My husband and I will be traveling from Cinque Terre (actually from La Spezia) by car. We are spending the night in Volterra but I wanted to make a short stop in San Gimignano. However, I have been looking at some gorgeous pics of Siena and am trouble deciding if we should stop in Siena instead of San Gimignano. Just wanted to get opinions from those of you who have spend time in both places. We will be driving to Orvieto the following day so this would be our only day to see either of these towns. Thanks.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Want not try both. We did. You can do San Gimignano in about 90 minutes. Of course you could stay longer but you can see most of the hilltown in 90 minutes. Then, drive to Siena for about 4 hours. Again, you can always spend more time but you do get to see both towns.
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
If you can only see one of those towns, I'd opt for Siena; but it's strictly a slight personal preference; I really like both places. But, could you visit San Gimignano en route to Volterra and then visit Siena en route to Orvieto the following day? If this would compromise a lot of your time in Orvieto though, then I wouldn't bother because I love Orvieto and think there are a lot of interesting things to do there. San Gimignano is closer to Volterra whereas if you visit Siena, you'd probably have to back-track a little bit to get to Volterra at the end of the day. San Gimignano is a neat little town too so if you decide on it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
15 posts
I would like time to see Volterra also so I wasn't sure if we would be able to fit in both Siena and San Gimignano on the same day. I also considered stopping in Siena on the way to Orvieto -- we will be staying there two nights but I wanted us to do the Crete Drive through Tuscany and stop at some towns there as well. If San G is only about a 90 minute stop perhaps we would be able to do all three in one day.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon, USA
959 posts
Siena.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Deb, San Gimignano is only 19 miles from Volterra, and Siena 30 miles from San Gimignano. It's easy to do both in a day. Are you spending the nite in Siena? This would then give you the next day to do the Hill Towns on the way to Orvieto.
All of these towns have their own unique charms, to be so close and not stop??
Posted by
OP
Chicago
15 posts
I was thinking that we wouldn't have time to see Siena, San G and Volterra in a day but if it's possible to do all three in a day that would be great. We are spending the night in Volterra. Does anyone have any parking lot suggestions in Siena? I read on Slow Travel that a good lot for parking is Il Campo but I can't locate this on a map.
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
Deb, I don't think you can see Volterra, Siena and San Gimignano all in one day & do each of them justice. It would be way too hectic. I recommend only visiting Volterra and San Gimignano & leave Siena for another trip (unless you can see it on your way to Orvieto as I originally suggested). You'll want to spend most of your day in Volterra as there's a lot to see there (be sure to see the Etruscan artifacts at the Archaeological Museum if you have time). I would then visit San Gimignano in the afternoon (around 2 or 3:00) & walk around for a few hours & then head back to Volterra for the night since you're spending the night there. The reason I'm suggesting San Gimignano over Siena is that it's closer to Volterra and won't take as much time to see as Siena. I don't think you could realistically visit both Siena and Volterra in the same day and do either of them justice. So, save Siena for another trip (it will serve as a good excuse to return to Italy!!). Have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
15 posts
That's what I was originally thinking, that San Gimignano along with Volterra would be too much for one day. I am going to think about adding Siena on the way to Orvieto as you suggested. Thanks