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

Should you visit Linz or Siena?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Linz and Siena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Linz

Linz is a historic, beautiful, and cultural town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Siena

Siena is a medieval, history, and beautiful city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Linz and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Siena?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Siena than Linz. While Linz is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Siena is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Linz attracts visitors for its shopping. Linz is famous for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. Siena is famous for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. It is also well known for Piazza del Campo.

How is Linz different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Linz and Siena.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Linz. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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.

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

Siena is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Linz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Linz or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Siena is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Linz or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Siena is revered around 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.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Siena?

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

Linz is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

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 Linz or Siena Better for Families?

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

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

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 Linz or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Siena is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Linz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Is Linz or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Linz and Siena are nice destinations for backpackers.

Linz is a good town to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

Plenty of backpackers 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 Linz or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is a well-known place for students. However, Linz is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Both Linz and Siena offer nice public transit options.

Linz has a few public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

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 Linz or Siena a more walkable city?

Linz and Siena both are superb when exploring on foot.

Linz is a very walkable town. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Linz?

How long in Linz or Siena?

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

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

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

In Linz, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Siena. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Linz or Siena?

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

Siena is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Linz or Siena?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the romantic destination of Siena. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Linz or Siena?

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

The medieval city of Siena offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, 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 Linz and Siena, we can see that Siena is more expensive. And not only is Linz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Linz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Linz 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena than you might in Linz.

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

Which is Bigger, Linz or Siena?

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

Both Siena and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Linz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Linz is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 20°C (68°F), 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 Linz. Linz usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Linz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Linz usually receives more rain than Siena. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Linz or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Linz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Linz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Siena because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Linz often gets less sunshine than Siena. Linz gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Siena. The winter months attract visitors to Linz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

The weather in Linz can be very cold. In the winter, Linz is much colder than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Linz in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

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

In January, Linz usually receives less rain than Siena. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Linz or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Linz as well as Siena. The natural beauty are the main draw to Linz this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Siena for the natural beauty.

In April, Linz is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 11°C (51°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Linz often gets less sunshine than Siena. Linz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Linz