Family Days Out in Siena
Planning days out with children in Siena
Siena rewards children who enjoy towers, tunnels of stairs and animal spotting. It punishes pushchairs. Stone steps, steep lanes and few dropped kerbs make a carrier sling far more useful than a stroller, and the centre has no car access to fall back on. Pack water, and plan breaks at the gelaterie.
Tickets and what children pay
At the Duomo, the OPA SI PASS is free for under 7s and EUR 3 for ages 7 to 11, all year, against EUR 14 for adults (EUR 16 while the marble floor is uncovered). At the town hall museums, under 11s are free. A two-day family bundle for the municipal museums and the tower is EUR 40, and the Museo Civico family ticket is about EUR 22.
Things for steady climbers
- Facciatone: 131 steps up inside the unfinished cathedral wall to an open terrace with views over the dome and the Campo. It is part of the Duomo pass, and the Opera lists no minimum age, so use your own judgement.
- Torre del Mangia: 400 steps without a lift or landings, on one narrow staircase shared by people going up and down. It suits strong walkers only. Family tickets cost EUR 25 for two adults and children over 11, and they are sold at the door on the day, not online.
For curious children
The natural history museum run by the Accademia dei Fisiocritici, at Piazzetta Silvio Gigli 2, is built around a large whale skeleton in the courtyard, with fossils, meteorites and old anatomical models. Opening times and admission are not confirmed, so telephone +39 0577 47002 first.
Orto de’ Pecci, reached through the Porta Giustizia arch below the town hall, is a protected valley with lawns, paths, a playground and farm animals such as donkeys, goats and geese. The restaurant there is reported closed on Mondays. Entry and hours are unconfirmed, so check locally.
Animal spotting in the streets
Contrada emblems are a free scavenger hunt: the eagle, snail, owl, dragon, giraffe, porcupine, unicorn, wolf, shell, goose, panther, tortoise and ram, with more to find. Look for them in stone, tile and iron on house corners, then count how many different animals each child can find in an hour.
Gelato stops
Kopakabana at Via dei Rossi 52, Il Masgalano at Via della Sapienza 47 and Grom at Via Banchi di Sopra 11 are all in the centre. Prices are not confirmed.
Safety on Palio days
On 2 July and 16 August the centre of the Campo is closed to children under 10, even with a parent, and it is a baked dirt ring with no seating, shade or toilets, with fines for banned items. Families who want to see the race should look at paid windows and balconies, which start from about EUR 280.
Read more: Siena day trips and Siena outdoor activities .
Official information: Opera della Metropolitana prices and Palio rules . Tours to compare: Siena family tours on Viator .