no alt text

Best experiences:

Palio di Siena

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

|
Bucket List Experience
Close up of horses going around a bend in the Il Palio di Siena horserace

The most famous bareback horserace in the world, Il Palio is an extraordinary spectacle that sees horses and riders gallop three times round Siena’s glorious, medieval Piazza del Campo.

Best for ages 13+

Duration: 3 hours

When: 2 July & August 16

Frequency: annually

Siena Market

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Siena Market

Siena’s principal market, held each Wednesday morning, is one of the best in Tuscany. Stalls are set up at La Lizza, filling the streets around the Fortezza. Apart from excellent produce (cheeses, charcuterie, olive oil and wines, fruit and vegetables), you’ll find clothing, shoes, bags and household items.

Best for ages 8+

Website >
More details >

National Pinacoteca Siena

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Pinacoteca Nazionale exterior entrance door

A 15th-century palazzo housing more than 1,500 artworks, one of Italy’s foremost collections includes an array of dazzling Sienese fondi d’oro paintings (with gilded backgrounds). Expect works by Guido da Siena, Lorenzetti, Sodoma and Beccafumi.

Adult price: £7

Best for ages 18+

Website >
More details >

Siena Cathedral

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

The facade of the Siena Cathedral in the sunlight and the circular window

The magnificent Gothic, zebra-striped Duomo houses a celebrated polychrome floor, often covered for protection but normally visible in August and September. Look out for Nicola Pisano’s superb marble pulpit and the young Michelangelo’s Piccolomini altar.

Best for ages 18+

Website >
More details >

Pasticceria Nannini

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Pasticceria Nannini

A historic cafe and pastry shop that’s been around for almost a century. It’s a great place to sample and buy panforte (the dense, flat cake made with nuts, dried fruit, spices and honey) and light, almond-y Ricciarelli biscuits.

Best for ages 4+

Duration: -

Website >
More details >

Civic Museum of Siena

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

exterior of the The Pubblico Palace in Siena

A must-see for its collection of paintings by Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and other Sienese masters. One of the highlights is Simone Martini’s Maesta fresco (1315); another is Lorenzetti’s fresco cycle The Allegory of Good and The Effects of Bad Government (1338-40).

Adult price: £8

Best for ages 18+

Website >
More details >

Santa Maria della Scala

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Santa Maria della Scala

This ex-hospital building was founded in the 9th century (making it one of Europe’s oldest), and only closed relatively recently; the author Italo Calvino died here in 1985. It houses an excellent archaeological museum and the wonderful ‘Pilgrim’s Hall’ decorated with 15th-century frescoes depicting the history of the hospital.

Adult price: £8

Best for ages 18+

Website >
More details >

Osteria Le Logge

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Osteria Le Logge

Located a minute’s walk from Piazza del Campo and occupying a former grocer’s shop with a retro vibe, Le Logge is a classic osteria. They offer a creative take on regional dishes such as tagliatelle with Tuscan ragu, stuffed rabbit with blueberries, black garlic and fermented carrot and braised beef cheek.

Adult price: £30

Best for ages 13+

Duration: -

Website >
More details >