A day in Siena, Italy - Claire Imaginarium

Siena is one of my favourite cities in the world. It is beautiful, full of things to do and small enough that you can walk everywhere. If you are visiting Tuscany, you will spend at least a day there, so here is a little guide to help you plan your visit.

After you parked the car (which you will need if you are planning to explore Tuscany for a week like we did), your first stop has to be Nannini for breakfast. Grab an espresso and one of their giant patisseries which should help you last until lunchtime.

After breakfast, head to Siena Cathedral and take a moment outside to appreciate all the architectural details. The cathedral is huge yet it looks like the most delicate lace.

The black and white marble stripes carry on inside for the most impressive and exquisite architectural effect. Explore the venue and be careful not to hurt your neck while gazing in awe at the ceilings.

After visiting the cathedral, head toward Piazza del Campo, one of, if not, the most famous sights in Siena. Each year, a famous horse race between the different neighbourhoods of Siena, called the Palio, takes place there.

The main challenge here will be to take a picture of the Palazzo Pubblico, without tourists photobombing it.

Done enough walking? Now is a good time to grab lunch! My recommendation would be an antipasto at La Prosciutteria, a short walk from Piazza del Campo.

At that point temperatures are soaring, so now is a good time to find a fresh place to shelter, and the Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana del Duomo is the perfect place for both shade and culture.

The museum is home to the statues and stained-glass that once ornated Siena Cathedral’s facade, as well as some of the altarpieces and reliquaries which once decorated the inside.

Make sure to climb to the top floor for the most beautiful view of Siena.

You have guessed it Museo dell’Opera metropolitana del Duomo really worth a visit!

Once back outside, get lost one last time in the streets of Siena, grab a gelato and find a terrace to sit at for an aperitivo. And then, while sipping on your Aperol Spritz, you will probably realise that, like me, that you have fallen in love with Siena…

While you may be sad to be leaving Siena after such a lovely day, I have one good news! There is SO much more to do in this city that you will have to come back! This itinerary is just a day-long snippet of what the city has to offer, and if you are planning to spend more time there, then make sure to check out this guide from The Telegraph to spend 36 hours in Siena.

Arrivederci for now!