Explore Siena’s historical highlights and iconic cathedral on a small-group walking tour of the historic center. This short but comprehensive tour is designed for curious travelers who want to maximize their limited time in this Tuscan city. As you admire Piazza San Domenico, Torre del Mangia, and other local treasures, your guide will provide illuminating commentary that takes you out of the guidebook and into medieval Tuscany.

Enjoy a small tour group size of maximum 12 people
Orient yourself to Siena for future independent exploring
Get courtesy skip-the-line admission to Siena Cathedral
Choose between a morning or afternoon start time

What's Included

Small group tour for a more personalized experience
Pre-reserved skip-the-line tickets for the Siena Cathedral
Expert local guide with insider's knowledge of Siena
2 or 3 hr walking tour at a relaxed pace depending on the options
Option to extend the tour 3 hours with the OPA SI Pass
Option to visit the Crypt and the Museum with your guide
Option to climb the unfinished façade , at your own pace

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico
Piazza S. Domenico, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
We meet at San Domenico Basilica under the big tree. Your guide will have a sign that says, "Walks In Europe."

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Siena (Pass By)

Piazza san Domenico

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Piazza del Campo

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Fonte Gaia

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Torre del Mangia

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Duomo di Siena

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Please be aware the Cathedral of Siena is an “operating” church, and it can be closed to visitors for any liturgical reason, even without warning (for the funeral of a Cardinal, for example).
Access to the Facciatone depends on weather permitting.
The floor mosaics are completely uncovered from 27th June until 31st of July, and from 18th August until 16th October. For the rest of the year, the floor will be partially covered.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

35 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 35 reviews

Inspirational!

Jeffrey_J, Apr 2024

Anna was so knowledgeable and passionate about Siena, Saint Caterina, The Duomo, and the art surrounding Siena. The optional Crypt and Museum is a must! Memories have been made! GRAZIE ANNA!!

Religion tour with a hint of history!

rabea_e, Jan 2024

Good tour in the cathedral and church We felt it was mainly religious focus with some history only , rather than the opposite, not much was given about the rich history of Siena and the renaissance period .

Very informative and relaxed walking tour.

Renee_M, Dec 2023

The Basilica Santa Maria Assunta, the story of the rivalry of the Duomo in Florence. The Sant' Antonio in San Domenico was especially wonderful to learn of the life and death of Saint Catarina.

Wonderful Walking Tour of Siena

Joan_V, Dec 2023

Wonderful walking tour of Siena highlights. Ludovica our guide was not only knowledgeable but passionate about the history, traditions and art of Siena. Would highly recommend!!

Worth it!

Kristine_N, Nov 2023

Dace was the best guide — so passionate and enthusiastic about Siena and its history. We loved our tour!

Terrible Tour Experience

Jessica_T, Nov 2023

By far the worst guided tour we experienced in 2 weeks in Italy! We were staying in Cortona, so it was an hour drive just to get to Siena. The meeting point was clear across town from where we were told to park and the directions in the link didn't help as the streets are so close together. It took us almost 30 minutes of rapid walking through steep streets just to get to the meet point which was a church that we didn't even go into. Just stood there, took a couple pictures and listened to a couple stories before heading back the way we had just come. Honestly, a waste of time and precious energy from the start. The group was small - 4 people total - but it was a Saturday in Siena so fairly crowded with cars, scooters, and pedestrians. The guide, Monika, was honestly terrible. She walked far too quickly for us to keep up, while dodging groups of people or cars, in an unfamiliar city and we often found ourselves separated and searching for her. When she had to stop and wait for us to find her, she was scowling. At stopping points, she would tell a few stories which were hard to understand as her English wasn't very good. Then she was off like a shot leaving little to no time for photos and not once did she ever ask if we had any questions before moving on. By the time we got to the Cathedral, we were honestly done with her. The cathedral is lovely but she seemed surprised that after 2+ hours of rapid walking, we wanted to sit down! The whole experience felt like we were an inconvenience to her because we couldn't keep up to HER pace, we wanted to take pictures and not just stand there and listen to her talking before moving on. Couldn't wait to leave Siena and honestly wouldn't go back again since we've now seen the Cathedral and the Palio track. Which is about all Siena had to offer as it was all she talked about anyway.

Missed the mark…

Inbey_C, Oct 2023

It was our first time visiting Siena and we wanted to get the lay of the land before we explored on our own. We were hoping our guide would have taken us through more of the quaint winding streets of Siena and pointed out historical references of the village and the residents, neighborhoods we should explore, and food to try. Our guide was very knowledgeable, however, she was very difficult to understand, so we began to lose interest in the tour. We would have preferred to spend more time touring the city & less time at the cathedrals. I still recommend this tour as we saw and heard other guides proving fascinating info to their group and it’s a good intro to the beautiful city.

Great experience

Joan_F, Oct 2023

Monica, our guide, was so knowledgeable and interesting. It was a wonderful tour and added so much to our time in Siena.

Fabuloud

Craig_A, Oct 2023

Our host was fabulous, engaging and knowledgeable. Viator was recommended to us and we were not disappointed. 5 Stars.

Good introduction to Siena for a first time visitor.

Lynne_B, Sep 2023

The Duomo was the highlight of the tour - it’s absolutely spectacular. I also really enjoyed hearing about the different neighborhoods throughout Siena and their alliances and rivalries. Our guide was knowledgeable, but not very engaging.

Delightful excursion through the heat

Ashley_M, Aug 2023

It was unique this time of year, maybe, but my husband and I had the tour & guide all to ourself! Despite the heat, we persevered through the city and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Palio and contratas. We also were able to ask about food recommendations and it felt like a private or personal tour. There were only a few occasions it was difficult to understand, but a delightful experience nonetheless.

The artwork of the church...

Joan_B, Jun 2023

The artwork of the church and the history of its construction. Our tour guide gave interesting information about the church.

Excellent guide

Marty_B, Jun 2023

The tour was well-paced and just long enough hitting all the highlights of Siena. Knowledgeable guide gave enough information without overburdening the guests with too much excess information. Brava!

Siena is the perfect size with rich history.

KatieWilson, Jun 2023

Our guide was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed all the information. Three hours was almost too long and we were tired by the end and didn’t go into the cathedral museum, which we could have with our ticket. The pace of walking was slow but Siena is very hilly.

Informational tour

Jane_W, Jun 2023

The guide was well informed and pleasant. We especially lived St. Catherine of Siena’s house and church. Could have talked while walking more instead of stopping and standing to listen.

More cathedral than city

Pieter_V, May 2023

The guidance in the cathedral was very good! But the balance between walking through the city and the visit at the church was a bit off. We would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of the city itself and the special places. More stories less facts

Stunning Siena!

Mary_S, May 2023

This was a great introduction for us to beautiful Siena. From the meeting point at the church, we wound our way to through the historic centre and beautiful streets to the magnificent Duomo. It must be amongst the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy. Later we walked down the hill to Piazza del Campo for an explanation of its history and significance as the home of the twice yearly Paleo horse race. Such great stories! Thank you Julia / Guillia 🇮🇹.

interesting siena tour

Karen_B, May 2023

enjoyed Paleo and Duomo details. if you want my feedback/ rating don't force me to write 100+ words.

Discover Sienna

Susan_N, Apr 2023

Great tour with our wonderful guide Anna who was so passionate and knowledgeable about Sienna and it’s history. A very enjoyable time.

A wonderful experience

Boyd_M, Apr 2023

Our guide was very experienced and told the story of Siena with passion and was very easy to understand.