Grocery Stores in Siena’s Historic Center: Locations and Tips on Shopping

Author’s note: Updated June 22-30, 2025 for changes to some stores and owners since 2022.

Finding grocery stores and larger supermarkets in Siena is not always easy or intuitive, though shopping at them provides for a rich cultural experience. These businesses occupy centuries-old buildings in many cases, sometimes revealing unique floor plans that only add to their local character. This page provides an overview of comprehensive if modest urban grocery stores in or near the city’s historic center, with maps and some photos below where more locational detail may be necessary. They are all walkable within the walled city (except those near the train station), though certain stores will be closer to you than others depending on where you are staying. NOTE about map apps: If you have decent cell or internet service while in town, you can search on a map app for “grocery stores near me,” though many of those included are specialty stores without comprehensive grocery selections. They are still unique and are part of the local/regional culture, so certainly worth visiting!

NOTES AND DISCLAIMERS: Businesses can, of course, come and go over time, though most of those listed here have been stable for nine or more years (up through 2025). The new Pam Panorama on Banchi di Sotto just north of the Campo appeared around 2023, and a new Conad Tuday is now on Via di Citta 99 just west of the Campo (see image below). Also, the stores below represent a range of sizes and scale. While they all serve general groceries and household goods, you may only find a few brands of something at the smaller stores. Only at the Pam and Coop near the train station (see below) will you find the large-scale supermarket to which you may be accustomed. You may need to supplement goods from one store if you don’t find them at another. Happy exploring and shopping, part of the fun!

TOM’S TIPS: Having shopped at all of these places either regularly or sporadically, here are some helpful observations:

  • For those shopping on foot, bring a backpack and a canvas (or equivalent) re-usable shopping bag (or two) so that you don’t get stuck with too many groceries to carry (I’ve hit my limit more than once). Heavy items like water, soda, juice, and milk can go in the backpack, saving space and weight in your hand-carried bags. The check-out person at most if not all of these stores will likely ask if you want one or more of their bags (usually for a nominal charge). This is likely the question they are asking you if you don’t speak much Italian. “Busta” (pronounced “BOOST-a”) is the basic word used for grocery bag. You can use theirs if desired, and they will add the charge to your bill. If you have your own, indicate that you do not need theirs.
  • If there are fruits and vegetables for sale individually as with some of these places, please do not touch the items with your hands (tourists are famous for this at the Conad stores, for instance, because they don’t yet know local/Italian customs). Look for the plastic glove dispenser where the veggie bags are located, put it on, and select your products that way. If unsure, ask for help, or better yet, watch someone else do it. Also, sometimes at smaller, specialized fruit/veggie shops, they prefer selecting items for you (or you can point).
  • Italians love to use cash. Although most if not all stores will accept credit cards, cash is more commonly used here than in America and perhaps elsewhere. When purchasing relatively large numbers of items in the supermarket-sized stores (Conad or bigger), you can usually hand them 50 or 100 euro bills. Sometimes these are the best places to obtain smaller bills in change, if you need them. However, smaller stores (not just groceries) will not likely agree willingly to provide you with a lot of change for only a few items. Smaller bills and especially euro coins are hard to come by for most businesses in Italy, so try to avoid asking for lots of change (like you might do at a bank) at smaller stores.

STORE LOCATIONS AND NOTES (Updated June 2025. All photos and screenshots by author.)

ABOVE: Pam Siena (center), and Coop (right). Both are large, comprehensive grocery stores with general household goods. Pam is in the shopping mall across from the train station square. To get there on foot, try the lengthy ESCALATOR SYSTEM just north of Porta Camollia, which terminates in the shopping mall. Coop is easier access by car with large parking lot.
ABOVE: The Conad City entrance (left), now off of Viale Curtatone. The Conad recently moved here, from the site now occupied by Penny (center right). Penny is also a comprehensive grocery store, though more of the discount variety (as personally experienced and described by local friends.)
ABOVE: The new (2025) Conad City entrance and location on Viale Curtatone.
ABOVE: The tunnel to reach the entrance to Penny (formerly Conad City). Walk through here and look to the right for the escalator.
ABOVE: The Consorzio (Consortium), at Via Pianigiani 9. Specializes in genuine Tuscan products. Some things are a bit more expensive here, though other regular grocery items are comparable to Conad. A great store to wander and find or try the foods of Tuscany!
ABOVE: Entry to the Consorzio, at Via Pianigiani 9
ABOVE: Location of Pam Local (Now Pam Panorama), at 76 Via di Camollia in the northern district. This is relatively new, and a smaller version of its major supermarket down by the train station (see more above).
ABOVE: Entrance to the Pam Local (now Pam Panorama) store at 76 Via di Camollia (map above).

ABOVE: Carrefour Express, at Via di Citta 152, close to the Quattro Cantoni intersection on Siena’s west side. This had been the Bottega Simply store prior to the Covid panedemic.
ABOVE: Storefront to Carrefour Express on Via di Citta.
ABOVE: Carrefour Express on Pian dei Mantellini in the Snail Contrada, western side of Siena’s historic center.
ABOVE: Storefront to the Carrefour Express on Pian dei Mantellini.

ABOVE: Conad City, Via Pantaneto 145. Essentially a “sister store” to its counterpart in the northern district.
ABOVE: Conad City storefront, at Via Pantaneto 145, east of the Campo.
Conad Tuday, Via di Citta 99, a newer, smaller “sister” Conad store about 1 block away from the Carrefour Express just up the street (don’t ask me why, though both were packed with shoppers on a Monday…)
ABOVE: Pam Local (now Pam Panorama), at Via Banchi di Sotto 45. A recent addition to the historic center, and a smaller version of its major supermarket down by the train station (see more above).
Storefront for the Pam Local (Pam Panorama) store at 45 Via Banchi di Sotto.

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