Essentials
- City
- Siena, Tuscany, Italy
- Population
- 54,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 65-90 Mbps (VDSL2 and 5G available via TIM/Vodafone)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) and Intesa Sanpaolo.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and excellent quality (Acqua di Siena)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, F, and L sockets
- SIM Card
- Iliad (Via Banchi di Sotto, 31), Vodafone, or TIM. Expect €10-€15 for 100GB+.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are widely used; local contact-less payments are universal.
- Accommodation
- Monthly rentals range from €800 - €1,500 via Airbnb and local agencies like Siena Case.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in 95% of establishments; small villages nearby may prefer cash.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO (average €80/night in Centro Storico).
- Budget Accommodation
- Siena Hostel Guidoriccio (Via Fiorentina, 89) - approx €30-€40/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Terzo di Città or near Piazza del Campo for historic atmosphere.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Prospero (near the fortress) for quieter streets and better apartment value, or Ravacciano.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Siena Coworking (Strada Massetana Romana, 50/A) - €20/day, €180/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tea Room (Via Porta di Giustizia, 11) or Un Tubo (Via del Luparello, 2) during afternoons.
- Networking Events
- Meetups hosted by University of Siena (UniSi) or Tuscany Digital Nomad Facebook groups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Aperitivo hours at Bar Il Palio or events organized by Erasmsus Student Network Siena.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Free Now (mytaxi) or App Taxi Siena. Uber is not active; use RadioTaxi Siena (+39 0577 49222).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Siena by Bike (Via della Sapienza, 27) - €35/day for e-bikes.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Castiglione della Pescaia (approx. 1 hour 20 mins drive).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Dolomiti (via Florence Peretola Airport).
- Top International Airline
- ITA Airways, Lufthansa (via Florence or Pisa airports).
- Highway Access
- RA3 Autopalio (connection to Florence) and SS223 (connection to Grosseto).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Stazione di Siena (Piazzale Carlo Rosselli).
- Public Transport Passes
- Autolinee Toscane (At-bus) - €1.70 per 90-min ticket; monthly pass €35.
- Regional Travel
- Tuscany Line Trains to Florence (€9.80, 1.5 hours) or FlixBus from Piazza Gramsci.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese - Le Scotte (Viale Mario Bracci, 16).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Siena Yoga (Via delle Terme, 27) - €15 drop-in class.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Palestra Mens Sana (Viale Sclavo, 12) or Gold's Gym Siena (Via del Chianti).
- Laundry Services
- Onda Blu Self-Service Laundry (Via del Sole, 4) - €4 per wash.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Deliveroo and Glovo are active in the city center.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pici all'Aglione or Pappardelle sulla Lepre (Hare sauce).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pastazuf (Via del Pontani, 3) - great veggie pasta options.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Nannini (Via Banchi di Sopra, 24) for Ricciarelli and Panforte.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Conad Sapori & Dintorni (Piazza Matteotti) or Mercato settimanale (Wednesday market at La Lizza).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.it (1-2 day delivery) or Zalando for fashion.
- Grocery Delivery
- Esselunga a Casa or Everli.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Piazza del Campo and Via Pantaneto (popular with students).
- Local Brewery
- Birra La Diana (Via Roma, 10).
- Wine Bars
- Enoteca I Terzi (Via dei Termini, 7).
- Street Food Stalls
- Gino Cacino di Angelo (Piazza del Mercato, 31) for gourmet panini.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sushi Koi (Via delle Terme, 2) or Kebab houses near the bus station.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Pubblico.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Santa Maria della Scala (Piazza del Duomo) - historic hospital-turned-museum.
- Historical Sites
- The Duomo di Siena (Cathedral) and the Facciatone viewpoint.
- Religious Sites
- Basilica di San Domenico (housing St. Catherine's relics).
- Annual Events
- Il Palio di Siena (July 2nd & August 16th); Siena Jazz Festival (Summer).
- Cultural Districts
- The 17 Contrade (Districts), each with their own museum and symbols.
- Theater Venues
- Teatro dei Rinnovati (inside Palazzo Pubblico) and Teatro dei Rozzi.
- Local Markets
- Fortezza Medicea Market (Wednesday mornings until 1:00 PM).
- Music Scene
- Corte dei Miracoli (Via Roma, 56) for alternative live music and arts.
- Street Art
- Limited in centro; check the underpasses near the train station or outskirts.
- Cooking Classes
- The International Chef Academy of Tuscany (Via San Pietro, 1).
- Art Galleries
- Galleria d'Arte Mentana (Via delle Terme).
- Historic Buildings
- Palazzo Salimbeni, headquarters of the world's oldest bank.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Balzana' (Black and White shield of Siena).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Val d'Orcia (UNESCO site) - 45 mins south of the city.
- National Parks Nearby
- Foreste Casentinesi National Park (1.5 hours drive north).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Via Francigena (Segment 32 starts in Siena) - historic pilgrimage route.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Orto de' Pecci - a valley park inside city walls with views of the tower.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Riserva Naturale Basso Merse (30 mins drive).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited; use designated BBQ pits in public parks like Parco di Pescaia.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Poste Italiane (Piazza Matteotti, 37) or DHL Express Point (Via Garibaldi).
- Tech Repair Services
- Siena Computer (Viale Donato di Pascuccio, 14).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Cus Siena (Acquacalda district sports center).
- Language Classes
- Università per Stranieri di Siena (Piazza Carlo Rosselli, 27/28).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Comunale degli Intronati (Via della Sapienza, 5).
- Community Centers
- Circolo Arci 'I Risorti' (Strada di Massetana Romana).
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in the University district (Via San Pietro area).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Admiral Interactive (Via Fiorentina).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €180,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €116,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €252,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €162,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €312,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 24% IRES + 3.9% IRAP (Total approx 27.9%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 26% standard rate
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 43% (plus local surcharges)
- VAT
- 22% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Italian tax law.
- Property Tax
- IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica) approx. 0.76%-1.06% of cadastral value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration tax: 2% (primary home) or 9% (second home) of cadastral value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 7% flat tax for retirees/remote workers in southern Italy (Siena usually doesn't qualify); check 'Lavoratori Impatriati' for 50-70% reduction.