Three Self-Guided Walks Through Siena
Three self-guided walks through Siena
Siena is a city for walking, and nothing else gets you far, since the old centre is closed to ordinary traffic. The three routes below run from short to long. All of them involve slopes, so read the terrain notes first.
Terrain and shoes
Siena spreads over three ridges, and the lanes between them climb at gradients that reach 18 to 20 percent in places. Kerbs are high and the stone is slippery after rain. Wear shoes with real grip. Most standard wheelchairs cannot manage the centre without motorised help. The walled centre is a camera-monitored traffic zone, so leave any car outside and use the free escalators. From the station, 62 metres below the walls, a free mechanised ascent reaches the Porta Camollia end only, so expect a further walk to the Campo.
Walk one: the contrada trail (about 1 hour)
Siena has seventeen contrade, each with its own territory, colours and emblem. Their borders are marked by plaques and carvings on street corners, so the walk is a treasure hunt through Dragon, Goose, Porcupine and Tortoise territory. Look for contrada fountains, where babies are christened each spring: the Dragon in Piazza Matteotti, the Goose at Fontebranda, the Porcupine on Via Camollia and the Tortoise in Piazza Postierla. Do not wear a rival neighbourhood’s neckerchief.
Walk two: the three districts (about 3.5 hours, 4 km)
This is the classic circuit, linking Siena’s three terzi: Citta in the south-west, Camollia in the north and San Martino in the south-east.
Begin in the Campo, whose brick fan is divided into nine segments, and pass the Fonte Gaia, where the carvings are copies of the originals. Climb the Costarella dei Barbieri to Via di Citta, passing the curved front of Palazzo Chigi-Saracini, and continue to the Duomo square. Walk down the stone steps to the baptistery, then follow Via dei Pellegrini under the arches into Banchi di Sopra. Palazzo Tolomei, a Gothic house, stands on the way. At Piazza Salimbeni, Monte dei Paschi, founded in 1472 and still operating as a bank, has its headquarters. Finish with a stroll down Via della Sapienza to San Domenico, which looks across the valley to the cathedral.
Add museum stops and you may need most of a day. Duomo and civic museum tickets are sold separately: Duomo tickets and hours
Walk three: the pilgrim road (about 2 hours)
Siena stood on the Via Francigena, the road from Canterbury to Rome. Enter by Porta Camollia, whose Latin inscription says that Siena opens her heart to you wider than the gate. Follow Via Camollia and Banchi di Sopra, skirt the Campo, pass Santa Maria dei Servi and leave through the large Porta Romana.
Guided or alone
Local guides run walking tours in English. Compare group size, language and what a ticket includes, because Duomo and museum entry is normally extra. The Bottini tunnels need their own booking: Bottini visit details
Walking tips
- Walk early or late in summer, and carry water.
- Pickpockets work crowded squares, so keep a zip on your bag.
- Plan the steepest legs for the morning.
Read more: sightseeing , solo activities and a two-day itinerary .
Walking tours to compare: Compare tours on GetYourGuide