Fonte Gaia (Gaia Fountain) Tours

The heart of Siena is Piazza del Campo, and the heart of this famous square is Fonte Gaia (Gaia Fountain). Dating from the 15th century, the fountain is lined with replicas of the original bas-relief panels by Jacopo della Quercia, considered a precursor to Michelangelo, and is one of the top attractions in this Tuscan town.
The Basics
Fonte Gaia’s original panels are housed in the museum at the Ospedale di St. Maria della Scala in Piazza Duomo, and the fountain’s waters splash around 19th-century copies (minus two female nude depictions considered too risqué at the time). That doesn’t diminish the charm of this white marble fountain, however, and it is a popular gathering place in Piazza del Campo and a highlight of any walking tour of Siena.
Join a small-group or private tour of this UNESCO-listed town and see Fonte Gaia along with other Siena landmarks such as the medieval Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia tower, and Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena). Siena is a popular stop on day trips to the Chianti region of Tuscany from Florence and Rome, which often include stops in Pisa or in the pretty village of San Gimignano.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Siena has one of the most picturesque medieval centers in Tuscany, so be sure to bring your camera.
- Piazza del Campo is accessible to wheelchair users.
- The piazza is pedestrian only, an ideal spot to let kids run off a bit of steam.
- Fonte Gaia is surrounded by fencing to protect its delicate marble.
- Tours of Siena and the villages of Tuscany require a fair bit of walking. Choose comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
How to Get There
Fonte Gaia is located in Piazza del Campo in the heart of Siena. You can walk or take a city bus from the train station, but the most convenient way to visit is by joining a small-group or private tour that includes transportation so you can also explore nearby Tuscan villages.
When to Get There
Home to one of the most famous and popular medieval festivals in Italy, Piazza del Campo is either a destination to visit or to avoid during the biannual Palio, held in July and August. The square and fountain offer little shade, so are best explored in early morning or late afternoon in summer, or in spring or fall when the temperatures are milder.
Siena’s Palio Festivities
The Palio di Siena is a bareback horse race held in Piazza del Campo around Fonte Gaia each year in July and August. One of the most raucous historical festivals in Italy, the Palio features 10 horses and riders representing 10 of the 17 contrade, or historical town districts, racing around the circumference of the piazza, which is filled with throngs of revellers for the occasion. The festival also includes pageants, banquets, and religious events.
Address: Piazza del Campo Town Centre, Siena, Tuscany 53100, Italy
6 Tours and Activities to Experience Fonte Gaia (Gaia Fountain)
Sort by:Featured

Siena Food Tour
After a morning spent exploring the streets of Siena, see to your appetite with a lunchtime Sienese food tour. Enjoy a beautiful antipasto before enjoying a meal in a traditional Tuscan tavern. This culinary tour fits neatly into a long lunch break, making it easy to fit this tour into a full day of sightseeing.
…More
From
$61.45
From
$61.45
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Guided walking tour of Siena
Siena is a treasure trove of historical, artistic, religious and cultural riches all to be discovered.
The best way to do it is on foot, admiring the changes to the town over the centuries and enjoying the spectacular scenery and curious particulars. With an authorized guide you will be able to appreciate the major tourist attractions like Piazza del Campo, the true heart of the town, the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), the Cathedral and the majestic Basilica of San Domenico. There will also be no lack of references to the great noble families, such as the Piccolomini, Tolomei and Salimbeni, and their palazzos, to the great tradition of the Siena Palio, but also to the stories of pilgrimage and saintliness that distinguish the town. The walk continues with a visit to the Cathedral that preserves the treasures of artists like Nicola Pisano, Duccio di Buoninsegna, Donatello and Gianlorenzo Bernini, besides its marvelous marble floor, which is a unique example in the history of art.
…More
From
$24.58
From
$24.58
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Siena Private Tour: Medieval City Exploration Game
Embark on a quest around Siena by solving clues to start a war between the famous Tolomei and Salimbeni families, all with the help of your smartphone. Unlock new stories as you discover on your own the Siena Dome, the historical center, Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Tolomei, and more.
+ Discover the second-oldest bank in the world
+ Uncover the secrets of the Palazzo Tolomei
+ Admire the beautiful fountain at Fonte Gaia
+ Take selfies in Piazza del Duomo
Each riddle you solve will lead you from one place to another, giving you exact directions, so you won’t need a map, a GPS or a guide. When you solve it and guess the answer, the secret story of that place is unlocked. Start and stop whenever you want.
…More
From
$6.13
Price varies by group size
From
$6.13
Price varies by group size

Siena Magica Private Walking Tour
On this private guided walking tour you will explore a city that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see its main and beautiful sites, such as the Cathedral of Siena, Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangi, Fonte Gaia, Piazza del Mercato.
The beautiful city of Siena is famous not only for its splendid and historic buildings and the picturesque landscape that surrounds it, but also for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and, of course, the Palio, the famous horse race held here twice a year.
…More
From
$129.05
Price varies by group size
From
$129.05
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Discover Siena with its Cathedral
Enjoy a small group tour to discover Siena with its famous monuments and hidden treasures on a walking tour.
Benefit from our pre-reserved skip-the-line tickets for the Cathedral and never wait in a line again.
Catch quiet moments in tucked-away squares and gardens as you troll through the winding and well-preserved medieval neighborhoods
Learn the history behind the renowned Palio horse race from your expert guide.
…More
From
$104.47
From
$104.47
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Siena's most beloved legends: the untold city
A two hours enchanting walk, discovering Siena most beloved legends. Starting Point Basilica of Saint Dominic, where the detached head and finger of the holy Saint Catherine wait to tell You the story of the girl that changed not Siena, all Europe and church history. Second stop at the Malavolti Arch to gaze at the only ancient roman architectural feature left in place. Learn how and why Siena is closely tied with Rome. You will learn the fate of Mariotto and Ganozza, the story Shakespeare was inspired by in writing his Romeo and Juliet. We will turn around the romantic couple palace, Palazzo Mignanelli. Next stop: Piazza del Campo. Walking around this UNESCO site You will listen to the story of the first town hall bellman, who gave his nickname to the tower. We will stop to launch a copper coin into Fonte Gaia and listen to its waters telling us the story of the never found and mysterious Siena’s river and learn about the pixies that live in its underground galleries.
…More
From
$98.32
Price varies by group size
From
$98.32
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Things to do near Siena
- Things to do in Tuscany
- Things to do in San Gimignano
- Things to do in Chianti
- Things to do in Florence
- Things to do in Livorno
- Things to do in Pisa
- Things to do in Perugia
- Things to do in Lake Bolsena
- Things to do in Assisi
- Things to do in Bologna
- Things to do in Rome
- Things to do in Genoa
- Things to do in Venice
- Things to do in Umbria
- Things to do in Emilia-Romagna