Why Siena?
Siena is a medieval city-state that's barely changed since the 14th century — its sloping fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Europe's great public squares, and the cathedral may be the country's most beautiful Gothic interior. The city is small enough to know in two weeks but rich enough to stay for years. Florence is 90 minutes by bus, Rome 3 hours by train. The catch: tourism is intense in summer (especially during the Palio horse race in July and August), and Siena is small — you'll know everyone by month two.
Neighbourhoods to know
- Centro Storico (within the walls). The medieval core — UNESCO-listed, pedestrian, with most of the cafés. Most rentals here.
- Camollia / Stalloreggi. Northern and western contrade (city districts) — residential, calmer, walkable to the centre.
- Fontebranda. Western contrada with Catherine of Siena's basilica — quieter and slightly cheaper.
- Petriccio. Outside the walls north — modern, residential, much cheaper, bus into centre.
Coworking
- CoWo Siena. Central coworking — small but reliable, English-friendly.
- Siena Tech Park. University-affiliated coworking outside the walls.
- Spazio Mens. Cultural-creative space with coworking desks.
Things to do
- Climb the Torre del Mangia for the city's best panoramic view.
- Visit the Duomo and the Piccolomini Library — the floor mosaics are unique to Siena and only fully uncovered for two months a year (August–October).
- If your stay overlaps the Palio (2 July or 16 August), watch from the centre of the Campo for free or splurge on a balcony — the horse race lasts 90 seconds and the buildup is spectacular.
- Day-trip to San Gimignano (40 min) or Pienza and Montalcino in Val d'Orcia.
Practical tip
Siena's contrada (district) culture is fierce — there are 17 contrade and locals are born into one for life. Ask polite questions; don't pretend to be "of" any contrada you weren't born into.
Cost figures are estimates as of 2026 and vary by neighbourhood and season. Always cross-check current rents on Idealista and Immobiliare.it.