Siena is not a large city, but it’s packed with beautiful historic architecture. With car rental in Siena, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore all its sights and head further afield to explore the Tuscan countryside.
Explore the heart of the city
The best place to start your visit to Siena is the Piazza del Campo. This unique, shell-shaped square is the focal point of the city and hosts the Palio di Siena, a horse race that’s held twice a year in July and August. It’s also home to some of the city’s most famous historic sites, including the Palazzo Pubblico.
This elegant Gothic building houses the Civic Museum and many famous works of art, including Lorenzetti’s Allegory of Good and Bad Government frescoes - which can be seen in the Sala della Pace.
From the Palazzo Pubblico you can also access the Torre del Mangia, an imposing tower that dates back to 1348 and is still open to the public today. If you’re feeling energetic, you can embark on the steep climb to the top, a journey of more than 400 steps, which rewards you with breath taking panoramic views of the bronzed city landscape and lush surrounding countryside.
Gothic masterpieces aplenty
Once you’ve explored the square, it’s just a short walk to the Duomo of Siena, a spectacular Romanesque-Gothic cathedral that’s worth exploring inside and out. To enter, you’ll need to purchase a pass that gives access to the baptistery, crypt and Museo dell’Opera art museum – it’s a good idea to reserve tickets online in advance.
Once inside, your eyes will be instantly drawn to the distinctive columns of white and black marble, representing the symbolic colours of Siena – their beloved soccer team also wears the same colours.
The cathedral is packed with artistic treasures from its blue and gold ceiling, to its equally impressive floor - where you will see dozens of mosaics depicting biblical and historic scenes created by artists over hundreds of years.
A taste of Tuscany
After all that sightseeing, make sure you don’t miss out on sampling a traditional meal in Siena. Classiccourses include crostini neri – toasted bread with chicken liver – and pici, a thick type of spaghetti served with rich sauce.
Siena is also famous for its desserts, perhaps the best known are the delicious almond cookies known as ricciarelli and panforte, which can be bought in shops all over the city and is made with honey, dried fruit and nuts.
To sample fresh local produce, head to the market held at La Lizza on Wednesday mornings, where you’ll find vendors offering everything from cured meats and cheeses, to gifts and souvenirs. Just make sure you arrive early, as this market gets very hectic during as the day progresses.
Embark on a countryside escape
With Siena car rental, you’re free to explore the beautiful surrounding Tuscan countryside. Take a 60-kilometre drive south to reach one of the region’s most picturesque areas; Val d’Orcia, named after the Orcia river.
With charming hilltop towns and traditional farmhouses, it’s the perfect escape from the busy city. Don’t miss the fortress town of Castiglione d’Orcia or the vineyards of Brunello, as well as the medieval abbey at Sant’Antimo.
When you rent a car in Siena, you can experience all this and more during your stay in this beautiful city.
