Siena is built on three small hills within the city walls, divided into three areas, called "Terzi".
- "Terzo di Citta" was the earliest inhabited area of the city, and holds Piazza Postierla; the Cappella delle Ceneri di Sant'Ansano; the Duomo, Siena's gorgeous black and white cathedral; and the museum of Santa Maria della Scala. 
- "Terzo di Camollia", named after the city gate Porta Camollia, consists of the main social and shopping street -Via Banchi di Sopra, with Piazza Salimbeni and Piazza Tolomei; and the Basilicas S. Maria in Provenzano, S. Francesco, and the Fortezza.
-"Terzo di San Martino" expands around the Francigena way, the route to Rome for the pilgrims of the patron saint S.Martino. The area includes the Piazza del Campo at the heart of the city; the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena's City Hall, which contains the famous frescos on government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and access to the Torre di Mangia with a spectacular view of the Senese countryside, and the famous fountain Fonte Gaia.

Siena is a major tourist attraction and home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe, which adds for a vibrant student atmosphere and a bustling daily life. Siena offers many cultural events, concerts, cinema, theatre and a wide range of sporting activities. In the summer, there is the Siena Jazz Festival, and the classical concert by the Accademia Musicale Chigiana. Settimana Musicale Senese features various concerts around the city.

Siena stores offer many locally made items, such as, leather products, neckties, fabrics, glazed terracotta, gold jewellery, and of course local food, such as, Panforte, Ricciarelli, Pici and many wines. Every Wednesday morning a huge market is held around the Fortezza Mediceana.