A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cambridge vs. Siena for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a historic, beautiful, and collegiate university town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Cambridge and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Siena?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Siena than Cambridge. While Cambridge is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Siena is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Cambridge is known for its shopping and small town charm. Cambridge is popular for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Siena is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. It is also home to Piazza del Campo.

How is Cambridge different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Cambridge or Siena.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cambridge. The history is rich and impressive in this university town. There are countless museums and architectural sights that you should check out. High on the list are the Cambridge University buildings, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the Bridge of Sighs, The Round Church, and many more.

Siena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

Both Cambridge and Siena offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Cambridge. You'll find college pubs, local eateries, and fine dining, all in one charming town. Enjoy afternoon tea or fish chips at one of the many local restaurants around town.

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.

Is Cambridge or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Both Cambridge and Siena have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cambridge. The nightlife scene is centered around the student culture and you'll find many university pubs, some lively clubs, theaters, and wine bars around town. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends or a more wild experience, there are options in Cambridge.

Siena has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Cambridge or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Siena can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Siena?

Cambridge is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Cambridge is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The town offers independent boutique shops, local brands, and a 7 day a week market. The three main shopping areas in town are The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. 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 Cambridge or Siena Better for Families?

Cambridge is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Cambridge is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy following the Treasure Trail, or climbing to the top of the Great St Mary’s Tower. Punting is another iconic experience. On a rainy day, head to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Zoology, or the Cambridge Science Centre.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. 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 Cambridge or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Couples visit Cambridge frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The quaint town is fun to explore as a couple. Try your hand at punting or take a tour of one of the colleges. You can also enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or have tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.

Is Cambridge or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge and Siena are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cambridge. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

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 Cambridge or Siena Better for Students?

Cambridge is very popular for students. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Cambridge. The town is home to more than 25,000 students who come from 140 different countries. This is one of the most iconic university towns in the world, and there's really no better place for students to visit or reside.

Siena is a great university town to visit as a student. 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.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Cambridge and Siena.

Cambridge has some public transit options. There is a regional bus service that operates through town.

You'll find some public transit in Siena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Cambridge or Siena a more walkable city?

Cambridge is very popular for its walkability. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Cambridge on foot. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cambridge or Siena to fill your time. In our opinion, Cambridge has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cambridge than Siena. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Siena than Cambridge. 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 Cambridge than Siena 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 Cambridge.

One day in Cambridge or Siena?

In Cambridge, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this scholarly destination offers. This university town 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 Cambridge or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cambridge. 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 history 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 Cambridge or Siena?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming 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 Cambridge or Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Cambridge. 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 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cambridge and Siena, we can see that Cambridge is more expensive. And not only is Siena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Siena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Siena and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cambridge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cambridge than you might in Siena.

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

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Siena?

Cambridge has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge 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.