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

Should you visit Verona or Siena?

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

Should I visit Verona or Siena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Verona

Verona is a romantic, cultural, and beautiful city. 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 beautiful, romantic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Verona and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Verona or Siena?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Siena than Verona. While Verona is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Verona is famous for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. 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 Verona different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Verona and Siena.

Verona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

Many visitors head to Siena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Verona or Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Verona and Siena can be an enjoyable experience.

Verona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

Dining out in Siena is an experience not to be missed. 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 Verona or Siena Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Verona and Siena.

If you're looking for night time activities Verona has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

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 Verona or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Siena offers plenty to see. 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

Is the Shopping Better in Verona or Siena?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Verona. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

Many visitors go to Siena to go 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 Verona or Siena Better for Families?

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

For families, Verona is not always the best place to visit. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

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 Verona or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Siena makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Verona is a very popular place to visit for couples. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

Is Verona or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Verona and Siena are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Verona. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

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.

Is Verona or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Siena is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Verona is a good city to visit for students. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

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

Verona and Siena both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Verona offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. ATV operates buses through the city.

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.

Is Verona or Siena a more walkable city?

Verona and Siena are great when it comes to walkability.

Verona is a very walkable city. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Verona?

How long in Verona or Siena?

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

Families should spend more time in Siena than Verona. 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 Verona. 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 Verona 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 Verona or Siena?

In Verona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this romantic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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 Verona or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Verona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

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 Verona or Siena?

Verona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Verona. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Verona or Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Verona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 beautiful 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 10-Day Tours in Italy, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Verona or Siena?

Verona has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Verona 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 Verona 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 Verona or Siena in the Summer?

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

In July, Verona is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Verona average around 24°C (75°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Siena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Verona. In the summer, Verona often gets less sunshine than Siena. Verona gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Verona usually gets more rain in July than Siena. Verona gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Verona or Siena in the Autumn?

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

Verona is cooler than Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Verona averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Verona usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Verona gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Verona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Siena. Verona gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Verona or Siena in the Winter?

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

Verona can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Verona is much colder than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Verona in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Verona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Verona gets 98 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Verona usually gets less rain in January than Siena. Verona gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Verona or Siena in the Spring?

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

In April, Verona is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Verona average around 13°C (55°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Verona usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Verona gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Verona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Siena. Verona gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Verona