Spending Ferragosto in Siena means experiencing one of the most intense and captivating times of the year. On 15 August the city fills with energy, colour and tradition in anticipation of the Palio dell’Assunta on 16 August, one of the most important and engaging events on the Sienese calendar.
Between trial races in Piazza del Campo, Contrada gatherings, museums and local cuisine, Siena offers plenty of ways to enjoy two unforgettable days. If you’re planning a visit, this short guide will help you discover what to do in Siena on 15 and 16 August and where to eat without straying from the heart of the old town.
What to do in Siena on Ferragosto
Ferragosto in Siena is no ordinary day: 15 August is the eve of the Palio di Siena held on 16 August, dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption. In the days leading up to the race, the city enjoys a full calendar of events, trial races in Piazza del Campo, Contrada gatherings and chances to immerse yourself in local culture.
From the earliest hours of the day, the streets of the old town come alive with colourful scarves, flags, drums and singing. For anyone visiting Siena at Ferragosto, it’s a special chance to connect with a tradition deeply tied to the city’s identity.
The Palio dell’Assunta: the trial races
Among the most eagerly awaited events for those visiting Siena at Ferragosto are the trial races of the Palio dell’Assunta. Horses and jockeys enter Piazza del Campo to get a feel for the tufa track and prepare for the following day’s Carriera (the race).
Watching a trial race lets you get close to the atmosphere of the Palio and observe the Contrade up close in an air already charged with emotion. Even without attending the official race, strolling through Siena during these days lets you soak up a unique atmosphere and discover the city’s most authentic soul.
The Prova Generale (dress rehearsal) on 15 August
On the evening of 15 August the Prova Generale of the Palio dell’Assunta takes place — the final trial before the Carriera on 16 August. It’s one of the most exciting moments of the eve and draws large numbers of Sienese and visitors to Piazza del Campo.
The Prova Generale is a special opportunity to see the horses, jockeys and Contrade before the official race. When it ends, the city carries on with an intense evening of Contrada dinners, crowded streets and preparations for the day of the Palio.
The Palio di Siena on 16 August
On 16 August the Palio dell’Assunta is run, one of Siena’s most famous and deeply felt events. The race is the climax of days marked by rituals, traditions and gatherings that draw in the whole city.
From morning onward, Siena prepares for the Carriera. The Contrade observe their own rituals while anticipation for the afternoon’s events builds in the old town. The Corteo Storico (historical procession) precedes the horses’ entrance into Piazza del Campo and leads the crowd toward the most awaited moment: the start of the Palio.
The race lasts only a few minutes, yet it holds centuries of history, identity and belonging. For those visiting Siena, watching the Palio on 16 August means having an experience that goes far beyond a mere sporting event and offers insight into a fundamental part of the city’s culture.
How to plan for 16 August in Siena
On the day of the Palio the old town is especially crowded. It’s therefore advisable to arrive well in advance, check how access to Piazza del Campo works and plan your movements before the events begin.
Restaurants and venues also see very high demand. If you’d like to have lunch before the afternoon events or dinner after the race, it’s important to book your table in advance.
Culture and museums
Beyond the Palio-related events, 15 and 16 August are a great chance to visit some of Siena’s most important cultural sites. Many museums and monuments may have special openings or changes to their hours during the Palio days, particularly in the areas affected by the event.
Before planning your visit, it’s always advisable to check the latest updates and opening hours on the official websites.
- Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena – One of the city’s most important museums, it holds an extraordinary collection of Sienese painting from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. It’s the perfect place to discover works by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini, the Lorenzetti brothers and other great masters.
- Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) – A must-see for anyone spending Ferragosto in Siena or visiting the city on the day of the Palio. The cathedral, with its marble façade, decorated interior and famous inlaid floor, is one of the city’s most captivating landmarks.
- Santa Maria della Scala – A former medieval hospital turned museum complex, it stands opposite the Duomo and offers a journey through art, history, archaeology and architecture.
- Museo Civico di Siena – Housed in the Palazzo Pubblico on Piazza del Campo, it preserves masterpieces central to Sienese art history, including Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Allegory of Good Government frescoes.
- Torre del Mangia – For lovers of panoramic views, the climb up the tower offers one of the finest vistas over Siena and the surrounding countryside. During the Palio days, opening hours and access arrangements may change.
Where to eat in Siena on 15 and 16 August
After a morning of museums, walks through the old town and the atmosphere of the Palio, it’s time to choose where to eat in Siena at Ferragosto. On 16 August too, before or after the race, a break at the table rounds off the day with the flavours of local cuisine.
Ferragosto and the day of the Palio are among the busiest times of the Sienese summer. Tourists, Contrada members and visitors flock to the city for the Assumption festivities, making it harder to find a free table in the old town.
Our advice, then, is to book ahead – both for Ferragosto lunch and for dining in Siena on the day of the Palio.
The Prova Generale Dinner
The evening of 15 August is bound up with the Cena della Prova Generale (dress-rehearsal dinner), one of the most heartfelt moments of the Palio’s eve. A special mood fills the city and the Contrade: the streets come alive, the long tables fill up and Siena prepares for the next day’s Carriera.
For visitors, this is the ideal chance to enjoy an authentic evening – perhaps over dinner in the old town, before or after a stroll among Piazza del Campo, the Duomo and Siena’s illuminated streets.
Ferragosto Lunch at Pier Pettinaio
If you’re looking for somewhere to have lunch at Ferragosto in Siena, Pier Pettinaio is a perfect choice for anyone wanting to enjoy authentic dishes in a welcoming setting, just steps from the heart of the city.
Ferragosto lunch is the right moment to slow down, enjoy good company and savour the local cuisine. Wholesome recipes, familiar flavours and carefully selected ingredients accompany a special day in the centre of Siena.
Discover what’s on offer and let our menu inspire you: take a look at the Pier Pettinaio menu.
Where to eat on 16 August, before or after the Palio
On the day of the Palio it’s important to plan lunch or dinner in advance as well. Before the afternoon’s events, a break at the table lets you face an intense day calmly; after the race, dinner in the old town becomes the perfect occasion to share the emotions experienced in Piazza del Campo.
At Pier Pettinaio you can treat yourself to a convivial moment during one of the most important days of the Sienese year, enjoying dishes rooted in tradition and carefully selected ingredients.
Book your table for Ferragosto and the Palio on 16 August
During Ferragosto and the Palio dell’Assunta on 16 August, Siena sees very high numbers of visitors. Available seats in the city-centre restaurants can sell out quickly, especially during lunch on 15 August, the evening of the Prova Generale and the day of the Carriera.
If you’ve already decided to spend 15 and 16 August in Siena, secure your table at Pier Pettinaio and enjoy a flavourful break in the heart of the city, amid Sienese tradition, the atmosphere of the Palio and genuine hospitality.
Book your table now: availability is limited during the Palio days.