🇮🇹 Siena, Italy
Casa del Colombaio
📍 9, Strada Comunale di Racciano, Siena, 53037
Your stay — Casa del Colombaio
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The Property — Casa del Colombaio
Casa del Colombaio is a former farmhouse turned 3-star hotel about 6 kilometres north-west of Siena's historic centre, perched among olive groves and cypress trees. The lobby feels like a country sitting room: terracotta floors, a stone fireplace, wooden beams overhead, and the faint smell of woodsmoke and polish. It's a quiet, car-necessary base for travellers who want Tuscan landscape views and a pool (open in summer) rather than a room overlooking the Piazza del Campo. The USP is its location on the Via Chiantigiana, right on the edge of Chianti wine country, and its small working farm that supplies olive oil and wines.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded as an Etruscan settlement (Saena) and later became a Roman town. Its medieval peak came between the 12th and 14th centuries as a rival to Florence, when it built its famed Piazza del Campo and the Torre del Mangia. The city's distinctive Gothic architecture, including the Duomo and Palazzo Pubblico, was largely completed by 1348, when the Black Death halted expansion. Today, Siena's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for the twice-yearly Palio horse race and for its preserved medieval street plan of narrow, hilly lanes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May and September: warm, sunny days (22–28°C) with low humidity, and the city is less crowded than in high summer. October is also good for crisp, golden light and moderate temperatures.
Peak / festival surge
July and August, especially around the Palio in July (2 July) and August (16 August). The city is packed, hotel prices double or triple, and the noise from celebrations and tourism can be intense. The Palio itself—a bareback horse race around the Campo—drives the frenzy.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer lower prices (30–40% off peak), fewer queues at the Duomo and museums, and mild weather (12–22°C). You'll still need a light jacket in the evenings.
Weather & packing
Siena is often hotter in the day than Florence but cools quickly in evening shade, so pack layers: a linen shirt and a lightweight jacket. Rain is unlikely in July, but a sudden thunderstorm can hit—a small travel umbrella is worth carrying.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- Bus routes: The Siena Mobilità bus line S10 from Piazza Gramsci to the hotel's stop (Colombaio) has reduced frequency in July 2026 due to driver shortages—check the app for real-time times.
- Duomo construction: The restored mosaic floor of Siena Cathedral is fully uncovered through July 2026, but it is only visible on summer weekends (Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun 12:00–19:00).
- Palio closures: From 2 July to 5 July, the Piazza del Campo is closed for practice runs (prove) and the race itself; expect roadblocks in the centre and heavy traffic on the SS2 Cassia in both directions.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa del Colombaio, 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 Comunale di Racciano. These floors are high enough for a bit of privacy and light, but low enough to avoid the heavy footfall or lift noise common in 3-star hotels with no lift. The back position reduces traffic rumble from the local road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Strada Comunale di Racciano. The road carries local traffic to the surrounding countryside, so you'll get early-morning scooter and car noise. Ground-floor rooms also have less privacy because people walk past the windows.
Best views
Rooms on the first or second floor at the back should overlook the hotel's garden or surrounding olive groves and hills, which is typical for Siena's countryside. Front-facing rooms see the local road and maybe some scrubland.
Quietest floors
First or second floor, rear-facing rooms.
🔊 Noise notes
Strada Comunale di Racciano is a country lane with occasional scooters, cars, and delivery vans. The rural setting means early morning roosters or farm activity. The lack of a lift means stairs noise—people coming up or down with bags.
Insider tips
1) If you drive, request parking advice at check-in—many rural 3-star hotels have free but unmarked gravel lots; park away from the road to avoid scraping your car. 2) Ask the receptionist which room number has the best garden view and quietest position—they often know which rooms get the least foot traffic.
- 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 — Casa del Colombaio
free for all guests; speed approx 20 Mbps; no login password required, connects automatically
no lift; stairs only to all rooms on two floors – no historic section quirks beyond this
no digital newsstand or physical newspapers; property is a converted 19th-century farmhouse with original stone walls and timber beams
check-in 15:00–20:00; early bag-drop available from 11:00 (free); late check-out until 13:00 costs €30, later subject to availability
free at reception; no automated lockers
no step-free access; entrance has 3 steps, and no wheelchair-accessible room; not suitable for guests with mobility impairments
free on-site uncovered parking for up to 12 cars; nearest public car park: Stadio parking lot (€1.20/hour, €8/day) 3 km away; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night, applied to first 5 nights; children under 12 exempt
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment due 7 days before arrival; €50 incidental card hold at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in central Siena; avoid exchange bureaux at train stations or tourist spots as they charge high fees and poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common, but smaller cafes and markets prefer cash.
Not expected; round up the bill or leave a small amount (€1-2) for good service in restaurants, taxis and hotels are fine without.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter, around €1.20; sitting at a table costs double.
A panino or slice of pizza from a local forno, around €5-7.
Pasta dish in a trattoria outside the main square, around €12-15.
Look for kebab shops and bakeries near Piazza del Mercato or the area around Il Campo for affordable takeaway.
Conad, Coop, and Lidl are common budget supermarket chains in and around Siena.
Via dei Rossi and Via Banchi di Sopra have decent high-street shops; markets are rare in central Siena.
Walking is the cheapest way; a single bus fare is €1.70 (from ticket machines or tabacchi). From Florence airport take a shuttle to bus station then direct bus to Siena (around €17 one way).
Buy a Siena Card for combined museum entry discounts; eat lunch at a supermarket or bakery rather than a sit-down restaurant; refill water bottles at public fountains (free and safe).
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 Casa del Colombaio
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Casa del Colombaio?
Request a room on the first or second floor at the back of the building, away from Strada Comunale di Racciano. These floors are high enough for a bit of privacy and light, but low enough to avoid the heavy footfall or lift noise common in 3-star hotels with no lift. The back position reduces traffic rumble from the local road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa del Colombaio?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Strada Comunale di Racciano. The road carries local traffic to the surrounding countryside, so you'll get early-morning scooter and car noise. Ground-floor rooms also have less privacy because people walk past the windows.
Is Casa del Colombaio noisy?
Strada Comunale di Racciano is a country lane with occasional scooters, cars, and delivery vans. The rural setting means early morning roosters or farm activity. The lack of a lift means stairs noise—people coming up or down with bags.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa del Colombaio?
Rooms on the first or second floor at the back should overlook the hotel's garden or surrounding olive groves and hills, which is typical for Siena's countryside. Front-facing rooms see the local road and maybe some scrubland.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa del Colombaio?
1) If you drive, request parking advice at check-in—many rural 3-star hotels have free but unmarked gravel lots; park away from the road to avoid scraping your car. 2) Ask the receptionist which room number has the best garden view and quietest position—they often know which rooms get the least foot traffic.
What time is check-in at Casa del Colombaio?
Check-in at Casa del Colombaio is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa del Colombaio have Wi-Fi?
free for all guests; speed approx 20 Mbps; no login password required, connects automatically
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa del Colombaio?
€1.50 per person per night, applied to first 5 nights; children under 12 exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa del Colombaio?
A panino or slice of pizza from a local forno, around €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa del Colombaio?
Walking is the cheapest way; a single bus fare is €1.70 (from ticket machines or tabacchi). From Florence airport take a shuttle to bus station then direct bus to Siena (around €17 one way).
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May and September: warm, sunny days (22–28°C) with low humidity, and the city is less crowded than in high summer. October is also good for crisp, golden light and moderate temperatures.
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.