Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Siena is a historic city in Tuscany, famous for its beautiful medieval architecture and vibrant cultural heritage. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 54,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 30 Mbps, with availability increasing in coworking spaces. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; many local banks like Monte dei Paschi di Siena offer services to locals and expats. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, with good quality due to local municipal water supply. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include TIM, Vodafone, and Iliad, with prepaid options widely available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Most local banks accept international cards. Mobile apps like Revolut are also usable. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, local rentals, and some long-term options through agencies like Siena Domus. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, most places accept card payments, especially in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is popular, with average prices around €70 per night in the city center. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Villa Montarioso offers beds from €25 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Piazza del Campo area is ideal, famous for its annual Palio horse race. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | San Francesco neighborhood offers a quieter environment with cafes suitable for working. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impact Hub Siena offers a vibrant environment for freelancers and remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Caffe Poliziano offers good coffee and reliable WiFi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups at local coworking spaces and cultural events listed on platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Siena Facebook group facilitates regular gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Taxi services can be booked via the app MyTaxi. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike rentals available through local shops, XBike offers hourly rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beaches are in Cecina, about an hour away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Ryanair operates from nearby airports like Pisa. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Alitalia provides connections from Florence and Pisa. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major road connections through the Siena-Florence highway (Raccordo Siena-Firenze). |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Siena railway station connects to Florence and regional cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly bus passes are available for €35. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses run frequently to Florence, Montalcino, and other nearby towns. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala provides good healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Siena offers classes for various levels in a calming environment. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Palestra Siena features modern facilities and group classes. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavasecco Siena offers laundry and dry-cleaning services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Just Eat and Deliveroo provide options for food delivery around Siena. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pici Cacio e Pepe, a handmade pasta served with cheese and pepper. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Ristorante La Finestra offers a selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Gelateria Dondoli is renowned for its artisan gelato. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Piazza del Campo is surrounded by local markets that offer budget-friendly options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon IT and local websites like Eprice cater to online shopping needs. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coop offers grocery delivery services in the region. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Viale Vittorio Emanuele II has numerous bars popular with both locals and tourists. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Birrificio La Staffetta produces local craft beers and offers tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vineria Il Duomo offers a great selection of local wines and tastings. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Mercato di Siena offers various street food options on weekends. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Ristorante Pizzeria Da Gino serves a variety of Italian and international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Piazza del Campo and Siena Cathedral are must-visit locations. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana houses beautiful artwork from Siena's artistic past. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Palazzo Pubblico is a historical site and hosts the Torre del Mangia. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Basilica Cateriniana is significant for visitors interested in religious history. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Palio di Siena, a historic horse race, takes place twice each summer. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Contrada neighborhoods are vibrant and reflect Siena's unique traditions. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro dei Rozzi hosts various performances and cultural events throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Local markets like Mercato delle Carni provide fresh produce and regional specialties. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events are frequent at local bars and during festivals. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Art installations can be found around the city, especially in hidden corners. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes are available at Cordon Bleu Siena for learning traditional Italian dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleria d'Arte Moderna exhibits contemporary works and local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palazzo Salimbeni is an impressive building reflecting Renaissance architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Siena preserved its medieval character, evident in its streets and buildings. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Crete Senesi offers stunning landscapes and hiking opportunities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parco Naturale della Maremma is an accessible park for outdoor enthusiasts. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Via Francigena passes through Siena, providing scenic routes. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Monticiano offers panoramic views of the countryside around Siena. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands around the River Ombrone are ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated camping areas in parks near Siena allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and local Poste Italiane offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair offers device repairs for various electronics in the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Centro Machiavelli provides Italian language classes for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Comunale offers quiet spaces and resources for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Culturale offers workshops and cultural programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Nerd Arena hosts gaming events and social gatherings. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Siena, but nearby towns have gaming venues. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Italian tax system is based on residency for taxation. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 43% |
| 🧾 VAT | 22% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations are in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on the cadastral value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | A tax rate of 9% is applied during property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Digital nomads can benefit from Italy's Startup Visa program offering potential tax advantages. |