Siena Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Siena

Siena is worth a visit at any time of the year, but obviously the twice-yearly Palio horserace (2 July and 16 August) is the tourist highlight. The mediaeval city center doesn’t like like it has changed much since the middle ages and the city is a delight to walk around. The main square, the...more Siena is worth a visit at any time of the year, but obviously the twice-yearly Palio horserace (2 July and 16 August) is the tourist highlight. The mediaeval city center doesn’t like like it has changed much since the middle ages and the city is a delight to walk around. The main square, the Piazza del Campo is oddly fan-shaped and slopes into the bargain. It is one of the nicest squares in Italy I think, but its beauty was in my view marred slightly by too many tacky souvenir stalls. The Palazzo Pubblico on the square is famous for its pre-Renaissance frescoes, which are well worth seeing, as is the climb up to the bell tower. Not for the lazy or elderly perhaps, but the views over the city from the top are fantastic. Siena’s cathedral is also well worth visiting - it is probably one of the most beautiful in Italy - the marble floors are amazing, as is the gilded dome. There are lots of other things to see in Siena so if you get the chance, stay a while!close

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by Donal – posted on Aug 10, 2007

129

In Siena only one night. Was difficult for me to find the hotel with pack on back up and down hills - may have been just bad luck. Next time I would roll my suitcase around. Cannot remember name of wine bar not far from Albergo La Perla, had restaurant downstairs. Wine bar was excellent -...more In Siena only one night. Was difficult for me to find the hotel with pack on back up and down hills - may have been just bad luck. Next time I would roll my suitcase around. Cannot remember name of wine bar not far from Albergo La Perla, had restaurant downstairs. Wine bar was excellent - great service & atmosphere. It went from dead to very busy to dead while I polished off 6 glasses of wine, wrote and ate enough snacks to call it dinner all for under $20 Euros. Worth leaving a good tip!close

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by jorgenson511 – posted on Apr 4, 2007

2

I loved Siena! For a day, maybe longer if you want to truly explore all the museums...There isn't a ton to do, but it is very relaxing. The food was amazing and most of the time we could find little osterias with very reasonable prices. The weather was warm in the day time, and we went in...more I loved Siena! For a day, maybe longer if you want to truly explore all the museums...There isn't a ton to do, but it is very relaxing. The food was amazing and most of the time we could find little osterias with very reasonable prices. The weather was warm in the day time, and we went in late March early April. Getting around is easy if you don't mind walking alot. The buses from outside to the center are a bit confusing, but that's Italy for you.close

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by torinomouse4376 – posted on Apr 1, 2007

2

It was freezing and raining while we were there, but otherwise would have been much nicer to hang out in the town squares etc...Not as much to see, better for hanging out and getting pizza, going to the great bakeries and seeing some art and churches. There is a lot of shopping (not many deals...more It was freezing and raining while we were there, but otherwise would have been much nicer to hang out in the town squares etc...Not as much to see, better for hanging out and getting pizza, going to the great bakeries and seeing some art and churches. There is a lot of shopping (not many deals though) and getting around can be done on foot. We didn't get the party vibe, but then again we couldn't bear the cold long enough to go out at night....seemed more like a restaurant wine vibe to us.close

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by pcschroeder4237 – posted on Mar 18, 2007

7

Siena is a beautiful town perfect for a weekend away. Lovely sights to see, including historical buildings such as the Duomo and il Campo, but a bit difficult to understand the sometimes cryptic bus system -- our suggestion is to, if you're unsure, ask the bus driver if your desired stop is...more Siena is a beautiful town perfect for a weekend away. Lovely sights to see, including historical buildings such as the Duomo and il Campo, but a bit difficult to understand the sometimes cryptic bus system -- our suggestion is to, if you're unsure, ask the bus driver if your desired stop is on the trip. Otherwise, a great place to go shop a little, walk around, and maybe get outside the city to the countryside.close

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by jamie2092 – posted on Feb 2, 2007

3

I stayed here with my wife and it was a nice place, but It needs some work, The building manager doesnt sleep there, He has a phone to call if you have issues. We stayed in January and the heat only comes on for a few hours. The room was pretty cold by morning. It was clean, but could have been...more I stayed here with my wife and it was a nice place, but It needs some work, The building manager doesnt sleep there, He has a phone to call if you have issues. We stayed in January and the heat only comes on for a few hours. The room was pretty cold by morning. It was clean, but could have been cleaner in the bathroom. The location is good, but its a little bit of a walk up hill.close

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by Chryz – posted on Jan 13, 2007

4

Siena is just an amazing little city in which you can enjoy, as in the rest of Italy, of good food and the fantastic Chianti or Montelcino wine. We found this a fantastic location for a day trip to get to know the city and enjoy the beautiful ladscapes, the restaurants and the feeling of being in...more Siena is just an amazing little city in which you can enjoy, as in the rest of Italy, of good food and the fantastic Chianti or Montelcino wine. We found this a fantastic location for a day trip to get to know the city and enjoy the beautiful ladscapes, the restaurants and the feeling of being in a city as other cities should be, not very big but not that small and very lively with a lot of people on the streets and a rich culture.close

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by solymart – posted on Nov 29, 2006

2

Ok, ok, by this stage of the trip everyone is probably thinking.. not another bloody cathedral, but if you visit Siena, the Duomo is worth checking out. This cathedral in my view is one of the prettiest in Europe, and while it lacks in size compared to the Duomo in Florence, the Duomo makes...more Ok, ok, by this stage of the trip everyone is probably thinking.. not another bloody cathedral, but if you visit Siena, the Duomo is worth checking out. This cathedral in my view is one of the prettiest in Europe, and while it lacks in size compared to the Duomo in Florence, the Duomo makes up for this with the pictures made from black and white marbled on floor and the blue domed ceiling with yellow stars covering it...close

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by Cattibrie – posted on Sep 19, 2006

12

We stayed one night and it was a pleasant saty, owner,s husband greeted us at the door and was friendly, informative and interesting to talk to. We found the location a little noisey at 2 am to 5am due to locals talking loudly in the streets (I think due to the horse racing event that is on...more We stayed one night and it was a pleasant saty, owner,s husband greeted us at the door and was friendly, informative and interesting to talk to. We found the location a little noisey at 2 am to 5am due to locals talking loudly in the streets (I think due to the horse racing event that is on wednesday) little sleep! Other than that we thought the place was relaxing facilities to cook were great and easy to get to attractions and commodities.close

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by Diz---Si – posted on Aug 12, 2006

6

Siena didn't hit my fully until i saw that glorious piazza. It's a wonderful medieval city, that was built so well in its initial construction that it's hardly aged. It takes a little while to get how old it is. The piazza is as the hype suggests: the-best-in-Italy. I spent hours just chilling...more Siena didn't hit my fully until i saw that glorious piazza. It's a wonderful medieval city, that was built so well in its initial construction that it's hardly aged. It takes a little while to get how old it is. The piazza is as the hype suggests: the-best-in-Italy. I spent hours just chilling out there, reading, writing, and listening to sound of people enjoying themselves. Bloody Brilliant.close

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by seventh3997 – posted on Aug 3, 2006

8