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

Should you visit Dijon or Siena?

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

Should I visit Dijon 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.

Dijon

Dijon is a historical, cultural, and laid-back 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, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a beautiful, romantic, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dijon and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dijon or Siena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon than Siena, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dijon is more popular for its food and big city activities, while Siena is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Dijon is popular for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also home to The Ducal Palace. Siena is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace.

How is Dijon different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Dijon and Siena have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

Dijon offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

Many visitors head to Siena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Dijon or Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dijon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Dijon or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Dijon and Siena.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. 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 Dijon or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is terrific for its historic old town. However, Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Siena has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dijon or Siena?

Both Dijon and Siena are good shopping destinations.

Dijon is a great destination for shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

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 Dijon or Siena Better for Families?

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

Dijon is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

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 Dijon or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is terrific for romance. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Dijon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Is Dijon or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dijon and Siena are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Dijon or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is notable for students. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of students visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

Both Dijon and Siena offer good public transit options.

Dijon has a few public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

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 Dijon or Siena a more walkable city?

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

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

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Dijon?

How long in Dijon or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dijon or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dijon than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dijon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

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

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

In Dijon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Siena, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this romantic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dijon or Siena?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Five days in Dijon or Siena?

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

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

A week in Dijon or Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back destination of Dijon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Dijon and Siena, we can see that Dijon 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 Dijon Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dijon or Siena?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Dijon 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 Dijon 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 Dijon or Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Dijon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dijon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.

Dijon is around the same temperature as Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dijon. Dijon usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Dijon gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dijon usually receives more rain than Siena. Dijon gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dijon or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Dijon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dijon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dijon is cooler than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dijon in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Dijon often gets less sunshine than Siena. Dijon gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Dijon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dijon and Siena. Many visitors come to Dijon 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.

Dijon can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dijon is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 3°C (38°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Dijon usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Dijon gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dijon usually receives less rain than Siena. Dijon gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dijon or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dijon as well as Siena. Most visitors come to Dijon 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.

Dijon is around the same temperature as Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Dijon often gets less sunshine than Siena. Dijon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Dijon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Dijon