4 Best Day Trips to Siena from Florence

Discover the magic of Siena with these tours from Florence. Art, history and wine await you on an unforgettable getaway - book your Tuscan adventure now!

4 Best Day Trips to Siena from Florence

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Siena, with its historic centre declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the wonders of Tuscany that you can visit on a day trip from Florence, along with Pisa, Chianti, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni.

1. Excursion to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni with wine tasting

Skyline of San Gimignano| ©Guzmán Lozano
Skyline of San Gimignano| ©Guzmán Lozano

On this guided day trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, you will discover Siena in depth thanks to a local guide who will take you around this beautiful monumental city, home to the famous Palio horse race. You will also have the opportunity to explore the charming medieval town of San Gimignano, halfway between Florence and Siena and known as the 'Manhattan of the Middle Ages' for its skyline of numerous tall medieval towers.

You will also enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch to recharge your batteries during your journey, paired with a tasting of local wines at a vineyard in the village of Monteriggioni. This excursion is available in several languages, including English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, among others.

What's included in this excursion

  • Day trip to Pisa, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni from Florence
  • Multilingual guide
  • Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or minivan
  • Free time

Itinerary

  • Siena, with Piazza del Campo, Duomo di Siena
  • Monteriggioni
  • San Gimignano

Book an excursion to Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni

2. Excursion to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano from Florence with optional visit to the Tower of Pisa

Strolling through Siena
Strolling through Siena

If you want to discover some of Tuscany's most iconic spots in a single day, this excursion to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano from Florence is perfect for you. You'll be able to explore three of the region's most fascinating cities, accompanied by a professional guide who will reveal all the secrets of their heritage, history and culture.

In addition to round-trip bus transport from Florence, this experience includes a guided tour of Siena Cathedral, a typical Italian lunch with local wine tasting and, if you wish, the option of adding a ticket to the Tower of Pisa to discover one of the country's most iconic monuments from the inside.

What this excursion includes

  • Full-day excursion to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano from Florence
  • Professional guide throughout the tour
  • Transport by air-conditioned coach with WiFi
  • Entrance included to visit the Duomo of Siena
  • Traditional Tuscan lunch with local wine tasting
  • Option to include admission to the Tower of Pisa (advance booking required)

Itinerary

  • Pisa, with the option to visit the Leaning Tower
  • Siena and its impressive Duomo
  • San Gimignano, one of Italy's most beautiful medieval villages
  • Lunch and wine tasting at a local Chianti winery

Book an excursion to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano from Florence

3. Private excursion to San Gimignano, Siena and Monteriggioni

Inside Siena Cathedral| ©Jianxiang Wu
Inside Siena Cathedral| ©Jianxiang Wu

For an exclusive experience in Tuscany, this private excursion to San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti from Florence allows you to explore three of the region's medieval gems at your own pace and in complete comfort. Accompanied by a private guide and picked up directly from your hotel, you can immerse yourself in the history, landscapes and cuisine of Tuscany in a personalised way.

From the legendary Piazza del Campo in Siena to the panoramic views of the Chianti vineyards or the towers of San Gimignano, each stop is designed to allow you to experience the best of Tuscany at your own pace and with full attention to your interests. Please note that the price is fixed for groups of 3 to 7 people, so the larger your group, the more you will benefit from booking this option.

What this excursion includes

  • Private excursion from Florence to San Gimignano, Siena and the Chianti region
  • Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel (if you are staying in central Florence)
  • Transport in a luxury vehicle with air conditioning and WiFi on board
  • Private guide who adapts the explanations to your interests (in English and 4 other languages)
  • Free time in each location to explore at your own pace
  • Option to add lunch and wine tasting at a local winery (not included in the price)

Itinerary

  • Siena, with a stop at the Cathedral and Piazza del Campo
  • Chianti region, with views of the vineyards and the possibility of wine tasting
  • San Gimignano, with free time to explore its towers and medieval streets

Book a private excursion to Siena from Florence

Tuscany excursion from Florence to Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano and Chianti, with lunch at a winery

Pisa| ©Marco Savastano
Pisa| ©Marco Savastano

This excursion is my favourite, as it allows you to make the most of your time in Florence by immersing yourself in Tuscany and visiting its main gems. In one day, you will visit the typical Tuscan vineyards in Chianti with a typical lunch and wine tasting of its Denomination of Origin, as well as touring San Gimignano and visiting the other two Tuscan cities of Pisa, with its famous Leaning Tower, and Siena, with a guided tour.

Pisa is a city that is really worth including in your discovery of Tuscany and which you can visit on your own with this tour. It is home to one of the most famous monuments in the world, the Leaning Tower, which is almost 56 metres high and has 294 steps that you can climb to admire unparalleled views of the architectural ensemble of the Piazza dei Miracoli, with the Cathedral and the Baptistery.

What this excursion includes

  • 12-hour excursion from Florence to Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti and Pisa
  • Round-trip transport by GT bus with air conditioning and Wi-Fi on board
  • Guide in Spanish and 3 other languages in Siena
  • Headphones during the guided tour of Siena
  • Entrance to Siena Cathedral
  • Lunch at a Chianti winery paired with 2 wines from the region

Itinerary

:

  • Siena with guided tour
  • Chianti with Tuscan lunch
  • San Gimignano
  • Pisa

Why it's worth taking a trip to Siena

Roof terrace in Siena
Roof terrace in Siena

Siena is a magical city where you can lose yourself in the narrow medieval streets of its historic centre, flanked by splendid palaces and historic shops, historic buildings and monuments, among which you cannot miss:

Piazza del Campo

This medieval square, one of the most beautiful and largest in the world, is the venue for the famous and ancient Palio di Siena horse race and is the centre of city life.

Siena Cathedral

The 14th-century Cathedral of Siena is a spectacular building, notable for its baptistery and crypt. It also offers magnificent views of the city from its viewpoint, the 'Panorama del Duomo'.

Church of San Domenico

This is the second most important church in Siena. With a sober appearance due to its brick construction, the Church of San Domenico was built in the 13th century and later remodelled in the Gothic style.

Palazzo Pubblico

Another place from which to enjoy panoramic views of Siena is from the 88-metre tower of the Palazzo Pubblico, the city's town hall and one of its most representative historic buildings, with a brick and white marble façade.

Other interesting activities in Florence

If you found this article on how to visit Siena from Florence useful, or if you are still unsure which excursion best suits your travel style, here is my guide on 10 Best Tours and Day trips from Florence. Personally, I recommend that you consider Cinque Terre or Pisa as alternative destinations to Siena. Here are the articles I have written on the subject: Day Trips to Cinque Terre from Florence and 5 Best Day Trips to Pisa from Florence.

Book an excursion to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano from Florence

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is Siena so famous?

    It is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in Italy due to its stunning architecture and the biannual horse race held in the city centre, known as the Palio, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

  • What food is typical of Siena?

    Following the standards of Tuscan cuisine, Siena's gastronomy abounds in fresh produce and local specialities. Expect to find dishes made with extra virgin olive oil, truffles, pecorino cheese, a variety of mushrooms and wild boar meat.

  • What are the places of interest in Siena?

    The Duomo of Siena is a place that surprises visitors with its exterior, its striped walls and columns, making it the first stop on any tourist itinerary. After the Duomo, Orti dei Tolomei and Campo Regio are must-see attractions, offering incredible views of the city. Finally, there is Piazza del Campo, home to the Palio.

Reviews from other travellers

4.7
· 6097 Reviews
  • S
    S.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Highly recommended: it combined history, walking, nature and a tasting that left a good taste in our mouths literally and figuratively. If I repeat Tuscany I would use a different tour to complement it.
  • B
    B.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    For those who do not drive in Italy it is a great solution. Still, having your own car would allow more free time in each village.
  • O
    O.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The guide gave us historical and cultural explanations in addition to the walk and wine, which makes the tour more than just "sightseeing".
  • H
    H.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Good tour with professional guide, good logistics. I recommend sitting at the window of the bus to enjoy the scenery.
  • C
    C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved the contrast between the medieval villages and the Chianti vineyards. It was an intense but very rewarding day.