Siena Shopping and Districts

(Siena, Tuscany, Italy)

Although Siena is a fairly small city, there's plenty of shopping to keep even the keenest of shoppers entertained for quite some time. As well as a large number of specialist shops, there are also chain stores, chic boutiques and small shops selling locally handmade goods.

Most of the shops in Siena can be found on its three main pedestrianised shopping streets, the Via di Città, the Banchi di Sopra and the Via Dei Montanini. Siena is known for its stylish window displays, which are certainly worth a look, even if you don't intend to step inside and buy.

When to Shop and Opening Hours

Siena's markets start trading at 07:00, so an early start is needed if you want to pick up the best on offer. Stallholders tend to pack up at around 14:00.

Generally, shopping hours in Siena run from 08:30 to 12:30 during the week, reopening again at 15:30. The lunchtime siesta allows shops to stay open longer during the evening. Most shops tend to close around 19:30.

Where to Shop

There is a long tradition of craftsmanship in Siena. Consequently, when shopping here it is possible to find a vast array of locally crafted products in shops throughout the city. These sell everything from paper and embroidered fabrics to gold jewellery, ceramics and candles. There are also plenty of shops in Siena selling speciality and regional food, such as pasta, biscuits, and cheeses, as well as regional wines.

The main shopping street is the Via di Città. Although Siena doesn't have the same reputation for fashion as other Italian cities, such as Turin, it does have its fair share of designer shopping on offer. These designer outlets can mainly be found on the Via Bianchi di Sopra and include the likes of Prada, Gucci, Armani, Louis Vuitton and Versace. Look out for popular high street clothing stores and chic boutiques too.

A visit to Siena wouldn't be complete without a visit to one of its street markets. Every Wednesday, a lively market is held in front of the Fortezza. Stalls sell everything from clothing to fresh produce. The Piazza del Mercato is the venue for an antiques market on the third Sunday of every month.