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

Should you visit Oxford or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Siena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oxford

Oxford is a scholarly, collegiate, and beautiful college town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

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

Oxford and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Siena?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Siena than Oxford. While Oxford is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Siena is more popular for its food and historical sights, while Oxford is known for its nightlife and small town charm. Siena is more touristy than Oxford and 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. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Oxford or Siena.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Oxford or Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Siena is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Oxford or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Oxford is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Oxford has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

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 Oxford or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is very popular for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Siena has a world-famous historical 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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Siena?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Oxford and Siena.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Siena offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Oxford or Siena Better for Families?

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

Oxford is a family-friendly place to visit. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

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 Oxford or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is very popular for romance. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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 Oxford frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Is Oxford or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Oxford or Siena Better for Students?

Oxford 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 Oxford. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Siena is a great college 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 Oxford or Siena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

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 Oxford or Siena a more walkable city?

Oxford and Siena are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Siena?

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

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

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

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This college town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Oxford or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Oxford or Siena?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Oxford or Siena?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic destination of Siena. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Siena?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Oxford or Siena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Siena. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Siena because of the family-friendly experiences.

Oxford is cooler than Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Siena. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Siena. Oxford gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Oxford because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In the autumn, Oxford is cooler than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oxford in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Siena. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Oxford during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Siena. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Siena. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Siena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Siena. Many travelers come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

Oxford is cooler than Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Siena. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Oxford