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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a charming, quaint, and peaceful university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Siena

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

Saint Andrews and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Siena?

Both Siena and Saint Andrews have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Saint Andrews is very popular for its beaches, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Siena attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

How is Saint Andrews different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Andrews or Siena?

Siena is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Saint Andrews. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Saint Andrews and Siena.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Andrews. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

Siena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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 Saint Andrews or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Siena are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

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 Saint Andrews or Siena Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for its beaches. However, Siena is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Saint Andrews to enjoy the beach. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is terrific for its old town. However, Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Siena Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Siena is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint Andrews. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Siena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Siena?

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

Saint Andrews is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

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 Saint Andrews or Siena Better for Families?

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

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly place to visit. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

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 Saint Andrews or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for couples.

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.

Saint Andrews makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

Is Saint Andrews or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.

Is Saint Andrews or Siena Better for Students?

Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Siena offer nice public transit options.

Saint Andrews has a few public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

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 Saint Andrews or Siena a more walkable city?

Siena is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Andrews or Siena to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Siena than Saint Andrews. 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 Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews or Siena?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This university 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 shopping and museums when visiting the history destination of Siena. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint Andrews or Siena?

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. Saint Andrews 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Siena. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint Andrews or Siena?

Saint Andrews 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Siena. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing 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 Saint Andrews and Siena, we can see that Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Siena?

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

Both Siena and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, 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.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Siena. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

Saint Andrews is much colder than Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Siena. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Siena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. In the winter, Saint Andrews is much colder than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as Siena. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Siena. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Saint Andrews