What to see in Siena in 3 days
For sure, three days are not a lot of time to visit a city as rich in history as Siena, with its countless squares, historical palaces and churches, but having a well-structured itinerary will ensure that you will be able to return home satisfied that you visited everything you hoped to see. Siena is one of those cities that are best visited on foot, taking a good look at every corner and narrow street. Many of the buildings you will see are embellished with details that have defied the passage of time, modelled over the years by skilful hands, and which you can only discover by looking closely.
Day 1: Visit to the historical centre of Siena
Day 2: wine tour in and around Siena
Day 3: Bike tour, Siena National Picture Gallery and panoramic viewpoint
Day 1: Visit to the historical centre of Siena
On the first day, in order to get a general idea and also a sense of the atmosphere in Siena, the best thing is definitely to take a walking tour of the historical centre. Lose yourself amongst the streets of Siena and let it enchant you: turning a corner, you may find yourself in the beautiful Piazza del Campo. This square is certainly one of the most important places to visit in Siena; it is the heart of the city and is visited by many tourists all year round. And, during the famous Palio, held every year on 2 July and 16 August, the square truly comes alive.
This unique square is distinguished from all others by its very special shape, reminiscent of a shell. Among the buildings framing the square, the imposing Palazzo Pubblico stands out. It houses the Museo Civico, strongly recommended for lovers of medieval art. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Close to the Palazzo Pubblico, you cannot fail to notice the Torre del Mangia, one of the oldest towers in Italy, some 88 metres high. To fully enjoy the beauty of this very special square, it is a good idea to stand in the centre for a better view of its unusual, concave shape.
Continuing your walk through the historical centre, you will surely find yourself standing in front of the Duomo di Siena. Work on this Romanesque-Gothic cathedral took almost more than a century: from 1220 to 1370. Looking at the cathedral, the three entrance portals are immediately evident and made majestic by the opulent marble decorations, including the famous red marble of Siena.
Take some time to visit the interior of the cathedral; it will take your breath away. The three naves, 89 metres long, divide the church into three with meticulous precision. You will find yourself walking through the cathedral, savouring every majestic detail. Located along the left nave, you can visit the Piccolomini Library, entirely frescoed by Pinturicchio and Raffaello. This wing of the cathedral features cross vaults, frescoed with bright colours and gold inlays.
Day 2: wine tour in and around Siena
After spending an entire day immersed in history and art, you will certainly enjoy taking a leap into the present, to savour another type of art for which the city of Siena is famous: that of wine. This city has many wineries and workshops. Just outside Siena, you will find an endless expanse of beautiful vineyards. If you choose to spend a day among the vineyards, it is advisable to plan a little in advance so that you can book the tour that best suits you and your needs. It is a different kind of day, but definitely a rewarding one. Farms in the area offer a very wide selection of experiences and tours.
There are wine tours that last the whole day and allow you to visit the entire winery while tasting their wines. Others offer guests overnight stays in their rooms with the whole day at their facility. If you are a culinary enthusiast, some wineries offer the option not only of tasting, but also of participating in entertaining cookery classes. When deciding on your tour, apart from choosing the type of tour, you also need to consider which wine you want to learn about, whose history, production and cultivation make it so special and world-famous.
During your three days in Siena, spending one in the surrounding area, immersed in the Tuscan hills, will give you the opportunity to discover how much passion and care goes into the production of Tuscan wine and the cultivation of the land. A wine tour lends itself very well not only to couples or groups, but also to lone travellers. They allow you to meet other people with whom you can share an evocative and memorable experience. Getting to know Siena, not only through its history but also through its traditions, handed down from generation to generation, will give you a real and concrete insight into this beautiful city, so beloved the world over.
Day 3: Bike tour, Siena National Picture Gallery and panoramic viewpoint
The last day in any city, as you know, is always the one when you are in a hurry, trying to catch up a bit and attempting to visit what you didn’t manage to see in the previous days. The last of these three days in Siena can become an excellent opportunity to take a bike tour. Choosing to visit Siena by bike could be a good solution to speed things up a bit. There are some bike rentals that allow you to rent bikes for half a day or for the whole day. While cycling, you might like to make a stop at the Pinacoteca Nazionale.
The Pinacoteca is the main museum in the city of Siena, where you can admire the Annunciation by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and many other works of art. The Art Gallery is open every day but, to avoid disappointment, bear in mind that, on Sundays and Mondays, it is only open in the morning. If you still have some time left, to end your three days in Siena on a high note, after seeing the entire historic centre and enjoying a satisfying wine tour, you can see Siena from a different perspective by stopping at the Facciatone, one of the city’s most sensational viewpoints. Originally, the Facciatone was built as an extension of the Duomo, and to climb up it you will need to buy an entrance ticket.