Family Activities in Siena With Children

Family activities in Siena

Siena is a good city for children who like climbing things, hunting for symbols and eating gelato, and a harder one for strollers. The old centre is steep, cobbled and full of steps with few kerb cuts, so a baby carrier works much better than a pushchair. Children under about 11 get cheap or free entry at most official sites, which helps the budget.

Climbing for kids

  • Torre del Mangia: 400 steps, no lift and no rest landings, so it suits fit older children only. A family ticket is EUR 25 for two adults and children over 11, and children under 11 go free. Tickets are bought in person on the day at the Palazzo Pubblico, with climbs every 45 minutes.
  • Facciatone: a spiral staircase of 131 steps in the unfinished wall next to the cathedral, ending on a narrow terrace above the roofs. It is included on the OPA SI PASS. The Opera does not publish a minimum age, so judge by how your child copes with narrow stairs.
  • The OPA SI PASS costs EUR 14, or EUR 16 while the marble floor is uncovered, and children aged 7 to 11 pay EUR 3. Under 7s are free. It lasts three consecutive days.

Museums that work for children

The Museo Civico has a family ticket at about EUR 22, or EUR 23 if pre-booked, and children under 11 are free. The frescoes of life in a medieval town are the easiest for kids to read, and a family combination ticket for the municipal museums and the tower is EUR 40 over two days. The Museo di Storia Naturale of the Accademia dei Fisiocritici, near Porta Tufi, has a large whale skeleton hanging in its courtyard, plus fossils and stuffed animals. Admission and hours are not confirmed, so ring +39 0577 47002 before going.

Green space

Orto de’ Pecci is a green valley below the Palazzo Pubblico, a short downhill walk from the Campo, with lawns, a playground, a medieval-style garden and a few farm animals. There is a rustic restaurant on site that one guide lists as closed on Mondays. Check opening times locally.

A game for the streets

Each of Siena’s 17 contrade has an animal or object as its emblem, such as the eagle, snail, owl, dragon, giraffe, porcupine, unicorn, wolf, shell, goose, panther, tortoise and ram. Ask children to spot the stone shields, tiles and iron flag holders on corners, and the small fountains where contrada babies are baptised in spring. It turns a long walk into a treasure hunt.

Gelato

Kopakabana on Via dei Rossi 52 is known for fruit sorbets and pistachio, Il Masgalano on Via della Sapienza 47 is near the cathedral, and Grom is on Via Banchi di Sopra 11. Prices are not confirmed.

Palio day with children

The Palio runs on 2 July and 16 August. Children under 10 are not allowed into the centre of the Campo even with an adult, and the crowded dirt ring has no shade, no toilets and no seating. Families who want to see the race need a private window or balcony, which costs from about EUR 280.

Read more: sightseeing in Siena and day trips from Siena .

Official information: Museo Civico family tickets and Duomo pass prices . Tours to compare: family tours on GetYourGuide .