We will be traveling in Italy in October, planning time in Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, and Rome. We have two nights that we can spend between our time in Florence and Rome. I am trying to decide between Siena and Orvieto. Any thoughts on which we should choose? We are hoping that these two days will be a time to relax and unwind a bit between the two cities.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
People here like both places.
These are the previous discussions of Siena
click here
These are the previous discussions of Orvieto
click here
Posted by
Vicenza, Italy
319 posts
Both are really nice towns to relax in. It would be hard to choose. I would pick Siena. We booked a wine tour through our hotel once we arrived and it was one of my favorite Italy adventures. I don't know what company it was with; it was a spur of the moment adventure. Oh I also am a sucker of weird saint's relics, so I would go back to Siena for a post card with St. Cathrine's shrunken head on it.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Jill,
That's a really tough question! Both places are awesome.
Maybe you could spend one night in each?
Good luck with your decision!
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
We visited and really liked both. Maybe a night in each? If I had to pick one, it would probably be Sienna. It's bigger and probably better for two nights.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
I'm going to respectfully disagree with Ken and Brad. Pick one or the other. You specifically said you want to relax and unwind, and that's hard to do when changing locations after just one night.
We stayed 2 nights in Orvieto and barely fit everything in that we wanted to see. I haven't been to Siena, so can't offer an opinion there, but we thought Orvieto was wonderful.
Posted by
Athens, Georgia
65 posts
We've been to both towns and thoroughly enjoyed them both. Orvieto is probably a little less crowded than Siena but equally lovely. I think my husband liked Orvieto a little better and we plan on returning. If you decide on Orvieto have dinner at La Polomba. One of our favorite meals. Liked it so much we went again the following nite.
Posted by
Florence
362 posts
Been both places several times - and I would have to vote Siena :)
Posted by
Victor, NY, USA
62 posts
I love both -- but I would vote for Orvieto if I had to choose only one. It's a perfect place to just wander and escape the city -- and the Orvieto duomo is spectacular.
Posted by
wichita, ks
34 posts
We just did both in April. Orvieto was less crowded and had more of the small hill town feel. The church was beautiful and there were a lot of little shops that we liked. We stayed at Hotel Valentina B&B and it was pretty nice.
In Siena we had a horrible time parking, which probably got us off on the wrong foot. But I really wanted to see the piazza and duomo which was absolutely beautiful.
We would probably do Orvieto again.
Posted by
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
If you can snag that apartment at La Magnolia in Orvieto, I'd definitely say Orvieto.
Siena or Orvieto, what a choice! Both are fantastic.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Flip a coin. You're a winner either way.
Posted by
La Jolla, CA, USA
39 posts
I loved both. Orvieto is on the way to/from Rome/Florence and is worth at least a stop for a few hours - maybe a glass of wine, lunch, and some shopping. A local hotel would hold your luggage for a few euros. We stopped on our way from Rome to Florence and wished we had planned more time, but Siena is probably bigger and offers more for a 2-night stay. Ideally, I'd do a night in each.