Things to do in Province of Siena
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Province of Siena
Siena Cathedral
Located in the historical, artistic and cultural center of Siena, the Cathedral is an example of Italian Roman and Gothic churches. As one of the largest churches in Italy, Siena Cathedral is still a church that is not fully completed according to its design. The marble floor in the church depicts history and biblical stories. These 56 floors were completed by many artists. The earliest sculpture was made of white carved marble filled with black stucco. The precious floor is only in Exhibited at certain times of the year. The exterior walls of the building are dominated by stripes of white and dark green marble, and the front is decorated with ornate façade statues, but most of these are replicas, and the originals are kept in the Opera Museum in the cathedral. The stained-glass windows in the cathedral are also very beautiful, but the important one from Duccio di Bonissegna is now in the Opera Museum. The Piccolomini Family Library (Libreria Piccolomini) is another highlight in the cathedral, with a series of frescoes depicting Piccolomini's life, which is very impressive. Next to the library is the Baptistery of St. John (BattisterodiSanGiovanni). The frescoed crypt (Cripta), located below the pulpit, was not discovered until 1999. Cathedral Opera Museum The Cathedral Opera Museum (Museodell'Opera) is one of the earliest private museums in Italy. The location of this church should be the original design of the nave corridor, but because it was not completed, a wall was built into a museum. Many original works of art in the cathedral are collected in the museum, and from here, you can climb the 131 stairs to reach the half-built vertical wall (Panoramadal Facciatone) to enjoy the panoramic view of the whole cathedral. Church masterpieces Some masterpieces in the cathedral: P. Lorenzetti (PietroLorenzetti): "Birthof the Virgin" (Birthof the Virgin), Duccio di Buoninsegna (Ducciodi Buoninsegna): "Sacred Cathedral of Siena" "(Maestà del Duomo di Siena), Donatello (Donatello): "Madonna of Forgiveness", are stored in the Cathedral Opera Museum.Siena · 193m from downtown
Val d'Orcia
Val d'Orcia is named after the Orcia River and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. This vast rural area is famous for its rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, vineyards, and olive groves, serving as a quintessential representation of the Tuscan landscape. UNESCO recognizes it as an exceptional example of the redesign of the natural landscape during the Renaissance, where the layout of farmland, the distribution of settlements, and the natural environment formed a harmonious and unique order. The valley unfolds along the ancient pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena, connecting medieval towns such as Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, and Castiglione d'Orcia. Cypress-lined paths, solitary farmhouses on hills, and the gully landscapes formed by wind and rain erosion on clay hills are all highly recognizable images of Val d'Orcia. The valley also produces Brunello wine and Pienza pecorino cheese, making it a pleasant destination for sightseeing.Pienza · 2.6 km from downtown
Pienza
Pienza is situated on a ridge in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany and is a Renaissance town reborn thanks to a pope. Pius II was born here, and after being elected pope, he asked the Florentine architect Bernardo Rossellino to rebuild his hometown according to the Renaissance concept of an "ideal city," and renamed the town Pienza after his own papal name. The trapezoidal Piazza Pio II is surrounded by the cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini, the Bishop's Palace, and the town hall. Here, the humanist urban ideal was transformed into a complete layout, and the appearance of the old town has been preserved largely as it was. When visiting, feel free to slow down: the cathedral features a rare, bright hall church layout, and it houses altarpieces from the Sienese school; the back of Palazzo Piccolomini faces an Italian garden with a three-story loggia, and from the railing, you can see the rolling wheat fields and cypresses of the Val d'Orcia, as well as Mt Amiata in the distance; the stone well in the square, engraved with the Piccolomini family coat of arms, was once imitated throughout Tuscany. Another signature of the old town is Pecorino cheese, and you can find varieties with different levels of aging in the cheese shops along the street; follow the alleys to the city walls, and you can overlook the entire valley and its countryside.Pienza · 20m from downtown
Historic Center of Siena
Historic Center of Siena sits at the intersection of three hills. In the Middle Ages, it became a pivotal city in Italy thanks to banking and trade, and it long rivaled neighboring Florence. This competitive spirit is etched into the city's bones—while its rival embraced the Renaissance, the people of Siena insisted on continuing the Gothic ideal, allowing the old town's medieval character to be preserved almost exactly as it was. The architecture of the old town is highly uniform, with ochre-red brick walls set against distant grey-green hills. Narrow alleys rise and fall with the terrain, and Gothic arcades and ancient fountains at street corners form a continuous landscape. The heart of the city is the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, where the brick paving is divided into nine sections that slope gently toward the town hall. The Palio horse race is held twice every summer on this slope, with riders representing their respective districts racing around the track, a city tradition that has continued for hundreds of years. You can climb the town hall and the towering Torre del Mangia next to the square to overlook the layers of red roofs and the Tuscan countryside. The Fonte Gaia by the square is a public water source passed down from the Middle Ages. Continuing up the slope, you will find the Siena Cathedral, where the black and white marble stripes are taken from the city's coat of arms, and the magnificent facade and striped columns are unforgettable. The Great Plague in the mid-14th century brought the ambitious expansion project to an abrupt halt, and the remaining unfinished facade has instead become a unique footnote to this ancient city.Siena · 39m from downtown
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a medieval hill town. The ancient pilgrimage route to Rome once passed through the city, and caravans and pilgrims brought prosperity to its trade. Local families accumulated great wealth through saffron and wine, and they took their rivalry to the skies—nobles competed to build towers. At its peak, there were over 70 stone towers in the city. Today, more than 10 still stand among the red-tiled roofs. Such a cluster of towers is hard to find elsewhere in Tuscany, which is why people call this small town the "medieval Manhattan." The old town is completely enclosed by 13th-century walls and gates. Entering through Porta San Giovanni, the cobblestone Via San Giovanni is lined with stone mansions and small shops. As you walk gently uphill, it leads to two core squares: the triangular Piazza della Cisterna, centered around an ancient well, where towers and medieval houses create a quiet atmosphere; and the adjacent Piazza Duomo, where you can climb the Torre Grossa, which stands about 54m tall next to the town hall. Standing on the observation deck at the top, you can take in the entire cluster of towers, red-tiled roofs, and the rolling vineyards and olive groves outside the city. The cathedral by the square is easily overlooked, but the interior is filled with medieval biblical frescoes and is worth a closer look. The entire old town can be traversed on foot, making it suitable for a half-day excursion when traveling round-trip between Florence and Siena. If you want to take panoramic photos of the tower cluster, you can walk to the slopes outside the city walls and look back at the ancient city. The local white wine, Vernaccia, has been famous since the Middle Ages, and using saffron in cooking is also a long-standing local tradition.San Gimignano · 47m from downtown
Chapel Vitaleta
Chapel Vitaleta stands on the rolling hills of the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, located in the countryside between the towns of San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza. Its name comes from the cypress trees growing symmetrically on both sides of the church, which look like a pair of pointed elf ears from a distance. Combined with its small, off-white facade, it forms an iconic image of the Tuscan pastoral landscape. This valley is famous for its grassy slopes, farmland, and cypress-lined paths. The church was originally built to enshrine a statue of the Virgin Mary, though the original is now kept in a church in San Quirico d'Orcia. The existing structure is the result of a restoration to its original state after being damaged by an earthquake in the 19th century. The church is primarily visited for its exterior and for photography: what you see from the dirt road is actually the back of the church, and most classic photo spots are on this side. The front entrance is on the other side, and both sides have their own unique charm, making it worth walking all the way around.San Quirico d'Orcia · 2.7 km from downtown
Piazza del Campo
Piazza del Campo is the heart of the Historic Center of Siena and one of the best-preserved medieval squares in Italy. The name "Campo" comes from its early days as an open space used for markets by the surrounding hillside settlements, and it remains a stage for the city's public life today. The square is shell-shaped, with red brick paving laid in a herringbone pattern. White stone lines fan out from the drain in front of the town hall, dividing the ground into nine sections that symbolize the Council of Nine that ruled medieval Siena; the outlines of the noble residences surrounding the square are uniform, and the Tower of Mangia rises high beside the town hall, offering a panoramic view of the red-tiled roofs across the city from its summit. The Fonte Gaia in the northwest corner is based on the design of Renaissance sculptor Jacopo della Quercia, and its white marble is adorned with reliefs, making it another focal point on the square worth a closer look. Every summer, a dirt track is laid here, transforming it into the venue for the Palio horse race, a tradition that has continued for hundreds of years, where riders representing their respective districts race around the track; on ordinary days, it serves as a public space where locals sit and soak up the sun.Siena · 87m from downtown
Cipressi di San Quirico d'Orcia
The cypresses of San Quirico d'Orcia are one of the defining features of the Val d'Orcia. They stand on the hills overlooking the Via Cascia, which runs through the "Triboli" area to the north of the town of San Quirico. This charming and symbolic cypress forest, dotted among the exposed hills of San Quirico d'Orcia, has given rise to many legends - although its true origins are related to hunting culture: hunters created this "camouflage forest" to attract birds.San Quirico d'Orcia · 3.9 km from downtown
Tower of Mangia
Tower of Mangia is a tower located in the city center of Siena, Italy, and is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Visitors can climb the many steps to the top to enjoy views of the city and the surrounding countryside.Siena · 137m from downtown
Abbazia di San Galgano
It is a 13th-century Cistercian abbey that has become one of the iconic ruins in the Tuscany region. It was built in the Gothic architectural style, reflecting the Cistercian pursuit of simplicity and solemnity. However, it gradually declined over time. By the 16th century, it had been abandoned, its roof had collapsed, and it became a romantic ruin. The nearby Montesiepi Abbey (), built in 1185, was the hermitage of Saint Galgano and houses the famous sword in the stone, which is said to be the relic left behind when Saint Galgano thrust his sword into the rock. Today, it has become a popular destination for travelers and photography enthusiasts, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the light and shadow effects on the ruins are particularly captivating.Chiusdino · 5.4 km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Province of Siena
Featured Culture & history in Province of Siena
View all Culture & history
4.7/5
· 1k reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
56 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 1,032.00
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 1,013.00
![Tuscany: Monteriggioni + Siena + San Gimignano [Florence departure with lunch]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0353h12000te0m5ny9767_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 985.00
FromSEK 127.00
Featured Spa & wellness in Province of Siena
View all Spa & wellness
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 471.00SEK 496
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 617.00SEK 650
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 471.00SEK 496
4.5/5
· 39 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 314.00SEK 331
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 439.00SEK 463
3.8/5
· 5 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 157.00SEK 166
5.0/5
· 2 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 1,035.00SEK 1,090
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 826.00SEK 870
Featured Day tours in Province of Siena
View all Day tours
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 513.00SEK 540
![Tuscany highlights 1-day tour: Siena + San Gimignano + Pisa [Florence round-trip]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0352x12000te0lw24ABAA_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 854.00
4.5/5
· 6 reviews· 107 bookedFree cancellation
449 travellers saved
FromSEK 917.00
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 335.00SEK 353
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 1,359.00SEK 1,431
Featured Food & drink in Province of Siena
View all Food & drink
4.9/5
· 92 reviewsFree cancellation
25 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 449.00
FromSEK 728.00
4.6/5
· 104 reviewsFree cancellation
90.4% of travelers recommend
FromSEK 402.00
More things to do
Private Tours in Province of Siena
View More Private Tours in Province of Siena
Group Tours in Province of Siena
View More Group Tours in Province of Siena
Province of Siena Today's weatherMostly clear 7-19℃
Province of Siena weather for the next 2 days10/30: 7-18℃, 10/31: 6-18℃
Free things to do in Province of Siena
Val d'Orcia
Pienza · 2.6 km from downtownPienza
Pienza · 20m from downtownSan Gimignano
San Gimignano · 47m from downtownPiazza del Campo
Siena · 87m from downtown
Piazza Pio II
Pienza · 148m from downtown
Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni · 3m from downtown
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Florence · 55.2 km from Province of Siena
Piazza del Duomo
Florence · 55.2 km from Province of Siena
Piazza Duomo
San Gimignano · 29m from downtown
Basilica di San Domenico
Siena · 378m from downtown
What travellers say about Province of Siena
ReddineyeoSeptember 11, 2026
5.0
An absolute fairy-tale experience — great value booking with Trip!Booking our Siena Cathedral + OPA SI Pass through Trip was fantastic and offered a much better deal than purchasing tickets separately.A key tip: make sure to collect your physical ticket before heading in. Once you have it, you get fast-track access with little to no queue, so we walked straight through the entrance ,such a huge bonus!The pass also gives you access to the Museo dell’Opera and the Facciatone. My top recommendation is to head straight upstairs to the Facciatone queue first. You can expect about a 30-minute wait to go up, but it is 100% worth it. Climbing the narrow spiral staircase leads to the most magnificent panoramic views over Siena that truly took my breath away.Another handy tip: download Rick Steves’ free Siena audio walking tour podcast beforehand! It provides rich historical context while you wander around without paying for an expensive guide.Siena is stunning, and we will be coming back!
Siena Cathedral
Rosanna_July 19, 2023
5.0
this is one my to go place in Toscane! definitely the best percorino cheese I have ever had in my luge! can’t wait to go back!
Pienza
fooler0809October 19, 2020
5.0
It is exactly the same as I imagined, a medieval old town with a sense of vicissitudes. The main color of the buildings is yellow, and the color of the cathedral looks very alternative. It is very convenient to come here from Florence.
Historic Center of Siena
sculptorFebruary 14, 2021
4.0
The ancient city of San Gimignano is an Italian hill town southwest of Florence. Its old town, surrounded by 13th-century walls, is renowned for its medieval architecture, unique in that about a dozen tower houses have been preserved. Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, outstanding examples of secular buildings and churches.
San Gimignano
Victorious1985September 27, 2025
5.0
Picturesque, surrounded by the ancient scenery of Orcha
Chapel Vitaleta
M52***62October 6, 2019
5.0
Siena's Piazza del Campo is magnificent. Sitting on the slope, feeling the breeze and admiring the towers and medieval buildings in the distance, it feels like stepping back in time. The area is bustling with tourists and groups of European and American students, and the children playing and playing are a lively sight. I highly recommend stopping by for a while. There are also many interesting shops around the square, making it a delight to stroll around.
Piazza del Campo
Trip Moments in Province of Siena
