A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Siena for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Bucharest or Siena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Siena. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a charming, historical, and less touristy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Siena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bucharest than Siena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bucharest is very popular for its big city activities, while Siena attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. It is also well known for The Palace of Parliament.

How is Bucharest different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Siena and Bucharest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Siena?

Siena is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Siena is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Siena. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Siena.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

If you're looking for night time activities Siena has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Bucharest or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is renowned for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Siena is one of the most recognized in the world. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Siena?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Siena and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Siena has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Bucharest or Siena Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Bucharest or Siena as a family destination.

Bucharest doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

For families, Siena is not always the best place to visit. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Bucharest or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Siena are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Bucharest or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is well known for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Many students visit Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Siena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is notable for its public transit. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bucharest is fairly effecient and thorough. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Bucharest or Siena a more walkable city?

Siena is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Siena is a very walkable city. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Siena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Siena or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bucharest or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bucharest than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

Families should spend more time in Siena than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Siena, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Siena than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Siena that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Siena than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Siena.

One day in Bucharest or Siena?

In Bucharest, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this undiscovered destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Siena. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Siena has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Siena?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bucharest. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the medieval city of Siena. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Bucharest. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Siena is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Siena, we can see that Siena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Siena?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Siena, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Siena?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Siena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Siena. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Siena. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Siena. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bucharest is cooler than Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bucharest can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Siena. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In April, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Bucharest