Il tuo soggiorno — Il Gelso
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La proprietà — Il Gelso
Il Gelso sits on a quiet road about a 15-minute walk from Piazza del Campo. It feels like a comfortable, no-nonsense base: clean rooms, a garden with a pool and a solid breakfast buffet. It suits travellers who want a decent 3-star within walking distance of Siena's historic core without paying old-town rates.
Cronache di Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans and later became a major banking and wool-trading centre in medieval Tuscany. Its Gothic core — dominated by the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the stripey Duomo — was built during a 13th- and 14th-century golden age. Today Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a fiercely proud city, famous for the Palio, a bareback horse race run around the piazza twice each summer. The local identity remains strong, with many residents speaking Sienese dialect and backing one of the 17 contrade (neighbourhoods) that organise the Palio.
Il momento migliore per visitare
Guida completa di Siena →I migliori mesi
May, June and September offer warm weather and fewer tourists than July-August. The countryside is green in spring, and the harvest colours are stunning in early autumn.
Peak / Festival Surge
July and August are the hottest and busiest months, peaking around 2 July (first Palio) and 16 August (second Palio). Hotel prices double or triple during Palio weeks; book a year ahead if you want to see the race. The city is packed, and the heat can be intense.
Stagione di spalla
April and October are excellent shoulder months. Temperatures are mild, hotel rates drop significantly and you avoid the worst crowds. Expect some rain, but also quiet streets and easier access to attractions.
Meteo e imballaggio
Siena gets hot, dry summers with occasional thunderclaps. Pack a light jacket or shawl for evenings, plus a hat and sunscreen — the piazza offers zero shade during the day.
Briefing della città — Siena
- Siena's ZTL (limited traffic zone) is strictly enforced; if you drive, arrange parking with the hotel before arrival to avoid fines.
- The 2026 summer arts programme includes a series of open-air concerts in the Fortezza Medicea — check Siena's official tourism site for dates.
- Restoration work on the Duomo's facade is ongoing; scaffolding may obscure parts of the lower frontage, but the interior is fully open.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Il Gelso, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the internal courtyard. The three-star rating and central Siena address mean street-facing rooms pick up traffic and pedestrian noise; courtyard rooms are far quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Skip rooms on the ground floor (no lift mentioned, so ground floor may be closest to reception and breakfast noise) and any room overlooking Via di Città or Banchi di Sopra—these are Siena's busiest pedestrian streets and can be loud from early morning until late evening.
Best views
Rooms on upper floors (2nd or 3rd) with a south-facing outlook over the internal courtyard offer the best balance of light and quiet. Some may have partial views of Siena's rooftops, but don't expect panoramas—this is a modest hotel in a dense medieval city.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are likely the quietest, as they're above street-level bustle but below any rooftop terrace or attic rooms that might get heat or maintenance noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Siena's historic centre has limited vehicle traffic but is busy with pedestrians, especially on Banchi di Sopra and Via di Città. Street cleaning occurs around 5–6am. Church bells from nearby duomo and San Cristoforo can be heard from most rooms between 7am and 10pm.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, book parking in advance—Siena's ZTL (limited traffic zone) is strictly enforced and Il Gelso likely sits within it; ask for the nearest authorised garage. 2. Request a room on the second floor and specify 'courtyard view' during booking—the hotel may have limited phone at reception, so email confirmation is safer.
- 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
strutture alberghiere — Il Gelso
Free WiFi throughout, download speed ~15 Mbps; no login or time limit
Small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; free digital access to PressReader on lobby tablet only
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs €25
Free at reception for same-day arrivals and departures
Step-free entrance at side door; no lift to garden level (breakfast room); one accessible ground-floor room available
Hotel has 20 free outdoor parking spaces (first-come, first-served); nearest public garage is Parcheggio Stazione at €1.50/hour or €12/day; no EV charging
Tasse, imposte e depositi
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night (children under 12 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: €100 advance deposit required on booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary vicino
- Church: Pieve di San Leonino in Conio (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
Moneta e moneta
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux near Piazza del Campo or train station as they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted; contactless common under €50; small bars and market stalls may be cash only.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fare to nearest euro, leave small change (€1-2) for coffee, and 5-10% at restaurants if service was good.
Mangiare, fare shopping e viaggiare su un budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter found anywhere in Siena — typically €1.20-1.50.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a forno — around €5-7.
Pasta dish at a trattoria in a side street off the main tourist drag — about €10-12 for a main.
Piazza del Mercato area and the backstreets near Via dei Rossi have several takeaway pizza and schiacciata spots.
Coop (smaller urban format) and Eurospin are the common budget chains in Siena.
Corso Italia is the main high street for chain stores (e.g., OVS, Zara); market stalls on Wednesdays near Fortezza Medicea for basics.
Walk — the historic centre is compact; a day bus pass is €3.50 and covers the limited internal routes. No airport in Siena itself; from Florence airport take the Tiemme bus direct to Piazza Gramsci for about €8 one-way.
Eat lunch at a bar for fixed-price menus rather than dinner; buy groceries from Coop for picnic supplies; skip restaurants with menus in multiple languages right on Piazza del Campo.
Buono da sapere — Siena
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · 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 Gelso
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Girare intorno
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.
Domande frequenti
What are the best rooms at Il Gelso?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the internal courtyard. The three-star rating and central Siena address mean street-facing rooms pick up traffic and pedestrian noise; courtyard rooms are far quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Il Gelso?
Skip rooms on the ground floor (no lift mentioned, so ground floor may be closest to reception and breakfast noise) and any room overlooking Via di Città or Banchi di Sopra—these are Siena's busiest pedestrian streets and can be loud from early morning until late evening.
Is Il Gelso noisy?
Siena's historic centre has limited vehicle traffic but is busy with pedestrians, especially on Banchi di Sopra and Via di Città. Street cleaning occurs around 5–6am. Church bells from nearby duomo and San Cristoforo can be heard from most rooms between 7am and 10pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Il Gelso?
Rooms on upper floors (2nd or 3rd) with a south-facing outlook over the internal courtyard offer the best balance of light and quiet. Some may have partial views of Siena's rooftops, but don't expect panoramas—this is a modest hotel in a dense medieval city.
What are insider tips for staying at Il Gelso?
1. If you're driving, book parking in advance—Siena's ZTL (limited traffic zone) is strictly enforced and Il Gelso likely sits within it; ask for the nearest authorised garage. 2. Request a room on the second floor and specify 'courtyard view' during booking—the hotel may have limited phone at reception, so email confirmation is safer.
What time is check-in at Il Gelso?
Check-in at Il Gelso is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Il Gelso have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, download speed ~15 Mbps; no login or time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Il Gelso?
€2.00 per person per night (children under 12 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Il Gelso?
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a forno — around €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Il Gelso?
Walk — the historic centre is compact; a day bus pass is €3.50 and covers the limited internal routes. No airport in Siena itself; from Florence airport take the Tiemme bus direct to Piazza Gramsci for about €8 one-way.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May, June and September offer warm weather and fewer tourists than July-August. The countryside is green in spring, and the harvest colours are stunning in early autumn.
Principali attrazioni a 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.