The bare-backed horserace around Siena’s infamous Piazza del Campo dates back to the 12th century and is an integral part of the city’s. While the race itself takes place twice a year (2 July and 16 August) and is free to watch from the squashed confines of the main square, preparations commence months in advance. Whatever time of year you visit this city, you are sure to be swept away in the daily drumming practice, singing, parading, flag waving and Contrada parties occupying the streets all year round.

Situated on the edge of the historic centre of Siena in the Terzo Camollia, this 16th-century fort offers impressive views of the city. During June and July the outdoor cinema programme, Cinema in Fortezza, hosts a different film each night for a modest sum. Wear insect repellent as the mosquitoes are pesky at this time of year.

Weekly markets are a staple in any Italian city. While on the third Sunday of every month (except August) you will find Piazza del Mercato buzzing with the sound of voices bartering over antique goods, Siena’s biggest market takes place from 8.30AM to 1.30PM every Wednesday at La Lizza. Here, you’ll find the streets surrounding the Fortezza stacked with stalls offering everything from kitchen pots and clothing to fresh fruit and local cheeses, all at a very reasonable price.

Distinguished by the striking beauty of its black and greenish-white marble stripes, the artistry of this cathedral’s facade is simple a taster in contrast to the splendour that awaits inside. Giving Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore a run for its money, this is a remarkable treasure trove of Italian art.

If the wealth of masterpieces and riches offered by Siena’s Cathedral wets your cultural appetite, a further abundance of altarpieces and archaeological treasures can be found just a few metres away in Siena’s recently renovated civic hospital. As one of Europe’s first hospitals and one of the oldest still surviving in the world, its traces are hauntingly visible through the extensive pathways of its museum.

Home of Siena’s patron saint, a steep descent down Via Santa Caterina will lead you to the house and peaceful sanctuary dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. Once an unmissable stop for pilgrims, the site has now been transformed into a museum in celebration of her life and work.

While a little less impressive than the Romanesque-Gothic architecture of Siena’s cathedral, the Basilica of San Domenico contains relics of St. Catherine of Siena and is a worthy detour from her house located nearby.