What should I do while I’m in Siena? Some ideas for you…
Chianti
Explore the beautiful Chianti countryside - take a winding drive from Siena north through gorgeous, classically Tuscan countryside! The views are the thing here, so drive slowly and make lots of stops to drink it all in.
Visit one or two charming Chianti towns. We suggest Castellina in Chianti on the way to lunch in tiny Volpaia at Bar-Ucci. Or Castellina, then Ristoro di Lamole for lunch with a stunning view. (Reservations strongly recommended for lunch)
If you want to taste Chianti wines where they are made, visit a winery or two. There are so many wonderful ones that we couldn’t possibly choose, but here are a few lists to get you started!
https://allroadsleadtoitaly.com/best-wineries-in-chianti/
South from Siena
The drive south from Siena to the beautiful villages of the Val d’Orcia is iconic. Head out of Siena toward Asciano, choosing the small roads and enjoying the views. Visit the atmospheric (and still operational) Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Stop somewhere in this lovely landscape for lunch, possibly in Montalcino (we recommend Alle logge di piazza and suggest booking ahead). You can also taste many of the region’s wines at the Enoteca right there in town. Or head to Pienza, known as “the ideal city of the Renaissance.” Or do both before heading back to Siena. And there are so many other beautiful vistas and villages to take in here - you really can’t go wrong!
Other day trips…
These are all less than 2 hours from Siena:
Florence (of course!) – so much to see! The famous duomo, with Brunelleschi’s dome, the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Croce, the Ponte Vecchio…
San Gimignano – a beautiful Tuscan hilltop town with more going on than some of the others. Enough to see to spend a half day wandering, and then have a huge lunch
Lucca – a walled city northwest of Siena with fewer tourists than many of the other Tuscan towns and cities. A great place to wander for a day, especially around the medieval walls.
Bologna – one of the oldest university cities in Europe, and the home of tortellini in brodo. Their tower has started leaning, too, but not on purpose, so you can’t currently climb it (go to Pisa for that).
What should I do IN Siena?
Go to the Duomo!
Go to the Palazzo Pubblico!
Eat pici, the pasta shape specific to Siena (it’s a lot like udon noddles), and eat wild boar, a Sienese speciality
Hang out in the Piazza del Campo and drink a lot of Campari, like Rick Steves