Museo di Storia Naturale, Siena

Archive, Attraction and Museum in Siena

Museo di Storia Naturale
Museo di Storia Naturale
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Sailko

Tucked into Siena's historic fabric, the Museo di Storia Naturale (Natural History Museum) is a small-but-memorable stop for anyone curious about animals, rocks, and the old-school charm of scientific collections. It's the kind of place that feels like a “cabinet of wonders,” where preserved specimens and mineral displays reward slow looking rather than rushing.

It also fits beautifully into a walking tour day: pair it with the nearby Basilica of San Domenico, the Duomo area, or a loop that starts at Piazza del Campo and wanders outward to Siena's quieter lanes. If you're looking for a break from the biggest-ticket sights, this museum is one of the best places in Siena to spend an hour (or two) learning something unexpected.

History and Significance of the Museo di Storia Naturale

The Museo di Storia Naturale in Siena is closely tied to the city's long tradition of scholarship and scientific collecting. Rather than a modern, highly interactive museum, it preserves the feel of historical natural-history displays, where specimens and objects were gathered, cataloged, and used to teach generations of students and researchers.

That “archive-like” atmosphere is part of its significance: you’re not only seeing zoology and geology, you’re also seeing how knowledge was organized and presented in earlier eras. For travelers, it’s a refreshing contrast to Siena’s better-known medieval and Renaissance art focus.

Today, its value is twofold: it's a family-friendly introduction to biodiversity and earth science, and it's also a quiet cultural stop that helps round out a Siena itinerary beyond churches, palaces, and piazzas.

Things to See and Do in the Museo di Storia Naturale

Start with the zoological collections, where preserved birds and other specimens tend to be the biggest crowd-pleasers. The displays have a classic natural-history look that kids often find fascinating, and adults will appreciate the sheer variety packed into a compact space.

Don’t miss the geology and mineral sections. Many visitors highlight the gemstones, rocks, and minerals as a standout, and it’s easy to linger here comparing colors, crystal forms, and textures—especially if you’ve been touring Siena’s brick-and-stone streets and want a deeper sense of the region’s material world.

If you’re interested in how museums used to feel, take time to notice the overall layout and presentation style. This is less about flashy storytelling and more about discovery: move slowly, scan the cases carefully, and you’ll keep finding details you didn’t notice at first.

How to Get to the Museo di Storia Naturale

The nearest major airports are Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci) and Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei), with Rome's airports also possible if you're building a longer Italy trip. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Siena on Booking.com.

From elsewhere in Tuscany, you can reach Siena by train (often with a change), arriving at Siena railway station and then continuing by local bus, taxi, or a walk uphill into the historic center. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy..

If you’re driving, plan to park outside the ZTL (limited traffic zone) and continue on foot or by bus into the center. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Once you're in central Siena, the museum is best reached on foot—ideal to slot into a self-guided walking route that also includes nearby churches, viewpoints, and small local museums.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Museo di Storia Naturale

  • Official website: https://www.museostorianaturalesiena.it/
  • Entrance fee: Adults: €5; Reduced: €3; Family (2 adults + up to 4 children): €13.
  • Opening hours: (Summer) April 1 – September 30; Monday – Friday: 09:00–18:30; Saturday: 10:00–19:00; Sunday: 10:00–18:30. (Winter) October 1 – March 31; Monday – Friday: 09:00–15:00; Saturday: 13:00–18:00; Closed on Sunday.
  • Best time to visit: Go earlier in the day for a calmer experience and better time to read labels at your own pace. If you’re visiting in peak season, aim for a weekday to avoid occasional crowding around the cases.
  • How long to spend: Plan for about 60–90 minutes for a satisfying visit. If you love minerals, zoology, or slower “treasure hunt” museums, you can easily stretch it to 2 hours.
  • Accessibility: Expect an older building layout; step-free access may be limited in some areas. If you need step-free entry or elevator access, it’s worth confirming details with the museum before you go.
  • Facilities: This is a compact museum, so facilities are typically simple rather than extensive. Bring water, and plan your coffee or lunch stop at a nearby café afterward.

Where to Stay Close to the Museo di Storia Naturale

Base yourself in Siena’s historic center for the easiest walking access to the museum and the city’s main sights.

Grand Hotel Continental Siena – Starhotels Collezione A top-end choice right in the center, ideal if you want classic Siena atmosphere, walkability, and an elegant stay between museum visits and evening passeggiata.

Hotel Athena A reliable favorite with a convenient edge-of-center location that makes arrivals by car or taxi simpler while still keeping you within an easy walk of major sights.

NH Siena Great for travelers who want a modern, comfortable base near the historic center and close to transit connections—useful if you're day-tripping around Tuscany.

Hotel Chiusarelli A solid mid-range pick with a central location that works well for museum-hopping, especially if you like being near parks and easy walking routes.

Hotel Minerva A practical option near Siena station with good value and straightforward logistics—handy if you're arriving by train and want a simple base.

Is the Museo di Storia Naturale Worth Visiting?

Yes—especially if you enjoy quieter, curiosity-driven museums and want something different from Siena’s headline attractions. It’s highly regarded by visitors for being a “hidden gem,” with friendly staff and collections that feel surprisingly rich for the museum’s size.

Honest Pivot: if you strongly prefer modern, highly interactive exhibits or you rely on extensive English-language interpretation, you may find parts of the experience less accessible. In that case, consider prioritizing Siena’s major art-and-architecture sights and fitting this in only if you have extra time.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.8 (460)

Travelers rate this museum very highly and often describe it as a hidden gem away from Siena’s busiest tourist flow. Common highlights include friendly, helpful staff, a surprisingly rich collection (especially preserved birds and minerals/gemstones), and strong appeal for families with curious kids. A few visitors mention practical drawbacks such as limited English information and occasional crowding that can make some specimens harder to view.

sabrina l
4 months ago
"My youngest is obsessed with learning about animals. So to my delight, Siena had this little gem of a natural history museum. The man working therewas super helpful and friendly. He gave a good explanation of the layout and helped us find the one section we missed. We appreciated him very much! The only thing I didn’t love about the museum was the lack of AC on a hot day as we were in Italy during a particularly hot heat wave. (But the cost to leave the AC ru ing when it’s relatively empty wouldn’t make sense so I understand.) I did appreciate that the museum used little toy models of animals so those of us who can’t read Italian could quickly determine what we were looking at. They have quite the rock collection and my son pointed out malachite and other interesting rocks and uniquely colored marble. He was thrilled that they had a tusk fragment of a palaeoloxodon and also a tooth from a megaladon. Some highlights for him were seeing the taxidermy of a peregrine falcon, a cassowary, lions and seeing the skeleton of a giraffe. And while he was unfazed by the skeleton of a small human child (which freaked me out), he was disturbed by the animals preserved in jars under the section of oddities and deformities (Siamese twin calves and mutations of sheep or birds). All in all, would recommend a visit if you’re in Siena with kids who would find this interesting...."
Erin and Daniel Ricci
7 months ago
"This special gem remains undiscovered by Siena’s many tourists milling about the Piazza del Campo. Do yourself a favor and take the time to exploreits many offerings, from an extensive collection of preserved birds to an exceptional array of beautiful gemstones, rocks, and minerals. We really enjoyed our time. Plenty of places to sit and take it all in as well. The staff are kind and helpful. You should also pay the additional entry to visit the beautiful oasis that is the botanical gardens. Another quiet and serene corner of Siena for someone seeking peace and beauty. We visited the gardens on a different day but accessed them through the entrance of the museum. Both destinations are worth a visit!..."
Jorge J. Garcia
2 years ago
"Absolutely magical place. We arrived 40 minutes prior to closing and were happily greeted and told “do not worry, take your time” They proceeded bysaying that admission tickets were not required but a donation was welcomed. Truly awesome place all around; my 6 and 7 year old were fascinated, as were we (the parents) and both grandmas who were traveling with us; truly a place for everyone!..."

For Different Travelers

This museum works best as a flexible add-on: you can drop in for a quick visit or slow down and explore the cases in detail. It's also a nice way to balance a Siena day that's otherwise heavy on churches, frescoes, and medieval streets.

Families with Kids

Kids who love animals, rocks, and “weird and wonderful” displays often get hooked quickly here. The compact size helps: it’s easier to keep everyone engaged compared with larger museums.

To make it smoother, turn the visit into a scavenger hunt (favorite bird, strangest specimen, prettiest mineral). If you’re traveling with younger children, this can be a great rainy-day or midday-break stop.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, it’s a charming detour from Siena’s busiest lanes—quiet, a little quirky, and easy to pair with a long lunch or aperitivo afterward. It also adds variety to a romantic itinerary that might otherwise be all piazzas and panoramic viewpoints.

If you like slow travel, treat it as a “curiosity stop” on a walking route: museum first, then a stroll to a nearby church or viewpoint, then coffee and people-watching back toward the center.

Budget Travelers

This is a strong value stop in Siena, especially compared with some of the city's pricier headline attractions. It's also easy to reach on foot, so you can keep transport costs low.

Budget tip: plan a museum-and-walk day—combine this visit with free wandering through Siena’s contrade neighborhoods and viewpoints, then cap it with an inexpensive bakery lunch.

History Buffs

Even though it’s a natural-history museum, history lovers will appreciate the older-style presentation and the sense of stepping into a long tradition of collecting and study. The museum’s “archive” feel can be as interesting as the specimens themselves.

Look for the way objects are grouped and displayed—this is a window into how earlier generations learned science. It's a different kind of Siena history, but it complements the city's better-known medieval story.

FAQs for Visiting Museo di Storia Naturale

Getting There

Yes, it’s generally reachable on foot from the central sights, and it fits well into a self-guided walking loop. Siena is hilly, so allow extra time if you’re taking it slow.
Yes—take a bus or taxi up toward the historic center, then continue on foot. If you walk, expect an uphill stretch.
Yes, it’s best as part of a day that also includes Siena’s churches, viewpoints, and smaller museums. Plan your route so you’re not backtracking too much.

Tickets & Entry

Usually no for a standard visit, but it’s smart to check ahead if you’re traveling in a group. Guided visits may require booking.
Yes, family and reduced options are commonly available. Check the museum’s current ticket list before you go.
Typically yes, but it’s wise to carry a payment method that works easily in Italy. If you’re unsure, confirm accepted payment types before visiting.

Visiting Experience

Yes—focus on the zoology and minerals first for the biggest impact. You can still get a satisfying visit in under an hour.
Yes, because the appeal is visual and curiosity-driven. Even a quick walk-through can be fun if you like unusual collections.
Some visitors note limited English labeling. If that matters to you, consider using a translation app for key labels.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Yes, it’s a great “something different” stop between Siena’s major landmarks. It also works well as a midday break from crowds.
Guided visits are often possible on request. If you want deeper context, arrange it ahead of time.
Start with a central Siena landmark, walk outward to the museum, then finish with a café stop and a scenic stroll back through the historic streets. This keeps the day varied and relaxed.

Photography

Rules can vary by exhibit and event, so check signage on arrival. If photography is allowed, be mindful of other visitors in tight spaces.
Often flash is discouraged around sensitive displays. Assume no flash unless the museum explicitly permits it.
Tripods are commonly restricted in small museums for safety and space reasons. Ask staff if you need one for a specific purpose.

Accessibility & Facilities

Accessibility can be limited in older buildings, and some areas may be harder to reach. Contact the museum in advance for the most accurate guidance.
Many museums have basic visitor restrooms, but facilities may be limited. Plan a café stop nearby as a backup.
Strollers may be tricky in narrow areas or where there are steps. A baby carrier can be easier if you’re visiting with very young children.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Not always—smaller museums often don’t have full food service. Plan to eat or grab coffee nearby.
Head back toward the central streets for bakeries and cafés that are easy to fit into a walking route. Siena is great for quick pastries and espresso stops.
Usually a small water bottle is fine, but follow any posted rules. Be careful around display cases in tighter rooms.

Safety & Timing

It’s often quieter than Siena’s biggest attractions, though some rooms can feel tight if a group arrives. Visiting earlier in the day helps.
Morning or early afternoon tends to be calmer and gives you flexibility for the rest of your Siena plans. Late-day visits can feel rushed if closing time is near.
Yes, Siena’s center is generally safe and very walkable. Just watch your footing on steep lanes and worn stone surfaces.

Nearby Attractions to the Museo di Storia Naturale

The Museo di Storia Naturale appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siena!

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Moira & Andy

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

(Summer) April 1 - September 30; Monday - Friday: 09:00-18:30; Saturday: 10:00-19:00; Sunday: 10:00-18:30.

(Winter) October 1 - March 31; Monday - Friday: 09:00-15:00; Saturday: 13:00-18:00; Closed on Sunday.

Price:

Adults: €5; Reduced: €3; Family (2 adults + up to 4 children): €13.

Address: Piazzetta Silvio Gigli, 2, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Siena: 1 km
Telephone: +39 0577 47002
Official Website

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