Siena Day Trips from Florence
Strolling through the streets of Siena is like traveling back in time to Italy's medieval past. Sounds good, doesn't it?
The roofs of Sienna | ©Antônia Felipe
Siena, with a historic center declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the wonders of Tuscany that you can visit on a day trip from Florence, as well as Pisa, Chianti, San Gimignano or Monteriggioni.
The best excursions to Siena from Florence
Siena is only 70 kilometers from Florence and its main attractions are centralized in its historic center, making it very easy to visit. Here is a summary of the main organized tours to discover Siena and the magical Tuscany.
Excursion to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni
With this guided day trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni , you can discover Siena in depth thanks to a local guide who will take you through this beautiful monumental city, home of the famous Palio horse race. In addition, you will explore on your own the charming medieval town of San Gimignano, halfway between Florence and Siena and known as the 'Manhattan of the Middle Ages' with its skyline of numerous tall medieval towers.
You will also enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch to replenish your energy during your journey and paired with a tasting of local wines at a vineyard in the village of Monteriggioni. Please note that this tour is only available with explanations in English. For an excursion to Siena with explanations in English, see the other tours listed here.
What is included in this tour
- Day tour Pisa, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni from Florence
- Group of 25 people maximum
- Guide in Siena available in English only
- Round trip transportation by air-conditioned minibus or minivan
- Entrance to visit the interiors of Siena Cathedral (if option is booked)
- Lunch in a Tuscan winery with local wine tasting
Itinerary
- Siena, with Piazza del Campo, Duomo di Siena
- Monteriggioni, with stop at Fattoria Lornanola winery and vineyard with lunch
- San Gimignano, with free time to visit it
Transfer to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni from Florence with wine tasting in Chianti
If you want to discover the area on your own, there is the option of hiring only the transfer to Siena and San Gimignano from Florence, with time to explore also the charming walled village of Monteriggioni on your own, this transfer is perfect to comfortably reach these three locations and explore them at your own pace.
In addition, this tour includes a typical Tuscan lunch and a tasting of local wines from the prized Chianti Denomination of Origin in a rustic local winery, where all the secrets of winemaking will be explained to you.
What is included in this tour
- 11-hour tour to Siena, Monteriggioni and San Gimignano from Florence
- Informative commentary on the bus
- Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus with WiFi
- Entrance to visit the interiors of the Siena Cathedral (if option is booked)
- 3-course Tuscan lunch with wine tasting at a Chianti winery
Itinerary
- San Gimignano
- Siena
- Monteriggioni
- Chianti with lunch at a local winery
Private guided tour to Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Chianti
For the most VIP and personalized experience in Tuscany, this fully private tour will take you from your hotel to a comfortable and complete tour of Siena, San Gimignano Monteriggioni and the Chianti countryside from Florence.
What this tour includes
- 8 hours tour to Siena, Monteriggioni, Chianti and San Gimignano from Florence
- Hotel pick up and drop off, provided you stay in the center of Florence
- Transportation in luxury air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board
- Professional driver
- Private guide with explanations according to your interests in English and 4 other languages
- 3-course Tuscan lunch with wine tasting in a Chianti winery
Itinerary
:
- Siena
- Chianti countryside
- Monteriggioni
- San Gimignano
Tour of Tuscany from Florence to Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano and Chianti, with lunch in a wine cellar
This tour is my favorite, as it allows you to make the most of your time in Florence by immersing yourself in Tuscany and visiting its main jewels. In one day you will visit the typical Tuscan vineyards in Chianti with a typical lunch and a wine tasting of its Denomination of Origin, in addition to touring San Gimignano and visiting the other two Tuscan cities such as Pisa, with its famous Leaning Tower and Siena, with a guided tour.
Pisa is a city that is really worth including in your discovery of Tuscany and that you can visit on your own with this tour. It is home to one of the most famous monuments in the world, the Leaning Tower, almost 56 meters high and with 294 steps that you can climb to admire unparalleled views of the architectural ensemble of Piazza dei Miracoli, with the Cathedral and the Baptistery.
What this tour includes
- 12-hour tour from Florence to Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti and Pisa
- Round trip transportation by air-conditioned GT bus with Wi-Fi on board
- Guide in English and 3 other languages in Siena
- Headphones during the guided tour of Siena
- Entrance to the Cathedral of Siena
- Lunch at a winery in Chianti paired with 2 wines of the region
Itinerary
:
- Siena with guided tour
- Chianti with Tuscan lunch
- San Gimignano
- Pisa
Why Siena is worth a visit
Siena is a magical city in which to lose yourself in the narrow medieval streets of its historic center, flanked by splendid palaces and historic stores, historic buildings and monuments, among which you can't miss:
Piazza del Campo
In this medieval square, one of the most beautiful and largest in the world, the very famous and ancient horse race of the Palio of Siena is held and is the center of city life.
Duomo of Siena
The Siena Cathedral, dating from the 14th century, is a spectacular building with a remarkable baptistery and crypt. It also has magnificent views of the city from its belvedere, the 'Panorama del Duomo'.
Church of San Domenico
This is the second most important church in Siena. With a sober appearance due to its brick construction, the Church of San Domenico was erected in the 13th century and later remodeled in the Gothic style.
Palazzo Pubblico
Another place from which to get panoramic views of Siena is from the 88-meter tower of its Palazzo Pubblico, seat of the city's town hall and one of its most representative historic buildings, with a brick and white marble facade.
Other interesting activities in Florence
If you found this article on how to visit Siena from Florence useful or if you are still not sure which excursion best suits your travel style, here is my guide on how to visit Siena from Florence. Tours and Daytrips from Florence. Personally, I recommend that you consider Cinque Terre or Pisa as alternative destinations to Siena. Here are the articles I have written about them: Cinque Terre Day Trips from Florence y Pisa Day Trips from Florence.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Siena so famous?
It is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in Italy for its beautiful architecture, and for the biannual horse race held in the center of the city known as the Palio, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.
What food is typical of Siena?
Following the standards of Tuscan cuisine, Siena's gastronomy abounds with fresh produce and local specialties. Expect to find dishes made with virgin olive oil, truffle, pecorino cheese, a variety of mushrooms and wild boar meat.
What are the places of interest in Siena?
The Duomo of Siena is a site that surprises the visitor with its exterior, its walls and striped columns, making it the first stop on tourist itineraries. After the Duomo, Orti dei Tolomei and the Campo Regio are must-sees as they offer incredible views of the city. Finally, there is Piazza del Campo, home of the Palio.