We aim at investigating the electronic properties of silicene – a 2D allotrope of silicon. Silicene has been thus far grown on metals (mainly silver), where the interaction between silicene and the metal catalyst is so strong that modifies its intrinsic electronic properties. To overcome this issue, we follow two strategies: (i) growth of silicene on insulating substrates; (ii) growth of silicene on silver crystals and intercalation with alkali metals. A suitable ultra-high vacuum chamber with STM/AFM capability is used to grow and characterize in situ silicene.