Useful information on monuments, museums, and places to visit in Siena

Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of each museum or online on the official websites. Additionally, for some museums, specifically the Civic Museum, the Torre del Mangia, and the Monumental Complex of the Cathedral of Siena, it is also possible to buy tickets at the Dear Guest Visitor Center located at Via di Città, 48 (with a booking fee).

All the main monuments and museums of Siena are located within the historic center, which is easily walkable. From the Cathedral to Piazza del Campo, from the Sanctuary of Santa Caterina to the main museums, the distances are short and allow for comfortable movement without using a car or public transport. To orient yourself and plan your route, you can consult the map of the historic center.

There is no single city card. There are combined tickets for the municipal museums (Civic Museum + Santa Maria della Scala; with or without the Torre del Mangia) and the OPA SI PASS and the Porta del Cielo for the Cathedral Complex. More information is available on the official website of the Civic Museum (https://museocivico.comune.siena.it/organizza-la-tua-visita) and the Monumental Complex of the Cathedral of Siena (https://operaduomo.siena.it/visita/)

All churches are free to enter, except for the Siena Cathedral and the Oratory of San Bernardino. The Cathedral remains accessible to worshippers during religious celebrations.

• OPA SI PASS and Porta del Cielo ticket: 3 consecutive days from the date of issue (each site can be visited once).
• Civic Museum + Santa Maria della Scala: 2 days.
• Civic Museum + Torre del Mangia + Santa Maria della Scala: 1 day.
• Civic Museum + Torre del Mangia: 1 day.
• Single tickets: valid for the day.

• Civic Museum
  From November 1 to February 28: 10:00–18:00
  From March 1 to October 31: 10:00–19:00
  Christmas: closed | New Year's Day: 12:00–18:00
• Torre del Mangia
  From November 1 to February 28: 10:00–16:00
  From March 1 to October 31: 10:00–19:00
  Christmas: closed | New Year's Day: 12:00–16:00
• Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex
  From March 15 to October 31: 10:00–19:00
  From November 1 to March 14: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10:00–17:00 | Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: 10:00–19:00 | Tuesday: closed
  From December 23 to January 6: 10:00–19:00
  Christmas: closed | July 2: 10:00–17:00 | August 16: 10:00–16:30
• Monumental Complex of the Siena Cathedral
  From January 7 to March 31: 10:30–17:30
  From April 1 to October 31: 10:00–19:00
  From November 1 to December 24: 10:30–17:30
  From December 26 to January 6: 10:00–19:00
  Please note that on holidays the Cathedral and the Piccolomini Library are open in the afternoon.
• Natural History Museum - Accademia dei Fisiocritici
  From April to October: Monday to Friday 9:00–16:30, Saturday 14:00–19:00, and Sunday 11:00–17:30
  From November to March: Monday to Friday 9:00–15:00 and Saturday 13:00–18:00
  August 15 and 16: closed

The ticket office closes and the last entry is 45 minutes before for the Civic Museum, Torre del Mangia, and Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, and 30 minutes before for the Monumental Complex of the Cathedral and the Natural History Museum. For information on other museums, we invite you to consult the official website or contact us.

We also recommend checking for any changes in hours or extraordinary closures, especially during the Palio period, by visiting the official websites.

No. Tickets that include the Torre del Mangia cannot be booked and are only available for purchase in person at the ticket office of Palazzo Pubblico or the Dear Guest Visitor Center (Via di Città, 48) on the same day of the visit. Ascents take place every 45 minutes, for a maximum of 25 people, until tickets are sold out.

Yes. About 400 steps without an elevator: the visit is strongly discouraged for those with pacemakers, heart conditions, respiratory diseases, claustrophobia, vertigo, diabetes, mobility difficulties, and for pregnant women. Access for minors under 14 is only allowed with an adult companion. Access for animals is not permitted.

Please also note that in case of bad weather, the Tower is closed.

The Torre del Mangia has about 400 steps from the level of the Campo, while the Facciatone is reached from inside the Museo dell’Opera via a narrow spiral staircase of about 130 steps.

Siena offers various green areas where you can relax. The most famous are the Orto de’ Pecci, the Orti dei Tolomei, the La Lizza gardens, and the bastions of the Medicean Fortress.

In Siena, there are several free viewpoints. We can mention: the bastions of the Medici Fortress, Piazza del Mercato, Orti dei Tolomei, Piazza Manzoni, Via di Diacceto, Vicolo degli Orbachi, Via Camporegio, and Viale XXV Aprile.

For a fee, you can also enjoy the view from the Torre del Mangia, the Loggia dei Nove, the Facciatone, the Porta del Cielo, and the altana of Palazzo delle Papesse.

Visiting the Bottini requires prior reservation, which can be made via email at ticket@comune.siena.it, by calling the numbers (+39) 0577.292614 and (+39) 0577.292615 (Monday to Friday 9:00–13:30), or online at siena.b-ticket.com.

Visits are available only during certain periods and days, entries are limited, and availability runs out quickly. Therefore, we recommend following the Facebook and Instagram pages of Visit Siena to stay updated.

There are many points of interest to visit for free. In addition to Piazza del Campo with the famous Fonte Gaia and Piazza Duomo, we recommend the Basilica of San Domenico, the Basilica of San Francesco, and the Basilica of San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi. Don't forget the Sanctuary of Santa Caterina's House (entrance by donation), Fontebranda and the other historical fountains, as well as the Medici Fortress and the Orti dei Tolomei.

Generally, the Cathedral Floor is uncovered from June 27 to July 31 and from August 18 to October 15. In 2026, on the occasion of the Year of Saint Francis, the uncovering is extended until November 15.

Museums often offer discounts or free admissions based on different categories, such as children, students, people with disabilities and their companions, licensed tour guides, and journalists registered with the professional association. It is advisable to check the official websites of the museums for more information.

Yes. The Civic Museum and the Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex have a free audio guide app in Italian, English, French, German, and Italian Sign Language, while the National Gallery is equipped with an audio guide in Italian, English, French, and Spanish. Finally, the ticket for the Monumental Complex of the Cathedral includes a free audio guide for smartphones in five languages. More information is available on the individual museums' websites.

We recommend exploring the city churches and the numerous fountains in the historic center (such as Fonte Serena), wandering through the most charming alleys (including Vicolo degli Orefici and Vicolo del Finimondo), admiring the Archi della Galluzza, strolling through the Botanical Garden, and visiting the museums of Contrada, which preserve the history and identity of Siena.

Yes, there are several villas and castles to visit in the surroundings of Siena, including Villa Brandi. We recommend visiting the Terre di Siena website to learn more.