Florence vs Siena

Stay in Florence for ease of access to the train system and buses. In Siena the train is not close to the old town. Siena is beautiful, but doesn't have as much to see. If you plan to take any side/day trips, Florence is better. Your plan to take the bus to Siena for a day is perfect.

I second Ellen. I personally could spend all 4 days in Florence but the first time I went, I covered all the biggies in one day. Base in Florence and day trip to Siena which can be done in a day easily. You can then see everything that interests you in Florence and add additional day trips if you have time. I'll be spending 5 nights there later this year with day trips to Volterra, Lucca, Pisa, etc. Just be sure to take the bus to Siena rather than the train. The bus will take you into the center of Siena while the train station requires
a bus or taxi ride into town.

Florence offers far more options in the city than Sienna, and day trips are easier. My first time in Florence, I was happily occupied through the 10 days I scheduled there... never made it to any of the day trips I planned. Same thing happened on my second stay in Florence. Finally, I scheduled those "day trips" as separate stops, figuring I'd never drag myself away from Florence to see them.

I'm doing the opposite in september. Staying in Siena 5 nights, a bus day trip to Florence for 1 day, renting a car for 2 days to explore Tuscany and not be held up to a bus schedule.

After spending a few days in each of these towns, my husband and I decided on "the next trip" we would use Siena as our base for exploration. We stayed in Siena on "the next trip" (just last month). I think it depends on your personal taste, however in our opinion, Siena is the better option. We prefer Siena to Florence and have decided that on Amy subsequent trips we will continue to use Siena as our base. Either place would be convenient, however we feel the ambiance of Siena could never be equalled by Firenze.

I think Florence is a better option. This is your first visit to either city. You can see the highlights of Siena in one day. That simply isn't true for Florence.

In my opinion, Siena outshines Florence. I know this is blasphemy to some, but when I visited Florence two years ago, I did not like it at all the museums and the art are certainly incredible, but the city itself held no appeal for me. Too noisy and dirty. Siena, for me, is the place to stay. Have a great trip regardless of where you stay.

Whichever city to stay in as home base would be wonderful and it is a hard choice. Both are interesting and pretty cities and either one will be an excellent experience. But that really does not help you decide. If you have access to You Tube you can search for both cities and there are tons of videos to watch to see what each city looks like and what there is to see and do. It may make it easier to decide if you can see what each city looks like and has to offer and then you can see what you like. Have a great trip. I like both cities, but spent a week in Florence twice and a day in Siena twice. I like that Florence is a great walking city and easy to get around and has tons to do and places to eat and it really is interesting city.

Another vote for Florence. Siena is pretty, but really can be seen in a day. Many sites to see in Florence. This is a personal choice, of course, but I went with my artist girlfriend to Siena for 8 day, and did the
Accademia, Ufuzzi, the churches, etc., in Florence, and mid-week we went to Siena and saw the famous piazza, wandered around, and while we both agreed that Siena is lovely neither of us "loved it." So many more options, piazzas, sites to see in Florence. A good point by a previous poster is, if for some reason you're not loving Florence the transportation options from there are excellent and very convenient! You can spend a day in Fiasole, Siena, and many other places by simply getting on the bus. I've been to Florence three trips, one week each time and never ever tire of it. Make sure you go up to Piazza Michelangelo at sunset and have a drink and watch the sun set on Tuscany, and don't be surprised if you see a bride or two with her photographer! Beautiful backdrop for wedding pictures!

If you cant make up your mind, stay in Poggibonsi.

Thank you all- have decided on Florence as base - bus to Siena for a day. Have done most of Tuscany hill towns before but have always bypassed these two larger cities. This will complete most of the must sees in Italy. Now to do Sardinia & Sicily and do want to visit the "Heel" and the Dolomites (If I can get hubby to drive). Boy I can see another 2-3 trips- Hurray.

Thanks for posting this and the replies as I have the same dilemma. It's funny it started out all Florence, turned to Siena for a while, but then landed back at Florence. It sounds like, to summarize: Florence - Much more to see and do. Better transportation connections. Siena - Slower pace, not as crowded. Better ambiance.

I am continually amazed at how many people post that they have seen Siena in a day trip from Florence. We have been going to Tuscany annually for 12 years, usually staying a few km outside of Siena, With our many visits each year. we have yet to see it all.

I found driving into Siena very difficult, with parking very difficult to find. The streets around the city (down the hill) are packed with apartments, and traffic is heavy. I say go into Siena by bus from Florence. We loved Volterra, and it and San Gimignano make a good day trip out of Florence by rental car.
We stayed 4 miles north of Poggibonsi, outside of Certaldo, on an agriturismo for 4 nights, and thoroughly enjoyed our time in the countryside.

I agree that Firenze is a better homebase. Easy access to trains, buses, etc. Siena is a bit removed from the station and a taxi or bus would be necessary. I just returned from Italy (almost 40 days) and LOVED my 12 days in Firenze!