The back story
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The back story
Siena and San Gimignano: the back story
The Campo and the cathedral, the Palio, the towers of San Gimignano and the abbey of San Galgano.
Region guide · Tuscany
Siena & San Gimignano: Our Favourites
Siena’s Campo and cathedral, San Gimignano’s towers, Monteriggioni and the abbey of San Galgano.
What's onThis week in Tuscany
What to see and do
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Striped marble and the Piccolomini Library
Siena Cathedral
Siena’s striped Gothic cathedral, its inlaid marble floor and the Piccolomini Library.
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The shell-shaped square
Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Pubblico
Siena’s shell-shaped square, scene of the Palio, with the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia.
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A medieval hospital
Santa Maria della Scala
A vast medieval hospital facing the cathedral, now a museum.
Piazza del Duomo 1, 53100 SienaExplore View on map
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The town of towers
San Gimignano
The medieval hill town of towers, between Florence and Siena.
Piazza del Duomo 1, 53037 San GimignanoExplore View on map
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A ring of towers
Monteriggioni
A tiny walled village on a hill, ringed by towers, on the Via Francigena.
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A roofless Gothic abbey
Abbey of San Galgano
A roofless Cistercian abbey among the fields, with the hermitage of Montesiepi above.
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Sienese painting
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena
The great collection of Sienese gold-ground painting.
Via di San Pietro 29, 53100 SienaExplore View on map
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On foot
The Via Francigena in Tuscany
The medieval pilgrim road, through San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Siena.
Eat and drink
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One MICHELIN Star
Linfa
Creative cooking with one MICHELIN star, in San Gimignano.
Piazza Sant'Agostino 19a, 53037 San GimignanoExplore View on map
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Two MICHELIN Stars
Arnolfo
Creative cooking with two stars in Colle di Val d’Elsa, between Siena and San Gimignano.
Viale della Rimembranza 24, 53034 Colle di Val d’ElsaExplore View on map
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One MICHELIN Star
Saporium
Contemporary Italian cooking with one MICHELIN star, in Chiusdino.
Località Palazzetto 110, 53012 ChiusdinoExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Da Pode
Tuscan cooking at moderate prices in San Gimignano.
Località Sovestro 63, 53037 San GimignanoExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Futura Osteria
Tuscan cooking at moderate prices in Monteriggioni.
Largo Garfonda 10, Abbadia Isola, 53035 MonteriggioniExplore View on map
Where to stay
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A palace on the Banchi di Sopra
Grand Hotel Continental Siena
A palace hotel on Siena’s main street, a few steps from the Campo.
Via Banchi di Sopra 85, 53100 SienaExplore View on map
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A townhouse with a garden
Palazzo Ravizza
A family-run townhouse hotel with a garden inside Siena’s walls, with parking.
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Good value near the cathedral
Hotel Duomo Siena
A simple, central hotel on Via Stalloreggi, near the cathedral.
Via Stalloreggi 38, 53100 SienaExplore View on map
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A castle estate west of Siena
Castello di Casole
A castle and estate in the hills west of Siena, run by Belmond.
Località Querceto, 53031 Casole d’ElsaExplore View on map
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A farm estate with a starred table
Borgo Santo Pietro
A country estate with its own farm, near the Abbey of San Galgano.
Località Palazzetto 110, 53012 ChiusdinoExplore View on map
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On San Gimignano’s main square
Hotel La Cisterna
A long-established hotel on San Gimignano’s Piazza della Cisterna.
Piazza della Cisterna 23, 53037 San GimignanoExplore View on map
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A townhouse on Via San Matteo
Hotel L’Antico Pozzo
A three-star hotel in a historic townhouse on Via San Matteo.
Via San Matteo 87, 53037 San GimignanoExplore View on map
Share your Siena & San Gimignano tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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