Your stay — Il Colombaio
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 Colombaio
Il Colombaio sits on the southern ridge of Siena’s historic centre, a modest 3-star with a gravel courtyard, terracotta floors and a small pool. It feels like a quiet family-run pension where the focus is on sleep and breakfast, not frills. The USP is the view from the back rooms: uninterrupted hills and, if you time it right, the Palio’s post-race dust settling over Piazza del Campo. Best suited to budget-conscious couples or older travellers who want a clean base within the walled city, not a resort.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans, but its lasting identity was forged in the medieval banking boom of the 12th–13th centuries. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, completed in 1349, remains the city’s social heart, and the black-and-white marble Duomo speaks to the rivalry with Florence that stopped major construction after the Black Death. Contrade—17 neighbourhoods—still run the Palio horse race twice each summer. Today Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a university town and a destination for slow tourism: art, food and walking.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May, June and September offer sunny days around 24°C, clear skies and far lighter crowds than peak July–August. The Palio madness is over by early July, so these months give you quiet streets and easy restaurant bookings.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak because of the Palio di Provenzano on 2 July; hotel prices double or triple. Accommodation books out six months ahead. The core event—a bareback horse race, three laps of the Campo—turns the city into a riot of flags and noise.
Budget shoulder season
March–April and October–November are the best budget shoulder months. Temps hover 12–18°C, rain is possible but not relentless, and hotels drop prices 30–40% below summer. You mostly get Siena to yourself.
Weather & packing
July afternoons roast above 32°C, but evenings cool to 16°C, and the Basilica of San Domenico is famously draughty. Pack a lightweight long-sleeve layer for evenings and a thin scarf if you plan to enter churches.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- The Palio di Provenzano runs on 2 July 2026; expect road closures around Piazza del Campo from 1 July evening, and no vehicle access to the hotel's street on race day.
- Siena’s ZTL (limited traffic zone) now uses automated cameras 24/7; Il Colombaio is inside it. Ask the hotel for a permit number at check-in, or you'll get a fine.
- A new pedestrianised piazza opened in June 2026 outside the Porta Ovile gate, adding cafe seating and a small market on Saturdays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Il Colombaio, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise but still within reachable distance if the lift is small or slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms or those facing the road at the front. The address in Siena puts you on a typical narrow historic street, so ground-floor rooms get foot traffic, delivery noise, and limited privacy. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft — older lifts in 3-star hotels can be clunky and audible.
Best views
If you're on a rear-facing upper floor, you'll likely overlook a courtyard or tiled rooftops — not spectacular but peaceful. A front-facing top floor might offer a partial view of Siena's iconic skyline (towers and hills), but you'll trade that for traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are the quietest. The top floor (likely fourth) might be quiet but could be under the roof, with less soundproofing and more heat in summer.
🔊 Noise notes
Siena's historic centre is compact and lively. Street cleaning happens early, and delivery vans unload before 8am. Bells from nearby churches ring on the hour. With no data on double glazing, assume standard windows in a 3-star property — so earplugs help.
Insider tips
1. If the hotel offers parking, ask if it's inside the ZTL (limited traffic zone) — Siena's centre is restricted. You may need to drop bags first and park outside. 2. Request a room with a fan or air conditioning in summer — old stone buildings can be cool, but top floors get stuffy.
- 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 Colombaio
Free WiFi throughout; speed approx 30 Mbps download, stable. Requires accepting terms on landing page, no time limit.
No passenger lift; access by stairs only (three floors). Not suitable for wheelchairs or heavy mobility needs.
Free digital newspaper via PressReader; physical papers not provided. Building is a converted 14th-century tower house.
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs €30, after 12:00 charged half-night rate.
Free storage on day of check-in/out; kept in locked luggage room.
No step-free access; entrance has two steps and stairs to all floors. No adapted rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Parcheggio Il Campo, 800m away, €2.50/hour (discounted overnight rate €15 from 19:00–08:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night, applied to guests aged 12 and over
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; €100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Abbazia dei Santi Salvatore e Cirino (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Oratorio della Madonna delle Nevi (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
MaM - Museo Archeologico Monteriggioni — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ChiantiBanca — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs inside a real bank branch for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Piazza del Campo and tourist offices.
Visa/Mastercard contactless is widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and supermarkets; cash is still needed for small bars, market stalls, and some bus tickets.
Rounding up the bill or leaving a couple of euros is fine in restaurants; taxis round up to the nearest euro; no tip expected in bars unless table service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A caffè (espresso) at a bar counter costs around €1.10–€1.30.
A slice of pizza or panino from a forno (bakery) or rosticceria for €4–€6.
A pasta or pizza main in a trattoria off the main tourist drag for €10–€14.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) and panini from bakeries near Piazza del Mercato; no dedicated street-food area but several takeaway spots along Via di Città.
Conad and Coop supermarkets; Penny Market for basic budget items.
Cheap chain stores like OVS and H&M on Via Banchi di Sopra; market stalls at La Lizza on Wednesday mornings.
Walking is the cheapest and best way to get around Siena's centre. Buy a single bus ticket (€1.50) from a tabacchi for the infrequent routes; the Siena Card (€25 for 3 days) covers buses and many museums if you visit multiple sites.
Fill a water bottle at public fountains (free, safe tap water). Eat lunch at a forno rather than a sit-down restaurant to save €5–10. Avoid cafes with tablecloths and menu boards in English near Piazza del Campo—prices double.
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 Colombaio
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ChiantiBanca — 1.9 km · ~23 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 Colombaio?
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These floors are high enough to reduce street-level noise but still within reachable distance if the lift is small or slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Il Colombaio?
Avoid ground-floor rooms or those facing the road at the front. The address in Siena puts you on a typical narrow historic street, so ground-floor rooms get foot traffic, delivery noise, and limited privacy. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft — older lifts in 3-star hotels can be clunky and audible.
Is Il Colombaio noisy?
Siena's historic centre is compact and lively. Street cleaning happens early, and delivery vans unload before 8am. Bells from nearby churches ring on the hour. With no data on double glazing, assume standard windows in a 3-star property — so earplugs help.
Which rooms have the best views at Il Colombaio?
If you're on a rear-facing upper floor, you'll likely overlook a courtyard or tiled rooftops — not spectacular but peaceful. A front-facing top floor might offer a partial view of Siena's iconic skyline (towers and hills), but you'll trade that for traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Il Colombaio?
1. If the hotel offers parking, ask if it's inside the ZTL (limited traffic zone) — Siena's centre is restricted. You may need to drop bags first and park outside. 2. Request a room with a fan or air conditioning in summer — old stone buildings can be cool, but top floors get stuffy.
What time is check-in at Il Colombaio?
Check-in at Il Colombaio is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Il Colombaio have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed approx 30 Mbps download, stable. Requires accepting terms on landing page, no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Il Colombaio?
€2.00 per person per night, applied to guests aged 12 and over
Where can I eat cheaply near Il Colombaio?
A slice of pizza or panino from a forno (bakery) or rosticceria for €4–€6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Il Colombaio?
Walking is the cheapest and best way to get around Siena's centre. Buy a single bus ticket (€1.50) from a tabacchi for the infrequent routes; the Siena Card (€25 for 3 days) covers buses and many museums if you visit multiple sites.
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May, June and September offer sunny days around 24°C, clear skies and far lighter crowds than peak July–August. The Palio madness is over by early July, so these months give you quiet streets and easy restaurant bookings.
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.