ATTRACTIONS
Where are the main points of interest in the city? 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 here: + link brochure section
Where can I buy tickets for the museums? Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of individual museums 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, tickets can also be purchased at the Dear Guest Visitor Center on Via di Città, 48 (with a pre-sale fee).
Is there a “card” to visit all the museums? There is no single city card. There are cumulative tickets for the municipal museums (Civic Museum + Santa Maria della Scala; with or without 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 (+ link https://museocivico.comune.siena.it/organizza-la-tua-visita) and the Monumental Complex of the Cathedral of Siena (+ link https://operaduomo.siena.it/visita/)
Which churches are free and which are paid? All churches are free to enter, except for the Cathedral of Siena and the Oratory of San Bernardino. The Cathedral remains accessible to the faithful during religious celebrations.
How long are the tickets valid?
OPA SI PASS and Porta del Cielo ticket: 3 consecutive days from issuance (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.
What are the museum hours?
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: 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: 12:00-16:00
Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex From March 15 to October 31: 10:00–19:00 From November 1 - 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 Cathedral of Siena 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 sites.
Is the Torre del Mangia bookable? No. Tickets that include the Torre del Mangia cannot be booked and are purchased exclusively in person at the ticket office of Palazzo Pubblico or the Dear Guest Visitor Center (Via di Città, 48) on the day of the visit. Ascents occur every 45 minutes, for a maximum of 25 people, until tickets are sold out.
Are there limitations for climbing the Tower? Yes. About 400 steps without an elevator: the visit is strongly discouraged for those with pacemakers, heart conditions, respiratory diseases, claustrophobia, vertigo, diabetes, motor difficulties, and pregnant women. Access for minors under 14 is allowed only with an adult. Access for animals is not permitted.
We also remind you that in case of bad weather, the Tower is closed.
How many steps does the Tower and the Facciatone have? The Torre del Mangia has about 400 steps from the level of the Campo, while the Facciatone is reached from inside the Museum of the Opera via a narrow spiral staircase of about 130 steps (verify number)
What parks are there in Siena? 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 Fortezza Medicea.
Which viewpoints are free and which are paid? There are several free viewpoints in Siena. We can mention: the bastions of the Fortezza Medicea, 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 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.
How can I visit the Bottini? The visit to the Bottini is by mandatory reservation to be made by 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. We therefore recommend following the Facebook and Instagram pages of Visit Siena to stay updated.
What can I visit for free in the city? 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 Casa di Santa Caterina (entrance by free donation), Fontebranda and the other historical fountains, as well as the Fortezza Medicea and the Orti dei Tolomei.
When is the Cathedral Floor uncovered? 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.
What are the discounts and free admissions in the various museums? Often, museums offer discounts or free admissions depending on different categories, for example, children, students, people with disabilities and their companions, tour guides with badges, and journalists registered in the Register. It is advisable to consult the official websites of the museums for more information.
Is there an audio guide available inside the museums? 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 has 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 museum websites.
I have already visited the main attractions: what are the unusual places? We recommend exploring the city churches and the numerous fountains in the historic center (such as Fonte Serena), venturing into the most picturesque alleys (including Vicolo degli Orefici and Vicolo del Finimondo), admiring the Arches of Galluzza, strolling in the Botanical Garden, and visiting the Contrada museums, guardians of Siena's history and identity.
Are there visitable castles near Siena? Yes, there are several villas and castles that can be visited in the surroundings of Siena, including Villa Brandi. We recommend visiting the Terre di Siena website to learn more.
