Created by The Telegraph Updated On: Ekim 16, 2012
Tuscany’s second city rivals Florence for Renaissance palazzi and art treasures – go now to enjoy its balmy autumn and fewer visitors, says Tim Jepson http://bit.ly/XjfAVh.
The Telegraph: Special treat: Siena’s only five-star hotel (Via Banchi di Sopra 85; 0039 577 56011) has rooms with remarkable frescoese. Doubles from £171. Read a full review http://bit.ly/ycb79b.
The Telegraph: Mid-range: Palazzo Ravizza (0039 577 280462; palazzoravizza.it) is an easy walk from various sights. Front-facing rooms are larger, but the rear, garden-view rooms are more romantic. Doubles from £73.
The Telegraph: On a budget: The Tre Donzelle (Vicolo Donzelle, off Via Cecco Angiolieri; 0039 577 280358; tredonzelle.com) is basic, but its prices, and position seconds from the Campo.
The Telegraph: Have an aperitif on the Campo. All the bars offer the same beautiful prospect, but locals favour Bar Il Palio (Piazza del Campo 47; 0039 577 282055).
The Telegraph: It’s tempting to head to the Campo for a cappuccino. Resist: you’ll be back there soon enough. Instead, make for Piazza Salimbeni, at the northern end of Banchi di Sopra, Siena’s main artery.
The Telegraph: Visit the Museo dell’Opera, full of treasures from the cathedral, including the immense Maestà (1311) masterpiece of Duccio, Siena’s greatest painter.
The Telegraph: Piazza del Campo is Europe’s finest medieval square and is the scene of the Palio horse race, Italy’s most dramatic historical spectacle.
The Telegraph: Osteria Le Logge (giannibrunelli.it; closed Sunday; mains from £11.30), with creative takes on Tuscan classics. Booking is recommended. Specify the main dining room and don’t accept tables upstairs.
The Telegraph: The Palazzo Pubblico has been Siena’s town hall for more than 600 years. Part of it houses the Museo Civico (archivio.comune.siena.it; £6.50) which has two of Italy’s most significant paintings.
The Telegraph: If you want to dress up for dinner, try Tre Cristi (Vicolo di Provenzano 1-7; 0039 577 280608; trecristi.com; closed Sunday; pastas from £9.70)
The Telegraph: Make for Antica Osteria da Divo ( 0039 577 286054; mains from £16; closed Tuesday), part of which occupies caves from the ancient Etruscan era.
The Telegraph: The Pinacoteca Nazionale (0039 577 281161; pinacoteca nazionale.siena.it; £3.20), an exhaustive collection of Sienese paintings from the 12th century onwards.
The Telegraph: The Santa Maria Scala (0039 577 534571; santamariadellascala.com; £4.80) is a vast art-filled building which, until 1995, was Siena’s main hospital for 800 years.