Tuscany

Siena

Siena has no high-speed line and is better for it. The regional train from Florence needs no reservation, costs nothing extra on a pass, and drops you below a city that has barely changed shape since 1350.

Arriving

Stations

Siena

In the valley below the walls. Cross to the shopping centre opposite and take the escalators up — it saves a steep climb.

From the airport

None. Arrive via Florence or Pisa.

Onward

Connections

To	Fastest	Operator	Reservation	Frequency
Florence	1h 30m	Regionale	None	Hourly
Grosseto	1h 30m	Regionale	None	8 per day
Empoli	1h 00m	Regionale	None	Hourly

Siena is a pass-friendly day out but a poor use of a travel day on its own. Pair it with a second Tuscan town on the same date.

See

Worth your time

Piazza del Campo
The shell-shaped square where the Palio is run twice each summer.
Duomo and Piccolomini Library
Striped marble outside, a frescoed library inside that most visitors walk past.
Torre del Mangia
Four hundred steps, and the best view in Tuscany at the top.
Santa Maria della Scala
A medieval hospital turned museum, directly opposite the cathedral.

Eat

What to order

Pici all'aglione
Fat hand-rolled pasta with a garlic and tomato sauce.
Panforte
Dense spiced fruit cake, sold by weight, older than the Palio.
Contrada dinners
In Palio season the districts eat outdoors and visitors can usually buy a seat.

Day trips