Siena

A medieval brick city on three hills: the Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race is run on 2 July and 16 August, the striped Duomo with its marble floor, and the Torre del Mangia. Bus or train from Florence in about 1.5 hours; the gateway to the Chianti and to the Val d'Orcia. Quiet after the day-trippers leave, so worth a night.

Highlights

• Piazza del Campo
• Siena Cathedral and its marble floor
• Torre del Mangia climb
• The Palio (2 July, 16 August)
• Day trip to San Gimignano's towers
• Chianti wine estates

Things to do

• Duomo, crypt and baptisteryMorning · 2h 30m
• Piazza del Campo and Torre del MangiaAfternoon · 2h
• San Gimignano and Monteriggioni half-dayMorning · 5h
• Chianti winery tour and tastingAfternoon · 4h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: April – June, September – October

• Palio di Siena — A bareback horse race round the Piazza del Campo between Siena's districts (contrade), run twice a year, preceded by days of trial races, parades in medieval costume and street dinners. The race itself lasts about 90 seconds. Standing in the centre of the piazza is free but hot and packed for hours; balcony seats cost hundreds of euros. Book rooms well ahead.