Location: Province of Siena
Top Things to do in Province of Siena
Countries
What to do and see in Province of Siena, Tuscany: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
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
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14,045 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,424 reviews
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. Grotta di San Filippo Benizi
4. Piazza della Cisterna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,525 reviews
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. Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di San Gimignano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 959 reviews
Reviewed By K7787FEbrunol - Singapore, Singapore
Definitely one of the highlights of San Gimignano. Painted walls are just extraordinary and you can spend quite a while paying attention to all the details - special mention for the Hell one...
6. Complesso Museale Santa Maria della Scala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 626 reviews
This museum complex, which houses the National Archaeological Museum of Siena, began as a pilgrims' hostel and orphanage, then served as a hospital from the 10th century to modern day.
Reviewed By westy54 - Sydney, Australia
The former hospital and hospice that occupied this site and which has now been transformed into a huge museum complex commenced operating before the 12th century. The Santa Maria della Scala organisation provided a large number of services to the people including taking in abandoned babies and children, serving meals to the poor, treating the sick and caring for pilgrims who often received free food and lodgings. The Via Francigena, the main pilgramage road to Rome, passed through Siena and near the hospital which is located directly opposite the Duomo. The hospital complex was greatly expanded over the course of the many centuries following its establishment and it became part of the University during the 18th century. The hospital though ceased operating in the second half of the 20th century and, following a period of substantial renovation and refurbishment, the hospital opened as a museum in 1995. Those renovations and refurbishments are still ongoing. The complex encompasses three levels, has its own internal covered roadway, its own 13th century church, the magnificently frescoed and ornately decorated marble and gold plated Chiesa di Santissima Annunziata, a separate Archaeological museum with a vast array of Etruscan and Roman urns, pottery, statues etc, a museum dedicated to children (not a must see), cavernous beautifully frescoed Pilgrim halls that used to be used to house the pilgrims and the sick plus much more. Down another flight of stairs and there are several large rooms, including the former granary, that house the original marble statues from the Fonte Gaia by Jacopo della Quercia as well as a treasury that holds precious relics and reliquary. There is also the Oratorio di Santa Caterina della Notte where it is said that Saint Catherine of Siena, who worked in the hospital, passed her nights in prayer. There are beautiful frescoes and paintings in many of the halls and chambers. There was also a visiting temporary art exhibition during our visit that had some lovely paintings. There are a lot of steps but we did notice one lift so I would say that it may be wheelchair friendly. Cost of entry was EUR 9-00 per adult but there are a number of combination tickets for entry to here plus the Duomo or for entry to here plus the Torre del Mangia and the Museo Civico which is the combination that we purchased for EUR 20-00 per person. This complex has something new and interesting at the end of each corridor and tunnel and whilst it is a bit of a labyrinth, it is not that difficult to navigate although I would allow a good two hours to see most of it. Well worth the time.
7. Piazza Pio II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 888 reviews
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.
8. San Gimignano Bell Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,386 reviews
Reviewed By AlbertSalichs - Manresa, Spain
San Gimignano Bell Tower is the highest tower in this great medieval town, located in Tuscany Region. It is located in the center of the old town, close to Piazza dei Duomo (Cathedral Square). In fact you can see it from the old town or from far of the town on road, because is the highest tower. We visited it in August-2019 with my 3 years old daughter. We go up and see the some expositions about the history of the tower and the town. It is very interesting and also there is some videos to learn a lot. When you arrive at top, you can see wonderful views of the old town and surroundings. Really incredible! Also my daughter enjoyed a lot with go up and down stairs and seeing views, so a very recommendable visit! Top in Tuscany and in Europe!
9. Terme Bagno Vignoni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 945 reviews
Reviewed By Tualie - Varese, Italy
Have read some poor reviews about this place, which I don’t agree. Restaurants and bars are expensive (they have to live of tourism); is not possible to bathe in the square pool (please, can imagine lots of people in the middle of this XVI century pool); pay parking (again is about tourism, but there are free parking spaces, of course not that close); want to bathe but entry is so expensive (can just soak the feet or do the free option down the hill (Parco dei Mulini) can access by car but remember no facilities like changing rooms). To enjoy this unique village: Upscale profile: Stay at Adler or Posta Marcucci (or whatever option nearby) or dine in one of the restaurants and have that magical night walk. Lowscale profile: if want to spend zero, park in the free area (available for campervans too), take the photos and leave. If want to bathe, take the left gravel road (when driving the main uphill to the village). This village is known since the Etruscan times and was a popular retreat for many Medieval celebs. Less known but higher in numbers were the pilgrims of the Via Francigena route, so the owners of the village had to ensure touristic services like public baths (separated men, women and horses!), dormitories, pail closets, inns, church, mills, bakery, butchery and staff to clean the square pool annually. There is a marble inscription in Greek (located under the arches) written by a local nobleman in the XVI century dedicated to the Naiads asking their water blessings for the mortals.
10. Facciatone
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 715 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
The Facciatone of Siena is one of the most beautiful view points in the city. This is the masterpiece of Sienese Gothic architecture. Today is a privileged location from which to admire the beauty of this city, originally meant to represent an expansion of the Cathedral. The history of this place is interesting. History has it that in 1339 it was decided to expand the Duomo of Siena. The project envisaged that the current Cathedral should only represent the transept of the “New Cathedral”. The realization of the work had to materialize through the construction of three new naves, a large semicircular apse, and radial chapels but, due to various difficulties and the tremendous plague of 1348, the works were definitively interrupted in 1357. The elements that are visible today in this attempt to enlarge the Cathedral of Siena are the right nave, which houses a part of the Opera Museum, and the front that, over time, the inhabitants have kindly called “Il Facciatone”. The side of the Facciatone facing the Piazza Jacopo della Quercia was originally intended to be the interior of the facade. It is finished in typical Sienese style with alternating bands of black and white marble while its three arcades give it a graceful lightness that attracts the eye.
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