Siena Historic Center (Siena Centro Storico) Tours and Activities

With its lively piazzas, Gothic monuments, and well-preserved city walls, the Siena Historic Center (Siena Centro Storico) is one of Italy’s most impressive medieval cityscapes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, the old town is an open-air museum of striking historical architecture, including the Piazza del Campo and the Gothic cathedral.
The Basics
The heart of Siena’s historic center is Piazza del Campo, home to the famous Palio horse races and landmarks such as the medieval Palazzo Pubblico (town hall), Fontana Gaia fountain, and Torre del Mangia tower. Nearby, the marble-fronted Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta, or Duomo di Siena) is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of Siena’s most impressive sights. Additional highlights include the Fort of Santa Barbara (Fortezza di Santa Barbara) and Palazzo Salimbeni palace.
Siena’s historic center is best explored on foot as part of a walking tour, and the town is a popular stop on day trips to the Chianti region of Tuscany from Florence and Rome. Tours often include either the city of Pisa or the picturesque villages of San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, and Castellina. Full-day sightseeing itineraries generally include a stop for lunch and wine tasting.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Siena is one of the most beautiful medieval centers in Tuscany, so be sure to bring your camera.
- The town is accessible to wheelchair users, but if your visit is part of a wine tour, wineries may not be. Check in advance.
- Tours of Siena and the villages of Tuscany require a fair bit of walking. Choose comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
How to Get There
Siena is about 90 minutes directly south of Florence by car or train. The most convenient way to visit is by joining a small-group or private tour that includes transportation so you can also explore nearby Tuscan villages.
When to Get There
Home to one of the most famous and popular medieval festivals in Italy, Siena is either a destination to visit or to avoid during the annual Palio, held in July and August. The town offers little shade so is best explored in spring or fall when the temperatures are milder.
Siena’s Palio Festivities
One of the most raucous historical festivals in Italy, the Palio di Siena focuses around a bareback horse race held in Piazza del Campo each year on July 2 and again on August 16. Ten horses and riders representing 10 of the 17 contrade, or historical town districts, race along a track through the screaming crowds for honor and glory. The celebrations also include pageants, banquets, and religious events.
Address: Siena, Italy
12 Tours and Activities to Experience Siena Historic Center (Siena Centro Storico)
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Best of Siena Guided Walking Tour
15
Maximize time in Siena with a guided walking tour through the medieval city streets. See local landmarks including Piazza del Campo and the Siena Cathedral while hearing stories about the city’s history and architecture from a local guide. Explore a local district, called a Contrada, and learn about Siena’s famous Palio horse races.
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From
$23.36
From
$23.36
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
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Private Tour: Secret Siena Walking Tour
20
Discover the medieval streets of Siena with a personal guide at your side, and find hidden-away corners far from the tourist crowds. Create a personalized itinerary on this private 3-hour tour, departing from Piazza del Campo in the morning or afternoon. Walk past major monuments as you explore on foot.
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From
$258.23
per group
From
$258.23
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Guided walking tour of Siena
13
Siena is a treasure trove of historical, artistic, religious and cultural riches all to be discovered.
The best way to do it is on foot, admiring the changes to the town over the centuries and enjoying the spectacular scenery and curious particulars. With an authorized guide you will be able to appreciate the major tourist attractions like Piazza del Campo, the true heart of the town, the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), the Cathedral and the majestic Basilica of San Domenico. There will also be no lack of references to the great noble families, such as the Piccolomini, Tolomei and Salimbeni, and their palazzos, to the great tradition of the Siena Palio, but also to the stories of pilgrimage and saintliness that distinguish the town. The walk continues with a visit to the Cathedral that preserves the treasures of artists like Nicola Pisano, Duccio di Buoninsegna, Donatello and Gianlorenzo Bernini, besides its marvelous marble floor, which is a unique example in the history of art.
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From
$24.59
From
$24.59
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Siena Top 10 Pula Tour
16
Our Polaguides will allow you to discover the most hidden places, but no less fascinating than Siena and instant photography will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the city from a unique and unrepeatable point of view. Each shot will capture your favorite moments in photos immediately ready to be touched, waved and attached in the guide-albums created to be personalized, to browse whenever you want. Transform your visit to Siena into unique memories to share with the whole family, young and old, and with friends.
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From
$42.97
per group
From
$42.97
per group

PolaRoad Siena: Instant Camera Rental
7
Instant photography will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the city from a unique and unrepeatable point of view. Each shot will capture your favorite moments in photos immediately ready to be touched, waved and flipped whenever you want. Transform your visit to Siena into unique memories to share with the whole family, young and old, and with friends.
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From
$25.53
per group
From
$25.53
per group

PolaTour The 17 Fountains of the Contradas of Siena
6
Our Polaguides will allow you to discover the most hidden places, but no less fascinating than Siena and its districts and instant photography will allow you to appreciate the beauties of each district from a unique and unrepeatable point of view. Each shot will capture your favorite moments in photos immediately ready to be touched, waved and attached in the guide-albums created to be personalized, to browse whenever you want. Transform your visit to Siena into unique memories to share with the whole family, young and old, and with friends.
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From
$40.43
per group
From
$40.43
per group

PolaTour Palio of Siena
Our Polaguides will allow you to discover the most hidden places, but no less fascinating and important for Siena and the Palio, besides instant photography will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the city from a unique and unrepeatable point of view. Each shot will capture your favorite moments in photos immediately ready to be touched, waved and attached in the guide-albums created to be personalized, to browse whenever you want. Transform your visit to Siena into unique memories to share with the whole family, young and old, and with friends.
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From
$40.43
per group
From
$40.43
per group

Guided Walking Tour Highlights of Siena with Sweets Tasting
3
Is it your first time in Siena? Do you wish to discover a little bit more about this magic city? Tour the historical medieval centre and discover its authentic gastronomic side with a passionate and expert local guide! You will visit the main sites and also discover off the beaten path corners. You will walk through characteristic alleys and reach the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the heart of the ancient Republic's civic life, where the famous Palio horse race takes place twice a year. You will also learn about the fascinating traditions of the Contradas, the “districts” into which Siena is divided. You will walk up to the magnificent Duomo, Siena’s cathedral, to admire its rich Romanesque-Gothic architecture. This tour will include a special Italian-style treat! You will have a taste of our best Sienese freshly-baked traditional sweets such as Ricciarelli almond cookies, Panforte, Cantucci combined with a shot glass of our precious dessert wine Vinsanto.
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From
$122.97
Price varies by group size
From
$122.97
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

The best of Siena group tour
Are you thinking of visiting Siena for the first time? Do you want to discover this magical city? Come and get to know its historic medieval center and immerse yourself in its gastronomy, in the company of a local guide, expert and passionate! You will discover the most important monuments, the hidden corners, outside the usual tourist routes. You will walk through the characteristic alleys and you will reach the famous Piazza del Campo, with its shell shape, the heart of the life of the ancient Republic, where the Palio, a famous horse race, is held. Here you will learn more about the tradition of the Contrade, the districts in which Siena is divided. The route will lead you to the Duomo, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, to admire its Romanesque-Gothic architecture. This tour includes a special Italian-style treatment: a small tasting of the best Sienese sweets, such as almond biscuits called Ricciarelli, Panforte and Cantucci, accompanied by a glass of Vinsanto!
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From
$122.97
Price varies by group size
From
$122.97
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Siena Food Tour
5
After a morning spent exploring the streets of Siena, see to your appetite with a lunchtime Sienese food tour. Enjoy a beautiful antipasto before enjoying a meal in a traditional Tuscan tavern. This culinary tour fits neatly into a long lunch break, making it easy to fit this tour into a full day of sightseeing.
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From
$61.48
From
$61.48
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Siena Walking Tour - Private Tour with Official Guide
Get your Walking Tour in Siena and discover its culture, incredible sites, stories & legends with entertaining and passionate professional guides.
See the artistic, religious, and cultural treasures of Siena on a 2 hours guided walking tour. The best way to take in Siena's important sites is on foot, as your guide tells you about the city’s noble families and the famous Siena palio along the way.
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From
$258.23
per group
From
$258.23
per group

Siena Private Walking Tour On the Path of Saint Catherine
Have you ever heard of Saint Catherine of Siena? This famous, celebrated patron saint of Italy and Europe and “Doctor of the Church” was born in the famous Palio city of Siena. If you are curious to know more then don’t miss this tour. You will visit locations that were important in the life of Saint Catherine.
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From
$184.45
Price varies by group size
From
$184.45
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
Things to do near Siena
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