Please sign in to post.

Stay in Sienna or San Gimignano

Hi We will be travelling from Florence to Rome. On the way, we want to spend 1 night to Sienna or San Gimignano? Which is better? Any suggestion? Thanks JANE

Posted by
9436 posts

We liked San Gimignano way more than Siena, so I'd choose SG. It's smaller and much more quaint and charming imo.

Posted by
8371 posts

I'd say stay another night in Florence, and take a day trip. Moving hotels for one night is a hassle, and Siena is an easy 1 hr. bus trip away. San Gimignano is about 25 miles northwest of Siena, and buses also can take you there. With a rental car, you could see both towns in one day, and drive 76 miles from Siena to Orvieto which is just north of Rome.
Orvieto is a great place to spend the night before going into the "big city" on a 70 minute train ride.

Posted by
17 posts

I truly loved staying in Siena but we spent 3 nights there. I'm not sure 1 night is worth it in either location. But, if you choose to pack and unpack, I'd pick Siena. If traveling by train, take the bus to the city center at the top (easier on luggage moving) for 1 Euro. There are more things to see and do in Siena. The Duomo has great history and you can climb to the panorama view of the nave that was never finished and have an amazing view of the hills and il Campo. The Piccolini Gallery at the Duomo is beautiful and rivals the art in larger cities. If you are driving, then I'm not sure. Siena is a small gated hill town but I think there is lower parking and you ride an escalator to town. Have fun! We enjoyed both places but San Gminagno is much smaller with 1 main street. Siena definitely has a medieval feel with its steep brick streets on each curve of the mountain.

Posted by
12315 posts

I really like both places. Siena is bigger and will have more lodging choices as well as things to see and do in the evening. San Gimignano is small but may be ideal for a quiet evening after the tourists leave.