Florence Siena Day Trip with Family
Siena is one of the great medieval cities of Italy and makes an excellent day trip from Florence with children. The city centre is compact, walkable, and packed with stories that bring history to life.
The famous Piazza del Campo, the striped Cathedral, and the narrow neighbourhood streets all offer something to capture a child’s attention. A single day is enough to see the highlights without exhausting anyone.
Day trip to Siena with family
Siena sits about 75 km south of Florence. It is one of the most visited cities in Tuscany, but the sheer size of its historic centre means it rarely feels as crowded as Florence.
The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is largely car-free, which makes walking with children or a pushchair straightforward. The streets are hilly and cobbled in places, so sturdy footwear is essential.
Children aged 5 and up tend to engage well with Siena’s history, particularly the stories of the Palio horse race and the city’s seventeen contrade (neighbourhoods). Teenagers often find the political and social history genuinely interesting.
How to get there from Florence
The fastest option is the SITA bus, which runs directly from Florence to Siena without stops. Buses depart from Via Santa Caterina da Siena, near Florence Santa Maria Novella station. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Tickets cost around 8 euros per adult one way. Children under 10 typically travel at half price.
By train, the journey is slower and requires a change at Empoli. The total travel time is about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The SITA bus is almost always the better choice for families.
By car, the journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes via the Superstrada Firenze-Siena, which is a free dual carriageway. Parking in Siena is outside the historic walls. The main paid car parks are at Il Campo, Santa Caterina, and San Francesco. Prices range from 1.50 to 2 euros per hour.
Leave Florence by 8:30 to arrive before the day heats up and the tour groups arrive.
Piazza del Campo with children
Piazza del Campo is one of the most remarkable public spaces in Europe. Its shell shape and gentle slope are unique, and children naturally gravitate toward the open space.
The piazza is the setting for the Palio, a bareback horse race held twice a year, on 2 July and 16 August. If you visit near those dates, you may see rehearsal races called prove. Even if you cannot attend the real Palio, you can explain the tradition to children using the painted symbols of the seventeen contrade found throughout the city.
The Torre del Mangia stands at the edge of the piazza and rises 102 metres. Climbing it rewards you with extraordinary views over the city. It is open daily and costs 10 euros per adult and 7 euros for children aged 7 to 17. The climb involves 503 steps, so it suits children aged 8 and up.
Sit on the pavement of the campo with an ice cream and let children absorb the atmosphere. It is one of the best free experiences in Tuscany.
Siena Cathedral explained
The Siena Cathedral, known as the Duomo, is one of the finest Gothic buildings in Italy. Its black-and-white striped marble exterior is striking from a distance and even more impressive up close.
For children, the most engaging feature is the marble floor inside. It is decorated with 56 different scenes in black-and-white and coloured marble, many of which depict dramatic biblical and historical episodes. Only part of the floor is uncovered throughout the year, but the visible sections are extraordinary.
The Piccolomini Library inside the Duomo contains bright Renaissance frescoes that children can study without needing much historical background. The colours are vivid and the storytelling is clear.
Entry to the Duomo costs 5 euros for adults and is free for children under 11 with a paying adult. The full Opera del Duomo complex pass, which includes the museum and views from the facciatone (the unfinished facade), costs 15 euros per adult.
Where to eat as a family
Siena has a wide range of family-friendly options. The city is proud of its local cuisine, and most restaurants serve simple, hearty Sienese food that children enjoy.
Osteria Il Carroccio on Via del Casato di Sotto is a classic choice. It serves traditional dishes including pici cacio e pepe and ribollita. A full lunch for two adults and two children costs around 55 to 65 euros.
For something simpler and cheaper, try one of the forno (bakeries) near the Campo. Schiacciata, the local flatbread, is sold by weight and makes an ideal snack for children. Expect to pay about 3 to 4 euros for a generous portion.
Trattoria Papei, near the Campo on Piazza del Mercato, is consistently good and child-friendly. Pasta dishes start at around 9 euros. The atmosphere is relaxed and noisy enough that children are not out of place.
Where to stay
Charlotte is a welcoming family guesthouse in Florence, well-placed for easy Siena day trips by bus or car. The staff are happy to give practical advice on timetables, parking, and itineraries to help you make the most of your time in Tuscany.
