Siena Day Trip From Florence: How to Get There and What to See
Siena is the day trip I recommend most to first-time visitors. Florence is the city of the Renaissance. Siena is Gothic, built on three ridges in warm brick, and walking out of a narrow lane into the Piazza del Campo still stops me every time. Every photo on this page is one I took there.
It is one of the stars of my guide to day trips from Florence, and it deserves a full day of its own. Here is how I plan it, from the bus stop to the last gelato.
Quick plan
Best way there: the express bus, which drops you near the historic center.
Best alternative: the regional train from Santa Maria Novella, then the escalator up the hill.
Time to allow: a full day. Leave in the morning and come back in the evening.
Must sees: Piazza del Campo, the cathedral and a slow walk through the contrade.
Wear: comfortable shoes. Siena is steep.
Getting to Siena from Florence
By bus
Autolinee Toscane runs the 131R Rapida, an express line on the Florence to Siena highway, plus a slower 131 line with more stops. The express arrives in Siena at Antiporto and at Via Tozzi, both an easy walk from the center, which is why I usually prefer the bus.
Important for 2026 and 2027: according to Autolinee Toscane, from 15 September 2026 to 10 June 2027 buses toward Siena leave from Via degli Orti Oricellari, about two minutes' walk from the Florence bus station near Santa Maria Novella. Roadworks on Via Senese have also caused detours. Check the official 131R timetable on the day.
By train
Regional trains run from Santa Maria Novella to Siena. The catch is that Siena station sits at the bottom of the hill, outside the walls. A long covered escalator, the Risalita, solves this. It runs 283 meters from the station up to the Porta Camollia area, climbing 62 meters, and it operates 24 hours a day. From the top it is a pleasant walk into the center.
By car
Driving gives you freedom to add Chianti or Monteriggioni on the way, but the historic center is a limited traffic zone. Park outside the walls. Read my Florence parking and driving guide before you rent a car.
With a tour
If you would rather not deal with timetables, a guided day trip handles the transport and often pairs Siena with a hill town or a winery. I list options on my Things to Do page.
What to see in Siena
Piazza del Campo
The heart of the city, a sloping fan of brick divided into nine sections and closed at the bottom by the Palazzo Pubblico and its slender Torre del Mangia. Sit on the warm bricks for a few minutes before you do anything else. Everyone does, and that is the point.
The cafes around the rim charge for the view, and I think one coffee there is worth it. Come back in the late afternoon, when the Torre del Mangia turns gold.
The cathedral
Siena's Duomo is striped in black and white marble inside and out, and the inlaid marble floor is one of the great artworks of Italy. Next to it stands the giant unfinished wall of the planned extension, a reminder of how ambitious Siena once was. Check the official cathedral site for which areas are open and when the floor is on view, since parts of it are covered for much of the year.
Look down as well as up. Even the uncovered panels are extraordinary, and the she-wolf nursing the twins is Siena claiming its own Roman legend.
The Piccolomini Library
Off the left aisle, the Piccolomini Library is the room I tell everyone not to skip. Pinturicchio covered it in frescoes of the life of Pope Pius II, and the colors look freshly painted. It is included with the cathedral complex ticket.
The contrade
Siena is divided into 17 contrade, historic neighborhoods with their own flags, churches and fountains. Wander off the main streets and you will see the symbols everywhere, from the snail to the she-wolf. This is where Siena feels most alive.
Food and wine
Try pici, the thick hand-rolled pasta, and look for panforte and ricciarelli, Siena's traditional almond and spice sweets, in the bakeries. Wine lovers are a short drive from Chianti Classico and Montalcino.
A simple day plan
Morning: take the bus or train, then walk to Piazza del Campo for coffee.
Late morning: visit the cathedral area while you are fresh.
Lunch: a long one, away from the Campo, in one of the contrade.
Afternoon: wander, shop for sweets and return to the Campo for the late light.
Evening: head back to Florence, or stay for dinner and catch a later connection.
The Palio
The Palio is the bareback horse race around Piazza del Campo, run traditionally on 2 July and 16 August. Weather can move it: in 2026 rain postponed the July race, and the August Palio was run on 18 August. On race days the center is packed from early morning, so plan a quiet visit on another date unless you specifically want the spectacle. The City of Siena Palio page has the official information.
Tips from my trips
Go midweek if you can. Weekends bring more day visitors.
Check the return times before you leave Florence, especially in the evening.
Bring water and a hat in summer. The Campo has little shade.
Consider a night. Siena empties out after the tour buses leave, and evenings in the contrade are magical.
Coming from abroad? My guide to flying to Florence explains how to arrive and get around by tram, bus and train.
Where to stay in Florence for day trips
If you plan several day trips, stay near Santa Maria Novella so the station and the bus stops are a short walk away. See where to stay near Santa Maria Novella.
FAQ
Is Siena worth a day trip from Florence?
Yes. It is close, easy by public transport and completely different in character from Florence.
Bus or train to Siena?
I usually take the express bus because it stops closer to the center. The train is a good choice too, thanks to the escalator from the station.
Can I combine Siena with San Gimignano?
Yes, and many guided tours do. On your own it makes for a long day, so start early.
When is the Palio?
Traditionally on 2 July and 16 August, though rain can move it. Check the official city page.
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