The Solo Scale:

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If you’re going to Tuscany and want to spend some time there, it’s a good idea to pick a city as a base of operations. My humble suggestion is to consider Siena. With its proximity to Florence and easy trips out to the rest of Tuscany, it’s a perfect jumping-off spot. In addition, it’s not like you have to leave Siena before you have plenty to see. The most famous sight in Siena is the Piazza del Campo (where they run the Palio each year). Each year in July, people crowd into the Piazza to see the race (weather permitting). You can also visit the shrine house of St. Catherine, or simply wander the streets for shopping and food. There’s also the massive and unmissable Siena Cathedral looming near the centre of town.

You can approach the cathedral two ways. The first from the front with its massive facade. Or, you can come at it from the back and admire the staircase as you approach the cathedral.

In addition to the cathedral, you could also decide to hike the dome (the Gate of Heaven). However, that’s not something that you can do on a whim. I was in Siena during a slow period and even then, there was no availability on the day of for the whole of the day. If climbing to the top of the dome is something that interests you, reserve that early. Yes, it does lock you into your plans, but it’s the only way to guarantee access.

If you don’t get a ticket (like I wasn’t able to), the inside of the cathedral is still stunning. There was a slight wait to get in. I bought my tickets live instead of online, but there were multiple people working windows prior to entry and I didn’t wait more than 10 minutes. Plus, the wait takes place in front of the cathedral, so you’re treated to fantastic views the whole time.

Then, you get to go inside. The ceilings are impressively high and it feels like every single inch has some type of decoration, whether painted stars, marble columns, or impressive architectural features. The only other church that I felt compared was St. Peter’s, because despite other cathedrals being massive and impressive, it truly feels like Siena’s goes the extra mile no matter which corner you’re looking into.

Despite the line outside, it wasn’t overly crowded within. This is likely thanks to how massive the space is. You can spend a lot of time praying in one of the smaller chapels, lighting candles, or just spending your time admiring just how impressive the view is from any of the angles. I’ve been to a lot of churches and cathedrals in my travels and Siena is still one of the most beautiful that I’ve ever seen.

Are you in Siena and want a 1-2 hour activity? Check out the Cathedral’s website to plan more for your visit. I highly recommend it, no matter how religious you may or may not be. There’s no need for faith to be impressed by how gorgeous it is.

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