🇮🇹 Siena, Italy
Il Battistero
📍 12, Piazza San Giovanni, Siena, 53100
Photo: official website
Your stay — Il Battistero
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 — Il Battistero
Il Battistero is a 3-star hotel situated in a historic building, offering a unique blend of medieval architecture and modern comforts. Standing in the lobby, you'll notice the original stone walls and wooden beams, which set the tone for a charming stay. This hotel suits travellers who appreciate character and proximity to Siena's main attractions, as it's located near the Piazza del Campo. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, making it an ideal choice for couples and solo travellers seeking a authentic Sienese experience.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans in the 9th century BC and later became a Roman colony. The city's architectural evolution is evident in its well-preserved medieval buildings, including the Piazza del Campo and the Siena Cathedral. Siena's contemporary cultural identity is deeply rooted in its rich history and traditions, such as the Palio di Siena horse racing event. The city is also known for its stunning landscapes, including the rolling hills of the Chianti region. Today, Siena is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its unique blend of history, art, and natural beauty.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
September, October, and May are ideal months to visit Siena, as the weather is mild and manageable, with average highs ranging from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. These months offer a good balance between pleasant weather and smaller crowds, making it easier to explore the city's attractions.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak months, with the Palio di Siena horse racing event taking place in July and August, driving up hotel prices and attracting large crowds. The Siena Jazz Festival in July also contributes to the city's busy summer season.
Budget shoulder season
April and June are good shoulder months for discounts and milder weather, with average highs ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. These months offer a more relaxed atmosphere, with fewer crowds and lower prices.
Weather & packing
Siena's climate is characterized by hot summers and cool winters, with a notable temperature drop in the evenings, even during summer. When packing, be sure to include lightweight clothing for warm days and layers for cooler evenings, as well as comfortable shoes for exploring the city's hilly terrain.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- The Siena Bus Station has recently undergone renovations, improving the frequency and efficiency of bus services to and from the city. The new Siena Wine Museum has opened its doors, offering visitors a unique insight into the region's wine production and tasting experiences. Visitors should note that the Palio di Siena horse racing event will take place on 2 July 2026, which may affect traffic and accommodation prices in the city.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Il Battistero, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing Piazza del Duomo (the cathedral side) rather than Piazza San Giovanni. These upper floors get more light and less street-level commotion from the square below.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor overlooking Piazza San Giovanni. That side gets direct noise from the busy square, the entrance to the Battistero, and tour groups gathering. Also skip any room directly next to the lift shaft (you can hear it hum on upper floors).
Best views
A room on the third or fourth floor on the Piazza del Duomo side gives you a clear sightline to the cathedral façade and the Baptistery's upper walls. Avoid the back side overlooking internal courtyards or adjacent buildings.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors are the quietest. The lift serves all floors, so top floors have minimal foot traffic and less transmission of street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Piazza San Giovanni is a main pedestrian thoroughfare between the Duomo and the city centre. Noise sources: tour groups gathering (especially between 10am-12pm and 4pm-6pm), street musicians on weekend evenings, and the metal grate of the Battistero's gate opening/closing. The lift shaft is against an internal wall, so adjacent rooms on lower floors get a faint whir.
Insider tips
1. Park at Piazza del Mercato (€20/night) and walk up via Via di Città – it's a 7-minute uphill stroll, but far cheaper than the €2/hour metered spots near the hotel, and the garage is secure. 2. Request a room with a 'Duomo-side' view when booking directly by phone – the front desk can mark this; online booking systems often can't. 3. The lift is small (fits two people with luggage), so if you have large suitcases, ask for a ground-floor room when you check in – they often have a travel cot too if needed.
- 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 — Il Battistero
free, 10 Mbps, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader
15:00-20:00, early bag-drop from 10:00, late check-out until 12:00, €20 fee for check-out after 12:00
available 08:00-20:00, free of charge
step-free access, wheelchair entry via Piazza San Giovanni, some structural limitations due to historic building
no on-site parking, nearest public car park at Piazza del Mercato, €2 per hour, €20 per night; EV charging not available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2 per person per night, mandatory
Deposit & card hold: €50 advance deposit, €100 incidental card hold at check-in
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 ≈ €0.87 · 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 Il Battistero
🕒 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 Il Battistero?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing Piazza del Duomo (the cathedral side) rather than Piazza San Giovanni. These upper floors get more light and less street-level commotion from the square below.
Which rooms should I avoid at Il Battistero?
Avoid rooms on the first or second floor overlooking Piazza San Giovanni. That side gets direct noise from the busy square, the entrance to the Battistero, and tour groups gathering. Also skip any room directly next to the lift shaft (you can hear it hum on upper floors).
Is Il Battistero noisy?
Piazza San Giovanni is a main pedestrian thoroughfare between the Duomo and the city centre. Noise sources: tour groups gathering (especially between 10am-12pm and 4pm-6pm), street musicians on weekend evenings, and the metal grate of the Battistero's gate opening/closing. The lift shaft is against an internal wall, so adjacent rooms on lower floors get a faint whir.
Which rooms have the best views at Il Battistero?
A room on the third or fourth floor on the Piazza del Duomo side gives you a clear sightline to the cathedral façade and the Baptistery's upper walls. Avoid the back side overlooking internal courtyards or adjacent buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Il Battistero?
1. Park at Piazza del Mercato (€20/night) and walk up via Via di Città – it's a 7-minute uphill stroll, but far cheaper than the €2/hour metered spots near the hotel, and the garage is secure. 2. Request a room with a 'Duomo-side' view when booking directly by phone – the front desk can mark this; online booking systems often can't. 3. The lift is small (fits two people with luggage), so if you have large suitcases, ask for a ground-floor room when you check in – they often have a travel cot too if needed.
What time is check-in at Il Battistero?
Check-in at Il Battistero is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Il Battistero have Wi-Fi?
free, 10 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Il Battistero?
€2 per person per night, mandatory
Where can I eat cheaply near Il Battistero?
Pizza al taglio or a panino from a takeaway: €5–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Il Battistero?
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?
September, October, and May are ideal months to visit Siena, as the weather is mild and manageable, with average highs ranging from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. These months offer a good balance between pleasant weather and smaller crowds, making it easier to explore the city's attractions.
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.