you won’t regret visiting this gorgeous city!
Use this list and my guide on where to stay in Siena to plan a wonderful trip to this iconic Tuscan city.
31 Best Things to Do in Siena
Piazza del Campo
Visit one of the most iconic squares of Italy and the theater of Palio di Siena.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Private Secret Siena Walking Tour on Viator
Piazza del Campo is a lively area of the city, located in the heart of Siena’s historic center and surrounded by medieval walls. It’s also the theater of one of the most iconic horse races in the world: Palio di Siena. If you are visiting Siena, you can’t miss a visit to the square – all streets lead here.
With its characteristic shell-shape, Piazza del Campo is also home to the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall), Torre del Mangia, and a monumental fountain called Fonte Gaia. The fountain was first built around the 15th century, but the one we admire now is a reproduction from the 19th century.
Piazza del Campo will be the perfect spot for all architecture and art lovers, and it’s a nice area to stop for eating and drinking. This is where locals meet and enjoy their time.
At the edge of the square, there are many shops, cafeterias, restaurants, and gelaterie. But many people prefer to grab something to take away and sit on the red brick floor, looking at one of the most beautiful views of the city.
Palazzo Pubblico with Torre del Mangia
Go inside the Town Hall and challenge yourself to get to the top of Torre del Mangia.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577 286300 | Website | Hours: varies by season | Entrance: 10€ adults, 9€ children (11 to 19) and over 65, Free under 11
At the very center of Piazza del Campo, you will find two other symbols of Siena: the Town Hall, Palazzo Pubblico, and its iconic tower called Torre del Mangia. On the first floor of the Town Hall, there’s the Siena Civic Museum: a great journey through the history of the city and an exhibition of centuries of Italian art.
With more than 300 stairs to get to the top, Torre del Mangia is the tallest tower of the city and offers an incomparable view of Piazza del Campo and the whole city. Note that tickets for Torre del Mangia cannot be booked in advance and may only be purchased at the local ticket offices.
If you love medieval and Renaissance art, you’ll definitely want to visit Palazzo Pubblico. And if you want to enjoy an unforgettable view of the city, and the stairs don’t bother you, I definitely suggest climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia, too.
👉 Local Tip: Climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia can be very challenging. Do it only if you are in good health and you are not claustrophobic.
Medici Fortress
Visit the 16th-century fortress for beautiful landscapes and relaxing outdoor activities.
Located just outside of the medieval walls in the San Prospero Quarter, the Medici Fortress, or Fortezza Medicea, provides one of the best views of the city. From here, you can admire the Torre del Mangia, the Duomo, the Basilica di San Domenico, and the marvellous Sienese countryside.
First built as a military site around the 16th century, the fortress has become one of the most important meeting points for locals. Here, you’ll see people strolling along the avenues that line the walls, or jogging and exercising with the free equipment provided by the municipality.
Inside the fortress walls, there’s an amphitheater that hosts many outdoor performances during the summer. Next to it is Pizzeria in Fortezza, open from June to September. Every Wednesday morning in the nearby La Lizza area, Siena’s open-air market takes place. It’s the perfect place to buy clothes, shoes, food, and homewares at affordable prices.
If you are looking for stunning views and a relaxing moment during your stay in Siena, you cannot miss a visit to the fortress. Summer is the best season to enjoy all the activities that take place here.
Duomo di Siena & Libreria Piccolomini
Prepare to be overwhelmed by the beauty of this Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral and its inner treasures.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577 286300 | Website | Hours: varies by seasons | Entrance: from 7€ to 10€adults, Free under 6 | 👉 Book a Siena Duomo and City Walking Tour on Viator
A few minutes walk from Piazza del Campo, you can visit one of the most beautiful Romanesque-Gothic Cathedrals of Italy: Duomo di Siena. The cathedral is known for its incomplete facciatone (façade) and houses treasures made by great artists.
Here, you can admire Nicola Pisano’s pulpit, four sculptures by young Michelangelo, Pinturicchio’s frescos, and Donatello’s famous San Giovanni Battista. Just past the altar, you can find the Piccolomini Library, which features an extensive and stunning book collection.
Visit the cathedral during the summer to see what Giorgio Vasari called one of the most beautiful and most magnificent marble floors of all time. Constructed from the 14th to the 19th century, the scenes depicted on the floor are a reminder of Wisdom and a path that leads to Salvation through faith, virtue, and knowledge. Due to its preciousness, the floor is only uncovered from June 27 to July 31 and from August 18 to October 18.
With the OPA SI pass, it is also possible to choose the Porta del Cielo (Gate of Heaven) itinerary, in which you can walk “above” the nave and admire panoramic views both inside and outside of the Cathedral.
I suggest visiting the Cathedral for all of those who love art and want to be shaken by an incomparable manifestation of beauty. I can assure you that this place will leave you breathless.
👉 Local Tip: You can buy an OPA SI Pass at 19,50€, which includes access to 7 attractions, including the Cathedral, Libreria Piccolomini, and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
Museum of Contrada
Choose the contrada that inspires you the most and visit its museum.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: by reservation, open every Tuesday 10 am – 1 pm & 3 pm – 7 pm | Entrance: Free, donations accepted
If you want to immerse yourself in Sienese culture, you cannot miss visiting at least one museum of the 17 contradas (districts) chosen to run the Palio di Siena.
All of the contradas are located inside the medieval walls within the three quarters that divide the historic center: Terzo Città, Terzo di Camollia, and Terzo di San Martino. While visiting Siena’s historic centre, raise your head to see colorful flags and lanterns that mark the territory of a contrada. Some contradas are enemies, so be careful when mentioning your preferences.
Each contrada has a museum that shows its history through the centuries and, of course, exhibits the Palios they’ve won. Visiting the museum of a contrada is much more than seeing old costumes and pieces of art; it’s a true immersion into the history of Siena.
Only by meeting a contradaiolo (a person affiliated with a contrada) can you truly understand what the Palio means to them, and why they are so fond of this horse race. You will be put in direct touch with locals when visiting. Therefore, I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to understand Sienese culture.
Fontebranda
Visit the oldest fountain of Siena, mentioned in the Divine Comedy.
You will find Siena’s most famous medieval fountain, Fontebranda, in Terzo di Camollia within the territory of Contrada dell’Oca. Fontebranda was mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy and by Boccaccio in the Decameron. It is the largest and oldest fountain in the city.
The fountain receives water from Bottini di Siena, an ancient aqueduct system more than 15 miles long. It has three capacious vats, which were used for three different activities in the past. One was for drinking fresh water, another was for feeding the animals, and the last one was for laundry.
Today, this fountain is a perfect destination both for those who love medieval art and those related to the worship of Saint Catherine of Siena. In fact, this fountain guaranteed the business of Saint Catherine’s father, who used its water for dyeing cloth.
I personally believe that Fontebranda is one of the best places you can visit in Siena. Admiring its clear waters always leaves me breathless and gives me a delightful sense of peace.
Siena Museums & Culture
Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico
Discover the majestic Basilica of St. Dominic, where the Sacred Head of Saint Catherine dwells.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577286848 | Website | Hours: varies by season | Entrance: Free
The Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico is among the most important churches in Siena. It’s located in the northwestern part of the city, not far from the Medici Fortress. The church is primarily known for its majestic architecture, Saint Catherine head-relics, and for housing her original portrait painted by her friend, Andrea Vanni.
Thanks to its position and grandeur, it is easy to spot the Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico from several viewpoints in the city. First erected in the 13th century, this church has been a symbol of Siena ever since.
This Basilica is the perfect stop for all devotees of Saint Catherine and those who enjoy history and art. Access to the church is from the left side, not the front. You can also admire one of the best sunset views of the city from the street where I took the above picture, Via Diacceto. So, if you are a photographer, keep this street in mind!
Sanctuary of Saint Catherine
Visit the house of the patron saint of Italy.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577288175 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 12:30 pm & 3 pm – 5 pm daily, Closed Sundays | Entrance: Free, donation accepted
Just a short walk from the Basilica of St. Domenic, you can visit a complex dedicated to Saint Catherine: Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina (the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine).
The structure features several points of interest. You can see the area that once belonged to the cloth-dyer Jacopo Benincasa, father to the saint. You can also see the Portico dei Comuni, built in 1939 when Catherine was proclaimed patron saint of Italy, and the church of the crucifix where Saint Catherine received the stigmata.
The sanctuary also features several paintings from different ages depicting the life and spirituality of the saint. It is a must-stop for devotees and art enthusiasts. The atmosphere here is peaceful and relaxing.
Basilica of San Francesco
Discover another marvellous basilica inside the medieval walls.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 7:30 am – 12 pm, 3 pm – 7 pm | Entrance: Free
Located in the northeastern part of the city, the Basilica of San Francesco is another important Catholic church in Siena.
Built at two different times, the church has a Neo–Gothic style. The church is beautiful, with interior walls made of slabs of black and white marble and colourful Gothic windows. Numerous works by Sienese artists are also here.
The basilica is in the territory of Contrada della Giraffa and Contrada del Bruco, but its walls have the flags of all contradas during particular religious events or the Palio’s celebrations.
Outside the church, there’s a small playground where children can play and have some fun, while their parents can sit and relax, admiring the pretty views of Siena.
Complesso Santa Maria La Scala
Experience a unique immersion into Siena’s history and art.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577228744 | Website | Hours: varies by season | Entrance: 9€ adults (8€ with reservation), 7€ (6,50€ with reservation) for youth 12 to 19 and over 65, Free under 11
In front of the majestic Duomo di Siena rises an equally imposing building and museum complex called Complesso Santa Maria La Scala.
Once an ancient hospital for pilgrims, Complesso Santa Maria La Scala is a monumental collection of Siena’s history. A thousand years of history are displayed here: beginning with the Etruscans and the Medieval Ages, and from the Renaissance up to more recent times. Here, you can also admire the original statues made by Jacopo della Quercia for Fonte Gaia.
The museum is ideal for adults and art experts, but also for families. In fact, inside the museum complex, several activities for families are provided. Parents can explore the museum spaces with their children through interactive visits, games, or workshop activities.
Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John)
Admire a stunning representation of the Sienese Renaissance period.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0552302885 | Website | Hours: varies by season | Entrance: from 14€ to 16€ adults, 3€ children ages 7 to 11 years, free under 6
Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John) is another stunning structure located close to the Duomo, in Piazza San Giovanni.
While its exterior is incomplete, there are gorgeous pictures and sculptures displayed inside. The most important works are dated from the medieval and Renaissance times. You’ll find work by Jacopo della Quercia, Andrea Vanni, and Vecchietta.
Pinacoteca Nazionale
Visit one of the most important civic museums of the city.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577281161 | Website | Hours: temporary closed due to maintenance work | Entrance: 6€ adults, 2€ reduced ticket
⚠️ Closure Notice: This attraction is temporarily closed for maintenance work
Pinacoteca Nazionale is the most important civic museum of the city, and it’s considered one of the most beautiful civic museums of Italy.
What makes it so important is the presence of a large collection of art from the 14th and 15th centuries made by Sienese artists like Duccio Buoninsegna, Piero and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, and many more.
I suggest visiting this museum to all who are studying art history or those interested in the beauty of the Middle Ages and Italian Renaissance art. You will find a great representation of it here.
Palazzo delle Papesse
Be prepared for an unusual museum visit.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577286300 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily, until 8 pm Thursdays | Entrance: 18€ adults, 12€ over 65, 7€ children aged 7-14, free under 6
Along Via di Città in the southern part of the city is the home of Sienese contemporary art exhibitions: Palazzo delle Papesse.
The outside is an example of Florentine Renaissance-style architecture, and there is plenty of contemporary art within. If you are looking for an unusual visit, you can book a unique experience like tastings of local wines or admission to the stunning rooftop terrace for a meal
I really recommend a visit to this museum for all of those who enjoy seeing art exhibitions and for those who are looking for something original. Choose one of the experiences offered, linger a while, and enjoy your stay in Siena.
🤓 Fun Fact: In 1633, Galileo Galilei was a guest at Palazzo delle Papesse after his conviction during the Inquisition. From the palace rooftop, he made some moon observations.
Accademia dei Fisiocritici
Discover the Natural History Museum of the city.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 057747002 | Website | Hours: varies by season | Entrance: 5€ adults, 3€ children ages 7-17 , free under 6
Accademia dei Fisiocritici is the natural history museum of Siena, located inside a former Camaldolese convent next to the Botanic Garden. The museum is divided into four sections – anatomy, botany, zoology and geology – and this museum also offers temporary exhibitions and several activities for children.
Families can book cumulative tickets with guided tours and choose from different activities. I suggest contacting the museum directly in advance to ask about activities available during your stay.
Food & Drink in Siena
Panforte, Panpepato & Ricciarelli
Don’t miss a taste of the iconic Sienese sweets.
📍 Google Maps (Antica Drogheria Manganelli 1879) | 👉 Book an Ultimate Siena Food Tour on Viator
While visiting Siena, you definitely don’t want to miss tasting a few products of its pastry tradition. Among their specialties, I recommend Panforte, Panpepato, and Ricciarelli, which are generally consumed during winter and Christmas time. Or try Pan co’ santi from October to November. But what are all these delicacies?
Panforte, literally “strong bread,” is a traditional sweet with a chewy consistency that is rich in candied fruits, nuts and spices. Panpepato, “peppered bread,” is similar but enriched with cocoa and honey. Another signature of Siena’s sweets, Ricciarelli are soft almond-based cookies generally served with a glass of Vin Santo (dessert wine).
Finally, Pan co’ santi is a traditional “bread” made with olive oil, raisins, walnuts, and other possible ingredients such as honey, almonds and figs. Keep in mind that it is only available at certain times of the year.
The best shops or cafeterias where you can eat or buy these tasty sweets basically all year round are situated in the historic center. Search for Antica Drogheria Manganelli, Pasticceria Nannini, Pasticceria Buti or Forno il Magnifico.
Pici Senesi & Salumi Di Cinta
Eat the Sienese “spaghetti” and enjoy the local cold cuts.
📍 Google Maps (Pretto Prosciutteria e Convivio)
Do you love pasta and cold cuts? Then you cannot miss eating a good plate of pici and a tagliere of Tuscan Cinta Senese cold cuts.
Pici are the traditional pasta of Siena, similar to spaghetti, but thicker and more rustic. They are generally served with all’aglione (tomato and local garlic), cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper), alle briciole (roasted bread) or with ragù di cinghiale (wild boar sauce).
Cinta Senese cold cuts are from a heritage breed of pig native to Tuscany. In a good tagliere (typical plate with cold cuts) you can generally find salami, prosciutto (ham), lardo (cured pork fatback), capocollo (cured pork neck or shoulder) and guanciale (cured pork cheek or jowl).
To taste these particular meals, I can recommend the restaurants Osteria il Grattacielo and Osteria il Vinaio. Or go to Pretto Prosciutteria e Convivio and Prosciutteria Crudi e Bollicine for a quicker lunch or dinner while drinking a good glass of selected wine.
Wine Tasting
Taste Tuscany’s jewels: from Chianti to Vino Nobile of Montepulciano and Brunello of Montalcino.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Siena Wine Tour and Tasting Experience on Viator
Did you come to Tuscany for wine? Then you cannot skip a wine tasting during your stay in Siena. In fact, the city offers some local places where you can taste the special wines of the area: from Chianti and Vino Nobile of Montepulciano to Brunello of Montalcino.
If you love red wines, you truly are in the perfect place! For an unusual and romantic tasting, I recommend Enoteca Sotto al Duomo. It’s located in Piazza San Giovanni, a few steps from the Baptistery of St. John, and this wine shop offers a unique atmosphere and viewpoint.
Very close to Piazza del Campo, in Via delle Terme, you can instead find another highly-rated wine shop called Enoteca Perlage, where you can choose among different wine experiences.
If you want to grab some bottles to take back home after the wine tasting, you should stop at Cantina in Piazza, a small but really well-furnished enoteca.
Cooking Classes
Challenge yourself and have fun by preparing typical Sienese dishes.
📍 Multiple Locations | 👉 Book a Handmade Pasta, Wine & Dinner Cooking Class with Scuola di Cucina Lella on Viator
Do you like to cook and want to learn how to prepare some traditional meals from Siena? Then you should book a cooking class experience.
If you are staying inside or close to the medieval walls, I can recommend two places that are easily accessible: Scuola di Cucina Lella and Trattoria Fonte Giusta.
Scuola di Cucina Lella is the first cooking school born in Siena, and it will give you a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. Along with Tuscan cuisine specialties, you can also opt for a course of food and wine pairing.
Trattoria Fonte Giusta is a traditional Sienese restaurant that has opened a cooking academy, offering the chance to share with you some secrets of Italian cuisine.
Gelateria La Vecchia Latteria
Eat the best artisan ice cream in Siena.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 11 am – 11 pm daily, Closed Winter
If you love gelato, you cannot miss a pit stop at La Vecchia Latteria. La Vecchia Latteria has the best gelato I’ve ever eaten in Siena.
Its name derives from the business of the previous owner, Tonina. This place is very dear to old Sienese people, because it is where citizens used to go to get milk in glass bottles. Tonina was famous for the production of whipped cream.
There are no seats inside the gelatiera because the place is very small, but this ice cream won’t disappoint your expectations! Take your cono (cone) or coppetta (small cup) and eat it while admiring the iconic streets of Siena’s historic center.
Savelli’s Frittelle
Try the Sienese street food most-anticipated throughout the year.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: Late January to Late March, annually
If you’re lucky enough to visit Siena from late January to late March, you must stop at Piazza del Campo to eat Savelli’s hot frittelle, typical sweets of Saint Joseph’s Day.
Savelli’s frittelle has become an institution of Sienese folklore. Every winter, for the last 80 years, Savelli’s family arrives at Piazza del Campo with its wooden shed for preparing these delicious rice fritters.
What’s unique about these frittelle is the history of the family that makes them. None of Savelli’s members has a pastry shop; they all have very different jobs, but every winter they are reunited by continuing this tradition.
I personally love these frittelle. What I enjoy the most is the chance to buy them still hot and eat them seated on the red brick floor of Piazza del Campo. Very often you will find a long queue, but don’t give up: it’s worth the wait!
Outdoor Activities in Siena
Palio di Siena
Attend one of the most iconic horse races in the entire world.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: July 2nd and August 16th, annually
Don’t ask Sienese people to go out on July 2nd and August 16th because they will probably reject your proposal. These are the days when the historic Palio di Siena horse race takes place.
Since 1633, ten of the seventeen contradas (districts) previously chosen and represented by ten horses and ten jockeys contend for Siena’s glory during the Palio. The horse race is preceded by an historical parade that leaves from the Prefettura around 3:30-4 pm to Piazza del Campo.
The race consists of three laps of Piazza del Campo, on a track made with a mixture of sand and tuff. With or without the jockey, Palio’s winner is the horse that completes the first three laps, and the prize is the “drappellone,” a large painted silk canvas created by a different artist every year.
It is free to stand in the center of the square (access is possible till one hour and a quarter before the race), but to stay on the balconies or on the bleacher seats, you need to buy a ticket by direct contact, which is generally very difficult to find.
Piazza del Mercato
Visit one of the oldest squares of the city, which now hosts the monthly antiques market.
Just behind Piazza del Campo, you can find a lesser-known but very beautiful square called Piazza del Mercato.
Likely older than the main square, Piazza del Mercato was once home to the city market, but now, every third Sunday of the month, it hosts the Mercato dell’Antiquariato (Antiques Market), open from 9 am to 7 pm.
Siena’s antiques market is a treasure for all antique collectors and a great place to buy some unique objects to bring home. The first time I visited this square, I was astonished by its beauty and its originality compared to other Sienese buildings.
Even if you can’t make it to the antiques market, I suggest visiting Piazza del Mercato to get to know a hidden corner of the city and admire the beautiful Orto dei Pecci from its terrace.
Banchi di Sopra Street
Go for a stroll in the main shopping area of the city.
Are you looking for a nice area to go shopping? Then you must go to Via Banchi di Sopra, the main shopping street which starts at Palazzo Salimbeni and ends at Piazza del Campo. Via Banchi di Sopra is a lively area of the medieval city, often very crowded during the day.
While here, you can also see Palazzo Salimbeni, the house of the oldest active bank in the entire world: Monte dei Paschi di Siena. It’s open to the public only a few days a year (during the Palio di Siena days and the first Saturday of October). The neo-gothic palace also features works of art by Jacopo della Quercia, Pietro Lorenzetti, Domenico Beccafumi, and many more.
Orto de’ Pecci
Relax in a corner of the countryside in the heart of the Siena historic center.
📍 Google Maps (restaurant near Orto de’ Pecci)
In the southeast area of the historic center, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza del Campo, there’s a green oasis called Orto de’ Pecci. Orto de’ Pecci is a splendid place to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon.
If you are looking for a green area to stop and let your children play, Orto de’ Pecci would probably be the best place to go. It also has an educational farm where children can interact with and meet farm animals and enjoy the surrounding nature.
Orto Botanico
Take a break at Siena Botanic Garden.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577 232075 | Website | Hours: temporarily closed, try to contact [email protected]
⚠️ Closure Notice: This attraction is temporarily closed.
About ten minutes from Orto de’ Pecci, you’ll find another green area called Orto Botanico. This botanic garden, transformed into a museum, shows more than 1,000 plant species from all over the world.
Orto Botanico was once Orto dei Semplici, a 16th-century garden included in the Hospital of Santa Maria La Scala, where plants were used for pharmaceutical purposes. Nowadays, the Botanic Garden also includes the Herbarium, a structure that conserves more than 80,000 dried samples of plants.
Those who love plants and are looking for a relaxing moment away from the crowd of the city should spend some time at Orto Botanico. The place is also family-friendly and sometimes offers interactive activities for children, such as treasure hunts.
Day Trips in the Surroundings
Discover the incomparable beauty of Siena’s surroundings.
📍 Google Maps (Piazza della Cisterna)
If you are staying in Siena, you cannot miss taking a day trip in the surroundings because the province of Siena includes some of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany.
If you’re searching for the best wine on your trip, then you should consider towns like Montalcino and Pienza (in Val d’Orcia), Montepulciano, or Chianti’s villages like Radda in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti.
If you prefer places full of history or want to visit a typical Tuscan village, you should go to Monteriggioni or San Gimignano. For picturesque landscapes, visit Crete Senesi and San Quirico d’Orcia.
Finally, if you want to relax in a public hot spring, consider going to Rapolano Terme or Bagni di San Filippo. For more ideas of incredible places to visit and things to do in the surroundings, take a look at my full guide to the best things to do in Tuscany.
Cool & Unusual Things to Do in Siena
Bottini di Siena
Visit the ancient aqueduct system and the Museum of Water.
📍 Google Maps (Museo dell’Acqua/Siena Water Museum)
Under Siena’s historic center lies an underground city. Never heard of it? Well, I am referring to Bottini di Siena, the ancient aqueduct system, more than 15 miles long.
A visit to Bottini is really unique and exclusive – only 1,000 people per year get the chance to see this hidden treasure. With or without this original experience, you can visit Siena’s Museum of Water in Strada Fonti di Pescaia. This interactive museum offers visitors the chance to learn the extraordinary history of Siena, born far from rivers and yet very autonomous and rich.
To book your visit to Bottini di Siena, you should write an email to [email protected] or call from 9 am to 1 pm at 0577-292614-15. Just know that this attraction is not recommended for children below 8, claustrophobes, and people who suffer from heart and respiratory diseases.
Mother Tongue Movies at Cinema Pendola
See what mother tongue movies the cinema is showing.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 057743012 | Website | Entrance: 8€ adults, 6€ reduced ticket
Do you love cinema, and are you looking for a place where you can watch a movie in your mother tongue? Take a look at Nuovo Cinema Pendola’s program and see what movies are playing.
Mother tongue movies are generally projected on Mondays or Wednesdays from September to June. During the summer, Nuovo Cinema Pendola moves to the Stadium, but there are only movies in Italian.
The first time I entered this cinema, I fell in love. The atmosphere in this old-fashioned art-house cinema is pure magic, and sometimes it feels like time has stopped. What I love the most about this place is staring at the posters of some of the movies that have made history. It feels like time travel!
Concert at Accademia Musicale Chigiana
Enjoy a classical music concert in a magical place.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 057722091 | Website
Do you love classical music, and are you looking for a different kind of night out during your stay in Siena? Then you should look at the Accademia Chigiana concert program and buy a ticket to listen to a delightful concert in this magical and historical place.
Accademia Musicale Chigiana was born at the beginning of the last century at the will of Guido Chigi Saracini. He decided to transform part of his home into a concert saloon and a theater in an 18th century Venetian-style.
Apart from the concert area, it is now possible to visit by reservation the treasures and art collections of this medieval palace and stay for an aperitivo at ChigianArtCafè. Inside this cafeteria, there are installations of pieces of art from Chigi Saracini’s collection, and sometimes they offer live music and temporary art exhibitions.
Tea Room Lounge Bar
Drink a warm tea and eat a tasty slice of cake in the historic Sienese tea room.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+39) 0577222753 | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Tuesday to Thursday, 5 pm – 1 am Fridays and Saturdays, 4 pm – 12 am Sunday, Closed Mondays
After a multi-year closure, the historic Sienese tea room came back to life. A few steps from Piazza del Mercato, this place first opened in 1985 and is very dear to the Sienese people.
Here you can find a cozy atmosphere (especially during cold nights) while drinking a good selection of teas and eating a slice of the cake you prefer. If you don’t like tea and you want a refreshing drink, you can also order soft or alcoholic drinks.
The teacups are very nice, and the cakes are delicious. Whether you are going out for a romantic night with your partner or a chatty moment with your friends, this place would be the right place to be at. I suggest you book a table in advance. This tea room is not that big, and very often all the tables are occupied.
Darkest Alleys of Siena
Take a small tour through the most obscure areas of the city.
If you like horror movies and legends, then you must discover two of the thinnest and darkest alleys of Siena: Vicolo delle Carrozze and Vicolo degli Orefici. What unites these two alleys is an obscure past and their central location, both a few minutes’ walk from Piazza del Campo.
Forbidden and walled up for many years due to the criminal and sinful activities that took place here at night, Vicolo delle Carrozze is probably the narrowest, darkest, and most isolated area of Siena. It owes its name to a gate that, in the 19th century, limited the passage only to carriages, while it was forbidden to other passengers.
Vicolo degli Orefici is less visually scary, but it has a legend worthy of horror stories. Located on the parallel street of Via Pantaneto, this long and hidden alley is now enriched with beautiful plants and flowers, but it was once a place of death and terror. According to an old legend, a man, struck by a curse, transformed himself into a werewolf during full moon nights, becoming a menace to the citizens.
If, after returning home from your trip, you want to tell an unusual story about your stay in Siena to your friends, these alleys can give you nice material to talk about.
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Siena’s urban center is pretty small, but the city has a lot to offer. I hope I have helped you decide what to add to your itinerary with this list of different activities. Leave me a comment if you have questions or need more local help! I would be very happy to answer you.
And if you’re traveling to Tuscany’s most famous city, take a look at our guide to the best sites and attractions in Florence next!