Sienna

I would certainly give yourself at least two nights in Siena - it's a beautiful city with plenty of lanes to wander down, beautiful churches both small and large, and fantastic food! If you haven't chosen a place to stay yet, I would recommend Alma Domus. It's run by a religious order of nuns and is very reasonably priced. Ask for a room with a view and you won't be disappointed!

We arrived in Siena before noon one day and stayed two nights. We couldn't leave until 5 pm the last day. So, we found two nights to be too long for us and would have preferred one night with two full days. If we could have left in morning on last day or arrived later on first day - then two nights would have been just right. Figure two full days with one night or two nights with one full day between. Be sure to visit the Cathedral and accompanying museum with viewpoint/baptistery/crypt. OUTSTANDING! You can skip St. Catherine of Siena sites if you are not a fan of the Saint. Moderately priced restaurant is Trattoria Papei. It's located directly behind the Civic-Tower building on Il Campo. Next to the town hall is a street called Giovanni. Take this street down behind the town hall. turn left down a ramp. You will be able to find trattoria papei near the "flea market." Food is good, casual, and friendly.

Piccolo Etruria is a good Inn for those on a budget. No breakfast included, but there is a pastry shop a couple of doors down. There are a couple of places where you can buy fruit as well. Grocery store close to piazza matteoti. Bottega - Simply Market near Cathedral as well. Just keep your eyes open when strolling around and buy yourself some food (as needed) whenever you find a place. Siena can be a bit confusing to walk around at first. So, if you see something to buy - then buy it. You may have trouble finding it again later. That includes GELATO!

I think two nights would be good. That would give you one full day depending on when you make your train on to Rome. Its always nice to have a break between two big cities to just soak up the Italian life.

Two nights. There's an interesting museum across from the Duomo, used to be a hospital. Perhaps you'll be there when one of the contrade is decorated with banners and flags.

We love Siena and just returned for another two days & nights in September. Read about the history of the city & the palio before you go.

There's an agricultural shop, Consorzio Agrario Siena – The Agricultural Consortium of Siena, on one of the main lanes, Via Banchi di Sopra, almost across from the Piazza Salimbeni statue that has tremendously good pizza. Walk into the shop, head towards the front glass windows, and take a number. Pizza is ready & purchased by weight. We picked up a couple of pieces on both days for our lunches, trying different ingredients each day and they were only approx. 4E for the two pieces.

I stayed only one night and wished my stay had been longer! Hotel Piccolo Etruria was OK, excellent location but otherwise nothing special.

Unless I were there around the Palio (July 2 or Aug 16), I wouldn't spend two nights in Siena. You can see everything in less than a day.

Oh, please stay two nights. It's a very Italian city and you can just watch the people and be entertained. There's a daily open market, a fun cathedral, the head of St. Theresa, a hundred Renaissance buildings, and many little surprises around every corner. Very walkable town as well. The Campo is the best public space in the world and I've seen many of them. You may like Sienna better than Rome, although Florence tops them both in my book. Have fun, Scott.

The head belongs to poor St. Catherine. Two nights is plenty. Personally, I could do Siena on a day trip, but I LOVE Florence. That's just my opinion.

I only live about 10 miles from Donna, but we are the opposite. Love Siena. Would spend 2 nights in Siena.

It depends on when you get there and how hardy you are. Siena is NOT flat like Rome and Florence. Get your best hiking boots on. Siena is a hill town, like you've Not seen before, one steep hill after the other, like being on a gigantic walking roller coaster, where walking down the hill is just as trying as walking up. And there's No relief. I mean, at the bottom of the hill you are just faced with another hill, and there's No place to go but up and up and up.

You don't really walk Siena, you climb Siena. If you like being a human roller coaster, you should stay as long as possible. Me, i lasted one day, and hi-tailed it back to Florence.

I am smiling at the recent posts. For years I had an internal struggle over which city I loved more. They are different! Siena is more medieval and hilly, Florence is more Renaissance and flat. I visit both as often as I can, still can't make up my mind, but Siena is worth a couple of nights to me.

Sites: civic Hall Tower Climb; attend daily mass during the week in the Cathedral. It's at 10 am and very short. You get nearly exclusive access to the Cathedral ( no lights, though). You sit inside the beautiful side chapel with a Duccio Madonna Icon and two Bernini statues. It's an absolutely beautiful side chapel and gets lit-up. It has a beautiful domed ceiling. it's truly a "back door" experience. The friendly Italians will point out the artwork to you. If you don't understand a Catholic service, then it is polite to remain seated and respectful during the service. No worries. St. Catherine's body is in Rome near the Pantheon (Sopra Di Minerva). Her head and fingers are in Siena.

As expected, some excellent advice by the Rick Steves' faithful! Thanks everyone.

I typically prefer smaller towns over the large cities, but last trip I stayed in Florence and took a day trip to Sienna and was happy to return to Florence. I did like it, but didn't fall in love. That said, it is definitely a lovely town with lots of restaurants, shopping and streets to wander around, but I would not go out of my way to return. There are other towns or villages that have an ambience that I prefer, but I am glad I went.