This Tuscan hill city built around a shell shaped medieval square remains fiercely proud of its independent traditions, none more famous than its twice yearly horse race.
Why Visit Siena
Piazza del Campo, Siena’s shell shaped main square, ranks among the finest medieval squares in Italy and hosts the Palio di Siena, a bareback horse race between the city’s historic neighborhoods held each July and August. Siena Cathedral’s striped marble facade and elaborately inlaid marble floor represent one of Italy’s great works of Gothic and Renaissance art. The city’s rivalry based contrade neighborhood system, each with its own symbol, colors, and church, gives Siena a living medieval identity distinct from more museum like Italian cities.
Top Experiences
- Piazza del Campo: Siena’s iconic shell shaped medieval square, site of the historic Palio horse race.
- Il Palio di Siena: A bareback horse race between the city’s historic neighborhoods, run each July and August.
- Siena Cathedral: A striped marble Gothic cathedral with an elaborately inlaid marble floor.
- Torre del Mangia: Climb this bell tower for panoramic views over the Piazza del Campo and Tuscan countryside.
Book these experiences and more through guided tours from Siena.
Siena: Chianti Sunset Tour with Dinner & Wine Tasting
Private Tour: Pienza and Montalcino Organic Cheese and Wine Tour
Practical Tips
- The Palio horse race requires securing a spot in the square hours in advance, or paid seating in surrounding buildings.
- Siena Cathedral’s famous inlaid marble floor is only fully uncovered for a few weeks each year, check dates before visiting.
- Siena makes an easy day trip from Florence, about an hour and a half by train or bus.
FAQ
What is the Palio di Siena?
It is a historic bareback horse race held twice a year in the Piazza del Campo, contested between representatives of the city’s seventeen traditional neighborhoods, called contrade.
Is Siena worth visiting alongside Florence?
Yes, it offers a distinctly different, more intimate medieval atmosphere compared to Florence’s Renaissance grandeur, and is easily reached as a day trip.
What are Siena’s contrade?
They are the city’s seventeen historic neighborhoods, each with its own symbol, colors, church, and fierce identity, most visibly expressed through Palio rivalry.
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