Siena Day Trip from Florence: One Day Itinerary

Although Siena is closer to Florence, and thus a popular day trip from there, its origin story stems off from that of Rome. As you may know, legend has it that Romulus and Remus founded Rome. Well, Remus’ sons, Senio and Ascanio, apparently founded Siena after fleeing from an uncle who was trying to kill them back in Rome.

And luckily for us they did, because today it’s a beautiful Tuscan city whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And being so close to Florence, another Tuscan city, Siena makes for an easy day trip from there. So there’s really little excuse not to try to squeeze it into your Italy itinerary.

I did my own Siena day trip from Florence, so in this post I will be sharing all those transportation details as well as what to do in Siena. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions in the comment section at the bottom of this post. (Yes, I do actually reply!)

How to Get to Siena from Florence (and Back)

You could take the train from Florence to Siena. But I recommend taking the bus. It is about 15 minutes faster than taking the train. And, most importantly, it drops you off just outside Siena’s old town, while the train drops you off about a 20 minute walk further.

The bus departs from very close to Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station. Here is its exact Google Maps location. From here, ride bus 131R to Siena-Via Tozzi. The ride should take 1.25 hours, and you can view the timetable here.

You can purchase the ticket in quite a few different ways. One option is stopping at the ticket booth near the bus stop (which would be smart to do at least one day prior to the trip, unless traveling in low season). Another option is to use the transport system’s mobile app (iPhone and Android).

To return to Florence at the end of your Siena day trip, do the exact reverse journey! You can buy the return ticket in advance, or you can purchase it in person once in Siena.

I recommend saving the Siena bus stop location on either Google Maps or an offline map once you arrive, if you think you may forget how to find your way back later.

Things to Do on a Day Trip to Siena from Florence

Siena is a very popular day trip from Florence! So the main streets and attractions are going to be pretty crowded with other tourists like you. Of course, you are going to want to visit all those sites! But after enjoying those, I recommend just wandering off aimlessly down less-crowded, unassuming streets. You might find a beautiful little church, or a tasty restaurant, or just even get a better idea of how the more residential parts of Siena are.

In any case, here are the main things to definitely see while in Siena.

Piazza del Campo

If you’ve ever seen a photo of Siena, then I’m sure you’ve seen this uniquely shell-shaped square. Piazza del Campo is the main square of Siena. It is surrounded by pretty buildings all around, but the one that stands out most is the Palazzo Pubblico and its tower, Torre del Mangia.

In this famous square, a horse race called the Palio di Siena takes place twice a year – once on July 2nd, and again on August 16th. So check to see if your trip dates overlap with this race. Whether that is a pro or a con, I’ll let you decide!

Palazzo Pubblico

This building is Siena’s town hall, which was built in the late 1200s. Inside, you’ll find the Museo Civico, which you can enter if you are interested in Sienese Gothic paintings. Entry will set you back €6 and can be purchased in person or in advance online from the official site.

The iconic, 100+ meter Torre del Mangia is also part of this building. If you are willing to climb the 400+ steps, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Siena. Tickets to the tower are €10 and ascents are at scheduled times that aren’t reserved in advance. You can read more at the official site, which you’ll have to translate from Italian using your browser. Combined tickets including both the museum and tower are available for a €1 discount. Family tickets are available, too.

Duomo di Siena

The Duomo di Siena is a genuinely stunning cathedral, even if you’ve seen quite a few! It was built starting in the 1100s and boasts both Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The striped cathedral is famous for its super-detailed facade as well as the marble mosaic floors inside, which depict scenes from the Bible and history. The floor is actually covered during parts of the year to help preserve it, so keep this in mind if seeing the floor is a priority to you.

There are various types of tickets to enter the Duomo, which include or exclude things like viewing the floors, the Battistero di San Giovanni Battista (the baptistery), the Gate to Heaven (which is also only available during certain times of year), and more. A ticket to see everything will run you €21 in person, or €23 plus a small (5%-ish) commission if purchased in advance from the official website. A ticket to only enter the Duomo and the Piccolomini Library is €8 in person or €10 plus commission online, just to give you an idea of the price range. Check out all ticket options, plus what is available for viewing during your travel dates, at the official website.

Wander!

Who wants their Siena day trip to be just like everyone else’s? Now that you’ve enjoyed all the main sites, wander around the city without the pressure of anything else left to tick off your list. 

What Do You Think of My Siena One Day Itinerary?

Have I convinced you to visit Siena as a day trip from Florence? Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comment section below. And if you have been to Siena, please let me know what I should see on my next visit! I would love to stay overnight next time, to experience the ambiance without the day trippers.

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