Things to Do in Siena in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Siena
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Dramatically fewer tourists than summer months - you'll actually have space to appreciate the Duomo's floor panels without being pushed along, and Campo feels like it belongs to locals again rather than being a sea of selfie sticks
- Hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to peak season, and you can often negotiate walk-in rates at agriturismi that would laugh at you in July. Mid-range places that run 200 euros in summer go for 120-140 euros in November
- Truffle season is in full swing - restaurants across the city feature white truffles from San Miniato and Crete Senesi, and the quality-to-price ratio is genuinely better than you'll find later in the season when demand peaks around Christmas
- The Palio museum and contrada visits become actually meaningful - with fewer crowds, you can have real conversations with contradaioli who have time to explain the traditions rather than rushing you through. November is when they're preparing for the year ahead, so there's interesting behind-the-scenes activity
Considerations
- Rain happens about one-third of the month, and Siena's steep marble streets become legitimately slippery when wet - those Instagram-worthy Via di Città cobblestones turn into skating rinks. You'll need to slow down and wear proper shoes with grip
- Many restaurants and shops close on Mondays and Tuesdays in November since it's low season, and some agriturismi in the surrounding countryside shut down entirely until March. You need to plan dining reservations more carefully than in summer when everything stays open
- Daylight ends around 5pm by late November, which cuts your sightseeing day shorter than you'd expect. That gorgeous golden hour light happens around 4:30pm, and then you're essentially done with outdoor activities unless you enjoy wandering dark medieval alleys
Best Activities in November
Crete Senesi Countryside Drives and Walks
November transforms the clay hills south of Siena into something genuinely photogenic - the autumn plowing creates these deep brown furrows that contrast with the cypress trees and morning fog. The light in November is lower and warmer than summer's harsh glare, perfect for photography between 2pm-4pm. You'll have the roads almost entirely to yourself, which never happens May through September. The temperature range of 7-14°C (44-57°F) is ideal for hiking the 5-8 km (3-5 mile) trails around Asciano and San Giovanni d'Asso without overheating. Pack layers since morning fog at 7°C (44°F) burns off to pleasant 14°C (57°F) afternoons.
Wine Estate Visits in Montalcino and Montepulciano
November is post-harvest but pre-Christmas rush, meaning winemakers actually have time to talk with you rather than rushing through tastings. The 2026 Brunello vintage will be in barrels, and you can taste the 2024 releases alongside older vintages. Temperatures are perfect for cellar tours - those underground spaces stay around 12-15°C (54-59°F) year-round, which feels comfortable when it's similar outside rather than the shock of entering from 35°C (95°F) summer heat. Montalcino is 42 km (26 miles) south, about 50 minutes driving through hills that look spectacular in November light.
Siena Cathedral Complex Extended Tours
The OPA Si Pass gives access to the Cathedral, Piccolomini Library, Baptistry, Crypt, and Museo dell'Opera. November means you can actually spend time with the floor panels without being herded along - the marble inlay floors are uncovered from late October through early January. The Facciatone rooftop walkway offers views across the city and countryside, and in November's clear post-rain air, you can see 40-50 km (25-31 miles) to Monte Amiata. The museum's Duccio Maestà deserves an hour alone, which is feasible in November but impossible in July crowds.
Truffle Market Shopping and Cooking Classes
San Miniato's truffle market runs weekends in November, about 90 km (56 miles) northwest, but Siena's own Saturday market in La Lizza park features local truffle vendors from Crete Senesi. Fresh white truffles in November run 180-250 euros per 100 grams depending on size and quality - significantly less than December's 300+ euro prices. Several cooking schools offer truffle-focused classes in November when ingredients are peak, teaching you to make tajarin pasta with butter and truffles or truffle-stuffed guinea fowl. Classes typically run 3-4 hours including eating what you've made.
Contrada Museum Self-Guided Walks
Siena's 17 contrade each have small museums and neighborhoods worth exploring, and November's low crowds mean you can wander without feeling like you're intruding. The museums are often staffed by actual contrada members who'll talk your ear off about Palio history if you show genuine interest. Entry is typically free or by donation. The Oca, Lupa, and Tartuca contrade have particularly good museums, each taking 20-30 minutes. Walking between contrade through the medieval streets gives you a sense of how the city actually functions beyond the tourist center.
Sant'Antimo Abbey and Val d'Orcia Chapel Visits
The Romanesque abbey of Sant'Antimo, 38 km (24 miles) south near Montalcino, hosts Gregorian chant services at 9:15am and 6pm daily. November's shorter days mean the 6pm service happens in darkness, with just candlelight illuminating the stone interior - genuinely atmospheric rather than touristy. The surrounding Val d'Orcia chapels like Vitaleta and Madonna di Vitaleta photograph beautifully in November's softer light and occasional fog. Temperature around 10-12°C (50-54°F) makes walking the 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) between sites comfortable with a light jacket.
November Events & Festivals
Olive Oil Milling Season
Late October through November is when Tuscan olive oil gets pressed. Many frantoi (olive mills) around Siena offer visits where you can watch the pressing process and taste oil that's hours old - the peppery, bright green stuff that bears no resemblance to supermarket bottles. Some mills in the Chianti Senese area offer informal tours if you call ahead, usually free or for small purchases. The oil pressed in November 2026 will be the 2026 harvest, sold as 'novello' or new oil.
Tartufo Bianco Festival Circuit
While San Miniato's main festival is the big draw, smaller truffle festivals happen in Crete Senesi towns like San Giovanni d'Asso throughout November weekends. These feature truffle vendors, local food stalls, and cooking demonstrations. Less touristy than San Miniato, more focused on locals actually buying truffles for home cooking. Entry is typically free, food purchases run 8-15 euros for substantial portions.