Sunrise Spots & Early Morning Walks in Siena

Siena in Italy is a fantastic city to visit, and I enjoyed several sunrise walks, including with Henry, my dog. It is a medieval city with narrow side streets, which limit the places to enjoy the early sun; however, during my stay, I found some excellent spots, including near the top attractions.

Exploring the city before the sun came up was also wonderful; some of my favourite sunrise spots required a walk through the city’s quiet, eerie medieval streets. As a bonus, there were bars and cafes where you could enjoy a coffee or beer after the early walk.

My Favourite Sunrise Spots in Siena

Vista Panoramica di Siena

For a panoramic view of all the city’s main sites, the area on Google Maps labelled Vista Panoramica di Siena is fantastic at any time of day. This is near the Medici Fortress, and the viewpoint is long, so there are plenty of places to stand or sit.

At the viewpoint is Terra Mater by Andrea Roggi, a Tuscan artist. This is a nice sculpture that translates to ‘heaven and earth’, and it certainly added to my photos.

From here, you get panoramic views of Siena Cathedral, Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico and the Torre del Mangia. The views of the other buildings on the hills are great too. Note: I couldn’t find anywhere convenient nearby for refreshments on an early-morning walk, so I was glad I was prepared.

Piazza Chigi

One of my favourite finds towards the end of our visit was the Piazza Chigi Viewpoint. This is a lovely area with benches overlooking the Tuscan countryside near Porta Camollia.

This was handy for our second hotel in the centre of Siena, so it was a good place to walk the dog before it got too hot. What I liked here were the countryside views with churches on the horizon and the sun appearing.

Piazza del Campo

The most famous square in the city is Piazza del Campo, and it’s a great spot to visit early in the morning when it’s quiet. At sunrise, the red skies certainly add to the ambience of Piazza del Campo. It is a perfect opportunity to see the medieval buildings up close.

We visited Piazza del Campo with Henry on an early morning dog walk a few days before the famous horse race, so we got to walk around the sand track. The best views at this time of day were towards Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia. Some of the lanes that enter the piazza have special views, too. As it’s centrally located, I found a few places nearby for refreshments after the spectacle.

Siena Cathedral

Siena Cathedral is a stunning building and a must-see when visiting the city; early in the morning, it is empty and ideal for photography. We visited on a few early dog walks and had the Piazza del Duomo to ourselves.

Siena Cathedral’s exterior details are amazing. You can’t really see the sunrise here; however, the sun lights up the building’s features really nicely.