I will be in Florence July 4-7. Should we take a side trip to either Siena or Pisa? I have heard it takes an hour by bus to either place. Is that accurate? Do we dedicate a whole day to it? If we had to pick one over the others are there any recommendations?

Siena should not be missed and is certainly worth a day. It is enchanting. Can not answer regarding Pisa.

hi,

there have been a number of recent threads on this. In 4 days, you've not really got time to spend a whole day away from Florence, IMO. both os them take up more or less a whole day, if you want to get the best out of them.

you could do a nice half day trip to Fiesole - a 30 minute bus-drive away. do a search on this board for details.

regards, ann

I would pick Siena over Pisa. I've been to both.

Fiesole can take only a couple of hours. Sine half a day.

I think Florence deserves as much time as possible, but....

The Piccolomini Library in Siena's duomo is spectacular. Go for this reason alone. You could go for a quick visit, or very easily spend all day exploring Siena. The city is an interesting medieval contrast to Florence.

I've been to both, too. Glad I did, but have no interest in returning to either place. Whereas Florence...I've returned to at least 6 times already.
Long & the short of it: If I only had 4 days in Florence, I wouldn't bother leaving Florence.

If I were to leave Florence for a day, I would want to visit someplace that is completly different - like a small perched village or two. San Gimignano and Volterra would be an excellent day trip, IMO. There are bus excursions that go there.

Stu Dudley

I second San G. But for a day trip? I don't know...unless you get there very early and/or stay very late. Midday in San G is not my cuppa...

We've been to both and IMO medieval Siena has it hands down. Think medieval crusades, banking, palaces, the Campo (climb to top of the Bell Tower), tour the Palazzo Pubblico and see the Duomo. If you still have time, walk the medieval streets, have a gelato and marvel at history as you walk by...Have a great vacation.

Like others, with only 4 days in Florence, I would not take a side trip that far away.

I have been to Siena, Pisa, and Florence. I too, prefer Florence. Pisa is fun to see, but is not very scenic otherwise.

However, if you still want to do a side trip, the countryside of Northern Tuscany is WONDERFUL by car!

Also been to both. Much prefer Siena and its duomo.

P.S. Is there really anyplace in Italy that wouldn't be fun to experience at least once?! But don't make the mistake of thinking you can see it all by "zipping" around here and there.

I think Siena is lovely and unique with its own magnificent school of art. Well worth a day trip for the contrast (the cities were ancient rivals, after all.) if you actually have four days - if only three I would stay in Florence for all three.

Picking between Siena and Pisa - Siena is an easy choice.

Been to Florence, Siena and Pisa. While I love Florence, I don't think it's terrible to take one of the 4 days you have there to see another place. You'll still see a lot of Florence in 3 days. That said I would just take only one day out of Florence, not two. Out of Siena and Pisa, definitely go to Siena (I've been to both). Take a whole day. It's a beautiful place with a very different feel from Florence. Relax on the campo, climb the bell tower, see Siena's duomo, shop, wander the charming streets, etc. Have a great time!

I was in Florence about 2 weeks ago. It was so crowded (it was "museum week" and everything was free!) and hot (almost 90) that I escaped to Siena one day by bus; loved it. Another day I went to Lucca and loved it. I also made a stopover to Pisa on my way to the coast, enjoyed that, too. Hope to give Florence another shot someday but my recent experience there was not optimal.

Echoing others:

Florence is marvelous and deserves all the time you can give to it. but is hot and crowded and can be uncomfortable. To me, definitely a place to visit "off season".

To get away from the masses, take the bus to Fiesole - Great Roman theatre and wonderful views over Florence itself.

In many ways I prefer Siena to Florence - I don't think a day does it justice, but it is certainly well worth seeing. The Duomo is probably my favourite of any I have seen in Italy.

The Campo dei miracoli in Pisa should be regarded as one of the great architectural sites in Italy, and the throngs of people just coming to see the tower, and the tacky souvenir stalls rather overshadow the beauty of the Duomo and Baptistery.

Lucca is just over an hour by train from Florence. While it lacks the stunning "Must sees" of Siena and Pisa, I find it a very attractive city with a great atmosphere.

In a long day trip it is possible to take a train to Lucca, spend half a day walking the walls etc, then take the train back to Florence via Pisa (getting off at S.Rossare station) to see the Campo dei Miracoli.