Hi,
If you could only choose one (as a day trip from Cortona area) would you choose Siena (1 hour away) or San Gimignano (2 hours away)?
I have been to San Gim but my travel friends have not been to either.
Thanks!
Kathy
Posted by
Chicago
9725 posts
No question for me -- Siena -- The Campo, the amazing cathedral with one of the most stunning interiors in the world including the fabulous floor (when it is uncovered it is a real treat but they always have some of the tableau uncovered), climbing the Torre Mangia, the town hall with its mural of good and bad government -- just a wonderful place.
SG is also good although small and really suffers from being overrun with day trippers much more pleasant in the evening after the buses have gone -- Siena is larger and absorbs crowds better.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7413 posts
That's truly an apples vs oranges question. A provincial capital and university city known for its architecture vs a medieval hill town. I would happily spend a day or part of a day in either, depending on what I was interested in doing on the day.
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
613 posts
Definitely Siena, I second everything janettravels44 said.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8765 posts
Crowding and availability of any cathedral or other tickets may affect your choice, especially in high season.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
2090 posts
Personally, Siena without a doubt.
Siena has interesting sights and whole city to explore. SG is pretty but IMHO is a hollowed out tourist destination because of its skyline and setting. I've spent several nights in Siena and been happy but I see SG as a couple hour tour and then going onto something else because there's nothing else to see.
The fact that Siena is closer only seals the deal. I'd probably recommend Siena even if it was the further option, but all things considered it's an easy reccomendation.
My $.02,
=Tod
Posted by
Oregon 🌲
540 posts
We spent a couple of nights in both cities in 2006. SG was overrun with tour busses and we hiked outside of the city during the day. It was wonderful in the evenings; very much a village feel.
As others have said Siena has much more to do and offer. That trip, I loved SG more, but if I returned I would go to Siena to go to sites not previously visited.
Posted by
10189 posts
San Gimi is a very small town and doesn't need much time to see, but Siena is loaded with great sites.
Both are good, recommend you friends do some research on WHAT there is to see in each city.
TripAdvisor.com under "things to do in ...."