Shutterbugs will want to stop in Piazza del Mercato to capture the sweeping view from this former market square over the Sienese hills outside of town. Join a walking tour of the historic center to take in piazza’s 19th-century market loggia (known locally as the “tartarugone”, or turtle) and the scenic overlook, as well as nearby highlights like Piazza del Campo and Fontana Gaia, Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia, and Duomo. Siena’s historic center is quite compact and best explored on foot, and the town is a popular stop on Chianti day trips from Florence and Rome. Tours of Siena are often paired with stops in Pisa or the hilltowns of San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, and Castellina.
Piazza del Mercato is in the historic center of Siena, just behind the main Piazza del Campo and a quick walk from other city highlights like the Duomo and the Basilica of San Domenico.
The highlight of Piazza del Mercato is its beautiful view over the Sienese hills, so visit in early morning or late afternoon or the best light for photographs.
Just on the other side of Palazzo Pubblico from Piazza del Mercato, the vast expanse of Piazza del Campo is home to the Palio di Siena, one of the most famous and rowdy historical festivals in Italy. The highlight is a bareback horse race held in the square each year on July 2 and again on August 16 when horses and riders representing 10 of the 17 contrade, or historical town districts, race through the packed square.