A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Urbino vs. Siena for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Urbino 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 Urbino 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.

Urbino

Urbino is a undiscovered, authentic, and laid back town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a medieval, history, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Urbino and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Urbino or Siena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Siena than Urbino, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Siena is more touristy than Urbino and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Also, Siena is famous for Piazza del Campo. Urbino is well known for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Urbino different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Siena is great for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Urbino and Siena can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Urbino has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Urbino or Siena Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Urbino and Siena.

If you're looking for night time activities Urbino has a few options to choose from. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

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.

Is Urbino or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Urbino or Siena?

If you're looking to go shopping, Urbino and Siena both offer plenty of notable spots.

Urbino has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

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.

Is Urbino or Siena Better for Families?

Neither Urbino nor Siena are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Urbino is not always the best place to visit. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Siena is not the most family-friendly destination. 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 Urbino or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

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.

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Urbino or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Siena is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Urbino or Siena Better for Students?

For students, both Urbino and Siena are superb places to visit.

Students come from all over to stay in Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Many students visit 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.

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

Siena is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Siena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Urbino or Siena a more walkable city?

Siena is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Urbino?

How long in Urbino or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Urbino 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 Urbino. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

In Urbino, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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.

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 Urbino or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Urbino. 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 Urbino or Siena?

Urbino is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Urbino. 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 Urbino or Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Urbino. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Urbino or Siena?

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

Both Siena and Urbino during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Urbino in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Urbino is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Urbino in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Urbino usually gets more rain in July than Siena. Urbino gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Urbino or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Urbino and Siena. Most visitors come to Urbino for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Siena because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Urbino is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Urbino average around 15°C (59°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In October, Urbino usually receives less rain than Siena. Urbino gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Urbino or Siena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Urbino as well as Siena. The winter months attract visitors to Urbino because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

The weather in Urbino can be very cold. Urbino is much colder than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Urbino averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Urbino usually gets less rain in January than Siena. Urbino gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Urbino or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Urbino are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Urbino this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Urbino is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Urbino in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In April, Urbino usually receives less rain than Siena. Urbino gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Urbino