A medieval Tuscan city built around a shell-shaped piazza, famous for its bareback horse race and striped Gothic cathedral. Here's what Siena is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
April to June and September to October are best, warm and good for countryside drives. The Palio horse race takes place on 2 July and 16 August, when the city is packed. July and August are hot. Winter is quiet and cool.
The sloping, shell-shaped main square, perfect for sitting on the bricks.
Black-and-white striped marble, inlaid floors and the frescoed Piccolomini Library.
Climb the tall tower over the Campo for a view of the rooftops.
Watch the frantic horse race round the Campo, or the trial races in the days before.
The town of medieval towers, about an hour away.
Rolling hills, cypress trees and the wine towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano.
Yes. It's one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy and much calmer than Florence, especially in the evening.
Two days covers the city. Use it as a base for three or four to see San Gimignano and the Val d'Orcia.
April to June and September, around 19 to 28°C. Book far ahead for the Palio in July and August.
Fly into Florence or Pisa, both with direct flights from the UK, then take the bus from Florence, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Florence has more famous art, but Siena is smaller, quieter and easier to enjoy at a slow pace. Many people visit both.
Put Siena on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.