We are trying to "cut-back" our very busy itinerary on our first trip to Italy. Looks like we will need to cut ONE of these fine towns out. Should we remove Siena or Assisi from the list? What would you do?

A LOT depends on where are you planning to go before/after, mode of transport. I personally LOVED Assisi, a lot to do with my personal religious beliefs.

In summary, this is a desicion to be taken in the context of the trip, could you provide more background?

I agree with Viajero2 - I think Assisi is a must see if you are Catholic. And even if you're not, the basilica is beautiful. I don't recall that there was much to the town otherwise. Siena is lovely with a lively market day, an entertaining piazza and a beautiful church. If I had to make a choice I would have chosen Assisi, but I will admit it has to do with my religion.

I would try not to miss either if you can.
They are both really worthwhile and if you are driving go to Assisi in the morning have lunch and drive to sienna for the late afternoon and evening when less people around.

HiR,

Yes, it really depends on the rest of your plans. More details please.

After visiting Assisi on my last trip to Italy, Siena seemed an ordinary city. Assisi has it all. Picturesque narrow streets, La Basilica di San Francesco, which is gorgeous, and the views from La Rocca Maggiore are superb.

Having been to both, I definitely would choose Assisi...happy travels!

Although we are not Catholic we were still very impressed with Assisi. We liked Siena, but if we could only chose one, it would be Assisi. It would be nice to squeeze both in but it would be a very tiring day and I think you would be rushing them both.

DD who's been to both would pick Siena. I haven't been to Assisi, but LOVED Siena. Either way, it will be great!

After you see the Campo where the Palio is held in Sienna, that's essentially it-it's a very provincial place, as the just concluded Italy program revealed, there are no great restaurants, no nightlife-nothing except that Palio. I personally couldn't see spending more than a few hours here, let alone a night.

Assisi, on the other hand, is perfect, a little jewel-it has atmosphere and antiquity in spades. There's no contest here, in my book.

I have no relegious inclinations, but I do love San Francesco, and I find Assisi to have a spiritual air, especially if you journey out to the Eremo di San Francesco. Assisi is a wonderful place.

But if you are young, looking for a little night life, you might like Siena better.

Assisi is great. Visit the basilica and then walk up the hill to the main piazza.

Uh, Tuscan, WHAT nightlife, pray? Even some guidebooks remark upon the lack of things to do there at night.

Im not religious but would definitely give Assisi another vote.
Picturesque, scenic and quiet when the day trippers leave.(except for the church bells)

I myself would probably choose Assisi, although, as several have mentioned, it depends on the rest of your itinerary, your mode of transportation, and how much time you have. The frescoes in the upper Basilica of San Francesco are one of the foremost masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. The Lower Basilica is much more sober, but it actually appeals to me even more. Then, the entire town is beautiful, the view from the walls is magnificent, there are good restaurants, and other treasures of art and architecture. The things worth seeing are a bit spread out, and the entire town is on a slope, so there's a good deal of walking (and climbing) to do in Assisi. If you have time, it's definitely worth while to visit also the nearby town of Spello, one of the prettiest towns in Italy.

Regarding Siena, though, I would just like to say that the Campo is far from the only thing to see there. The Duomo has a 14th century floor that's a marvel of Renaissance art, a combination of marble intarsia and incision, illustrating scenes of history, mythology, and symbols of Siena, as well as many Biblical episodes. To protect the floor, much of it is covered most of the time. At certain times of the year, the entire floor is on display, but it's worth it to see the parts that can be seen at any time. We happened to be there once when the entire floor was uncovered, but the other times we've been to Siena, we've gone into the Duomo to see whatever part of the floor that's being displayed at the time.

The adjacent Palazzo Pubblico has a series of 14th century frescoes illustrating the effects of good and bad government on the city, and on the countryside. Some of them have suffered damage over the centuries, but they are still worth seeing. You can also climb the tower of the Palazzo Pubblico. I've never done that, but the view should be excellent.

All of these are in the immediate vicinity of the Campo. I don't know why anyone who goes to see the Campo wouldn't also visit the Duomo and the Palazzo Pubblico. Siena is considerbly larger city than Assisi, though, and on the whole, has a more urban aspect. There are several excellent restaurants in Siena, as well.

I would pick Siena in a heartbeat. I've been a few times, and seen the Palio (which was breath-taking); to say that there is not much there besides the Palio is absurdity.

I have only been to Siena and it’s been 10 years ago. The town was in a gorgeous setting and the Duomo is stunning but I just didn’t feel a vibe there. The Campo was very quiet in May; beautiful but it just didn’t strike me like I was expecting. So, Assisi is in my list for next trip to Italy.

This thread is from 2006.