Palio di Siena

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Sports & AdventureSiena

DatesDates TBA · Usually SummerCheck locally before booking

DurationSummerEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forCompetition, enduranceThe Palio's defining feature is how much

Language["it"]Currency: EUR

CategorySports & AdventureFestival type

The story

Palio di Siena in Siena

Twice each summer, on July 2 and August 16, ten of Siena's seventeen historic contrade race bareback jockeys three times around Piazza del Campo in a contest lasting about ninety seconds. Tracing to the first round-the-square race in 1633, the Palio is surrounded by days of trial runs, a medieval costume parade, and church blessings for horse and rider.

Ten of Siena's seventeen contrade send jockeys riding bareback around Piazza del Campo for three laps in a race that lasts roughly ninety seconds, the culmination of a rivalry that occupies the city for the rest of the year.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The Palio's defining feature is how much ceremony surrounds ninety seconds of racing: each of the seventeen contrade maintains its own flag, museum, patron saint, and mascot, and the four days around each race include a full historical parade in medieval dress along with a formal blessing of horse and jockey inside the contrada's parish church

The mystery stays covered

The track itself, a layer of packed earth laid over Piazza del Campo's stone paving, exists only for these two race days a year, and the winning contrada's prize, a hand-painted silk banner called the drappellone, is commissioned fresh from a different artist for every single race

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Descending from banned bullfights and interim buffalo and donkey races

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the Palio has run in its current round-the-square format since 1633

The sacred route

Living ritual

preserving contrada identity through flags

The local code

Living ritual

patron saints

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and the twice-yearly race for the hand-painted drappellone banner

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Summer

Getting around

For Palio di Siena, plan transport around the exact Siena venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing suits standing for hours in Piazza del Campo's summer heat, along with a hat and sunscreen, since much of the square offers no shade. Comfortable shoes matter for...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Palio di Siena, stay near the part of Siena you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["it"] · EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.32 N, 11.33 E Open in Google Maps

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Nearest airportFLR — Florence Airport, Peretola

TransportFor Palio di Siena, plan transport around the exact Siena venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Palio di Siena, stay near the part of Siena you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Siena via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Siena, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare fares Festival gearLight, breathable clothing suits standing for hours in Piazza del Campo's summer heat, along with a hat and sunscreen, since much of the square offers no shade. Comfortable shoes matter for the packed-earth track's uneven surface underfoot.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Italy and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Palio di Siena?

Palio di Siena is listed for Multiple months · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Palio di Siena take place?

The festival is listed in Siena, Italy. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLpalio.comune.siena.it

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Summer

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Palio di Siena

Palio di Siena in Siena

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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