Monteriggioni is a tiny walled hilltop village about 15 kilometres northwest of Siena. It is a separate comune rather than a Siena neighbourhood, but makes an easy half-day trip from the city. From the road, its medieval walls and square towers look like a stone crown above the Tuscan countryside; inside are a handful of lanes, restaurants and artisan shops clustered around Piazza Roma and its parish church.
Siena built Monteriggioni in the early 13th century as a defensive outpost against Florence, guarding the northern approaches and the Via Francigena pilgrimage route. Its ring of towers impressed Dante, who compared them to giants in the Inferno. The fortress remained strategically important until it fell to Florentine forces in 1554. More recently, its appearance in Assassin's Creed II has brought it a different kind of fame.
The village is small enough to cross in minutes, but worth lingering over. Walk the accessible sections of the ramparts for views across vineyards and wooded hills, visit the small arms and armour museum, then settle in Piazza Roma for a slow lunch. Walkers can also explore the surrounding countryside and nearby stretches of the Via Francigena.
Spring and early autumn are pleasant times to visit; in summer, arrive early or late to avoid the busiest and hottest hours. Driving from Siena takes around 20 minutes. Public transport is possible, but services to the surrounding area can be limited, so check timetables and the onward walk before setting out. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven paving and steep rampart steps, and book ahead if you have a particular restaurant in mind.