The streets are very tiny and there are no visible and clear signs in the streets of Siena. It is very easy to get lost in the city center.
Unique Suggestions: It is better to walk in Siena than renting a car. Or if you rent a car, make sure to rent the smallest car like the "api" or smart car.
Written Nov 12, 2011
It is not a trap as such but if you a lover of souvenirs like me don't think that you will find lots of shops of stalls where you can buy cos the only three shops I found were near the Palio and around 4 stalls always in the same Piazza Del Campo and believe me they are not cheap, but I don't give a damn cos I'm going every day there so I will take a piece of Siena with me.
And also do not miss the hand painted ceramic plates, they are quite expensive but worth it. I bought also panforte but nothing special.
Written Mar 6, 2007
Skip it. It's the tackiest thing I've seen in Europe. Juliet's balcony area is full of graffiti and gum. Yuck! There is very little history here but lots of stoes like United colors of Benenton and other chain stores. Don't go. Shop at your own mall!
Unique Suggestions: Skip the tacky balcony and the mall area. Have a long nice meal in one of many lovely restaurants.
Fun Alternatives: Siena for sure!
Written Jun 12, 2005
This is Siena's famous clock tower. You can pay a fee, stand in line and climb up this narrow tower with about 100 other people. Or not. We did not.
This activity reminded me of all the tourists waiting to climb up the Statue of Liberty in New York. We took a pass on that one, too. I'm not too fond of paying money to stand in line, only to spend the next hour trudging up a narrow flight of stairs with hundreds of other like-minded tourists.
Unique Suggestions: There is another place to get a good view of Siena, and there are no crowds. Climb up to the archway over the Via Del Castoro, accessible through the Museo della'Opa, near the Duomo Nuovo.
Updated Mar 31, 2005
I had read that this was a sweet Sienese delicacy. What a disappointment. It is not really a cake but some concoction of nuts, candied fruits and honey that we found a bit dry and lacking in real flavor. If you like a lot of fruitcake you might like it, but who likes fruitcake?
Fun Alternatives: There are lots of places in Siena where you can get fresh breads and pastries. They are much better!
Written Jan 18, 2005
We did eat a couple of times on the Campo and I don't remember any names of restaurants - that tells it. Rick Steves says "even with higher prices, lousy service and lower quality food" you should consider eating here for the ambience. I suggest you have a snack, beer or coffee or whatever, to enjoy the atmosphere which is wonderful. Or pick up a picnic and sit on the square. The only meal I would call lousy was a lunch of pizza on the Campo. There are too many other good choices in Siena for good food.
Written Jan 18, 2005
Don't bother shopping in the little stores on the piazza for souveniers.. The prices are outrageously high and they're always far too crowded.
Unique Suggestions: If you've gotta buy something in the Campo, at least make sure that you can't find it anywhere else!
Fun Alternatives: Head around the corner and go up Via di Citta in either direction. The prices are lower and quality tends to be better!
Written Feb 24, 2003
If you take an hotel in the centre of Siena, pay attention with roads closed to car traffic. In fact, you can arrive at your hotel to leave your bags but you can't drive into it... so, if you need your car not far from you, I suggest to choose an hotel near the centre. By the way, Siena is quite small to visit by foot...
Written Aug 25, 2002
The ice cream, or gelato, in Italy is unbelievable. It's a little softer than the American version and the array of colors and flavors will trap you into going back for seconds and thirds and fourths and . . .
Written Sep 12, 2002
This is a peaceful city: no real tourist traps here!
Written Sep 7, 2002
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Reviews and photos of Siena attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Siena sightseeing.

This is a peaceful city: no real tourist traps here!
34 members live in Siena
Q: Where is the best place to rent a car in Siena? We are staying in a B and B near San Francesco Church and know that AutoEurope...

A: Googlemaps will show you where 'Viale Europa, Siena' is (quite some way from the historical centre). I can't recommend any particular hire company but would suggest...
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I've got some interesting experiences in Siena. I'd love to share with you the 44 tips I've written, the 51 photos uploaded, and 1 travelogue I've created.
2
Siena: a good place to learn Italian :-)

So this was my “entry” into famed Toscana. I don’t like the Toscana very much, especially because of the hype people create around it. It is as if many non Italians reduce Italy to Toscana only and......
3

The very first view I had at the town of Siena was indeed spectacular. I came to town around 7:00PM and have parked my car next to the huge fortress of Medici, opposite to which, on the next hilltop,...
4

Siena deserves to be one of the top tourist attractions in Tuscany. Even filled to the brim with tour groups it is still enchanting. Surely no one can fail to be captivated by the wonderful Piazza del...
5

The rivalry between Tuscany's two major cities - Florence and Siena - is anything but legendary. Rivals since the Middle Ages, Florence was identified with the pro-pope Guelphs while Siena sided with...
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