Visit historic Siena
Siena gathers around Piazza del Campo like a theatre built from brick. Lanes drop into the shell-shaped square, the Torre del Mangia holds the skyline, and neighbourhood emblems hint at rivalries that still animate the city. Begin in the Campo, then climb into the cathedral complex and wander without forcing a straight route. Marble floors, civic frescoes and the contrade reveal a city whose medieval institutions remain part of present identity rather than museum scenery. Allow a full day, or stay overnight for quieter streets. The steep, uneven lanes make secure shoes essential and can limit wheelchair access; confirm step-free routes and attraction access individually. Cathedral passes and the Gate of Heaven have separate prices and timed availability, while Palio periods require much earlier planning. Count this complete when you have explored the Campo, entered at least one major historic interior and spent time in the streets between them. Siena is not simply a prettier alternative to Florence; it tells its own tightly woven story of art, neighbourhood and public life.