Palio di Siena
Siena, Tuscan, Italy
Save this celebration to keep it in your plan.
🎟 Ticketed (€50 - €150)
FestivalAtlas
Siena’s iconic horse race held twice each summer (July 2 and August 16) in the Piazza del Campo. Representing the power of historical districts, 10 jockeys race bareback in elaborate pageantry to win the coveted Palio banner. Roots of the Palio go back to medieval times, making it a symbol of Sienese identity.
Dating to the Middle Ages, the Palio is inseparable from Siena’s social fabric. Each contrada (district) invests the race with generations of tradition, costumes, and rivalries. The two annual runnings coincide with Catholic feast days, blending civic pride and religious celebration.
Venues and routes
Piazza del Campo · Siena
The dates that shape the visit.
Day 45 · Sat, Aug 15
Tourists often gather in Piazza del Campo with locals; it’s a lively atmosphere at night with fireworks and drums.
Day 46 · Sun, Aug 16
Tickets or balconies are needed to see well; otherwise one can stand around the splash broad; respect the significance by staying clear of track and enjoying revelry responsibly.
A compact reference once the trip is real.
Tickets required · Typical price: €50 - €150
Very high crowds