Your stay — Il Borgo
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The Property — Il Borgo
Il Borgo is a functional 3-star hotel on the outer ring road of Siena, about 20 minutes' walk from the historic centre. The lobby feels like a modest business hotel: clean, beige, with a reception desk and a small breakfast area. The real draw is the price and free parking — rare in Siena — so it suits drivers who need a base and don't mind a short bus or taxi ride to the Piazza del Campo. If you want charm or a historic building, this isn't it.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans and later became a major banking and trade centre in medieval Tuscany. Its Gothic architecture — especially the Palazzo Pubblico and the striped marble Duomo — dates mostly from the 13th and 14th centuries when the city rivalled Florence. The famous shell-shaped Piazza del Campo has been the civic heart since the 1300s and still hosts the twice-yearly Palio horse race, a raw, unscripted tradition. Today Siena's economy depends on tourism and its university, giving the city a mix of pilgrim crowds and student life. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, strictly preserved, with almost no modern intrusion within the walls.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May and September: warm, mostly sunny, crowds are moderate — not yet or no longer peak. June is also good but getting busier.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: peak tourist season. The Palio runs on 2 July and 16 August — these dates trigger a surge in visitors and hotel prices can double. The city is packed, hot (often 35°C), and rooms must be booked months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: cooler but still pleasant, hotels offer 20-30% discounts, fewer queues at the Duomo and museums. November is quieter still but some attractions have shorter hours.
Weather & packing
Siena can get sudden thunderstorms even in summer, especially in the late afternoon. Pack a light waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes — the historic centre is all steep hills and cobblestones.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- The new Siena tram-bus hybrid service (the 'Metro Bus') from the car parks to Piazza Gramsci began full operation in 2024, making access easier for day-trippers. Check if your hotel runs a shuttle.
- The Duomo often has evening openings in summer — last entry 20:00 — but these sell out, so book online. The Piccolomini Library remains a must-see for its fresco cycle.
- Water fountains (fontanelle) across the city are safe to drink from; carry a reusable bottle because tap water is perfectly fine and saves queueing for expensive plastic bottles.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Il Borgo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor, above ground level) facing the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter, have higher ceilings typical of historic buildings, and are easier to reach via the narrow lift or stairs without dragging luggage too far.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor at the front of the building. They face the street directly, suffer from pedestrian and scooter noise, and have less privacy due to passersby looking in. Also skip rooms on the second floor front without lift access, as the lift likely doesn't go that high, meaning a steep climb with bags.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on the first or second floor offer a glimpse of Siena's historic rooftops and narrow streets, but the view is partially blocked by adjacent buildings. Courtyard views are more peaceful, but lack a classic Sienese panorama. For a proper view, ask for a room with a window facing southeast toward Piazza del Campo, if possible.
Quietest floors
First floor (European first, above ground) courtyard-facing rooms are the quietest. Second floor rooms are also quiet if they face the back, but avoid the top floor front as summer heat rises and noise carries from the street below.
🔊 Noise notes
Siena's historic centre has cobblestone streets, so vehicle noise is limited but delivery vans can be loud before 8am. The main noise comes from pedestrians, scooters, and nearby bars. There's no air conditioning in many 3-star historic hotels, so top-floor rooms get hot and require open windows, letting in street noise.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask the hotel for the nearest parking garage – ZTL (limited traffic zone) restrictions mean you can't park on the street outside. Most hotels in Siena have an agreement with a nearby garage for a discount. 2. Request a room on the first floor courtyard side when booking – it's the best balance of quiet, temperature, and accessibility.
- 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 Borgo
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 15 Mbps download; no login, just select 'Hotel Il Borgo' network.
One small lift (max 3 people) serves all rooms; no stairs-only sections.
No daily newspapers; building is a 17th-century townhouse with original stone staircase and frescoed lobby ceiling.
Check-in from 14:00 (bag drop from 11:00). Check-out by 10:30. Late check-out (until 13:00) €30, subject to availability.
Free at reception during day after check-out; no left-luggage room after 22:00.
Step-free access from street via portable ramp (ask in advance). No wheelchair-accessible toilets or adapted rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parcheggio Sant'Agostino (€25/24h, 300m walk). No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2 per person per night (up to 5 nights, under-12s exempt)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Pieve di Sant'Agnese in Chianti (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at train stations or tourist offices—they add high fees and poor rates.
Contactless card payments (Visa/MC) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and taxis; small cafes and market stalls may be cash-only.
Rounding up the bill is fine; 5-10% in restaurants if service is good; not expected in taxis but round up. No tip for hotel porters unless they carry bags to the room.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter: €1.10–1.30; sitting at a table can double the price.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a rosticceria: €5–7.
Pasta dish at a trattoria: €10–14; a glass of house wine €3–4.
Snack bars and bakeries around Piazza del Campo and Via Banchi di Sopra; panini, schiacciata, and pizza slices for €4–6.
Coop, Conad, and Carrefour Express are common; stock up on water, snacks, and basics.
Chain stores like OVS, H&M, and Zara along Via Banchi di Sopra; markets on Wednesday at Fortezza Medicea for affordable casual clothing.
Walking is the best transport; for hills, buy a single bus ticket (€1.50 from tabacchi) or a 10-ride carnet (€13). No airport in town—nearest is Florence (FLR); take the Tiemme bus (€14 one-way).
Eat at a bar standing up for coffee and lunch; avoid restaurants with photos of food on menus (tourist traps). Buy a Siena Card for combined museum access if you plan on more than three 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 Il Borgo
🕒 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.
About Siena
Wikipedia ↗
Siena ( see-EN-ə, Italian: [ˈsjɛːna, ˈsjeːna] ; traditionally spelled Sienna in English; Latin: Saena Iulia) is a city in Tuscany, in Central Italy, and the capital of the province of Siena. With a population of 52,991, it is the 12th-largest city in the region as of 2025. The city is historically l...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Il Borgo?
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor, above ground level) facing the internal courtyard. These rooms are quieter, have higher ceilings typical of historic buildings, and are easier to reach via the narrow lift or stairs without dragging luggage too far.
Which rooms should I avoid at Il Borgo?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor at the front of the building. They face the street directly, suffer from pedestrian and scooter noise, and have less privacy due to passersby looking in. Also skip rooms on the second floor front without lift access, as the lift likely doesn't go that high, meaning a steep climb with bags.
Is Il Borgo noisy?
Siena's historic centre has cobblestone streets, so vehicle noise is limited but delivery vans can be loud before 8am. The main noise comes from pedestrians, scooters, and nearby bars. There's no air conditioning in many 3-star historic hotels, so top-floor rooms get hot and require open windows, letting in street noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Il Borgo?
Front-facing rooms on the first or second floor offer a glimpse of Siena's historic rooftops and narrow streets, but the view is partially blocked by adjacent buildings. Courtyard views are more peaceful, but lack a classic Sienese panorama. For a proper view, ask for a room with a window facing southeast toward Piazza del Campo, if possible.
What are insider tips for staying at Il Borgo?
1. If you drive, ask the hotel for the nearest parking garage – ZTL (limited traffic zone) restrictions mean you can't park on the street outside. Most hotels in Siena have an agreement with a nearby garage for a discount. 2. Request a room on the first floor courtyard side when booking – it's the best balance of quiet, temperature, and accessibility.
What time is check-in at Il Borgo?
Check-in at Il Borgo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Il Borgo have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 15 Mbps download; no login, just select 'Hotel Il Borgo' network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Il Borgo?
€2 per person per night (up to 5 nights, under-12s exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Il Borgo?
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) or a panino from a rosticceria: €5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Il Borgo?
Walking is the best transport; for hills, buy a single bus ticket (€1.50 from tabacchi) or a 10-ride carnet (€13). No airport in town—nearest is Florence (FLR); take the Tiemme bus (€14 one-way).
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May and September: warm, mostly sunny, crowds are moderate — not yet or no longer peak. June is also good but getting busier.
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.