When to visit Siena: everything you need to know
Siena is one of the most evocative medieval cities in all of Tuscany. Located in the stunning Crete Senesi region of Tuscany, halfway between the Chianti and Val d’Orcia valleys, it is known worldwide for its artistic and cultural heritage, as well as for the beauty of its surrounding landscape and its renowned cuisine. In short, Siena is an absolute must for anyone planning a trip to discover the history and ancient traditions of Tuscany. But what time of year should you choose to visit the city? Here are some tips for choosing when to go to Siena.
Tips for choosing the best time to visit Siena
When visiting a city, it is crucial to choose the most suitable time to go, as leaving everything to chance could make all the difference when it comes to the overall experience of your visit. First and foremost you need to take into account your personal preferences in terms of both climate and temperature, but also in terms of the number of tourists you may encounter. The famed city of Siena attracts millions of tourists every year, especially during periods of warmer weather. Here are some tips on how to choose the most suitable period to visit Siena and enjoy its beauty to the max.
Siena in Spring
Spring is one of the best times to visit the medieval city of Siena and its historic centre. With the mild climate and pleasant temperature, you can enjoy a walk through the city without suffering from the heat that is typical of the summer months. During this period various events take place, including antiques markets and the celebration of the ancient Sienese New Year, usually held in the Church of the Santissima Annunziata.
In addition to strolling through the streets of the historic centre, spring is a perfect time to admire the city’s gardens and parks, which present themselves in all their beauty with the colours and scents of blossoming plants; for example, just a few minutes away from Piazza del Campo you will find the Orto de Pecci, a wonderful green space located in the heart of the city that is an ideal spot for spending a few hours relaxing in the open air.
Siena in Summer
The summer is one of the times of year when Siena hosts the greatest number of tourists, despite the intense heat typical of this time of year. However, despite the high temperatures and the large numbers of tourists, summer in Siena offers numerous outdoor activities, such as music and theatre performances, sports events and food and wine festivals. It is at this time of year that the Palio di Siena is held, the famous horse race that has made Siena famous the world over. On 2 July and 16 August, the 17 contrade (the municipal wards of the city of Siena) battle it out to win this important event that has always been a source of pride and prestige among the city’s residents.
In addition to open-air events, you can find some cool in Siena’s stunning religious buildings, from the Gothic complex of the Duomo and the Baptistery, to the Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico, an example of the magnificent Gothic architecture typical of the 13th-14th centuries and famous for the relics of St Catherine.
Siena in Autumn
The autumn is another ideal season to visit Siena. With the cooler temperatures and the changing colours of the leaves, the city offers a unique, romantic and evocative atmosphere. September is the month of the grape harvest, making autumn the ideal time to taste and sample Siena’s traditional food and wine products. Around Siena, numerous farms and wineries offer visitors the chance to join in with proceedings by helping with the grape harvest. If you are planning a trip to discover both the medieval art that characterises the city and to taste typical Sienese delicacies such as ribollita (bread & vegetable soup), pici con il cinghiale (pasta with wild boar ragù) and schiacciata senese (Siena’s version of foccaccia), then autumn is the time for you.
In addition to typical Sienese dishes, numerous events are held in Siena during the autumn, such as the Festa dei Tabernacoli, a traditional event that takes place on 8 September and features the children of the 17 city wards (or contrade)competing in a contest to decorate the city’s tabernacles.
Siena in Winter
In winter Siena has a totally different feel to other seasons. Thanks to sea currents, winter in Siena is relatively mild, with temperatures ranging between 8 °C and 10 °C. At Christmas, however, the city is decorated with Christmas lights and, if you’re very lucky, you might see Siena decorated with snow. In the evocative and distinctive Piazza del Campo, the first weekend of December sees the start of the city’s Christmas Markets, also known as the “Mercato nel Campo“, with more than 160 stalls offering the best of Sienese food, wine and handicrafts, all in a super festive atmosphere.