The 10 Best Free Things to do in Province of Siena, Tuscany

May 7, 2022 Concepcion Newsome

The Province of Siena (Italian: Provincia di Siena) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Siena.
Restaurants in Province of Siena

1. Piazza del Campo

Piazza del Campo, 53100, Siena Italy http://www.enjoysiena.it/it/attrattore/Piazza-del-Campo/
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14,045 reviews

Piazza del Campo

Siena's main square is the site of the famous Palio horse races that take place in July and August.

Reviewed By Y7972VAmichaelh

The vast bustling Piazza del Campo in Siena is famous for the Palio horse races which attract thousands of visitors each year and must be a truly awesome spectacle. This is a most interesting city to explore for the spiders-web of streets that circumnavigate the Piazza lead to quite unexpected places, shops, churches and beautiful vistas. A photographers dream where sunlight and shadow enhances the beauty of the architecture at all times throughout the day. Siena is a must, and don’t cut your visit short for there’s much to see and do.

2. Centro Storico di Siena

Piazza Del Campo, 53100, Siena Italy http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/717
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,424 reviews

Centro Storico di Siena

Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia

A fantastic city that left us speechless. The historic center of the splendid Tuscan city is a treasure trove. Thanks to its urban and architectural characteristics, the historic center of Siena is a testimony of man's creative genius, and concretely expresses the artistic and aesthetic human capacity. Furthermore, the original example of figurative civilization, in architecture, painting, sculpture and urban planning, has determined an important cultural influence not only in the territory of the Republic of Siena, but also in Italy and Europe, in particular between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries . This is why Siena is one of the most excellent examples of an Italian medieval and Renaissance city. And above all, this is why she entered, with good reason, to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is, in fact, the era when numerous artists had the opportunity to express their art here and the city was adorned with wonderful monuments, such as the Duomo, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia. Piazza del Campo is the same where the famous Palio takes place. Full of restaurants and bars, it is famous for its characteristic trapezoidal shape, downhill towards the center, where the Gaia spring is found, a copy of the fifteenth-century work by Jacopo della Quercia. All around the square stand out the monumental buildings including Palazzo Sansedoni and Palazzo Pubblico. The height of the Torre del Mangia, which dates back to the forties of the fourteenth century of 102 meters, is equal to that of the bell tower of the Cathedral to symbolize the balance achieved between divine and earthly power. At the foot of the tower stands the Piazza Chapel, a marble tabernacle with splendid sculptures inserted in the Gothic niches. Even in addition to Piazza del Campo, however, it is a riot of art and architecture with the succession of churches, including San Domenico, San Francesco and Santa Maria dei Servi, and, of course, the spectacular Duomo, one of the greatest examples of Roman style Italian Gothic. Built around the 12th century, it has a Latin cross structure, a dome, a bell tower and its facade is all in white marble with red Siena and green alternations. Its interior houses precious works by Bernini, Donatello, Michelangelo and Pinturicchio.

3. Winery Solaria Patrizia Cencioni

Podere la Capanna 102, 53024, Montalcino Italy +39 347 328 4155 [email protected] http://www.solariacencioni.com
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 296 reviews

Winery Solaria Patrizia Cencioni

The superb wine from Montalcino is born in the vineyard and develops in the cellar. Two fundamental steps carried out with the utmost care and knowhow. The main element though is the summer sun that gives character to the grapes. Solaria is the Montalcino winery who has focused on these characteristics . the vines located on a high plateau on the southeast side of the rising Montalcino and bath in the heat of the dun from dawn till dusk! Patrizia Cencioni gives you the opportunity to tasted the wines directly at the winery; there you can discover the secrets that create Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino one of Italy's greatest wines.

Reviewed By hrwoodward

We had the best time visiting Solaria winery and bought A LOT of wine and olive oil... and it is all AMAZING!!! Aryanna was the sweetest, funniest, most informed guide we've ever had on a wine tour (we even watched her expertly handle some mansplaining jerk like a pro.) This place is family run and you can feel it. They all were having the best time and in turn, so did we.

4. Piazza della Cisterna

Piazza Della Cisterna, San Gimignano Italy +39 0577 940008 http://www.sangimignano.com/it/san-gimignano/guida-alla-citta/piazza-della-cisterna.asp
Excellent
62%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,525 reviews

Piazza della Cisterna

San Gimignano's main square has the town's 13th-century cistern, or well, in the center surrounded by some of the town's majestic towers.

Reviewed By amysun2016 - Fairfield, United States

This town gets a lot of good press and vibe, it’s very crowded compare to some of “sleepy” medieval towns nearby. They all are very similar to me, relatively. Definitely a fun place to visit as there are good crowds, restaurants, and the vibe is good.

5. Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore

53041, Asciano Italy +39 0577 707611 [email protected] http://www.monteolivetomaggiore.it/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 937 reviews

Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore

Reviewed By Toscoantico - Pisa, Italy

With my family we visited the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore in September 2020 during our holidays in Val d'Orcia and this place, together with others such as the Temple of San Biagio, the Chapel of Vitaleta, the abbey of Sant ' Antimo, the gentle hills with the little big gems on the top, will remain one of the most beautiful images in my mind. The abbey is located in a pine forest with beautiful surroundings, the structure itself is very beautiful and the atmosphere is very serene. The abbey is still functioning according to the Benedictine rule and therefore it is not possible to visit it entirely but the part that can be visited is definitely worth. In addition, the visit is free, a non-binding offer may be requested. The Cloister of the Abbey contains the most important work of art of the complex, a cycle of frescoes on the stories of San Benedetto painted both by Luca Signorelli (the first 8 lunettes 1497-1498) and by Antonio Bazzi known as Sodoma, a curious nickname , (the remaining 26 lunettes painted after 1505). You can also visit the church, the refectory, the library and the pharmacy of the monastery plus a small exhibition of paintings from various periods. Serenity, History, Art and Harmony, Val d'Orcia at its best.

6. Tempio di San Biagio

Via di San Biagio, 53045, Montepulciano Italy +39 0578 757 7761 http://www.montepulciano.org/tempio_biagio_it.html
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 673 reviews

Tempio di San Biagio

Reviewed By Toscoantico - Pisa, Italy

What I can say is that if you are visiting Val d'orcia and you know what you can expect, this church with its beauty, its Renaissance architecture, its harmony and its harmonious insertion into the landscape represents the Val d'Orcia at its best.

7. Volpaia

Loc. Volpaia, 53017, Radda in Chianti Italy +39 0577 738066 [email protected] http://www.volpaia.info
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 392 reviews

Volpaia

Reviewed By valerie210 - Atlanta, United States

I will return here. This is the idyllic Tuscan setting. A charming hilltop town complete with chapel, winery, wine bar, and Michelin star restaurant. Super private and very quiet. If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to have great food and wine, come here! Our driver Antonio brought us here in between our wine tasting at Fontodi and dinner at Dario Cecchini’s Officina della Bistecca. We didn’t know what to expect and were thrilled when we pulled up to hill to this sweet town. We walked up and got an impromptu wine tasting from Francesco. We tasted just about everything in their line up, except the sparkling, which we happily took chilled with us to dinner. We just had awesome tastings at San Felice and Fontodi and Volpaia’s wines stood up to the excellent offerings at these nearby spots. This is a wonderful place to get introduced to Chianti Classico. Next time we are in Tuscany I will definitely look at staying here. It’s absolutely beautiful and has everything you need!

8. Il Duomo di Pienza

Piazza Pio II, 2, 53026, Pienza Italy +39 338 160 0482 http://www.pienza.org/duomo_it.html
Excellent
44%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 574 reviews

Il Duomo di Pienza

Reviewed By DMinFlorida - Tallahassee, United States

It's well worth getting off the main road to visit this beautiful little Tuscan village, !with its unbelievable and unbeatable views

9. Contucci Cantine

Via del Teatro 1 Piazza Grande 13, 53045, Montepulciano Italy +39 0578 757006 http://www.contucci.it/
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 476 reviews

Contucci Cantine

Reviewed By T4232XIjohnb - Toronto, Canada

Contucci Cantine is located right on Montepulciano's main square and is a great spot to drop in for a taste (no charge and up to six wines are available for tasting). I enjoyed the 2015 Mulinvecchio Vino Nobile which can be purchased for 21E per bottle. You are free to wander through the main floor cellars (fun to do if you visit does not include a trip to a winery) ad you can peer down some stairs where the cellars continue well under the town of Montepulciano.

10. Piazza Pio II

Piazza Pio II, Pienza Italy http://www.comune.pienza.siena.it/on-line/Home/IlComune.html
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 888 reviews

Piazza Pio II

Reviewed By jaybeeFL - Palm Harbor, United States

If you walk down the main artery in Pienza, the Corso Rosselino, you will run into the Piazza Pio II. Named after Pope Pius II, this piazza contains most of the main structures in Pienza--- the Duomo, city hall (Palazzo Communale), Palazzo Piccolomini and the Palazzo Borgio now the Diocesan museum. Most of these structures were the product of Rosselino who was the principal architect, engineer and builder of them at direction of Pius II.

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