Are you thinking about visiting Siena, Italy? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Siena worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for one to two days. Siena is a beautiful city in the heart of Tuscany. It is filled with medieval brick buildings and at the heart of the city is the famous Piazza del Camp. Many iconic sights are located near the square including the Palazzo Pubblico and the town hall.
Siena, Italy
Reasons to Visit Siena
Historical Sights
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.
Museums
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.
Food
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.
Nightlife
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.
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 Siena worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Siena is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than [No Data].
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.
Summer Weather in Siena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| August | 23°C (73°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| September | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Is Siena worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 16°C (61°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Siena, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, admire the historic sights, and browse the museums.
Autumn Weather in Siena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 16°C (61°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| November | 10°C (50°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| December | 7°C (45°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Is Siena worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Siena. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather in Siena can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 7°C (45°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and browse around the old town. Also, you'll be able to enjoy the evening activities.
Winter Weather in Siena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 7°C (45°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| February | 7°C (45°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| March | 9°C (48°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Siena worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Siena. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the many shops, the museums and landmarks, and the beautiful scenery. Also, you can experience the historic old town and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Siena
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| June | 20°C (68°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Related
What is Siena most famous for?
Siena is most famous for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. The city is very popular for its historical sights. It is also known for its great museums and food. And many visitors also come to this city for its nightlife and shopping. It is often described as medieval, history, beautiful, romantic, and charming.
What is the most famous sight in Siena?
The most popular sight in Siena is Piazza del Campo. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Siena on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Piazza del Campo and other attractions here.
How touristy is Siena? Is it a popular city to visit?
Siena is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Chianti Classico E-Bike Tour: $284
- Siena Sightseeing Walking Tour with Food Tastings for Small Groups or Private: $82
- Siena Family Tour: $150
- Siena walking tour & Gelato tasting: $43
- Club Brunello Tasting Experience: $191
- Secret Siena Walking Tour: $218
- Fiat 500 Tour of the Chianti Roads from San Gimignano: $164
- Brunello di Montalcino wine experience with a sommelier: $262
How long should I spend in Siena?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Siena is one to two days. Since Siena has a variety of activities such as historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Siena? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Siena?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.