🇮🇹 Siena, Italy
EM Apartment
📍 30, Via Girolamo Gigli, Siena, 53100
Photo: official website
Your stay — EM Apartment
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 — EM Apartment
The EM Apartment is a functional, self-catering base in a mid-20th-century residential block about a ten-minute walk north of Piazza del Campo. It’s not a hotel with a lobby or reception; you get a door code and keys from a lockbox. Suits travellers who value independence, a kitchenette and a quiet neighbourhood over concierge service or historic character.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans, but its golden age came in the 12th–14th centuries as a rival to Florence, governed by its own republic. The city essentially froze its medieval Gothic appearance after the Black Death of 1348 cut short its expansion plans, leaving a dense core of brick palazzi and narrow lanes. Today its culture is fiercely local: the Palio horse race (twice each summer) still divides the 17 contrade, each with its own museum, fountain and church. UNESCO listed the historic centre in 1995, and nearly every street leads eventually to the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May and June: settled warmth (20–28°C), long daylight, and spring flowers on the surrounding hills; the crowds are still bearable before the July peak. September: harvest time, same pleasant temperatures, far fewer tourists.
Peak / festival surge
July and August, especially 2 July (first Palio) and 16 August (second Palio). Siena swells with race spectators and day-trippers. Hotel rates roughly double; the EM Apartment usually stays moderate because it’s self-catering and not in the historic centre. Events: the Palio trials, contrada dinners and the Corsa del Palio itself.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: temperatures 12–22°C, sunny but occasional rain. Hotel availability is good, and prices drop 30–40% from July highs. You get the empty piazzas and easier restaurant bookings without the heat.
Weather & packing
Summer afternoons can spike above 35°C, but evenings cool sharply as the city sits on a hill at 322m. Pack one light long-sleeve layer and a pashmina or linen jacket for evening walks; sturdy walking shoes are non-negotiable for the cobblestone slopes.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- Siena’s ZTL (limited traffic zone) enforcement is strict; the EM Apartment is outside the restricted area on Via Pian d’Ovile, so you can drive to the door, but be aware that unmarked cameras fine non-residents entering the historic centre.
- The 2026 Palio dates are confirmed: 2 July (Palio di Provenzano) and 16 August (Palio dell’Assunta). Expect road closures and heavy crowds from midday on race days; book Palio-viewing seats months ahead if you want a balcony spot.
- The Fortezza Medicea has reopened its panoramic bar after a 2025 refurbishment, offering a quiet evening drink with a view over the city walls — a near-unknown alternative to the Campo’s pricey cafés.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to EM Apartment, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (likely 3rd or 4th) away from Via Girolamo Gigli, overlooking the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter and get more natural light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (ground or first) facing Via Girolamo Gigli — narrow street here with pedestrian and occasional vehicle noise, especially during morning deliveries.
Best views
Top-floor rooms at the rear have views over Siena's rooftops, possibly glimpsing the Duomo. Front rooms look onto a narrow historic street — charming but less expansive.
Quietest floors
Top floor (3rd or 4th) — further from street and lift lobby noise, plus less footfall from other guests.
🔊 Noise notes
Via Girolamo Gigli is a typical Sienese side street — active with pedestrians, scooters, and waste collection around 6-7am. Bars and restaurants nearby add evening chatter.
Insider tips
1) Check in early (after 2pm) if possible — reception is often on a break between 12-2, and you don’t want to wait outside with bags. 2) If arriving by car, drop luggage first then park in the nearby 'Parcheggio Via Girolamo Gigli' (paid) — there’s no on-site parking.
- 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 — EM Apartment
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed is around 30 Mbps download; login via room number and surname (no time limit).
A small lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers; a digital newspaper app is not offered. The building is a converted 18th-century townhouse with original stone staircase and ceiling beams in the lobby.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available on request. Late check-out until 12:00 free (otherwise €30 per hour until 14:00, subject to availability).
Free luggage storage in a locked room near reception during opening hours (08:30–22:00).
No step-free access — there is one step at the main entrance. Wheelchair users may struggle with the lift which is compact (door width 75 cm). No adapted rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parcheggio Il Campo (€2.50/hour, €20/24h, 400 m away). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person, per night
Deposit & card hold: Property may pre-authorise a credit card for the full stay near arrival; a €100 incidental hold is taken at check-in for damages.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di Sant'Eugenia (631 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Santa Maria degli Angeli in Valli (648 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Santuccio (663 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Niccolò a Maggiano (673 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Commerciale Siena Sud — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Parco Enzo Tortora — 425 m · ~5 min walk
Museo della Società di Esecutori di Pie Disposizioni — 632 m · ~8 min walk
Teatro Dei Rinnovati — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Parco Maria Montessori — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Postamat ATM — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Farmacia Comunale 2 — 679 m · ~8 min walk
La Bottega di Nonno Mario — 344 m · ~4 min walk
Terminal Bus Siena La Lizza — 2.3 km · ~29 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 ≈ €0.87 · 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 EM Apartment
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Postamat ATM — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Comunale 2 — 679 m · ~8 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 EM Apartment?
Request a room on the top floor (likely 3rd or 4th) away from Via Girolamo Gigli, overlooking the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter and get more natural light.
Which rooms should I avoid at EM Apartment?
Avoid rooms on the lower floors (ground or first) facing Via Girolamo Gigli — narrow street here with pedestrian and occasional vehicle noise, especially during morning deliveries.
Is EM Apartment noisy?
Via Girolamo Gigli is a typical Sienese side street — active with pedestrians, scooters, and waste collection around 6-7am. Bars and restaurants nearby add evening chatter.
Which rooms have the best views at EM Apartment?
Top-floor rooms at the rear have views over Siena's rooftops, possibly glimpsing the Duomo. Front rooms look onto a narrow historic street — charming but less expansive.
What are insider tips for staying at EM Apartment?
1) Check in early (after 2pm) if possible — reception is often on a break between 12-2, and you don’t want to wait outside with bags. 2) If arriving by car, drop luggage first then park in the nearby 'Parcheggio Via Girolamo Gigli' (paid) — there’s no on-site parking.
What time is check-in at EM Apartment?
Check-in at EM Apartment is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does EM Apartment have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed is around 30 Mbps download; login via room number and surname (no time limit).
Is there a city or tourist tax at EM Apartment?
€2.00 per person, per night
Where can I eat cheaply near EM Apartment?
Pizza al taglio or a panino from a takeaway: €5–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from EM Apartment?
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 and June: settled warmth (20–28°C), long daylight, and spring flowers on the surrounding hills; the crowds are still bearable before the July peak. September: harvest time, same pleasant temperatures, far fewer tourists.
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.