Sienne

Siena is a medieval city in Tuscany, in central Italy. Its historic centre is known for its Gothic architecture, and for the Palio, the horse race that takes place in its central square each year. Few visitors leave without some sense of how much the city's identity is tied to that rivalry between neighbourhoods and the traditions around it.

What a visit offers

• Gothic architecture: The city's churches and civic buildings give its streets a distinctive character, with brick and stone facades that reflect its medieval past.
• The Palio: The race is the event Siena is most widely known for. Visitors who arrive around it will find the city caught up in its preparations and atmosphere.
• Walking the centre: The old town is compact and best explored on foot, with its squares, lanes and viewpoints rewarding a slow pace.

Planning your trip

Siena sits in Tuscany, so it works well as a stop among the region's other towns and countryside. Because the city is so closely linked to the Palio, the timing of your visit may shape what you see, so it is worth checking in advance what is happening when you plan to go. Whatever the season, the historic centre gives you a clear picture of a city that has kept much of its medieval form.