What is a must in Siena????

Mardi - As you enter Siena and walk down towards the main Piazza I believe you'll understand Immediately that it is all there - right in front of you - A wonderful layout with shops, vendors, performers, great outside cafes , where you can have lunch and watch the people go by. It really is a special Hilltown. have Fun - that's an order !!! lol

Greg

mardi,

See the campo where the palio is run.
Palazzo Pubblico, town hall, has Sienese art including Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Good and bad Government.
Climb the Torre di Mangia for a breath taking view of the city.

The duomo is has a great exterior and is filled with works by Donatello, Bernini, Michelangelo, and Pisano as well as containing the Libreria Piccolomini. Even the floor is covered in art.
The bapistry and crypt are beneath the Duomo.
Spedale di Santa Marie delle scalla is a 1000 year old hospital that has huge works of art.
The archaeological museum under the hospital.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

The above is only part of what you can see in two of the piazza. There is much more.

The Campo is amazing! Be sure to see the Duomo and baptistery.

Definitely the duomo - really spectacular. The city hall good/bad government murals are really great, especially in person (reproductions don't do them justice).

mardi,

Visiting Il Campo is definitely a good idea! There are lots of small Gelato shops, restaurants and other interesting places in the side streets leading to that.

The Duomo is another great place to visit. It's incredibly beautiful inside! BE SURE to observe the dress code though. On my last visit there, I watched as some young Europeans wearing sleeveless T-shirts were fitted with "paper tablecloths" with a hole for the head before being allowed inside. Those in their group that were attired properly were teasing them mercilessly!

Near the entrance to the Duomo, there's a tower which provides a great view of the city. The Baptistery is around the corner in the lower level of the Duomo. There's also the 13th century Church of San Domenico, which is also very interesting.

There's lots to see in Siena!

Happy travels!

I agree with the others, but make time to just wander the back lanes. There's something incredibly picturesque around every turn. And try to make it to the Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi (I think that's the place I'm thinking of) in the late afternoon; there's an absolutely breathtaking view from the grounds there back to the Duomo. The Duomo looks magnificent in the setting sun!

The Duomo is very, very beautiful. However, it is also quite pricey to visit. If I remember correctly it was 25 Euro.

The main campo with some gelato is a must and the Duomo! We loved it. It wasn't very expensive this last May, I think it was 6 euros per person. No flash photography allowed inside.

thanks to all who respond...your ideas are really appreciated!!!! mardi

Hi Mardi, sitting in Piazza del Campo as the sun sets and the light changes - that's one of the great Europe travel experiences! If you're planning to go up the Torre del Mangia for the views, it's best to do it as early in the morning as possible as the queues can be very long (only 25 people are allowed up at one time.) It opens at 10 am. If you're an art history buff, don't miss the Crypt if you're going to the Duomo ... the frescos in the Crypt were discovered only in 1999 and they still have an air of mystery and freshness. Wander around the side streets and taste the Sienese specialities like panforte and ricciarelli (a soft almond cookie). If you're interested in the palio and the history and traditions of the contrade that make up the beating heart of Siena, I think it's possible to write to the contrada museums to arrange a visit, or contact the Siena tourist office a couple of weeks before you arrive.

Agree completely with Penny. The Duomo, Piazza del Campo, etc are fabulous. But I truly felt the "magic" of Siena by 1) wandering the back alleys, and 2) going out to Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi (I think that's the name) in late afternoon - the view from there back to the Duomo as the sun starts going down is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen - the quality of the light is just magical.