Visiting Siena with a Group: Itinerary, Transport and Tips

Siena is among the most beautiful medieval cities in Italy: Piazza del Campo, the Cathedral with its black-and-white marble inlays, the National Picture Gallery, the city districts (contrade). But organizing a visit to Siena with a group isn't trivial: the historic centre is entirely pedestrian, coach parking is far away, and without a precise plan you can lose half an hour just finding where to stop.

Here's the complete guide to visiting Siena as a group, by NCC bus, as efficiently as possible.

What to see in Siena with a group

Piazza del Campo

The heart of Siena, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe. Shell-shaped, it opens onto the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia. Twice a year (July 2 and August 16) it hosts the Palio — Italy's most famous horse race between the city districts.

Siena Cathedral

A masterpiece of Italian Gothic. The inlaid marble floor is one of Europe's rarest treasures: 56 panels depicting biblical scenes. Inside: the Piccolomini Library, the Chapel of St. John, Donatello's statue of St. John the Baptist.

National Picture Gallery

The collection of Sienese painting from the 12th to the 17th century. Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini, the Lorenzetti brothers. Essential for anyone who loves medieval art.

Baptistery of San Giovanni

Behind the Cathedral, accessible via a staircase. The 15th-century baptismal font, the work of Donatello, Ghiberti and Jacopo della Quercia, is one of the masterpieces of Renaissance sculpture.

Enoteca Italiana — Fortezza Medicea

For trips with tastings: the Medici fortress hosts the Enoteca Italiana with labels from all over Italy. An original way to round off the visit.

Recommended itinerary for a day in Siena

How to reach Siena with a group bus

Siena has a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) covering almost the entire centre. Tour coaches CANNOT enter the historic centre — they must stop in the perimeter car parks. The main ones:

• Il Campo car park (Viale Toselli) — the most convenient for the centre, 5 minutes' walk from Piazza del Campo
• San Francesco car park — near the Basilica of San Francesco and the Picture Gallery
• Porta Romana car park — south side, good for those arriving from Rome/the A1 motorway

With an NCC bus the driver already knows these car parks and independently handles the logistics. The group gets off, visits the city and finds the coach again at the agreed time.

Siena + San Gimignano in the same day: is it possible?

Absolutely. The distance between Siena and San Gimignano is about 38 km, 45 minutes by bus through the Val d'Elsa. A classic combination for full-day group trips:

• Morning in Siena (Cathedral, Piazza del Campo)
• Lunch in San Gimignano or on the way
• Afternoon in San Gimignano (towers, Vernaccia, medieval centre)