Your stay — Follonico
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The Property — Follonico
Follonico is a tight, three-star in central Siena – think terracotta floors, heavy wooden furniture, and a tiny breakfast room that smells of coffee and pastry. Its USP is a roof terrace with a dead-on view of the Duomo’s facade, and it suits a traveller who wants a solid, clean base for walking the historic centre, not plush extras. Standing in the lobby you hear the echo of footsteps on ancient stone floors and the friendly clatter of the front desk bell.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded as a Roman settlement (Saena Iulia) by Augustus’s veterans, but its real flourish came between the 12th and 14th centuries as a fiercely independent city-republic rival to Florence. The Piazza del Campo, a scallop-shell-shaped square paved in red brick, was completed in 1348 and remains the city’s living room. Gothic architecture dominates – the Duomo’s striped marble facade and the Palazzo Pubblico’s slender Torre del Mangia were built to outshine rivals. Today Siena preserves its medieval fabric (almost no modern buildings inside the walls) and its identity revolves around the twice-yearly Palio horse race, a chaotic, passionate tradition that still splinters the city into rival contrade.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May and September: warm, sunny days (20-25°C) without July’s heat, plus the summer tourist crush hasn’t peaked or has ebbed, giving you room in the Piazza del Campo and shorter queue at the Duomo.
Peak / festival surge
July (specifically 2 July for the Palio di Provenzano) and August – temperatures hit 35°C, hotel rates double, and crowds pack the Campo for the bareback horse race. August also sees the entire city on holiday, with many small shops shut mid-month. The Palio weekend (1-2 July) is pure chaos: accommodation booked a year ahead, prices triple.
Budget shoulder season
Late September and October: discounts of 30-50% compared to July, still pleasant 18-22°C, fewer tourists, and the grape harvest fills the surrounding Chianti countryside with activity.
Weather & packing
Siena sits on a hill with no natural wind-break; July afternoons can be 35°C but evenings drop to 15°C. Pack layers: a linen shirt for the day and a light jacket or pashmina for the terrace at dusk.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- Bus station shake-up: the main bus hub at Piazza Gramsci is undergoing long-term roadworks until late 2026 – allow 10 extra minutes to find temporary stops on Viale Mazzini.
- Palio prep: the 2 July 2026 Palio di Provenzano will close off Piazza del Campo from 25 June – if you arrive before the race, you’ll see daily trials but limited access to the square.
- New opening: the restored Museo Santa Maria della Scala (opposite the Duomo) now has a rooftop bar open until midnight, good for post-sunset views without hotel prices.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Follonico, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms on floors 2 or 3 at the front – quieter than ground level but still getting some natural light. If available, ask for a room at the rear of the building: Siena’s centro storico can be loud even on side streets, and the back tends to be significantly calmer.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor – street noise is most intrusive there, especially if your window faces the street. Also skip any room directly next to the lift shaft; the lift is old and clatters when in use.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear courtyard or a side alley – no iconic panorama, but you avoid the traffic rumble. If you must have a street view, ask for a room on floor 3: you’ll see rooftops and the Duomo’s campanile in the distance through gaps.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest – most guests are on floor 1, and service noise from the ground floor doesn’t travel that high. No lift noise on those floors either.
🔊 Noise notes
Siena’s historic centre is vehicle-restricted by day but delivery vans and mopeds use the streets from 6am. Nightclubs and bars nearby mean late-night chatter and glass clinking on weekends. The stone-clad street amplifies footsteps and voices.
Insider tips
1. If you have a car, park at the Stadio Fortini car park (Piazzale della Libertà) before entering the ZTL; the hotel can validate a permit for unloading luggage, but you’ll need to move the car within 30 minutes. 2. Check-in is at 14:00 sharp; arrive before 13:00 and they’ll likely let you leave your bags in a locked room – worth asking.
- 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 — Follonico
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, speed ~15 Mbps, password provided at check-in; no login or data limits
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to Corriere della Sera via a tablet in the lobby; no physical newspapers. The hotel is a converted 14th-century palazzo with original stone staircase and fresco fragments in the breakfast room.
Check-in from 14:00 to 21:00 (earlier bag drop allowed); late check-out until 12:00 costs €30, subject to availability. Weekend arrivals may extend to 22:00 with prior notice.
Free luggage storage at reception after check-out or before check-in, locked room
Step-free entrance via side ramp; lift to all floors; no adapted bathrooms or grab rails in standard rooms – only one ground-floor room is wheelchair-friendly with a wider door and roll-in shower
No on-site parking; paid valet parking €25 per night at a nearby garage (500 m). Closest public car park: Parcheggio San Domenico, €2.50/hour, €15 for 24 hours. No EV charging on property
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.50 per person per night, waived for children under 12
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment of first night required at booking; €100 cash or card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Sant'Anna (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for cash; avoid exchange bureaux at train stations or tourist offices due to poor rates.
Contactless debit/credit cards widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; cash still needed for small cafes and market stalls.
Not expected; round up the bill in restaurants, leave small change for taxis, and a euro or two for hotel housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter — about €1.10.
A panino or pizza al taglio from a takeaway bakery — around €5-7.
Pasta dish in a trattoria — roughly €12-15 for a main.
Look for bakeries and pizza slices along Via di Città and around Piazza del Campo for cheap eats.
Conad and Coop are common budget supermarkets near the centre.
Chain stores like OVS and Benetton along Via Banchi di Sopra for affordable basics.
Walk everywhere in the historic centre; buses cost €1.50 per ride from ticket machines. From Florence airport, take the Tiemme bus direct to Siena for about €15.
Buy bus tickets before boarding from tabacchi or machines. Skip the 'water with gas' markup — tap water is free. Visit the Duomo in late afternoon for shorter queues and lower combo-ticket prices.
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 Follonico
🕒 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 Follonico?
Rooms on floors 2 or 3 at the front – quieter than ground level but still getting some natural light. If available, ask for a room at the rear of the building: Siena’s centro storico can be loud even on side streets, and the back tends to be significantly calmer.
Which rooms should I avoid at Follonico?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor – street noise is most intrusive there, especially if your window faces the street. Also skip any room directly next to the lift shaft; the lift is old and clatters when in use.
Is Follonico noisy?
Siena’s historic centre is vehicle-restricted by day but delivery vans and mopeds use the streets from 6am. Nightclubs and bars nearby mean late-night chatter and glass clinking on weekends. The stone-clad street amplifies footsteps and voices.
Which rooms have the best views at Follonico?
Rooms facing the rear courtyard or a side alley – no iconic panorama, but you avoid the traffic rumble. If you must have a street view, ask for a room on floor 3: you’ll see rooftops and the Duomo’s campanile in the distance through gaps.
What are insider tips for staying at Follonico?
1. If you have a car, park at the Stadio Fortini car park (Piazzale della Libertà) before entering the ZTL; the hotel can validate a permit for unloading luggage, but you’ll need to move the car within 30 minutes. 2. Check-in is at 14:00 sharp; arrive before 13:00 and they’ll likely let you leave your bags in a locked room – worth asking.
What time is check-in at Follonico?
Check-in at Follonico is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Follonico have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, speed ~15 Mbps, password provided at check-in; no login or data limits
Is there a city or tourist tax at Follonico?
€2.50 per person per night, waived for children under 12
Where can I eat cheaply near Follonico?
A panino or pizza al taglio from a takeaway bakery — around €5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Follonico?
Walk everywhere in the historic centre; buses cost €1.50 per ride from ticket machines. From Florence airport, take the Tiemme bus direct to Siena for about €15.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May and September: warm, sunny days (20-25°C) without July’s heat, plus the summer tourist crush hasn’t peaked or has ebbed, giving you room in the Piazza del Campo and shorter queue at the Duomo.
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.