Your One-Stop Guide to Visit the Siena Cathedral | Location, Timings, Tips & More
A church constructed over centuries with a beautiful facade, stunning interiors, and a collection of rare artworks and artifacts, the Siena Cathedral stands proud as a cultural landmark of Siena. Here you will learn all you need to know to plan a hassle-free visit to this iconic church.
Siena Cathedral | Visitor Information at a Glance
- What are the Siena Cathedral's opening hours?
- The opening hours of the Siena Cathedral are from 10 AM to 7 PM. However, closing timings change depending on the time of the year. Get detailed information on opening hours.
- Where is the Siena Cathedral located?
The Siena Cathedral is located in Piazza del Duomo in Siena, Italy. - How many entrances does the Siena Cathedral have?
The Siena Cathedral has three main doors in the front through which visitors can enter.
What are the Siena Cathedral Opening Hours?
The cathedral is open every day. However, timings differ, depending on the time of year, religious celebrations, and public holidays.
26 December to 6 January: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
On Sundays and public holidays: 1:30 AM– 5:30 PM
Last Entry: Last entry to the Siena Cathedral is 30 minutes before the closing time.
Visit Duration: It takes visitors typically 1 to 2 hours to explore the Siena Cathedral.
Know MoreWhat’s the Best Time to Visit the Siena Cathedral?
The Siena Cathedral sees a large number of visitors every day, throughout the year. This number increases during the peak season. The peak tourist season which is between April to October is, therefore, best avoided.
However, there are reasons to visit during this time as well. Between late June and early July and between the months of August and October, the cathedral's beautiful marble floor, which is covered for most of the year, is unveiled for the public to see.
The cathedral is least crowded in the early mornings. You can expect lesser crowds in the late afternoon. In terms of the days of the week, weekdays are preferred to weekends as that is when the cathedral sees the most visitors.
Where is the Siena Cathedral Located
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
The Siena Cathedral is located in the historic center of Siena, Italy, and can be found in the Piazza del Duomo. The Piazza del Duomo is a 4-minute walk away from the famous Piazza del Campo, a popular public space.
How to Get to the Siena Cathedral
By Public Transport
- By Train: The closest train station to the Siena Cathedral is Siena FS, which is located about 15 minutes away by foot. If you are reaching the venue from the station by bus, it will take approximately 5 minutes.
- By Bus: Buses to the cathedral are frequent. The closest bus stops are Angolo Via Delle Terme and Piazza Postierla. However, many buses stop directly in front of the cathedral as well.
- By Taxi: Taxis can be availed in Siena. You can hail a taxi from Piazza Carlo Rosselli taxi station for drivers who speak fluent English, French, German, and Spanish.
By Car
Bear in mind that you cannot directly access the Siena Cathedral directly by car, since it is situated in the historic center of Siena. Therefore, it is advisable to exit at Siena Ovest or Siena Sud and park your vehicle.
Here are the following parking spaces you can use in Siena -
Book Tickets to Siena Cathedral
Know Before You Go
The Siena Cathedral in Siena, Italy has only one entrance for visitors to enter through. The entrance through its main doors in the front of the church in front of the Piazza del Duomo.
The entrance to the Piccolomini Library is located inside the nave of the cathedral. Attractions such as the cathedral's museum, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Oratory of San Bernardino are located within the cathedral complex and have their own entrances.
- Archive and Library: There is a historical archive within the cathedral complex that is open to the public. It preserves historical documents related to the cathedral's history and construction. There is also a library that focuses on the works of art in the cathedral and a photo library as well that visitors can enter during its opening hours.
- Audio Guides: Audio guides can be availed for a fee.
- Guided Tours: Guided Tours of the Siena Cathedral can be booked directly at the ticket office.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: The Siena Cathedral is wheelchair accessible, with a dedicated ramp situated on the left side of the building. However, areas like the museum, the crypt, and the baptistery are not wheelchair accessible.
Free Entry: Disabled people and their companions are allowed to enter the cathedral for free.
Currently, there are no restaurants places within the cathedral complex. However, here are some eateries near the cathedral that you can try:
- Osteria da Divo: A medieval-style Tuscan restaurant that serves sophisticated regional dishes and wines located just 2 minutes away. serving delicious pasta and meat dishes.
- La Taverna del Capitano: Enjoy Florentine steaks in this tavern-like hole in the wall that's a 2 minute's walk from the cathedral.
- Osteria Permalico: Wine and dine in the cozy ambiance of this traditional restaurant situated 4 minutes from the cathedral.
- Ristorante San Desiderio: Fancy dining on Tuscan dishes in a former church? then swing by Ristorante San Desiderio located2 minutes away by foot.
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside the cathedral, except for water in a transparent bottle.
- Photography is allowed, but flash and the usage of tripods must be avoided.
- Try avoiding touching the artwork and artifacts while within the cathedral.
- Avoid smoking within the cathedral premises.
- Visitors cannot be intoxicated or under the influence.
- Access to the Gate of Heaven in the upper gallery requires the purchase of a separate ticket.
- Residents born in the Municipality of Siena can enter the cathedral for free.
- Disabled people can also enter the cathedral for free.
Budget Hotels:
Mid-Level Hotels:
Luxury Hotels:
- Piazza del Campo: Noted as one of the most well-designed medieval public squares in Italy, the Piazza del Campo attracts many visitors throughout the year as a popular gathering point.
- Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena: Visit this museum in Siena, a renowned institution in Italy, to view artworks of the greatest Sienese artists from the 13th to 17th centuries.
- Fonte Gaia: Relax by the calm waters of this 14th-century fountain and admire its wall reliefs and embedded niche sculptures.
- Palazzo Pubblico & Civic Museum: This gothic building has served as the seat of government for around 700 years. You may also visit the museum inside that contains amazing frescos of Sienese life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral is open to visitors. However, entry to the cathedral is restricted to those with an entry ticket.
Tickets can be purchased online or can be bought on-site at the ticket office. Purchasing tickets online is advised.
No, visitors must purchase admission tickets to enter the cathedral, although there are some discounts available for disabled people, residents born in Siena, and certain other groups.
The Siena Cathedral is an iconic architectural masterpiece that showcases an exceptional Gothic and Romanesque-styled facade and impressive interiors. Visitors can also marvel at stunning sculptures, artifacts, frescos, and intricate mosaics created by Sienese artists.
The price for an entry ticket is €9.50 per person. However, add-ons such as audio guides and guided tours, and access to the other parts of the cathedral complex will be charged as extra.
The Siena Cathedral is located in the heart of Siena, Italy, a city in the Tuscany region.
The Siena Cathedral's opening hours vary depending on the time of year. However, the opening timings are between 10 AM and 10:30, and closing timings are anywhere between 5:30 PM and 7 PM.
The best time to visit is during the off-season, from November to March when there are fewer crowds and shorter lines.
Yes, children are welcome to visit the Siena Cathedral.
The Siena Cathedral is accessible to visitors with disabilities. However, parts of the cathedral complex such as the museum, the crypt, and the baptistery are not wheelchair accessible.
No, food and drink are not available inside the cathedral, but there are several Tuscan restaurants and cafes nearby.
A typical visit to the Siena Cathedral takes around 1-2 hours, depending on how much time you want to spend admiring the architecture and artwork.
Absolutely! The Siena Cathedral is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in Sienese art, history, or architecture.
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