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

Should you visit Cardiff or Siena?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Siena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a green, industrial, and up-and-coming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Siena

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

Cardiff and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Siena?

Both Siena and Cardiff have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Cardiff 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 Cardiff and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Cardiff is famous for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

How is Cardiff different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Siena is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cardiff. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

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

Siena is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options 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.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Siena Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Siena has a better nightlife scene.

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

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 Cardiff or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Cardiff 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.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Siena?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Siena and Cardiff.

Cardiff offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

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 Cardiff or Siena Better for Families?

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

Cardiff is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

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 Cardiff or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Siena makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is a great destination for students. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Siena is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

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

Siena is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Siena a more walkable city?

Siena is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff 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.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cardiff or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cardiff 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 Cardiff, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

Couples should spend more time in Siena than Cardiff. 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Siena?

In Cardiff, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this industrial 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.

In Siena, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cardiff or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cardiff. 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.

In Siena, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Siena has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or Siena?

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

Siena is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cardiff or Siena?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Cardiff and Siena, we can see that Cardiff 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Siena?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Siena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Siena. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cardiff is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 17°C (63°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 Cardiff, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Siena. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cardiff or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Cardiff is cooler than Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Siena. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Cardiff receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cardiff usually gets more rain in October than Siena. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Siena in the Winter?

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

Cardiff can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cardiff is much colder than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cardiff in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Siena. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cardiff or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Cardiff during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Siena because of the natural beauty.

In April, Cardiff is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 9°C (48°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Cardiff often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Cardiff