Siena works best when you slow down. This family-focused animal hunt turns the historic center into a friendly game, with a Polaguide that gives you stage-by-stage clues, fountain locations, and riddles to solve. I like the way the instant camera turns wandering into something kids can actually control, and I like that the Polaguide becomes a keepsake album—photo slots for all 17 animals.

The main drawback is effort: this is a lot of walking, and it can take longer than the approximate 3-hour time window, especially with little ones stopping to aim, shoot, and place photos.

5 Things That Make This Siena Hunt Worth Doing

• A Polaguide designed like a game plan: each stage points you toward a spot, plus riddles to help you find the next animal.
• 17 photo spaces, not 17 loose memories: the guide is set up to become your album by slotting in each instant photo.
• You choose the instant-camera setup: rent 10 or 20 films, and pick mini or square print formats.
• You’ll hit more of Siena’s center at a kid’s pace: the route nudges you toward parts you might skip when you’re just sightseeing.
• Private and small-group: it’s only your group (up to 5), so your family’s tempo stays in charge.

A Family Treasure Hunt Through Siena’s Contrade

Siena’s contrade aren’t just “nice old neighborhoods.” They’re identity—felt in the streets, the stone, and the symbols you spot as you move through the Centro Storico. This experience takes that idea and packages it as a scavenger hunt: you go stage to stage around town, following the Polaguide instructions to locate the 17 “fantastic animals” hidden in the city.

The best part for families is that the activity gives kids a job. Instead of adults doing the mental work while children tag along, the structure makes children part of the process: they look, they figure it out, and they capture a photo to claim the next animal.

This works especially well if your kids like puzzles, spotting details, and the satisfaction of a checklist. It’s also a smart choice if you’re worried that Siena will feel like too much museum time in too little child attention span—because the city becomes the playground.

The Polaguide Album: Instant Photos Become the Souvenir

Here’s what makes this tour feel different from a standard “walk and look” route: you’re not just taking pictures. You’re building a photo album as you go.

You start with a Polaguide that lays out each stage. For every stage, it indicates where to find something specific (including the position of a fountain) and it includes the riddles you need to solve to reach the next hidden animal. When you locate it, you use an instant camera to photograph it and then attach the photo directly into the Polaguide.

Why that matters: instant prints give kids a visible reward quickly. No waiting, no scrolling through a phone after the fact. And parents get a souvenir that’s organized by the route, not by random camera roll chaos.

The Polaguide has spaces for 17 photos, so your end goal is concrete. If you finish the full set, you’re not just “done sightseeing”—you’ve completed the whole story.

Instant Camera Options: Films and Photo Formats

The tour is built around an instant photo workflow, but you still get choices. The Polaguide has slots for all 17 animals, and you can decide how many instant-camera films to rent. You can choose either 10 films or 20 films.

You can also choose the photo format:

• mini (46×62 mm)
• square (62×62 mm)

This is more than a technical detail. It affects how much room you have for retakes and how your album will look. With kids, retakes are common—tiny hands wobble, attention shifts, and sometimes the animal is just a bit farther than you expected. If you expect more stopping and aiming, the higher film count is a practical way to avoid scrambling late in the hunt.

How the Route Actually Plays Out in Siena

The itinerary is simple on paper: you begin in the Centro Storico di Siena. In practice, the day unfolds as a series of stages, each with a location clue and a riddle.

At each stage, the Polaguide helps you:

1. Navigate to the right street-level spot,
2. Find the fountain reference and use the riddle to confirm you’re in the right place,
3. Locate the fantastic animal hidden around the city,
4. Take an instant photo,
5. Paste it into the Polaguide album.

That fountain-and-riddle design is key. Siena has plenty of historic corners that are beautiful but confusing. These clues reduce decision fatigue. You’re not trying to guess what you should be looking for; you’re following prompts that keep you moving with purpose.

One timing note: the experience is listed at about 3 hours, but the route can stretch. With families, the photo moment takes time, and solving riddles tends to slow things down in a good way. Plan for a longer window if you want the full set without rushing.

Centro Storico Reality Check: Expect Lots of Walking

Siena’s streets are charming, but they’re not stroller-friendly by default, and they’re not built for quick laps between highlights. This hunt is still a sightseeing walk, just with training wheels (the clues) and instant-photo rewards (the fun part).

From the way families describe the experience, you should expect:

• a lot of walking in the historic center,
• good shoes (not just “comfortable,” but actually supportive),
• energy for repeated stops.

One family even described taking around 20,000 steps on the route, and multiple groups noted that it took longer than the listed time to see all 17. If your kids get tired, build in breaks and don’t treat 17 animals as a must-do in a single strict time slot.

If your goal is a relaxed afternoon where you can linger, this kind of activity often works better as a half-day plan than a tight “2–3 hour” box.

Value for Money: $74.49 Per Group and Why It Feels Worth It

At $74.49 per group (up to 5), the price isn’t just “per person.” It’s per family unit—or per small crew you’re traveling with. That pricing makes sense here because the main cost drivers (the Polaguide, the photo setup, and the structured route) benefit the whole group at once.

It also feels like value because you’re buying something functional, not just entertainment:

• the Polaguide acts like a guided worksheet and a souvenir album,
• the instant photos create keepsakes your kids will actually want to keep,
• the route nudges you into meaningful parts of Siena rather than only the most obvious streets.

If your family enjoys doing activities that convert sightseeing into a project, this one is a good bet. If your family just wants passive views while adults talk quietly, you might find the photo-and-riddle format a bit busy.

Who This Works Best For (And Who Might Prefer Another Plan)

This tour is dedicated to families with children who want to explore unique parts of Siena at a kid-friendly pace. Based on how it’s been experienced by families, it tends to fit especially well for kids roughly ages 3 to 10.

It’s a strong match if:

• your children like hunting for things,
• you want less “stand here, listen to this” and more “go find it,”
• you’re happy to trade speed for attention and fun,
• you want a souvenir that doesn’t end up forgotten in a phone gallery.

It may be less ideal if:

• you’re traveling with very limited mobility or a stroller that needs low-friction routes (the experience involves a lot of walking),
• your family has low tolerance for riddles or for repeated stop-and-go moments,
• you’re trying to fit Siena into a strict schedule with no buffer time.

Practical Tips Before You Start

A few small choices can make the hunt smoother.

• Start with good shoes. You’ll feel it in your feet if you underestimate the distance.
• Give yourself time for photos. The camera is part of the game, so build in a little patience.
• Consider film count realistically. If you expect retakes, 20 films can prevent last-minute gaps in your album.
• Plan for half a day if you have young kids. Even if the route is listed at around 3 hours, the real-life experience can stretch.

Also, check weather before you head out. The experience requires good weather, and it’s clear that rain can disrupt plans.

Meeting Point and How to Think About Timing

You meet at Peace&Road Siena, Via Fusari 20, 53100 Siena (right in the historic-center area) and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes it easier to build the rest of your day because you can confidently plan food nearby afterward.

Given the setup (photo steps plus riddles), I’d treat the listed duration as a baseline. If your group includes very young children—or if you want to finish all 17 animals without racing—give yourself extra time.

Should You Book This Siena Animal Hunt?

I’d book it if your family wants Siena to feel like a hands-on quest rather than a sightseeing checklist. The instant-photo album setup turns the contrade streets into a game with a satisfying finish line: 17 animals, 17 photos, one keepsake.

Skip it (or consider another option) if you’re not into walking-heavy activities, or if your group prefers straightforward museum-style viewing. Siena will still look great, but you’d lose the whole point of why this works for kids.

If your kids love puzzles and photos, this is one of those rare experiences that gives everyone something to do.

FAQ

How long does the 17 Fantastic Animals of Siena experience take?

It’s listed at about 3 hours (approx.). With kids, expect it may take longer because you’ll be stopping for photos and solving riddles.

How much does it cost?

The price is $74.49 per group, up to 5 people.

What is the meeting point?

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

Do I get a Polaguide and a photo album?

Yes. You use a Polaguide for the stages, and it includes 17 spaces for photos so it can become an album with the instant pictures you take.

Can I rent the instant camera, and what choices do I have?

Yes, the instant camera can be rented. You can choose 10 films or 20 films, and you can pick either mini (46×62 mm) or square (62×62 mm) photo format.

How many animals are you supposed to find?

The experience is based on finding 17 fantastic animals, and the Polaguide has space for 17 photos.

Is it a private experience?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates (up to 5).

Is it okay to go if the weather isn’t great?

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

What’s the cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.