Siena turns into a game. This family-focused walk uses a Polaguide plus puzzles and instant photos to help you discover the Contrade corners of the city while hunting for the 17 fantastic animals hidden around town.

What I like most is that it gives you structure without feeling like a strict march, and it turns the walk into something kids can actually steer. The second big win is the souvenir factor: the booklet becomes an album as you go, so you end up with memories you can flip through later, not just a blur of photos on your phone.

One consideration: it’s still a lot of walking, and the 3-hour “approx.” timing can stretch when kids want to find every animal and photograph carefully.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Contrade-focused treasure hunt: you’re aiming for the heart of each Contrada, not just the usual postcard stops
• Polaguide as an instant scrapbook: the guide has 17 photo spots and becomes your album
• Instant camera option: you can rent a camera with 10 or 20 films, and choose mini or square format
• Riddles plus fountain references: each stage points you toward the next clue using fountain locations
• Private group up to 5: you’re not packed into a huge crowd, even during busy times

Contrade charm plus a photo hunt in Siena

If you want a Siena outing that feels lively and age-appropriate, this is a smart idea. The whole experience is built around a simple premise: kids (and the adults helping them) follow clues, find the fantastic animals, and take photos that get attached to the Polaguide as you move between stops.

The most rewarding part is how it nudges you away from the idea that Siena is only for slow museum time. Instead, you get a walking route that behaves like a treasure map. And because the theme is connected to the Contrade—Siena’s historic neighborhood identities—you see the city in a more personal way, through details that typical sightseeing routes often miss.

I also like that this isn’t just about spotting a thing and moving on. The riddles make you look closely at the surroundings. Even when you’re traveling with little kids, you’re not stuck with a lecture. You’re solving, photographing, and checking off the next stage.

Price and time: what you’re really paying for

The price is $74.49 per group, good for up to 5 people. That pricing matters because family budgets get hit hard in Italy, and per-person costs can rise fast with tours. Here, the group cap means you can spread the cost across kids and adults.

Duration is listed as about 3 hours, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. In real life, think of it as 3 hours if your group is moving quickly and solving efficiently. If you have younger kids, or you stop to admire details and retake photos, plan more time. The game takes longer when kids are fully engaged, and that’s usually the point.

If you’re deciding whether it’s “good value,” here’s the practical way to judge it: you’re paying for (1) a designed route with clues, (2) a kid-friendly scavenger hunt format, and (3) the instant-photo souvenir system. If you already like wandering without structure, you might find other DIY routes cheaper. But if you want something that keeps children busy while still covering real parts of the city, this is often the better deal.

The Polaguide and the instant camera setup

The Polaguide is the heart of the experience. For each stage, it indicates where the fountain is and gives you the riddles to solve. The guide also has spaces for 17 photos, so you’re not just collecting answers—you’re building a keepsake.

Then there’s the optional instant camera. The information you’re given includes:

• You can rent a camera with 10 films or 20 films
• You can choose the photo format: mini (46×62 mm) or square (62×62 mm)

This part sounds small, but it’s actually huge for families. If kids are using their own “real mission” camera, you tend to spend less time saying, look up, over there, don’t touch that. They’re focused on the task. Adults can relax a bit because the activity is running in parallel with your sightseeing.

One practical tip: choose the film count based on your group. If you have very young kids who will want multiple shots per animal, 20 films can save you from a mid-tour scramble. If your kids are content with fewer photos, 10 films may be enough. Either way, you’ll still finish with a tactile photo album at the end.

How the stages work in Siena’s Centro Storico

Your start point is Peace&Road Siena, Via Fusari 20, in the Centro Storico area. From there, you follow the route through town and return to the same meeting point when you finish the hunt.

Each stage follows a pattern:

1. The Polaguide tells you where to look by referencing a fountain position.
2. You solve the riddle for that stop.
3. You find the fantastic animal detail.
4. You take a photo with the instant camera (if you chose to rent one) and attach it to the correct space in the guide.

That fountain-based guidance is smart, because Siena is famous for small landmarks and narrow streets that can feel confusing. Fountains also help you orient yourself without needing constant map checking. It’s a classic strategy for self-guided urban games: give you anchors that are easy to spot even when you’re moving.

Also, the tour is designed to steer you toward areas you might not hit on a standard route. You’re not just doing the “big squares” and calling it a day. You’re crossing into Contrada space, which means more turns, more alley details, and more chances to see street-level Siena rather than only the main viewpoints.

The 17 fantastic animals: what you’re hunting for

The experience is built around finding the 17 fantastic animals hidden around Siena. The theme is playful, but the sightseeing payoff is real: you’ll be looking at physical details linked to the city’s Contrade identities—things like the clues, statues/sign-like elements, and the visual markers you’d otherwise breeze past.

Because you’re solving riddles, you’re forced to slow down just enough to notice. And because you’re photographing as you go, the activity naturally breaks the walk into bite-sized moments, instead of one long trek.

One thing to keep in mind: finishing all 17 may not happen at the exact pace you’re imagining. The route includes puzzles and photo steps. If you want the full set, start with extra energy and avoid scheduling something tight right after. If you’re not trying to complete every single animal, you’ll still get value from seeing more of the city than a standard quick walk.

Shoes, navigation, and planning your half-day

This is a city walk, so plan for the basics:

• Wear comfortable shoes with grip. Streets can be uneven and you’ll be moving between small areas.
• Bring a little patience for kid-led pacing. The point is for children to stay engaged.
• Keep water in your day plan, especially in warmer months.

The good news: you’re not doing this with a chaotic “everyone follow me” herd. This is a private tour/activity, with only your group participating. The group size is capped at up to 5, which makes it easier to keep kids together and keep the camera moment from turning into a detour every minute.

Timing-wise, build the day around the experience. If you want lunch afterward, give yourself a buffer. If you’re trying to do it right before dinner, you may find that the photos and puzzles run long.

One more practical note: it’s near public transportation, and you’ll have a mobile ticket. That’s handy if you’re blending Siena sightseeing with other plans.

Who this is best for in real family terms

This is clearly aimed at families with children, and the sweet spot is kids who enjoy games and don’t mind walking for stretches. It’s especially well-suited to:

• Ages around 3 to 10, where scavenger-hunt motivation works really well
• Families with multiple kids, since different ages can take turns navigating, solving, and photographing
• Parents who want a structured activity but still want to move at their own pace

If your kids are older teens who want history lectures, they might prefer something more straightforward. But if your teens are willing to do a bit of teamwork and humor, the Contrade + photo album angle can still work.

For adults traveling without children, the experience may feel more playful than necessary. If you’re solo or a couple and want maximum flexibility without puzzles, you might prefer other Siena options. Still, the themed nature of Siena’s Contrade details can appeal even when you’re not doing it for kid-focused reasons.

What makes this tour feel special (beyond the theme)

Plenty of city tours offer a route. This one offers a job. Kids aren’t just spectators. They’re problem-solvers and photographers. And that changes the experience in a good way: children are looking up, scanning, and actively participating instead of waiting to be entertained.

The photo-to-book system is also more meaningful than it first sounds. A phone photo is easy to lose in your camera roll. An attached instant photo in a dedicated guide becomes a visible checklist of your day. It turns the city walk into something you can remember immediately, not after you get home.

Finally, the Contrade angle gives you a deeper “why” for what you see. You’re moving through neighborhoods with identity and tradition, not only stopping for views. It’s a fun way to add cultural texture without turning the day into a school field trip.

Should you book it or skip it?

Book it if you want:

• A family-friendly Siena outing that keeps kids engaged
• A structured walk with riddles that still lets you go at your own pace
• A built-in souvenir system with instant photos attached to a guide

Consider skipping or swapping to something else if:

• Your group hates puzzles or doesn’t enjoy photo challenges
• You have very limited stamina for walking
• You only have time for a short, fast highlights loop and nothing more

One last practical point: the activity requires good weather. If rain is in the forecast, you’ll want to be flexible with your plan.

If you’re traveling with kids in Siena and you want a day that feels like an adventure rather than a chore, this is one of the more clever ways to see the city. It gets you moving, gets you looking, and gives you a tangible album at the end.

FAQ

How long is The 17 Fantastic Animals of Siena tour?

It runs about 3 hours, approximately, and ends back at the meeting point.

What does it cost and how big is the group?

It costs $74.49 per group, up to 5 people. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

Where do we meet and where does it end?

You start at Peace&Road Siena, Via Fusari 20, 53100 Siena SI, Italy, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Do we get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience includes a mobile ticket.

Can I rent an instant camera, and are there different options?

Yes. The information provided includes optional instant camera rental with 10 films or 20 films, and photo formats in mini (46×62 mm) or square (62×62 mm).

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is it suitable for families and service animals?

It’s designed for families with children, and service animals are allowed. It’s also near public transportation and most travelers can participate.

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