Our group will be in Florence for three days in the middle of June 2025. We only have one day to do a tour. (We have someone for a tour) We want to see either San Gimignano or Siena. We don't want to visit both in one day. I know that we could also go to Volterra if we go to San Gimignano. We want to make the most of our time and see as much of whatever part of Italy we visit as possible on this one day. Which would be better?
Posted by
Adams Basin
595 posts
It's good that you do not want to visit both in one day. Unless Sienna was a San Gimignano clone, time would not permit.
My choice would be Sienna, even having been there multiple times. Both hilltops are worthy of a visit, but Sienna more so, in my opinion. Sienna is a place where you could easily spend several days. The more you explore it, the more you find, especially restaurant wise.
Both places (as do all hilltop towns) get a lot of tourist traffic. Sienna seems to be more able to handle it well.
I would definitely not try to do both in one day. Choose one and choose well.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4794 posts
Definitely Siena. I've been to both and didn't find SG to be that special. The Piccolomini library at the cathedral in Siena is beautiful.
Posted by
USA
330 posts
Hands down, Siena is much more interesting with more to see and do.
Posted by
Collierville, Tennessee, USA
523 posts
Definitely Siena.
Posted by
Oregon
334 posts
San Gimignano is much smaller and easily overrun with tour busses during the day. However, it is definitely dramatic. I spent 3 nights/2 days there and it was lovely after the day tourists left. We left town to hike during the day.
Siena is my vote, as it has much more to offer and can absorb many more tourists.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16479 posts
You can do both, but start with Siena first since it has much more to offer. Then if you have the time and the inclination you can stop in SG on the way back. If you want to purchase a small group tour, many hit both places. Volterra is kind of far to reach from Florence.