Siena old town contrade

Siena & San Gimignano, Italy

Siena's historic city districts, each with its own identity tied to the Palio tradition.

Places in Siena old town contrade

Osteria La Sosta di Violante Trattoria A well-loved trattoria in Siena's historic centre serving traditional Tuscan dishes.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October offer mild weather for exploring both towns and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
Getting around: Both Siena and San Gimignano have compact, walkable historic centres; a car is needed to travel between them and explore the surrounding countryside.
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Italian. English is common in tourist areas.
Timezone: CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
Current trends: Restaurants in both towns continue to lean into the Chianti region's wine tourism boom, pairing traditional Tuscan dishes with tasting menus built around local Vernaccia and Chianti wines.

Piazza del Campo, Siena — Siena's shell-shaped main square, the heart of the city and site of the Palio horse race.
San Gimignano historic centre — The walled town famous for its skyline of medieval towers.