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Siena Castle & palace tours

Our most recommended Siena Castle & palace tours

Siena: Palazzo Pubblico Entry Ticket

1. Siena: Palazzo Pubblico Entry Ticket

Enter the Palazzo Pubblico of Siena and visit the Civic Museum with this entry ticket. Located inside the Palazzo Pubblico, the Civic Museum is a 13th-century building home to impressive wall-to-wall fresco paintings. Explore the museum to learn about the history of Siena and see precious artifacts. Exchange your voucher for an entry ticket at the ticket office and begin your visit in the Sala del Risorgimento. This room hosts fresco paintings that depict the life of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy. Walkthrough the Sala di Balìa and see wall paintings from the 15th-century by Spinello Aretino and Martino di Bartolomeo. Also, see the Sala dei Cardinali where precious carved coffers keep reliquaries. Move forward to the Sala del Concistoro, famous for its Beccafumi vault, and see Taddeo di Bartolo's 15th-century Cappella. Continue on to the Sala del Mappamondo, the widest room of the Palazzo Pubblico and used as the meeting place of the General Council. See the famous Maestà, a Gothic masterpiece painted by Simone Martini. The museum entry ticket also includes a visit to the 14th-century gallery, Loggia dei Nove, which offers a beautiful view of the landscape behind Palazzo Pubblico.

Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, & Monteriggioni Day Tour

2. Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, & Monteriggioni Day Tour

Explore the heart of beautiful Tuscany on a full-day tour of the towns of San Gimignano and Siena, then discover the bucolic wine region of Chianti. Depart from Florence by an air-conditioned bus to your first stop, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano. Discover one of the most splendid examples of an Italian medieval town. Distinguished by its famous towering skyline, San Gimignano stands along the Via Francigena on the hills of the Upper Val D’Elsa. Get acquainted with the Tuscan environment with the town’s Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine, saffron, and Santa Fina pottery. Enjoy some free time to stroll through the town on your own and see its beautiful squares, architecture, churches, and side streets. Afterward, head out to a unique location in the Chianti countryside to enjoy a wine tasting. Once you hop off the bus, be guided around a splendid winery. Get introduced to the estate's fascinating history and background. Head inside the cellars to learn the secrets of Chianti winemaking together with the local host. Then enjoy a delicious wine tasting of Chianti Classico. Continue to Siena for a guided tour of its enchanting architectural styles, including the Cathedral (exterior only) and Palazzo Comunale (Municipal Building, exterior only) in Piazza del Campo. The famous shell-shaped square provides the stage for the thrilling Palio horse race, run twice every summer.

From Siena: Chianti Wine Tour with Lunch

3. From Siena: Chianti Wine Tour with Lunch

Explore the Chianti region and its famous wine on this day tour from Siena. Join your local tour guide on a scenic drive through the Chianti landscape and get an up-close look at the picturesque vineyards. Learn about the history of these lands contested between the Republics of Siena and Florence and marvel at the castles and fortifications. After departing Siena, take in the olive groves and vineyards in the clearings of the forest, the farmhouses dotting the landscape, and visit a couple of hilltop towns to walk the cobblestone streets and browse the shops of local crafts and products. Visit a Chianti winery to learn about the local Chianti wine and how Baron Bettino Ricasoli invented the formula behind this world-renowned wine, known for its distinctive taste and easy drinkability. Tour the cellars and taste the wine with its producer to hear the passion behind the process from vine to bottle. Sit down for a traditional Tuscan lunch with wine. In the afternoon, visit another wine estate to meet the local producer, tour the old cellars and learn about the traditions of the Chianti folk while savoring great Chianti Classico and other local red wines.

Siena 2-Hour Walking Tour & Skip-the-Line Duomo Tickets

4. Siena 2-Hour Walking Tour & Skip-the-Line Duomo Tickets

Discover the beauty of Siena during a 2-hour walking tour, one of the world's most well-preserved medieval cities. Walk the narrow cobblestone streets and marvel at the architecture. Visit the Basilica di San Domenico and learn more about St Catherine, patron of Italy. Learn about the grand history of this proud Republic and discover the traditional Palio, a spectacular festival that features a wild bare-back horse race around Piazza del Campo, the city's central square. Learn about the Contrade or city neighborhoods and how they wait all year to participate in this fundamental race. Visit Siena's historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to marvel at the magnificent architecture of Palazzo Salimbeni, today the world's oldest Bank, attesting to the wealth and trade of its glorious past. See Palazzo Tolomei, an imposing private Gothic building and the main square with its monuments and fountain. Discover the culinary traditions of the town and finally walk to one of the most spectacular cathedrals in Italy, the Duomo of Siena.  Your English-speaking local tour guide will escort you inside the Siena Cathedral to visit the chapels and to see the impressive masterpieces by Donatello, Michelangelo, and other artists, an unforgettably rich building of centuries of art and devotion.

From Florence: Tuscany Day Trip with a Private Chauffeur

5. From Florence: Tuscany Day Trip with a Private Chauffeur

Spend a day exploring the Tuscan countryside on a chauffeur-driven tour. Immerse yourself in Tuscan culture as you visit Siena's main attractions, explore an ancient hilltop town and discover one of Italy's most beloved wine regions. Your day begins with a hotel pickup to take you to the first stop on your sightseeing excursion, Siena. This historical city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its Palio, the bareback horse race that takes around its main piazza. Visit the three must-see attractions in Siena, the Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, and the iconic Cathedral, one of the few examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Head back to your car and continue your tour of Tuscany with a drive to the walled hilltop town of San Gimignano. Dubbed the Town of Fine Towers, San is renowned for preserving more than a dozen medieval towers. Wander through this ancient city, explore the alleys and see the Piazza del Duomo and the seven towers that surround this town square. End your day of sightseeing with a visit to the Chianti wine region. Marvel at the unforgettable landscapes with its rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves.

Antinori Winery & Brolio's Castle: Private Tour

6. Antinori Winery & Brolio's Castle: Private Tour

Start your day at the office of the local partner, perfectly positioned in the city center. You will meet your personal driver with an exclusive car and your local private guide as well as wine expert. Leaving the city center, the first stop of your visit to Chianti will be Antinori's cellar in Bargino, a wonderfully innovative winery located in the green Chianti hills. Inside the cellar you can taste different types of wine, listening to stories and anecdotes about the Antinori family told by the guide who will accompany you on this wonderful journey. After this visit, you will have lunch in a typical Tuscan restaurant "La Cantinetta di Rignana", halfway between the Antinori vineyard and Brolio's Castle. Here you can taste local salami, cheeses, Tuscan crostini, extra virgin olive oil, pasta or meat dishes, accompanied by wines and local products. Ending the lunch, you can enjoy some free time inside the restaurant, which is also a farmhouse. The last stop of the visit will be the Castle of Brolio and the Barone Ricasoli vineyard. Here, you will privately visit the castle and the vineyard, discovering the cellars and the finest quality wines, tasting most of the local production, tasting every single glass, accompanied by the guide's explanation. When you're ready, you will return to Florence in your exclusive car.

Chianti: Private Tour & Wine Tasting at Castle-Wineries

7. Chianti: Private Tour & Wine Tasting at Castle-Wineries

Explore three of the most ancient and emblematic castles in the heart of Chianti Classico, which also serve as wineries. Visit beautiful estates erected centuries ago and taste a wide variety of prestigious wines. Feast on a gourmet lunch fit for a king as part of this tasting adventure. Enjoy an experience of traveling back in time to three Tuscan castles. Visit one of the best-known and most admired wineries in the region and worldwide. You'll also experience a winery which operates inside the walls of a medieval fortified village, as well as a third picturesque vineyard and castle.

From Livorno: Siena and San Gimignano Guided Day Trip

8. From Livorno: Siena and San Gimignano Guided Day Trip

This Tuscany private tour has been carefully designed to optimise your time in Siena and San Gimignano, including private transfers to and from the port. You’ll be amazed by how much you can experience in the course of a single day, discovering the rich history of these spectacular towns at a pace that suits you. San Gimignano is one of the prettiest towns in Tuscany - a charming walled medieval town perched on top of a hill, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. You’ll have plenty of time to explore San Gimignano on your cruise excursion, wandering through the narrow alleyways and getting a taste of local life in its piazzas. On your visit to the church of the Collegiata, you’ll see some striking 12th century frescoes, including Taddeo di Bartolo’s Last Judgement - a terrifying vision of hell. Your expert guide will also show you other works by Tuscan artists, such as The Creation of the World by Bartolo di Fredi, and the Life of Santa Fina by the Renaissance painter Ghirlandaio, enriching your appreciation of the art by explaining their historical context and pointing out intriguing details you might otherwise miss. A walk through the historic town centre takes us to the ancient fortress of San Gimignano, known as the Rocca. Your private tour of San Gimignano will end with a climb up the tower, admiring the spectacular views of the town and the beyond. Our next stop is the medieval city of Siena. where you’ll explore the atmospheric back streets and grand piazzas of Siena, you’ll learn all about the city’s rich history, and understand why it’s been enchanting its visitors for centuries. The most famous of Siena’s squares is the magnificent Piazza del Campo. You’ll stroll through the piazza, admiring its architecture while learning about the politics and commerce of the medieval city with your personal guide. From Piazza del Campo, it’s a short walk to another famous square in Siena, the Piazza del Duomo. The piazza is dominated by the imposing 13th century cathedral, which has a striking facade of black and white marble. On your visit to Siena you’ll learn all about the history, myths and legends of this remarkable place, and discover why black and white are the traditional colours of the city. The Duomo of Siena has an astonishing array of masterpieces, from a statue by the young Michelangelo to a bronze sculpture of St John the Baptist by Donatello. You’ll also see works by Bernini, and various masterpieces of medieval and Renaissance art. The vibrant frescoes of the Piccolomini Library are a highlight, with a ceiling to rival the Sistine Chapel. Your journey to Siena will end with a short walk to the Basilica of San Domenico, which sits on top of the hill. where you’ll enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside - the perfect end to a memorable day in Tuscany.

Frequently asked questions about Siena

What are the best day trips and excursions from Siena?

The best day trips and excursions from Siena are:

San Gimignano

Other Sightseeing Options in Siena

Want to discover all there is to do in Siena? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Siena

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 160 reviews

Thanks Daniel for taking our small group on this tour. We loved all the medieval towns and the winery. The tour information was perfect! Please do not include the lunch, it was not worth it. Rather walk into the less touristy areas and enjoy fresh Italian food. The restaurant we visited served old tomato on dry bread, tasteless pasta. We left before dessert. Unfortunately this sometimes happens at restaurants close to Famous landmarks.

The best tour we take in Italy. It was a complete experience, beyond expectations and fantastic value. Our guide delighted us with his knowledge and showed us scenic views that we couldn't see if we had decided to go for ourselves. I also recommend you add the lunch at Siena; you will receive a delicious 3-step meal.

A very gratifying experience for a first contact with Tuscany, a small group and a very professional guide.

Very good price quality. Only in the wine tasting has there been a lack of translation into Spanish

Really easy to get ticket at venue, with GYG pass.