What are the Siena Cathedral opening hours?

March 1 – November 3, 2024: Cathedral complex: 10am – 7pm; Opera Museum: 9:30am – 7:30pm; Cathedral (Sundays and public holidays): 1:30pm – 6pm
November 4 – December 24, 2024: Cathedral Complex: 10:30am – 5:30pm; Cathedral (Sundays and public holidays): 1:30pm – 5:30pm.
December 26, 2024 – January 7, 2025: Cathedral Complex: 10am – 7pm; Cathedral (Sundays and public holidays): 1:30pm – 5:30pm; Cathedral (Saturdays and eve of public holidays): 10:30am – 5:30pm
Special days: December 1, 2024 (Patron Saint’s Day): Cathedral is open from 10:30am – 3pm (last admission at 2:30pm); Rest of the complex: Open until 5pm (last admission at 4:30pm)

Cathedral floor viewing

August 18 – October 16, 2024: Cathedral Complex: 10am – 7pm; Opera Museum: 9:30am – 7:30pm; Cathedral (Sundays and public holidays): 9:30am – 6pm

Last Entry: Last entry to the Siena Cathedral is 30 minutes before the closing time.

Visit Duration: It takes visitors typically 1 to 2 hours to explore the Siena Cathedral.

What’s the best time to visit the Siena Cathedral?

The Siena Cathedral sees a large number of visitors every day, throughout the year. The peak tourist season which is between April to October is especially crowded.

The ideal time to visit Siena Cathedral is during the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn). You'll enjoy pleasant weather, smaller crowds, and the chance to appreciate the cathedral's beauty without the summer rush. If you're keen to see the famous marble floor, plan your trip between late June and early July or August and October when it's uncovered.

The cathedral is least crowded in the early mornings. You can expect lesser crowds in the late afternoon. In terms of the days of the week, weekdays are preferred to weekends as that is when the cathedral sees the most visitors.

Where is the Siena Cathedral located?

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena SI, Italy

Find on Maps

The Siena Cathedral is located in the historic center of Siena, Italy, and can be found in the Piazza del Duomo. The Piazza del Duomo is a 4-minute walk away from the famous Piazza del Campo, a popular public space.

How reach the Siena Cathedral?

By public transport

By train: The closest train station to the Siena Cathedral is Siena FS, which is located about 15 minutes away by foot. If you are reaching the venue from the station by bus, it will take approximately 5 minutes.
By bus: Buses to the cathedral are frequent. The closest bus stops are Angolo Via Delle Terme and Piazza Postierla. However, many buses stop directly in front of the cathedral as well.
By taxi: Taxis can be availed in Siena. You can hail a taxi from Piazza Carlo Rosselli taxi station for drivers who speak fluent English, French, German, and Spanish.

By car

Bear in mind that you cannot directly access the Siena Cathedral directly by car, since it is situated in the historic center of Siena. Therefore, it is advisable to exit at Siena Ovest or Siena Sud and park your vehicle.

Here are the following parking spaces you can use in Siena -

Duomo car park or Parcheggio Il Duomo (11-minute walk)
Campo car park or Parcheggio Il Campo (8-minute walk)

Know before you go to Siena Cathedral

Although the cathedral can be busy and lines long, with some planning, you can save time and skip the queues.

Buy tickets online in advance: This is often the most convenient and efficient way to avoid long queues. Get a OPA Si Pass includes access to multiple attractions within the cathedral complex, including priority entrance to the cathedral itself.
Arrive early: While not guaranteed to eliminate lines entirely, visiting the cathedral during less crowded times, such as early morning or late afternoon, can significantly reduce wait times.
Join a guided tour: Many guided tours include skip-the-line access as part of the package. This can be a convenient option if you want to learn more about the cathedral's history and art.

The Siena Cathedral in Siena, Italy has only one entrance for visitors to enter through. The entrance through its main doors in the front of the church in front of the Piazza del Duomo.

The entrance to the Piccolomini Library is located inside the nave of the cathedral. Attractions such as the cathedral's museum, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Oratory of San Bernardino are located within the cathedral complex and have their own entrances.

Historical archives
Artworks and photo library
Audio guides
Bookshops
Restroom

Wheelchair Accessibility: The Siena Cathedral is wheelchair accessible, with a dedicated ramp situated on the left side of the building. However, areas like the museum, the crypt, and the baptistery are not wheelchair accessible.
Free Entry: Disabled people and their companions are allowed to enter the cathedral for free.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside the cathedral, except for water in a transparent bottle.
Photography is allowed, but flash and the usage of tripods must be avoided.
Try avoiding touching the artwork and artifacts while within the cathedral.
Avoid smoking within the cathedral premises.
Visitors cannot be intoxicated or under the influence.
Access to the Gate of Heaven in the upper gallery requires the purchase of a separate ticket.
Residents born in the Municipality of Siena can enter the cathedral for free.
Modest attire is required to enter the cathedral. Make sure to cover your shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops.

To avoid long queues, buy your tickets online in advance. This will save you time and allow you to skip the line at the ticket office. If possible get an OPA SI Pass, it's a great cost-effective option to explore the entire Duomo complex .
Use your audio guide to enrich your visit with insights into the cathedral’s history, architecture, and artwork.
Don't miss the Facciatone! It offers some of the best views of the city from the cathedral's roof. You can even watch the Palio di Siena from its vantage point.
If you visit during the summer or fall, make sure to see the cathedral's stunning marble floor, which is uncovered from late June to mid-October. The intricate inlays and graffito panels are a true masterpiece.
While you're in Siena, take the time to explore other attractions in the city, such as the Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico, and the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex.

There are no restaurants places within the cathedral complex. However, here are some eateries near the cathedral that you can try:

Osteria da Divo: A medieval-style Tuscan restaurant that serves sophisticated regional dishes and wines located just 2 minutes away. serving delicious pasta and meat dishes.
La Taverna del Capitano: Enjoy Florentine steaks in this tavern-like hole in the wall that's a 2 minute's walk from the cathedral.
Osteria Permalico: Wine and dine in the cozy ambiance of this traditional restaurant situated 4 minutes from the cathedral.
Ristorante San Desiderio: Fancy dining on Tuscan dishes in a former church? then swing by Ristorante San Desiderio located2 minutes away by foot.

Piazza del Campo: Noted as one of the most well-designed medieval public squares in Italy, the Piazza del Campo attracts many visitors throughout the year as a popular gathering point.
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena: Visit this museum in Siena, a renowned institution in Italy, to view artworks of the greatest Sienese artists from the 13th to 17th centuries.
Fonte Gaia: Relax by the calm waters of this 14th-century fountain and admire its wall reliefs and embedded niche sculptures.
Palazzo Pubblico & Civic Museum: This gothic building has served as the seat of government for around 700 years. You may also visit the museum inside that contains amazing frescos of Sienese life.