Destinations – City Guide

Siena

Il Campo and the Torre del Mangia, the striped Duomo, contrada lanes and the Crete Senesi hills, Sienese tables and places to stay, in photos.

137 photos and clips

Siena and the Campo from the top of the Torre del Mangia

Lunchtime on the terraces of Piazza del Campo

The Torre del Mangia above the Palazzo Pubblico

Torre del Mangia above a sea of rooftops

Siena Cathedral in the last light of the day

The Duomo and its striped bell tower from above

The Porta del Cielo rooftop walk above Siena Cathedral

Duomo, bell tower and terracotta rooftops

Black-and-white marble columns inside the Duomo

The gilded coffered dome of the Duomo

Pinturicchio frescoes in the Piccolomini Library

Looking up from the Palazzo Pubblico courtyard

Simone Martini’s Maestà in the Museo Civico

Frescoes of the Sala del Pellegrinaio, Santa Maria della Scala

Crowds filling Piazza del Campo on Palio day

The Duomo crowning the city on its hill

Late sun on the brick houses of the old town

Rooftops tumbling down to the Tuscan hills

A warm ochre passage in the Giraffa contrada

The double-headed eagle of the Aquila contrada

Contrada flags above a brick arch at golden hour

Golden dragon lamps glowing in a Siena lane

Contrada flags and passers-by before the Palio

Long tables set for a contrada dinner

Walking home under the dragon lamps

A quiet lane with green shutters

The neighbourhood greengrocer

An afternoon walk between yellow palazzi

Early evening on a street near the Campo

The sun setting at the end of a narrow street

The weekly market under the trees

A family walk down a medieval street

A country road signposted to Siena at sunset

A lone walker on the clay hills of the Crete Senesi

The cypress-lined road of the Val d’Orcia

Sunrise mist over the hills of San Quirico d’Orcia

The Vitaleta chapel between its cypresses

Morning view across the Val d’Orcia

Cypress road to Palazzo Massaini near Pienza

A flower-lined lane in Pienza

San Biagio church below Montepulciano at dusk

A shaded archway opening onto the valley

Strolling the main street of Montepulciano

Cafe tables on a quiet street in San Quirico d’Orcia

The towers of San Gimignano above the vineyards

A quiet stone street inside Monteriggioni

The Abbey of Sant’Antimo below Montalcino

Inside the medieval fortress of Montalcino

A sunlit street in Montalcino

Taking in the hills from Montalcino

Vineyards and cypresses near Radda in Chianti

A hilltop hamlet in the Chianti hills

The thermal-water square of Bagno Vignoni

Steam rising from Bagno Vignoni’s pool at dusk

Outdoor thermal pools of Terme San Giovanni, Rapolano

A Siena sweet shop selling panforte and ricciarelli

Fresh produce on a street in the old town

A candlelit trattoria table in Siena

Bottles of Chianti Classico on a shop shelf

Brunello bottles lining a Montalcino wine shop

Wheels of pecorino in a Pienza shop window

Autumn vines at Argiano near Montalcino

Lunch with a view over the Val di Chiana

A courtyard wine bar beside the barrels

A glass of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano with a view

Hand-rolled pici with ragù at Antica Osteria Da Divo

Suckling pig with crisp crackling at Antica Osteria Da Divo

Table for two in a tufa-cut cave room at Antica Osteria Da Divo

Board of Tuscan cured meats and cheese at Antica Trattoria Botteganova

Pasta with meat sauce and red wine on a candlelit table at Antica Trattoria Botteganova

Ravioli with mushrooms and basil at Antica Trattoria Papei

Grilled meat with lemon at Antica Trattoria Papei

Prosciutto with melon at Antica Trattoria Papei

Plated meat starter with vegetables at Campo Cedro

Risotto with green asparagus at Campo Cedro

Lamb with seasonal greens at Campo Cedro

Dining room with a green wall and wine display at Casato Ristorante Wine Bar

Beef fillet with asparagus and quail egg at Casato Ristorante Wine Bar

Chocolate dessert with raspberry at Casato Ristorante Wine Bar

Tables laid beside a wall of wine bottles at Compagnia dei Vinattieri

Cannelloni with greens and beetroot leaves at Compagnia dei Vinattieri

Quail with black polenta at Compagnia dei Vinattieri

Pici with meat ragù at Enoteca I Terzi

Outdoor tables under an awning on Via dei Termini at Enoteca I Terzi

Seasonal dish with egg yolk and greens at Gallo Nero

Wine cellar dining room under a brick vault at Gallo Nero

Dining room with burgundy chairs and arched wooden screens at Il Bandierino

Bar counter with backlit bottle shelves at Il Bandierino

Roast poultry with a cherry tomato skewer at La Taverna di San Giuseppe

Fresh pasta with mushrooms and rosemary at La Taverna di San Giuseppe

Dining room under a vaulted ceiling at La Taverna di San Giuseppe

Layered vegetable dish at L’Orto & un Quarto

Plated dessert with chocolate and fruit sauce at L’Orto & un Quarto

Entrance and pavement tables of Osteria La Sosta di Violante

Painted sign of Osteria La Sosta di Violante

Steak searing over open flames at Premiata Braceria Toscana

Risotto at Ristorante Mangia, Hotel Athena

Sliced meat with potatoes and red wine at Ristorante Mangia

Vaulted dining room with a painted mural at Ristorante Mangia

Vaulted dining room at Ristorante Mugolone

Frescoed dining room with chandeliers at SaporDivino, Grand Hotel Continental

Dining room with a brick arch and staircase at Zest

Suite with a glass-walled bathroom and an antique chair at Palazzo Patrizi

Arched wooden entrance door in the brick courtyard of Palazzo Patrizi

Reception and lounge under white vaults at Palazzo Patrizi

Garden with an iron pergola and views of the Sienese hills at Palazzo Ravizza

Guest room with a painted ceiling border at Palazzo Ravizza

Library lounge with bookcases and a leather sofa at Palazzo Ravizza

Panoramic terrace restaurant above the rooftops at sunset, Hotel Athena

Room with a balcony door and a view of the old town at Hotel Athena

Breakfast with an egg on toast, orange juice and cappuccino at Hotel Athena

View over Siena rooftops to the Torre del Mangia from Hotel Duomo

Bar and breakfast room under a brick vault at Hotel Duomo

Breakfast buffet and tables at Hotel Duomo

Double room under a beamed ceiling at Torre del Fuggisole

Rooftop view towards the hills from Torre del Fuggisole

The brick facade of the sixteenth-century tower house of Torre del Fuggisole

Double room with a wrought-iron bed and a window over the rooftops at I Merli di Ada

Room with a tall window onto a medieval street at I Merli di Ada

Gothic brick palazzo facade with pointed-arch windows, I Merli di Ada

Suite with a beamed ceiling and arched windows at Hotel Palazzetto Rosso

Brick-vaulted wine-tasting cellar at Hotel Palazzetto Rosso

Painted frieze with a coat of arms beneath a wooden ceiling at Hotel Palazzetto Rosso

Breakfast terrace looking across the rooftops to the Duomo at Albergo Bernini

Panorama of Siena from the terrace of Albergo Bernini, San Domenico on the right

Basilica of San Domenico glowing at sunset, near Albergo Bernini

Siena Cathedral and the old town at dusk, seen from Hotel Alma Domus

Lounge with antique furniture and a terracotta floor at Hotel Alma Domus

Superior double room with windows onto the old town at Hotel Alma Domus

Double room with a green upholstered bed and blue curtains at Hotel Chiusarelli

Classic double room with a balcony door onto the garden at Hotel Chiusarelli

Vaulted restaurant hall with arched windows at Hotel Chiusarelli

Double room with a yellow bedspread and a work desk at Hotel Minerva

Double room with French windows and an old-town view at Hotel Minerva

Twin room with a view of the old town at Hotel Minerva

Outdoor swimming pool in the garden of Sangallo Park Hotel

Where to eat, stay and walk, with practical tips for your visit.

Read the Destinations – City Guide

Photographers and venues are credited on each image.