Siena with children
Visiting the city of Siena with children is a great idea for families who want to enjoy a holiday full of culture, history and fun. In spite of its sophisticated reputation, the city offers many attractions for children: there are countless parks, gardens and green spaces where little ones can play and have fun, while the numerous pedestrianised streets make the city safe and walkable. Let’s explore some of the best activities to do with children in Siena.
Things to do with children in Siena
Visiting Siena as a family is an unforgettable experience: there are plenty of activities specially created to entertain children, and they will also enjoy discovering this beautiful city. The city’s mediaeval history is full of intriguing stories to capture the imaginations of little ones and grown-ups alike. If you are planning an excursion to Siena with children, here are five must-see attractions to add to your itinerary.
1. Children’s Art Museum
The Children’s Art Museum in Siena is located within the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex, which offers various educational services.
This space was created to bring children closer to the art and history of the city. The creative and stimulating setting allows little ones to explore the world of art in a fun and interactive way. Located in the heart of Siena’s historic centre, the museum is home to a vast collection of artworks that can be admired and experienced through interactive activities.
The facility also organises art workshops for children of different ages, where they can create their own works of art using materials such as clay, paint, paper and textiles. The workshops are led by experts who help the kids to express their creativity and imaginations in a fun and original way.
The Siena Children’s Art Museum is an ideal stop for families visiting the city, offering children a playful learning environment to develop their artistic sensibilities.
Helpful information:
Address: 1 Piazza Duomo – 53100 Siena, Italy
Email: infoscala@comune.siena.it
2. The Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Italy, offering a range of unique experiences for children. In addition to admiring the beauty of the frescoes and sculptures, children can take part in guided tours and interactive activities, such as treasure hunts and creating artwork. Inside the cathedral there are numerous perfectly preserved bas-reliefs that are particularly appealing to children because of their peculiar shapes. They are therefore a great starting point to teach kids about the history of the cathedral.
Helpful information
Address: 8 Piazza Duomo – 53100 Siena
Email: operaduomo@operaduomo.siena.it
3. The Torre del Mangia
The Torre del Mangia, a tower located in Siena’s Piazza del Campo, is an unmissable destination to admire the city from above. An impressive 88 metres tall, it offers spectacular panoramic views that will leave children speechless.
You and your little ones will feel like you can reach out and touch the sky. Climbing the 400 steps of the Torre del Mangia is a fun challenge for kids, and they are rewarded at the top with breathtaking views.
Helpful information
Address: Il Campo – 53100 Siena, SI, Italy
Email: ticket@comune.siena.it
4. Accademia dei Fisiocritici
The Accademia dei Fisiocritici is an ideal destination for children, home to the Museum of Natural History. Dating back to the 12th century, the extraordinary building was once the Camaldolese monastery of Santa Mustiola, but is now one of Tuscany’s oldest and most important science museums.
It is an ideal environment for school-age children, who are sure to appreciate the zoology section, where there are numerous examples of naturalised vertebrates (stuffed and mounted in natural positions), skeletons, specimens in alcohol, mollusc shells and insect boxes, while the geology section boasts many minerals, rocks and fossils.
Additionally, the museum includes an archaeology section that showcases Etruscan cinerary urns from Asciano and the Val d’Orcia, which are displayed in a hypogeum to represent an Etruscan tomb.
5. The Orto dei Pecci
The Orto dei Pecci is a green oasis in the heart of Siena, ideal for spending a day outdoors with the whole family. This botanical garden houses a large collection of plants and flowers, including many rare and unusual species. The garden offers various activities and workshops for children, such as gathering herbs, creating nature notebooks, growing vegetables, and making sweets and liqueurs with seasonal fruit.
The Orto dei Pecci also organises guided tours for families, giving them a chance to learn fascinating facts about plants and nature in a fun and interactive way. Children can also become “wizards” for a day by taking part in workshops to create healing infusions and herbal teas with a dash of magic. The garden is a perfect place for kids to spend a day learning and enjoying nature, getting in touch with the world around them and developing their love of plants.
There are also various small villages around Siena to enjoy with young visitors: for example, Buonconvento, a pretty Tuscan town, is the ideal size to explore with kids. If you visit the mediaeval village and its well-preserved walls, your little ones are sure to enjoy wandering the narrow streets and discovering the towers, walls and historical buildings.
Alternatively, the Val di Merse park is an ideal spot for a picnic. In the nature reserve, little ones can take nature walks and observe the local fauna and flora.
Visiting Siena with children is a unique and unforgettable experience: between the wide open spaces and evocative mediaeval buildings, there is something for even the youngest visitors. Set off with your family to discover this fantastic city.