Banks: 08.30 to 13.30 and 15.30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08.30 to 18.30, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 08.30 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08.30 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09.00 to 13.00 and 15.30 to 19.30, Monday to Saturday

Siena is a safe travel destination with very few safety risks of concern to tourists. Beware of pickpockets in heavily touristed areas including bus stops, train stations and centres of activity such as Piaza del Campo, which can become quite crowded during the annual Palio races. Try to stick to well-lit areas when travelling across the old city after dark and as an added precaution, travel in pairs or groups whenever possible.

230V AC, 50 hertz; round two-pin plugs

In the off chance that you become ill while travelling in Siena, you’ll find adequate healthcare infrastructure in both public and private sectors. Most visitors opt for the latter, as the level of care provided is generally higher. Citizens of other EU nations need only to present their European Health Insurance Card in order to qualify for discounted medical treatment through reciprocal arrangements, but travel insurance is still recommended. It is best to avoid drinking tap water, as bottled water is safer and readily available.

Emergency services: 118
Hospital le Scotte: +39 577 233 201

Italy’s national language is Italian, with various dialects spoken throughout the country.

Italy uses the euro (EUR) in daily transactions, with €1.00 equal to 100 cents.

Duty-free sales are no longer available between countries in the European Union; however, those arriving from outside of the EU are still able to purchase duty-free items. The following goods can be imported without paying duty: 60 millilitres of perfume; miscellaneous goods not exceeding €175; 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes; two litres of wine and one litre of spirits.

Greetings in Italy consist simply of a smile and a handshake. Currents of devout Catholicism flow through the country and even those who do not consider themselves practising Christians are likely to hold religious sites and observances in high esteem. With this in mind, cathedrals, basilicas and shrines (even those that are not active places of worship) are treated with the utmost reverence. Finally, first impressions are an important commodity in Italy, as they fall under the umbrella of bella forma, the Italian eye for matters of poise, dress and overall demeanour.

Citizens of the EU do not need a visa to enter Italy. Beyond this, a visa-waiver program applies to nationals of many other Western nations. Visitors from outside the EU are only subjected to customs inspection once upon first entering the union, and not when travelling from one EU nation to the next. Those who do not qualify for a visa upon arrival will have to submit an application for a tourist visa to their nearest Italian embassy before travelling.

The Siena Tourist Information Office is located at Piazza del Campo 56. Phone: +39 577 280 551