The hillside city of Siena is tucked away in the heart of the Tuscany region of Italy. It’s one of the country’s best-preserved medieval cities and has a long historical past. The city has retained its Gothic architecture and medieval-style buildings, all while the city has grown and continued to adapt to this unique sense of style.

The prime location of Siena – not far from Florence – plus its lovely ambiance makes it a hot spot for visitors. The city is actually set on three small hills and is a walled city. There are many things to do in Siena.

The city is also home to Europe’s oldest universities. The mix of students makes for a lively atmosphere in the city and adds to the bustling nature of the city. Siena also has many annual events, concerts, theater events and many other activities that engage students, locals and visitors.

Summer is a big time of year in Sinea with several annual events. One popular one is the Siena Jazz Festival, which is held in June and carries into July.

Here’s a look at the most popular things to do in Siena:

Visit the Duomo

The Piazza del Duomo is a Gothic cathedral that features a variety of beautiful artwork dating back hundreds of years. The Siena duomo is spectacular and features the work from the 1300s of Giovanni Pisano. It also has many statues that showcase saints, philosophers and more. On the inside you’ll see ornate marble floors, a pulpit carved with intricate designs and stripes of black and white all around.

Museo Dell’ Opera del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo 8 (00 39 0577 283048)

This is a popular spot that displays some of the world’s top Gothic and Renaissance sculptures. This site ia also sometimes referred to as Museo Metropolitana. It has more than one story. If you head to the upstairs, there’s a variety of paintings from Siena one of which is masterpiece of Duccio di Buoninsegna that is a former cathedral altarpiece called the Maestra. The Maestra depicts the Virgin on one side and Christ on the other.

Palazzo Delle Papesse

Via di Città 126 (00 39 0577 22071)

This is a popular center for contemporary art. It used to be a palazzo dating back to the 15th Century.

Palio

The Siena Palio takes place in Piazza del Campo. This Siena horse race is an annual event. It’s very popular, and Sinea gets very crowded during the Palio. It takes place on July 2 and August 16. It traces its roots to the 14th Century and involved bareback horse races.

Piazzo del Campo

Siena Piazzo del Campo is a true heart of the city. It’s a charming city square that many people are very fond of – from locals to students to tourists. The Piazzo del Campo is flanked by the Palazzo Pubblico, which is a government building that serves as the seat of the city. You can also see some amazing art in Palazzo Pubblico.

Torre del Mangia

Il Campo, Piazza Il Campo, 1, 53100 Siena, Italy (39 0577 41169)

This is a massive tower just off Piazzo del Campo. It takes 503 steps to reach the top – and each one is worth the effort. It’s one of the tallest medieval towers in all of Italy and offers some breathtaking views at the top. When you reach the top, you’ll also see a wonderful bell in this elegant tower.

Santa Maria Della Scala 

Piazza Duomo 2, Siena, Italy (00 39 0577 224811)

This is a museum that used to serve as a medieval hospital. There are frescos gracing it by the famous Domenico di Bartolo. You can also go downstairs to see the Santa Caterina della Notte, which is a baroque chapel underground. It’s made from stucco and features pews that glimmer from beeswax. It is an ornate chapel with many intricate designs.

Enoteca Italiana

Fortezza Medicea, Piazza Libertà 1, 53100, Siena, Italy (39 0577.228.811)

Enoteca Italiana is an amazing place for wine tasting Siena. Enoteca, or wine bar, is a unique public institution. The sole purpose is to promote the great wines of Italy, and it’s based in Siena. It’s actually set in a Medici Fortress, which features 16th Century architecture. Over 1,500 wines are on permanent display here; they come from 600 of Italy’s best wineries.