Siena and San Gimignano: the back story

About Siena and San Gimignano: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Tuscany Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Siena is Florence’s great rival: a Gothic city of brick around the shell-shaped Campo, with the striped cathedral above. San Gimignano’s towers and walled Monteriggioni are close by.

Siena

See the cathedral and the Piccolomini Library, then the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia on the Campo.

San Gimignano

Go early or late to see the towers without the day-trip crowds; Linfa holds a MICHELIN star.

The Palio is run on the Campo each summer; dates are set by the Comune di Siena.

Around

Monteriggioni on the Via Francigena, Colle di Val d’Elsa with two-star Arnolfo, and the roofless abbey of San Galgano.

Our advice: for the Palio, book a room well ahead, or come another week and see the city calmly.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Siena and San Gimignano: the back story before you go.