As you walk into old town Siena with its narrow streets and red tile roofs, you are immediately transported back to medieval times. After Florence, Siena is easily our favorite city in Tuscany, and we found it surprisingly easy to explore even with our kids in tow. If you are looking for the best things to do in Siena Italy, this practical self-guided walking tour and map is based on our own time on the ground, leading you through the 10 most iconic sites—from the sprawling Piazza del Campo to the stunning Duomo—all in a single, efficient day.
We loved our time in Siena and even our kids had a great time exploring this beautiful town. So, put on some comfortable shoes and let’s go on my favorite Siena walking tour itinerary. This way we’ll explore my favorite things to do in Siena Italy.
Siena Walking Tour: Route Overview
Siena is among the most popular tourist destinations in Tuscany. Therefore, you should expect lots of people crowding around best things to do in Siena. Here are my favorite things to do in Siena:
- Siena Cathedral also known as Duomo di Siena is a stunning building which has a beautiful interior.
- Piazza del Campo is the largest square in Siena and it is full of history. This is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the beautiful buildings.
- Stroll through the narrow streets and passageways.
Practical Siena walking tour map covers 10 iconic stops in a single day.
- With a Car: Domus Nanini – Arco – Perfect apartment just outside the ZTL with easy parking.
- In the Old Town: La Villa – Boutique hotel steps from San Domenico and the main sights.
- Budget Option: Search budget hotels in Siena.
Top Guided Tour: Siena Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Duomo Tickets – Best for seeing the highlights with a local guide.
With our walking tour map of Siena, let’s put on our comfortable walking shoes and start exploring the best things to do in Siena Italy using my efficient self-guided Siena walking tour itinerary.
1. Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico
The view from the piazza outside the Basilica is one of the best things to see in Siena – it’s a perfect spot to get your bearings before heading into the old town.
Photo by Pedro Lastra
Coming first on my Siena walking tour, we come to Basilica San Domenico. This large church is on our way to Siena old town. First on your list of things to do in Siena Italy is to visit one of the most important religious landmarks in the city. After parking at the Fortezza Medicea near the Stadio Artemio Franchi, walk East on Viale dei Mille to arrive at the Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico.
Construction began on this imposing brick structure in the year 1226 and lasted for almost two centuries. The architecture style is mainly Gothic, and the interior of the Basilica features frescoes by Antonio Bazzi, or Il Sodoma, one of the pioneers of the Sienese High Renaissance painting style.
Siena, Italy – Beautiful panorama of Siena from Basilica di San Domenico
See my photos from Siena
While visiting the basilica, you can also view their collection of impressive holy relics, including the mummified head of Saint Catherine. Be sure to walk across the piazza when you leave to see sprawling views of Siena’s historic city center.
2. Santuario di Santa Caterina di Siena
Santuario di Santa Caterina in Siena Italy
Photo by Sailko
From the large cathedral, we continue our self-guided Siena walking tour on the small side street to the Santuario di Santa Caterina di Siena. This is the historic home of the Benincasi family and the birthplace of Saint Catherine. The house has been divided into loggias, chapels, and oratories, and now serves as a sanctuary for many pieces of art and historic objects related to Saint Catherine. Especially if you are interested in Catholic religious history, a visit to this sanctuary should be part of your Siena walking tour.
Then we take a scenic walk down a long staircase and past the historic Fontebranda fountain on your way to the heart of Siena.
3. Piazza del Campo: The Historic Heart of Siena
Piazza del Campo is the heart of the city and a must-see. It’s surprisingly easy to find a spot on the bricks to sit and take it all in, even during busy months.
See my photos from Siena
Next stop on my Siena walking tour itinerary is the Piazza del Campo. This is possibly the most famous place in Siena and one of the most well-known piazzas in Italy. The Piazza del Campo is a huge public square in the center of the city where numerous events take place, including the Palio di Siena, a twice-yearly horse race that occurs in July and August. In this race, ten horses and ten jockeys represent ten of Siena’s seventeen city wards. The races are only three laps of the piazza and usually last less than 90 seconds.
The piazza features many essential things to do in Siena, Italy, and some significant architectural sights. It is divided into nine sections of travertine bricks that represent the nine political leaders of Siena during the city’s medieval peak.
Many large piazzas in Italian cities have ties to the Roman empire, but the Piazza del Campo is said to be placed on the site of an ancient settlement of Etruscans. The Etruscans were the Iron Age civilization for whom Tuscany is named.
4. Loggia Della Mercanzia
Loggia Della Mercanzia in Siena Italy
Photo by Jose Luis
Located just outside of the Piazza del Campo, the Loggia Della Mercanzia is a must-see during your Siena walking tour. This loggia is a shining example of Sienese architecture that unifies the Gothic and Renaissance styles. The ceilings inside the loggia feature stuccos and frescoes dating back to the 1500’s framed by picturesque arches and columns featuring statues of Saint Paul and Saint Peter by the sculptor Vecchietta.
5. Torre del Mangia: Panoramic City Views
Siena, Italy – Torre del Mangia seen from behind Palazzo Publico.
See my photos from Siena
Touring historic architectural sites is one of the best things to do in Siena, Italy. While in the Piazza del Campo, you won’t be able to miss the Torre del Mangia.
This soaring tower is the second tallest secular tower in all of Italy, and it was built to be the exact same height as the Siena cathedral to symbolize the equality of church and state in the city. The top of the tower was designed and built by Lippo Memmi, a famous architect, between 1338 and 1348. The clock and bells were added to the tower in 1360. “Torre Del Mangia” literally translates to “Tower of the Eater”. Make sure you include it on your walking tour of Siena.
The tower was named for its first bell ringer Giovanni di Balduccio, who was nicknamed “Mangiaguadagni” or “Earnings Eater” due to his tendency to spend all of his money on good food.
6. Capella di Piazza
Capella di Piazza sits right at the base of the tower. It’s a beautiful spot for a photo, and it was originally built to thank the Virgin Mary after the plague ended in 1348.
Photo by JoJan
At the base of the Torre del Mangia, you will see a beautiful structure of white marble arches called the Capella di Piazza or also named Loggia di Piazza. This small place of worship was constructed to thank the Virgin Mary for protecting the city of Siena during the Black Plague.
There was once a fresco above the altar painted by Il Sodoma, who also decorated parts of the Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico. The fresco became damaged over the years and is now preserved in the Museo Civico – if you’d like to see it, just enter the first floor of the Palazzo Pubblico, which is right next to the Cappella di Piazza. The museum is right inside, and it is another one of our most recommended things to do in Siena Italy.
7. Battistero di San Giovanni
Siena, Italy – The stairs and entrance to the Baptistry.
See my photos from Siena
Leaving the bustling Piazza del Campo, the best way to approach the cathedral complex is by walking up Via dei Pellegrini. As you reach the top of this narrow medieval street, you will arrive at Piazza San Giovanni. Before climbing the grand staircase up to the main cathedral, stop right here to visit the Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John), which sits directly underneath the cathedral’s apse.
Because it sits lower than the main piazza, many tourists miss it entirely. Inside, you will find a magnificent, fully frescoed interior and a stunning hexagonal baptismal font featuring bronze relief panels crafted by Renaissance masters like Donatello and Lorenzo Ghiberti.
8. Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo with Il Duomo di Siena at sunset Photo by Stefano Marsella
After visiting the Baptistery, climb the steep marble stairs (the Scalinata di San Giovanni) to your right. Navigating this route from below builds incredible anticipation. As you reach the top of the steps, the space suddenly opens up, revealing the magnificent Piazza del Duomo.
Sitting near the highest point in Siena, this stunning square serves as the religious heart of the city. Take a moment to stand in the center of the square and absorb the surrounding Gothic architecture. In this piazza, you can visit the Tourist Information Office or explore Santa Maria della Scala, a historic civic hospital that is now a museum, before turning your attention to the main event.
9. Siena Cathedral (Duomo): A Gothic Masterpiece
The Duomo di Siena is even more impressive in person. If you’re short on time, even just viewing the unique black and white marble exterior is worth the walk.
See my photos from Siena
Dominating the piazza is the Siena Cathedral, the crown jewel of the city. You will immediately be struck by its gleaming black and white striped marble facade, a signature of Sienese architecture, but you absolutely must go inside.
The interior is a true masterpiece of Romanesque-Gothic design. It is famous for its intricate inlaid marble mosaic floors, the vibrant frescoes of the Piccolomini Library, and breathtaking sculptures by Michelangelo and Bernini. It is easily one of the most stunning church interiors in all of Italy.
10. Piazza Salimbeni
Salimbeni Palace in Siena Italy (CC BY-SA)
Finally, wrap up your Siena walking tour with a visit to one more historically significant piazza. The architecture in Piazza Salimbeni may look similar to the rest of Siena, but it is actually much more modern.
The piazza is flanked by three palaces with façades constructed during the nineteenth century in a neo-Gothic style. The palaces are Palazzo Tantucci, Palazzo Salimbeni, and Palazzo Spannocchi. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena originated in Palazzo Salimbeni.
This bank is one of the two oldest banks in the world and now operates out of all three palaces in Piazza Salimbeni. There is a single statue in the center of the piazza of Sallustio Bandini, an Italian archdeacon and economist.
Siena Walking Tour: Logistics
Are you planning a trip to Siena? Are you working on your own Siena walking tour itinerary? You’re in the right place as I have compiled my favorite resources for putting together a beautiful itinerary in Siena and surrounding areas.
Where to Stay in Siena?
If you are driving through the Tuscan countryside, staying outside Siena’s strict ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) is crucial to avoid heavy camera fines. Domus Nannini – Arco is the ideal base, offering safe parking and a scenic setting while keeping you close enough to easily walk the historic center.
If you are arriving by train or prefer to be steps away from the main sights, La Villa is a fantastic boutique option right next to the old town. Alternatively, you can easily search for other budget hotels in Siena to find the perfect fit for your itinerary.
What is the best local walking tour of Siena?
If you prefer exploring with an expert who can bring the city’s rich medieval history to life, taking a guided Siena walking tour is well worth it. Beyond sharing insider stories behind Piazza del Campo and the historic contrade neighborhoods, the biggest advantage is including skip-the-line entry to the Siena Cathedral and Piccolomini Library, which saves significant waiting time during peak season.
Driving, ZTL & Parking in Siena
Yes, Siena has a very strict ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) that covers almost the entire historic city center. Unlike some Italian cities where the zone turns off at night, the Siena ZTL is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The entry points are monitored by automated cameras, and driving past them without authorization will result in heavy, automatic fines sent directly to your rental car company.
If you have an Italian rental car, the easiest and closest parking lot is at the Fortezza Medicea. From there it’s an easy 10 minutes’ walk to the center of Siena passing by the beautiful churches listed in my walking tour. This parking area is safely outside of the Siena ZTL boundary, allowing you to park stress-free before walking into the old town.
Is Siena Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! The amazing history and beautiful architecture helped us enjoy our visit very much. Our kids had a great time running around Piazza del Campo and the large water fountain. We ate lots of gelato and visited beautiful museums. Siena is worth your effort to travel there, especially if you visit Florence or other places in Tuscany. Plan to allocate at least one entire day so you have time to enjoy the best things to do in Siena Italy.
More Tuscany Self-Guided Tours
- 7-Day Tuscany Itinerary
- Self-Guided Pisa Walking Tour
- Self-Guided Florence Walking Tour
- Self-Guided San Gimignano Walking Tour
- Self-Guided Volterra Walking Tour
- Self-Guided Lucca Walking Tour
