The highlights of Siena

Siena, Florence's eternal rival

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Siena is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Italy. Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Smaller and quieter than its famous neighbor, Siena can be visited comfortably in one to two days. From Corsica, reach Siena via the Cors'Express ferry to Livorno, then by train to Florence (1h30), then a connection to Siena (1h). Alternatively, from Genoa, Siena can be reached in 3.5 hours by train with a connection. To plan your stay, consult the Tuscany Tourism Office — Terres de Sienne.

The essentials to visit in Siena

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La Piazza del Campo

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Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Its concave shell shape, paved with red bricks divided into nine radiating sections, is unique in the world. Twice a year (July 2 and August 16), it hosts the Palio di Siena, a bareback horse race, one of the most spectacular events in Italy.

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The Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia

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The Palazzo Pubblico houses the Museo Civico and its exceptional medieval frescoes, including the famous Allegory of Good and Bad Government (14th century). The Torre del Mangia, adjacent to the palace and culminating at 102 meters, rewards the climb with a 360° view of the red roofs of Siena and the Tuscan countryside.

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The Duomo and the Santa Maria della Scala complex

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Siena Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Its facade of polychrome white, green and red marble is sumptuous. The Opa Si Pass allows access to the entire complex (cathedral, crypt, baptistery, Opera museum) at an attractive price. Opposite, the Santa Maria della Scala — a former medieval hospital, one of the oldest in Europe — is now a vast and remarkable cultural space.

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Excursions from Siena

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San Gimignano, Val d'Orcia and Florence

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San Gimignano, with its 14 medieval towers, is 40 km to the west. La Val d'Orcia (UNESCO), along with Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano, can be reached by car from the south. From Siena you can also easily reach florence in an hour and a half by train to enjoy artistic Tuscany. For accommodation, compare on Booking.com Siena.

How to get from Livorno to Siena?

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Once arrived at the port of Livorno with Cors'Express, reaching Siena and its famous Piazza del Campo is very easy. Here are the two main options based on your traveller profile.

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Option 1: Rent a car to admire the landscapes

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It is the ideal choice for crossing the Tuscan hills at your own pace.

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• Logistics: You will find international rental agencies in the immediate vicinity of the port or in the city center of Livorno.
• Itinerary: Take the road SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno then branch off to the SR2. The trip is spectacular.
• Travel time: Environ 1h30 on the road.
• Advantages: You can take a detour to San Gimignano or explore the vineyards of Chianti before arriving in Siena.

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Option 2: The train, economical and responsible

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Perfect for pedestrian travelers who want to enjoy the trip without worrying about parking in Siena (often complex in the historic center).

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• Logistics: Join the station of Livorno Centrale in 10 minutes (taxi or bus from the port).
• Journey: Regular connections connect Livorno to Siena (usually with a quick change in Empoli).
• Travel time: Environ 1:45am to 2:00am according to correspondence.
• Advantages: A stress-free solution that drops you off at Siena station, connected to the historic center by a series of modern escalators.

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