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

Should you visit Siena or Reykjavik?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Siena and Reykjavik can help you decide which place is right for you.

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.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Siena and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Siena or Reykjavik?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Siena than Reykjavik. While Reykjavik is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Siena is more popular for its museums, food, and historical sights, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking. Siena 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. Reykjavik is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Siena different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Siena is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Siena is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Siena or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Siena and Reykjavik.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Siena or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Siena or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is very popular for the nearby hiking options. However, Siena is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Siena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Siena or Reykjavik?

Both Siena and Reykjavik are good shopping destinations.

Siena is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Reykjavik. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Siena or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Siena or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for romance. Also, Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Siena or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Siena and Reykjavik are good destinations for backpackers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Siena or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Siena is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Siena is a great city 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.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Both Siena and Reykjavik offer good public transit options.

Siena has a few 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.

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Siena or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Siena and Reykjavik both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Siena?

How long in Siena or Reykjavik?

In either Siena or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Siena because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Siena, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

Couples should spend more time in Siena than Reykjavik. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Siena that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Siena than Reykjavik 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 Siena or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Siena. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Siena has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this safe destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Siena or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Siena or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the history city of Siena. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Siena or Reykjavik?

Siena is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the green destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Siena and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Siena Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Siena or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Siena and Reykjavik, 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 Siena or Reykjavik?

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 Siena or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Siena during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Siena this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Siena is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Siena averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. In the summer, Siena often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Siena gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Siena usually gets less rain in July than Reykjavik. Siena gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Siena and Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Siena is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Siena in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Siena usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Siena gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Siena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Siena gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Siena or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Siena as well as Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Siena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. In January, Siena is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Siena average around 7°C (45°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Siena often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Siena gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Siena usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Siena gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Siena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Siena for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Siena is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Siena averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Siena usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Siena gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Siena usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Siena gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Siena