Your stay — Contrada dell'oca
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The Property — Contrada dell'oca
A compact, family-run 3-star on a quiet pedestrian-only street inside Siena's walled centre. The lobby is modest tile, fresh flowers, the smell of espresso, and a warm, practical welcome. It suits independent travellers who want a good-value base steps from Piazza del Campo without paying for frills they won't use.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded as an Etruscan settlement, but its medieval golden age came in the 12th-14th centuries, when it rivalled Florence. The city's entire historic core is a masterpiece of Gothic brick architecture, centred on the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. Its contrade (neighbourhoods) still compete fiercely in the Palio, a bareback horse race run twice each summer. Today Siena is a Unesco World Heritage site, known for its fierce local pride and remarkably preserved medieval street plan.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May, June, September: warm days (20-28°C), blue skies, fewest tourists before or after the peak summer crush.
Peak / festival surge
July-August: the Palio races (2 July & 16 August) push hotel rates to 2-3x normal and fill the city. Crowds are thick, accommodation scarce.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: cooler (10-18°C), frequent rain, but hotel prices drop 30-40% and sights are quiet. Good for budget travellers who don't mind layers.
Weather & packing
Summer in Siena can be scorching and dry, but sudden thunderstorms common in late afternoon. Pack a light rain jacket even in July, plus sturdy shoes for steep cobbled streets.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- As of mid-2025, the historic centre remains pedestrian-only 24/7; ZTL (limited traffic zone) fines are strictly enforced. Do not drive into the walled city without hotel-specific parking permission.
- In summer 2026, the new 'Siena Smart Tourism' app launches with real-time Palio queue info and free English audio guides for the Duomo complex.
- Several contrada museums are extending evening hours until 10pm for July-August 2026 – check for open nights at Museo della Contrada della Lupa near the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Contrada dell'oca, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building, away from Costa di Sant'Antonio. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for easy stair access if the lift is small or slow. The rear rooms overlook the inner courtyard or the quieter residential area behind the street, offering a better night's sleep.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor facing the street. Ground floor rooms are at eye level with passers-by and suffer from direct street noise, delivery vehicles, and early-morning foot traffic. First-floor rooms also catch the worst of the traffic rumble, especially during Siena's rush hours and when tour groups gather below.
Best views
Rooms facing the street (Costa di Sant'Antonio) offer a partial view of the historic city walls and rooftops, but with noise trade-off. For a quieter view, request a room at the back for a glimpse of Siena's terracotta rooftops and distant hills — nothing grand, but pleasant and calm.
Quietest floors
Floors 2, 3, and 4 are the quietest, as they rise above the street's direct noise. The 4th floor may have slight attic heat in summer, so 2nd or 3rd is the sweet spot for peace and comfort.
🔊 Noise notes
Costa di Sant'Antonio is a sloped road used by local traffic, taxis, and scooters. Morning deliveries to nearby shops (around 7–8am) and evening bar crowds (especially weekends) generate sporadic noise. Also, group tour luggage wheels on the street and in the lobby can echo up the stairwell.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, park in the 'Parcheggio Sant'Agostino' lot (5 mins walk) — it's cheaper than the centre and avoids Siena's ZTL (restricted traffic zone). Ask the hotel for the discount code. 2. Request a room on floor 2 or 3 facing the back during booking confirmation; the hotel can often accommodate this if you specify 'quiet room, high floor'.
- 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 — Contrada dell'oca
Free WiFi throughout, no login required, typical speed around 10 Mbps (sufficient for browsing but not heavy streaming)
No lift – this is a historic 3-floor building accessed by stairs only; no alternative access for upper floors
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; property is a restored 14th-century townhouse with original wooden beams and terracotta floors
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag-drop possible from 09:00; late check-out until 11:00 at €20, subject to availability; check-out by 10:00
Free luggage storage at reception on day of arrival/departure
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; no lift
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parcheggio Sant'Agostino (€2/hour, €18/day) about 350m away; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2 per person per night for up to 5 nights (exempt for under-12s)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via credit card required at booking; €50 incidental hold taken at check-in, refunded if no extras
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: San Giovanni Battista (80 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: San Pietro alle Scale (159 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata (193 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Altare di San Gaetano (208 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galleria PortaSiena — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
Prato di Sant'Agostino — 262 m · ~3 min walk
Palazzo Chigi Piccolomini alla Postierla — 40 m · ~1 min walk
Teatro del Costone — 367 m · ~5 min walk
Parco Maria Montessori — 450 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 41 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia Liserani — 16 m · ~1 min walk
Carrefour Express — 27 m · ~1 min walk
Terminal Bus Siena La Lizza — 968 m · ~12 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 Contrada dell'oca
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 41 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Liserani — 16 m · ~1 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 Contrada dell'oca?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building, away from Costa di Sant'Antonio. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for easy stair access if the lift is small or slow. The rear rooms overlook the inner courtyard or the quieter residential area behind the street, offering a better night's sleep.
Which rooms should I avoid at Contrada dell'oca?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor facing the street. Ground floor rooms are at eye level with passers-by and suffer from direct street noise, delivery vehicles, and early-morning foot traffic. First-floor rooms also catch the worst of the traffic rumble, especially during Siena's rush hours and when tour groups gather below.
Is Contrada dell'oca noisy?
Costa di Sant'Antonio is a sloped road used by local traffic, taxis, and scooters. Morning deliveries to nearby shops (around 7–8am) and evening bar crowds (especially weekends) generate sporadic noise. Also, group tour luggage wheels on the street and in the lobby can echo up the stairwell.
Which rooms have the best views at Contrada dell'oca?
Rooms facing the street (Costa di Sant'Antonio) offer a partial view of the historic city walls and rooftops, but with noise trade-off. For a quieter view, request a room at the back for a glimpse of Siena's terracotta rooftops and distant hills — nothing grand, but pleasant and calm.
What are insider tips for staying at Contrada dell'oca?
1. If you're driving, park in the 'Parcheggio Sant'Agostino' lot (5 mins walk) — it's cheaper than the centre and avoids Siena's ZTL (restricted traffic zone). Ask the hotel for the discount code. 2. Request a room on floor 2 or 3 facing the back during booking confirmation; the hotel can often accommodate this if you specify 'quiet room, high floor'.
What time is check-in at Contrada dell'oca?
Check-in at Contrada dell'oca is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Contrada dell'oca have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, no login required, typical speed around 10 Mbps (sufficient for browsing but not heavy streaming)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Contrada dell'oca?
€2 per person per night for up to 5 nights (exempt for under-12s)
Where can I eat cheaply near Contrada dell'oca?
Pizza al taglio or a panino from a takeaway: €5–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Contrada dell'oca?
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 days (20-28°C), blue skies, fewest tourists before or after the peak summer crush.
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.