Tours/Siena/Siena Private Walking Tour: Traditions, Streets & Cathedral
Viator · Private tour

Siena Private Walking Tour: Traditions, Streets & Cathedral

4.5(81)Siena1 hour
VIATOR4.5(61)TRIPADVISOR4.8(20)

Description

Explore Siena on a private walking tour with an expert local guide and discover the city beyond the main tourist routes. Walk through the historic center, step into the city’s unique contrada neighborhoods, and learn about their traditions, identity, and centuries-old rivalries. Enjoy a guided visit inside Siena Cathedral (Duomo) with skip-the-line entry, and experience the city’s everyday life, artisan corners, hidden streets, and local food culture along the way. - Private walking tour of Siena with an expert local guide. - Historic center and Siena’s iconic contrada neighborhoods. - Skip-the-line entry and guided visit inside Siena Cathedral (Duomo) - Local food traditions, artisan culture, and hidden streets. - Choose a 2-hour intro tour or upgrade to the 3-hour extended tour. -Available in English, German, and French language options.

Tour Options

Private 2-Hour Tour in English
  • Duration: 2 hours Intro Tour of Duomo: Choose this option for an introductory private Duomo tour in English.
Private 3-Hour Tour in German
  • Duration: 3 hours 3 Hour Extended Tour in GER: Choose this option for a 3-hour extended tour in German, including the OPA SI Pass.
Private 3-Hour Tour in English
  • Duration: 3 hours 3 Hour Extended Tour in EN: Choose this option for a 3-hour extended tour in English, including the OPA SI Pass.
Private 3-Hour Tour in French
  • Duration: 3 hours 3-hour Extended Tour in FR: Choose this option for a 3-hour extended tour in French, including the OPA SI Pass.

Itinerary

Pass by

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.

20 min

Meet your expert guide 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!

15 min

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.

15 min

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.

20 min

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.

Admission included45 min

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.

Admission included60 min

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.

Highlights

Private tour for a more personalized experience
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
2 or 3 hr walking tour at a relaxed pace depending on the option chosen

What's included

Included
Private tour for a more personalized experience
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
2 or 3 hr walking tour at a relaxed pace depending on the option chosen
Not included
Transport to the meeting point

Traveller Ratings

4.5
81 reviews
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62
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9
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2
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Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.
  • Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

Reviews(81)

A
Allan_B
June 16, 2025
Enrich your stay at Siena

Susanne was excellent! Gave the right amount of information on the history, culture, traditions and of course food in the region. A gentle pace walking around some of the amazing streets in this living museum city. The Duomo certainly stands out Definitely enriched our stay.

1 people found this helpful
M
Marie_G
June 1, 2025
Great value for money tour

This tour was very informative, we learnt a lot about the town history, culture and current lifestyle. Our guide was amazing, she was attentive and didn’t rush through or make us feel rushed.

L
leonievL5644LN
May 31, 2025
Inspirational!!!!

Our guide gave us a tour we will not soon forget! She was very inspirational and told us on a very pleasant way the history of Siena! The little alley, the story of the neighbourhood, the curch....everything!!! We feel really lucky that we had such a lovely guide! I strongly recommand this guide tour!!

D
Dania_L
May 12, 2025
Very knowledgeable tour...

Very knowledgeable tour guide Explained what we saw in detail and followed itinerary explained under tour activity.

S
Stephen_O
May 9, 2025
Excellent tour, cannot recommend highly enough.

Julia is a mediaeval art historian, and a very enthusiastic and passionate local. She was a superb guide able to pass on so much detailed information about Siena, its architecture and history, and we had her all to ourselves for the 3 hour tour. Sending positive vibrations for her contrade for the Palio.

J
johnlK9039OS
April 11, 2025
Amazing tour!

It was awesome and super informative. Me and my wife loved every second of our tour of Siena. My wife lived in Siena and even learned more on our tour upon her return to Siena. Worth the time and the money

T
Troy_R
April 9, 2025
Ludovica was an...

Ludovica was an incredible guide with extensive knowledge and a very friendly persona. The small size of our group (only 5) made it very easy to talk, listen, and see the amazing sites of Siena. Highly recommend this for anyone with a short time in Siena wanting to take a deep dive. The history behind the stunningly beautiful duomo is fascinating!

N
Nick_R
February 10, 2025
Siena on foot

This was very informative and our guide was exceptional. We visited all the major sites and learned about the architecture of the city.

C
Clay_P
January 4, 2025
Great Tour!

Great guide informing the history of the city and religious significance, would recommend getting the crypt and baptism pass for future guests.

R
R4276HAfrancescor
November 26, 2024
To do

Better if in small groups but the visit with explanations and clarifications makes the city of Siena unforgettable for the treasures it has everywhere

4 people found this helpful

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