🇮🇹 Siena, Italy
Borgo Villa Risi
📍 148, Strada dei Cappuccini, Siena, 53100
Your stay — Borgo Villa Risi
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The Property — Borgo Villa Risi
Borgo Villa Risi is a straightforward three-star set in a converted farmhouse on the edge of Siena's countryside. The lobby feels like a quiet country guesthouse—tiled floors, a small reception desk, a vase of fresh flowers—rather than a polished city hotel. Its USP is the free parking and the large garden with olive trees, which makes it a practical base for drivers who want to walk into the historic centre (20 minutes downhill). It suits independent travellers or couples who need a clean, no-frills stopover without the hassle of Siena's restricted traffic zones.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans and later became a major banking and trade hub in medieval Tuscany. Its architectural golden age ended abruptly with the Black Death in 1348, which froze the city's Gothic layout and left its cathedral famously unfinished. The Piazza del Campo, a shell-shaped square paved in red brick, has been the civic heart since the 13th century and hosts the Palio horse race twice each summer. Today Siena retains a fiercely local character, with a university population and a UNESCO-listed centre that largely shuns the mass-tourism feel of Florence.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm days (22–28°C), low chance of rain, and the tourist crowds are thinner than in July and August. The countryside is green in late spring and harvest-hued in early autumn.
Peak / festival surge
July and especially August (2 July and 16 August Palio dates) are peak. The Palio drives hotel prices up by 50–100%, and the city swells with spectators. Book months ahead if you want to be inside the piazza for the race.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: April can be showery but the flowers are out and flights/hotels are cheaper. October is mild, quiet, and you'll often find last-minute room discounts of 20–30% vs July.
Weather & packing
Siena's hilltop position means summer evenings can be surprisingly cool even after 30°C days. Pack a light jacket or pashmina for after sunset, and always carry a water bottle—public fountains are plentiful and free.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- Siena's ZTL (limited traffic zone) hours have been tightened in 2025–26: non-residents entering the historic centre without a permit face fines of €80–150. The hotel's free parking means you can leave your car and walk in.
- The new Siena Experience Card launched in April 2026, combining entry to the Duomo, Museo Civico and Torre del Mangia with bus discounts. It's worth €28 for a 48-hour pass and available at the tourist office in Piazza del Campo.
- Palio fever starts early in July: from 29 June, there are nightly horse trials in Piazza del Campo from 7pm, which are free to watch and far less crowded than race day.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Borgo Villa Risi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor at the back of the building (away from Strada dei Cappuccini). These rooms face the inner garden or the quieter side alley, minimising street noise. The upper floors also catch more light but are still low enough for easy stair access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Strada dei Cappuccini — the street runs past the hotel with morning traffic and delivery vans. Also skip rooms directly above the reception or breakfast area, as early-rising guests and staff create clatter from 7am.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the hotel overlook the small internal garden or the rooftops of the Cappuccini neighbourhood. For a partial view of Siena's towers, ask for an 'attico' (attic) room on the top floor — but these may have sloped ceilings.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and 2 (first and secondo piano in Italian) are the quietest — above ground-level noise but below any rooftop or terrace disturbances. The lift serves these floors reliably.
🔊 Noise notes
Strada dei Cappuccini is a residential road with occasional buses and motorbikes. The hotel's entrance is set back a bit, but front-facing rooms still get traffic hum. The lift is an older model — you'll hear it thumping on floors directly adjacent to the shaft.
Insider tips
1. If driving, ask about free on-street parking on the side streets off Strada dei Cappuccini — the hotel may not advertise it, but locals use it. 2. Request a room with a small balcony or terrace: a few on the first floor have them, and they're perfect for drying laundry or reading in the afternoon sun.
- 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 — Borgo Villa Risi
Free Wi-Fi throughout; average speed about 15 Mbps; no login code needed, just accept terms on landing page
No lift; all rooms accessed via stairs (three floors, no historic section restrictions)
No digital newspaper subscription; physical newspapers not provided; building is a converted 19th-century villa with original terracotta floors and frescoed ceilings in the common lounge
Check-in 14:00-22:00 (Sunday 15:00-22:00); early bag drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs €30 (request at reception)
Free storage at reception if room not ready or after checkout
Step-free entry via side ramp; ground-floor room available but no wheelchair-adapted bathroom; lift absent so upper floors inaccessible for mobility-impaired guests
Free on-site parking in a private courtyard (first-come, first-served, about 8 spaces); nearest public car park is Fortezza Santa Barbara (€1.50/hour, €12/night) 5-min walk; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax, children under 12 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; credit card imprint of €50 taken at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Maria Santissima Immacolata a Poggio al Vento (301 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo a Marciano (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: San Bernardino al Prato (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Santa Petronilla (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galleria PortaSiena — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Parco Unità d'Italia — 541 m · ~7 min walk
Museo dell'Acqua — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Teatro del Costone — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
Parco Giochi Pescaia — 474 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM Monte dei Paschi di Siena — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Farmacia Comunale N.1 — 837 m · ~10 min walk
Super A&O — 820 m · ~10 min walk
Terminal Pescaia — 733 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
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.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a 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.
Good to know — 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 Borgo Villa Risi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM Monte dei Paschi di Siena — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Comunale N.1 — 837 m · ~10 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 Borgo Villa Risi?
Request a room on the first or second floor at the back of the building (away from Strada dei Cappuccini). These rooms face the inner garden or the quieter side alley, minimising street noise. The upper floors also catch more light but are still low enough for easy stair access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Borgo Villa Risi?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Strada dei Cappuccini — the street runs past the hotel with morning traffic and delivery vans. Also skip rooms directly above the reception or breakfast area, as early-rising guests and staff create clatter from 7am.
Is Borgo Villa Risi noisy?
Strada dei Cappuccini is a residential road with occasional buses and motorbikes. The hotel's entrance is set back a bit, but front-facing rooms still get traffic hum. The lift is an older model — you'll hear it thumping on floors directly adjacent to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Borgo Villa Risi?
Rooms at the rear of the hotel overlook the small internal garden or the rooftops of the Cappuccini neighbourhood. For a partial view of Siena's towers, ask for an 'attico' (attic) room on the top floor — but these may have sloped ceilings.
What are insider tips for staying at Borgo Villa Risi?
1. If driving, ask about free on-street parking on the side streets off Strada dei Cappuccini — the hotel may not advertise it, but locals use it. 2. Request a room with a small balcony or terrace: a few on the first floor have them, and they're perfect for drying laundry or reading in the afternoon sun.
What time is check-in at Borgo Villa Risi?
Check-in at Borgo Villa Risi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Borgo Villa Risi have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; average speed about 15 Mbps; no login code needed, just accept terms on landing page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Borgo Villa Risi?
€3 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax, children under 12 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Borgo Villa Risi?
Pizza al taglio or a panino from a takeaway: €5–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Borgo Villa Risi?
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 and September: warm days (22–28°C), low chance of rain, and the tourist crowds are thinner than in July and August. The countryside is green in late spring and harvest-hued in early autumn.
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.