🇮🇹 Siena, Italy
Albergo Cisterna
📍 Siena
Your stay — Albergo Cisterna
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & 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.
The Property — Albergo Cisterna
Albergo Cisterna occupies a converted 13th-century convent in the quiet Contrada della Torre, just off Piazza del Campo. Exposed stone walls, heavy wooden beams and cool flagstone floors replace any attempt at modern luxury; the rooms are simple, clean and functional. The real draw is the central courtyard and the terrace restaurants five minutes from Siena’s main square. It suits low-fuss travellers who want medieval atmosphere without boutique prices.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded as an Etruscan settlement before becoming a prosperous Roman town on the Via Cassia. Its medieval golden age peaked in the 13th and 14th centuries, when the Republic rivaled Florence, building the Palazzo Pubblico and the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. The Black Death of 1348 halved its population and ended its political ambitions, freezing the city’s Gothic architecture. Today, the centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, its identity still tied to the 17 contrade—neighbourhoods that compete fiercely in the Palio horse race. Contemporary Siena balances tourism with a strong local civic pride, especially visible during the Palio rehearsals in late June and early July.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May, June and September are ideal: warm days (20–28°C), low rainfall, and fewer tourists than July–August. The city is most pleasant in May when the surrounding hills are green.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by the famous Palio horse race on 2 July (and again on 16 August). Hotel prices roughly double; Albergo Cisterna usually sells out months ahead for Palio weekend. The city is packed, hot (often above 35°C) and crowded after sundown.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer lower rates and mild weather (12–20°C), though April can be rainy. October has quieter streets and the Vendemmia harvest festivals in Chianti nearby—good for day trips without summer queues.
Weather & packing
Siena’s hilltop position means it can be 5–10°C cooler than Florence, but July afternoons regularly hit 35°C. Pack a light pashmina or thin jacket for evening dinners on outdoor terraces—mosquito repellent is mandatory near the thick stone walls at dusk.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- The July 2 Palio will happen as usual, but the city now requires booking for the best standing spots at the Campo from June 15. Check the Siena Tourism website for designated viewing areas or pay for balcony seats.
- The main car parks (Parcheggio San Francesco, Il Campo) are cashless—register your plate at pay stations or use the Telepass app. Fines for driving into the ZTL (limited traffic zone) without a permit arrive within a week.
- New this summer: the 'Siena Pass' mobile app combines discounts on the Duomo complex, Torre del Mangia, and the Civic Museum. Buy before midnight for next-day use; it’s valid for 72 hours.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Albergo Cisterna, 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—quieter and more private than street-facing ones.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (no lift access issues aside) as they can pick up street noise from the narrow medieval alley outside.
Best views
Rooms overlooking the internal courtyard offer a peaceful outlook of terracotta rooftops and washing lines, no grand vista but authentic Siena.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors (first and secondo piano in Italian numbering) are generally quietest, away from street level and foot traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Siena's old town is pedestrianised except for residents and deliveries—expect some scooter noise from about 7am on the street side, but minimal after 10pm.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has no dedicated parking; use the San Francesco car park (walk 5 mins downhill) or Parcheggio Il Campo (more expensive but closer). 2. Request a room on the second floor if you dislike stairs—the lift is tiny and often busy at check-in/out.
- 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 Facilities — Albergo Cisterna
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average speed 15 Mbps, no login required
One small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; building dates from 13th century, originally a post station on the Via Francigena
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00; late check-out until 12:00 for €30 if available
Free storage at reception during your stay, also after check-out until 18:00
No step-free access — two steps at entrance; narrow lift can take a wheelchair; no ground-floor rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parcheggio Il Campo at €2.50 per hour (max €20 overnight); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €4.00 per person per night, exempt for under-12s
Deposit & card hold: Credit card required to guarantee booking; €100 incidental hold taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di San Pietro in Forliano (153 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Bartolo (169 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (222 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta (230 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Museo del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano — 185 m · ~2 min walk
Teatro dei Leggieri — 291 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 28 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia Comunale San Gimimiano — 312 m · ~4 min walk
Boldrini — 364 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at train stations or tourist offices, which have poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; Amex is less common. Contactless is standard for small payments.
Not expected; rounding up the bill or leaving a couple of euros for good service is fine. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Hotels: €1-2 per bag if you use a porter.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè (espresso) at the bar counter costs around €1.20-1.50.
A panino or slice of pizza from a forno (bakery) is €4-6.
A main course at a trattoria or osteria will run €12-18.
The weekly market on Wednesday in the Fortezza area has good, cheap local bites; also look for rosticcerias selling roast meats and sides.
Conad, Coop, and Lidl are the main budget supermarkets in Siena.
The main high street, Via Banchi di Sopra, has chain stores like OVS and H&M; the weekly market has some clothing stalls, but quality is basic.
Walking is free and covers the compact historic centre. Tiemme bus day pass is €3.50. From Florence airport, take a shuttle bus (Tiemme) direct to Siena for around €14 one way.
1. Eat lunch at a forno or rosticceria instead of a sit-down restaurant. 2. Fill a water bottle at the public taps (fontanelle) around the city. 3. Buy a Siena Pass if you plan to visit multiple museums, but check it includes what you want first.
Good to know — 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 Albergo Cisterna
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 28 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Comunale San Gimimiano — 312 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Albergo Cisterna?
Request a room on the second or third floor, facing the internal courtyard—quieter and more private than street-facing ones.
Which rooms should I avoid at Albergo Cisterna?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (no lift access issues aside) as they can pick up street noise from the narrow medieval alley outside.
Is Albergo Cisterna noisy?
Siena's old town is pedestrianised except for residents and deliveries—expect some scooter noise from about 7am on the street side, but minimal after 10pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Albergo Cisterna?
Rooms overlooking the internal courtyard offer a peaceful outlook of terracotta rooftops and washing lines, no grand vista but authentic Siena.
What are insider tips for staying at Albergo Cisterna?
1. The hotel has no dedicated parking; use the San Francesco car park (walk 5 mins downhill) or Parcheggio Il Campo (more expensive but closer). 2. Request a room on the second floor if you dislike stairs—the lift is tiny and often busy at check-in/out.
What time is check-in at Albergo Cisterna?
Check-in at Albergo Cisterna is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Albergo Cisterna have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average speed 15 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Albergo Cisterna?
€4.00 per person per night, exempt for under-12s
Where can I eat cheaply near Albergo Cisterna?
A panino or slice of pizza from a forno (bakery) is €4-6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Albergo Cisterna?
Walking is free and covers the compact historic centre. Tiemme bus day pass is €3.50. From Florence airport, take a shuttle bus (Tiemme) direct to Siena for around €14 one way.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May, June and September are ideal: warm days (20–28°C), low rainfall, and fewer tourists than July–August. The city is most pleasant in May when the surrounding hills are green.
Top Attractions 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.