Overview to Siena: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
Despite being a gorgeous city overflowing with striking architecture, churches, piazzas and museums, the city of Siena receives nowhere near as many visitors as nearby Florence. And, as such, it has a more natural, relaxed feel than its Tuscan neighbor.
But this is with one notable exception: the weeks leading up to its world-famous, bareback horserace – the Palio. Stretching back to the 13th century, the Palio is one of the biggest events in Italy, if not Europe, and is held twice a year in July and August.
For the rest of the year, the arena in which it’s held – the lovely square of Il Campo – merely acts as the center point of the Old Town. From here, the city’s various distinct districts (known as ‘contradas’) spread themselves out attractively.
Siena’s skyline (best taken in from the top of the Torre del Mangia) is dominated by the striking black and white form of the Duomo. A little to the south of Il Campo, the Pinacoteca Nazionale and Museo Civico stand out amongst countless other museums and galleries.
The city’s eating and drinking spots are a bit more dispersed than in many cities, but there are plenty of trattorie for a good meal and a glass or two of Chianti. As it’s not the cheapest Italian city, budget travelers might want to pick up supplies at the Piazza del Mercato for a picnic or self-catering.
For shopping, the Via di Citta is dotted with smart little boutiques. On either side of it, the narrow lanes of Sienna’s evocative Old Town dart off in every direction. The Banchi di Sopra runs away to the north and the predominantly local quarter around the church of San Stefano.
Siena has the right mix of sightseeing attractions (and sightseers..) and ‘real’ urban life. Its charms run just a little deeper, and take a bit more time to unravel, than some places - but that’s arguably why the city is so regularly a highlight for travelers in Italy who make it here.
