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Siena Guided Tour with Cathedral and Optional Crypt & Museum
4.5
59 Ratings
Siena
Join our small group walking tour in Siena to explore the Cathedral, discover hidden treasures, and learn about the history of the famous Palio horse race. Book now!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Siena - On a guided walking tour, discover Siena, its famous monuments, and hidden treasures. Enjoy skip-the-line tickets to head in faster and start exploring more quickly. Catch quiet moments in tucked-away squares and cobbled streets as you explore the medieval neighborhoods. Enhance your experience with an extended visit to the Cathedral Complex, Crypt, and Museum. - Piazza san Domenico - Meet your expert guide and small group tour to walk the streets of Siena. Start exploring the medieval history of Siena and then walk the winding path that offers a beautiful of the Duomo and Torre del Mangia from afar. Stop here for a hot second for a lingering first glance of Siena! - Piazza del Campo - Discover how this seashell-shaped square (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most squares beautiful in Italy) was the result of an enlightened 14th century government. Siena is a city with deeply-rooted traditions, none more notable than its Palio horse race which for centuries has divided the city into neighborhoods known as “contrade.” Learn about the contrade, which become like independent towns that challenge each other twice a year during the Palio! Walk through one of the most typical contrada and be immersed in the authenticity of the atmosphere in Siena. The city’s past was glorious, particularly during the Middle Ages, and your guide will explain how even the local pastry reflects its prosperity during that era. Ask your guide where to find the best local bakery that still uses centuries-old recipes to make typical Ricciarelli or Panforte. - Fonte Gaia - See the magnificent Fonte Gaia fountain which adorns the higher part of Piazza del Campo. Take a break as to admire the sides of the piazza which are decorated with reliefs representing The Creation of Adam and The Flight from the Garden of Eden. - Torre del Mangia - Admire the striking tower standing tall in the middle of Piazza del Campo. Listen as your guide explains the medieval politics of Siena which explain why its tower was built at the same height as the cathedral. - Duomo di Siena - Our pre-booked tickets make entering the stunning Cathedral a breeze, and our small groups or private tours offer each of our guests a more personalized, intimate experience. Skip the line to enter the cathedral with pre-booked tickets. Inside, you’ll see the magnificent marble mosaic inlay floor and astonishing decorations by famous Tuscan artists. Discover the medieval masterpieces by Duccio and Pisano, and the cathedral’s renowned stained glass. Inside are several other unmissable Renaissance highlights: Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini sculptures, and frescoes by Pinturicchio in the Libreria Piccolomini. Here is where Raphael, then a novice painter, took his first steps towards eternal fame. - Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana - Enhance your experience with the extended tour if you want a more profound knowledge of the cathedral’s complex. After a tour inside the Duomo with your knowledgeable guide, continue your adventure at the enchanting Crypt, a true medieval gem. Marvel at the frescoes illustrating biblical episodes that had remained hidden for five hundred years, making the Crypt an authentic time capsule. Admire the vibrant colors, the level of detail, and the beauty of mural paintings. Once outside, you’ll discover the intriguing tale of the unfinished Duomo Nuovo, a visionary project intended to build the largest medieval cathedral in Europe. Visit the Museo dell’Opera and marvel at the original cathedral sculptures by Donatello and Giovanni Pisano, as well as the original stained glass window by Duccio di Buonisegna.
What's Included
- 2 or 3 hr walking tour at a relaxed pace depending on the options
- Pre-reserved skip-the-line tickets for the Siena Cathedral
- Option to climb the unfinished façade, at your own pace
- Option to visit the Crypt and the Museum with your guide
- Expert local guide with insider’s knowledge of Siena
- Option to extend the tour 3 hours with the OPA SI Pass
- Small group tour for a more personalized experience
Additional Information
•Discover the highlights of Siena on a walking tour and enjoy skip-the-line tickets for the Cathedral Complex.
•Enhance your experience with an extended tour of the Cathedral Complex, Crypt, and the Museum.
•Explore medieval Siena on a guided walking tour and learn about the history behind the famous Palio horse race.
•In a small group, marvel at the architectural highlights that dot Siena’s skyline, including the renowned Duomo.
- 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.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
Location
Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico
Piazza San Domenico
We meet at San Domenico Basilica under the big tree. Your guide will have a sign that says, "Walks In Europe."
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(59 Ratings)
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Delores_h
Jul 6, 2024
Excellent! - My guide was fantastic! She was very knowledgeable, she answered my questions, joked around a bit. I would happily go on another tour with her!
Review provided by Viator
Marc
Jul 2, 2024
Visit Siena with Valentina - Very friendly and very interesting guide. Very available and flexible. Great visit. Very informative. Recommended 👍👍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debsterbaby
Jun 25, 2024
Fantastic walling tour!! - Laura was fantastic! She was super enthusiastic about the tour and modified it upon request to allow me to see an artwork I was really interested in. Very knowledgeable!! Very persanable! Loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oscarhp2022
Jun 14, 2024
Siena in two hours, fantastic! - Really good and thorough tour of Siena with a very knowledgeable tour guide. Anna was super nice and made sure we left with a great impression of the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Racham08
Jun 6, 2024
Great tour of Siena - Just us & another couple on the tour, really informative & was well over 3 hours. Would recommend. Tour guide was very knowledgeable
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ernest_h
Jun 4, 2024
Siena Bella - Monica was an excellent guide with a vast knowledge of Siena. If you visit Siena and really want to learn the unique culture, book this tour. Such a beautiful city!
Review provided by Viator
Garymichael_b
Jun 1, 2024
Great tour! - The walking tour was outstanding! Our guide Ludy was amazing, she knew the history and culture of Siena. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Biglighty
Jul 31, 2024
Tour focused on the Cathedral - Our guide Monica was very knowledgeable but more informative than entertaining. The main focus of the tour is the Cathedral and would have liked to have found out more of the secular history of the city. Also I was disappointed we didn't go into the baptistry. If you are into the Cathedral and it's art then this is the tour for you, Monica was able to explain a lot of the detail we would have missed. For a broader city tour maybe look elsewhere
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Derek_l
Jul 31, 2024
Tour focused on the Cathedral and it's art - Our guide Monica was very knowledgeable but more informative than entertaining. The main focus of the tour is the Cathedral and would have liked to have found out more of the secular history of the city. Also I was disappointed we didn't go into the baptistry. If you are into the Cathedral and it's art then this is the tour for you, Monica was able to explain a lot of the detail we would have missed. For a broader city tour maybe look elsewhere.
Review provided by Viator
Lorraine_c
Jun 4, 2024
Frustrating - Unfortunately, I relied on Google maps to help me find the starting point and it sent me around in circles. I managed to find your tours in Florence and Bologna without any problems , but Siena beat me.I tried waiting at various main attractions to catch the tour but I couldn’t identify your guide. I also tied to make contact but no response.
Review provided by Viator
