So, you find yourself with just one day in the enchanting city of Siena, where medieval charm meets gelato dreams. One day seems too short for this magical city, but only if you don't do/see the right things. Granted, I do wish I had more time, but with the trip I was on, one day was all we had. Check out my guide below to help you savor every moment of your short but sweet affair with this Tuscan gem.
Morning Glory:
Arriving early by train allows for optimal time to see all that Siena has to offer. Drop your bags and head to a local cafe to slam some espresso and maybe get a sweet treat to fuel you for the day. The churches weren’t at the top of my list to go into, but they are stunning to walk by. The Piazza del Duomo is a great place to start to bask in the grandiose sites of the church, the stairs, and great people watching! Always buy your tickets ahead of time!
Then, take a stroll (under 10 min) over to the historical landmark Fontebranda. The streets of Siena are narrow and windy which makes it a journey in itself.
Lunch Vibes:
We ended up stopping at a place on a whim for a quick bite, but ended up having quite a long leisurely lunch. Located on beautiful narrow street, Taverna de Cecco had superb service, great wines, and the best pork scallopine I’ve ever had. We drank, we befriended our fellow diners, and really had ourselves a lunch. At the end of the meal the waiter slaps a bottle of Limoncello on the table with shot glasses and doesn’t remove it until you leave. I won’t tell you how long we stayed, but we still talk about that lunch to this day.
Afternoon Exploring:
After your mid-day meal, head over to Piazza del Campo, the beating heart of Siena. Here you can really create your own journey. For the explorers, climb the watch tower to see Siena from above. For the leisurely, grab a bottle of wine and sit in the square or sit at a cafe sipping on espresso/wine and people watch, the Piazza del Campo is your oyster.
**if you don’t get lunch before going to the Piazza del Campo, head to Pizzicheria De Miccoli for freshly sliced Italian meat sandwiches and a personal sized bottle of Chianti! Just being inside the tiny shop will make your mouth water immediately.
Dinner in a Cave:
Because why not? Antica Osteria Da Divo creates a memorable dining experience from the moment you step foot in the door. There are 3 levels, the lower you go, the dimmer it gets and the more you feel as though you have teleported back in time. Not only it is an experience, the food is beautiful and delicious. Anything with truffle was a hit at our table, in particular, the black truffle risotto with aged Parmesan cheese – WOW.
Late night:
Stroll the streets, grab some gelato, and enjoy a beautiful night in the dreamy city. Behind every turn of each narrow street is a journey in it’s own way – you never know what you will find. Be sure to savor every moment as a day in Siena is like a love affair – intense, fleeting, and oh-so-memorable!
