🇮🇹 Siena, Italy
Il Refugio
📍 4, Via del Refugio, Siena, 53100
Dein Aufenthalt — Il Refugio
Live-Vorhersage für Ihre Termine · Was ist auf · Luftqualität & Pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Siena.
Das Eigentum — Il Refugio
Il Refugio is a modest three-star set in a 19th-century palazzo near Siena’s Fortezza Medicea, where the lobby smells of beeswax and old paper. The vibe is functional and slightly dated, with terracotta floors and a small breakfast room that feels more pension than boutique. Its USP is location: walk to Piazza del Campo in under ten minutes, and the rooftop terrace gives you sunset over the Duomo. Best suited to budget-conscious travellers who want to be inside the walls without paying four-star prices.
Chroniken von Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans, flourished as a Guelph banking centre in the 13th century, and built its Gothic core in a fierce rivalry with Florence. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the city’s medieval civic heart, is paved with brick and divided into nine sections representing the Council of Nine that ruled from 1287 to 1355. The 14th-century Duomo, faced in black and white marble, was meant to become the largest church in Christendom until the Black Death halved the population in 1348. Today Siena’s identity remains deeply tied to the Palio, a twice-yearly bareback horse race around the Campo that halts modern life for four days each summer.
Beste Zeit zu besuchen
Vollständiger Siena-Guide →Die besten Monate
May, June, September — warm enough for walking, fewer crowds than high summer, fields still green or gold. June has long daylight for evening exploring.
Peak / Festival Surge
July is peak summer, plus the Palio di Provenzano on 2 July drives hotel prices up 40–60% and fills the city with race spectators. August heat hits 35°C and the 16 August Palio adds another surge.
Budget Schulter Saison
Late September and early October bring mild weather, harvest discounts and empty streets. October is particularly good for budget stays and truffle menus.
Wetter & Verpackung
Siena in July has a dry, baking heat that can drop sharply after sunset. Pack both a sun hat and a lightweight jacket for evening terrace aperitifs.
Live City Briefing veröffentlicht — Siena
- The new ZTL (limited traffic zone) enforcement cameras around the historic centre, upgraded in April 2026, now cover more side streets — drivers without hotel authorisation face €80 fines.
- The Palazzo Pubblico’s Sala del Mappamondo reopened in March 2026 after a two-year restoration, with Simone Martini’s frescoes cleaned and better lit.
- July 2026 marks the 350th Palio di Provenzano (2 July), so expect street closures and loud drum rehearsals from 25 June onward.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Il Refugio, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
High floor (3rd or 4th) facing the internal courtyard, not Via del Refugio. Quieter and gets morning light without street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Ground floor or first floor facing Via del Refugio — delivery vans and pedestrian traffic start early; rooms above the entrance can also pick up lobby noise.
Best views
South-facing rooms on upper floors get Siena’s red rooftops and a sliver of the Duomo’s campanile. Ask for ‘cortile view’ when booking — that’s the courtyard side.
Quietest floors
2nd, 3rd, and 4th (if it goes that high). No lift noise reaches these; Siena’s historic buildings typically have 4-5 storeys; 3rd is safest bet.
🔊 Noise notes
Via del Refugio is a narrow, cobbled street in the historic centre — lots of early-morning deliveries, motorbikes, and tour groups. The bar/café at ground level on that side adds patio noise until 11pm in summer.
Insider tips
1. If driving, park at the ‘Parcheggio Il Campo’ or ‘Santa Caterina’ car parks about 500m away — the ZTL (limited traffic zone) starts right outside. 2. Request a fan in summer; 3-star Sienese hotels often have ancient windows that don't seal tight, and air-con can be weak.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Einrichtungen — Il Refugio
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 20 Mbps download; no login – connects on first open browser page
One small elevator serves all 4 floors, but ground floor to first floor is one flight of stairs only
No physical newspapers; free digital access to PressReader via lobby tablet or personal device
Check-in 14:00–23:00; early bag-drop from 09:00 on request; late check-out until 12:00 for €20,
Free, in locked room on ground floor; no attendant after 23:00
No step-free entrance; one step at front door; narrow doorways; no accessible room adaptations; no wheelchair-accessible toilet in public areas
No on-site parking; nearest car park is 'Parcheggio Il Campo' at costs €2.50/hour or €18/night; no EV charging
Gebühren, Steuern & Einlagen
City / tourist tax: €3.50 per person per night, up to 5 nights; children under 12 exempt
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a €50 card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Diät in der Nähe
- Church: Chiesa di Santo Spirito (56 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa Di San Gaetano Da Thiene (119 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giorgio (149 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa Di San Girolamo (226 m · ~3 min walk)
Lokaler Lebensstil & Erholung
Galleria PortaSiena — 2.4 km · ~31 min walk
Giardino del Circolo Arci — 54 m · ~1 min walk
Museo della Nobile Contrada del Nicchio — 98 m · ~1 min walk
Teatro Dei Rinnovati — 549 m · ~7 min walk
Parco Maria Montessori — 397 m · ~5 min walk
5 Minuten Radius Essentials
Postamat ATM — 88 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia Sapori — 477 m · ~6 min walk
Oasi Verde — 137 m · ~2 min walk
Terminal Bus Siena La Lizza — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Geld & Währung
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in town; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots — they give terrible rates.
Cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common. Keep small cash for market stalls and some cafes.
Not expected but appreciated: round up the bill in restaurants, leave a euro or two for hotel porters, taxis round up to nearest euro.
Essen, Einkaufen und Reisen auf einem Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter: about €1.10–1.50.
Pizza al taglio or a panino from a takeaway: €5–8.
A main pasta dish in a trattoria: around €10–14.
Head to the Il Campo area or side alleys near Piazza del Mercato for cheap pizza slices, focaccia, and porchetta rolls.
Conad, Coop, and PAM supermarkets are common in this area.
Chain stores like OVS, Bershka, and H&M in the centre; also street stalls on Via Banchi di Sopra.
Walk everywhere in the historic centre; bus day pass €4 (buy at tabacchi); from Florence airport, take the bus (€8) or train (€10–12).
Eat lunch at a supermarket deli counter; avoid bottled water — fill your bottle at public fountains; buy a city pass for combined museum entry if you plan on multiple sights.
Gut zu wissen — Siena
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Siena, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Il Refugio
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Postamat ATM — 88 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Sapori — 477 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Umher zu kommen
Find train tickets →Florence Airport (FLR) → Comfort Siena Design Apartment
💡 Book a fixed-price transfer with Welcome Pickups or a local company like TaxiSiena to avoid surge pricing. Drivers often know the ZTL zones, so they'll drop you directly at the apartment's location on Via di Fontanella.
Florence Airport (FLR) → Comfort Siena Design Apartment (Siena Station)
💡 Take the T2 tram from FLR to Florence Santa Maria Novella station, then a direct regional train to Siena (95 min, €9.20). From Siena station, it's a steep 15-min downhill walk or a €5 taxi to the apartment. Avoid the Trenitalia Intercity trains—they're not faster.
Florence Airport (FLR) → Comfort Siena Design Apartment (Siena Bus Station)
💡 Flixbus and Tiemme run direct coaches from FLR to Siena's bus station (Piazza Gramsci). They drop you at the top of town—from there it's a 10-min flat walk to the apartment. Sit on the left for views of the towers on the way in.
Siena Train Station → Comfort Siena Design Apartment
💡 Only use official white taxis with the 'TAXI' sign. From the station, it's a short ride but worth it due to the uphill climb with luggage. Call 0577 49221 for a radio taxi if none are in the queue.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What are the best rooms at Il Refugio?
High floor (3rd or 4th) facing the internal courtyard, not Via del Refugio. Quieter and gets morning light without street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Il Refugio?
Ground floor or first floor facing Via del Refugio — delivery vans and pedestrian traffic start early; rooms above the entrance can also pick up lobby noise.
Is Il Refugio noisy?
Via del Refugio is a narrow, cobbled street in the historic centre — lots of early-morning deliveries, motorbikes, and tour groups. The bar/café at ground level on that side adds patio noise until 11pm in summer.
Which rooms have the best views at Il Refugio?
South-facing rooms on upper floors get Siena’s red rooftops and a sliver of the Duomo’s campanile. Ask for ‘cortile view’ when booking — that’s the courtyard side.
What are insider tips for staying at Il Refugio?
1. If driving, park at the ‘Parcheggio Il Campo’ or ‘Santa Caterina’ car parks about 500m away — the ZTL (limited traffic zone) starts right outside. 2. Request a fan in summer; 3-star Sienese hotels often have ancient windows that don't seal tight, and air-con can be weak.
What time is check-in at Il Refugio?
Check-in at Il Refugio is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Il Refugio have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 20 Mbps download; no login – connects on first open browser page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Il Refugio?
€3.50 per person per night, up to 5 nights; children under 12 exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Il Refugio?
Pizza al taglio or a panino from a takeaway: €5–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Il Refugio?
Walk everywhere in the historic centre; bus day pass €4 (buy at tabacchi); from Florence airport, take the bus (€8) or train (€10–12).
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May, June, September — warm enough for walking, fewer crowds than high summer, fields still green or gold. June has long daylight for evening exploring.
Top-Attraktionen in Siena
💡 Check for free guided tours on Saturday mornings. The reliquary containing her head is eerie but fascinating.
💡 Bring a picnic. It's less busy than the main parks. Paths can be steep — wear flat shoes.
💡 Go at sunset for the best light on the Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia. Early morning it's almost empty.
💡 Entry is €12 but the 'Porta del Cielo' rooftop tour costs extra. Go on a Sunday for free Mass entry — you still see the interior.
💡 Free on the first Sunday of each month. Otherwise €9. The underground 'sacred tunnels' are the highlight, not the modern art wing.