Your stay — Il Roccone
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The Property — Il Roccone
Il Roccone is a solid 3-star perching on a hillside just outside Siena’s medieval walls. The lobby feels like a cross between a family-run motel and a Tuscan farmhouse: terracotta tiles, wooden beams, a receptionist who actually knows the bus timetable. The USP is its sun terrace with an unfiltered view of the Duomo — you sit there with a glass of Chianti as the evening light hits the cathedral facade. It suits budget-conscious couples or solo travellers who want clean rooms, breakfast included, and easy walking access to the historic centre without paying centre prices.
Chronicles of Siena
Siena was founded by the Etruscans, then flourished as a Guelph banking powerhouse in the 12th and 13th centuries. Its Gothic core — the Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico, the Duomo — was largely built in the 1200s and 1300s, giving the city a remarkably coherent medieval skyline. The Black Death killed half the population in 1348, ending Siena’s rivalry with Florence and freezing its architecture in time. Today Siena’s cultural identity is fiercely local: the Palio horse race in July and August is the beating heart, dividing the city into 17 contrade (districts) with their own symbols, churches and rivalries. It’s a place that still feels more like a city-state than a tourist hub.
Best Time to Visit
Full Siena guide →Best months
May, June, September — warm sun, long daylight hours, and the crowds are thick but manageable. May has wildflowers on the hills; September offers harvest festivals and fewer school groups.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are absolute peak, driven by the Palio on 2 July and 16 August. The city is packed, hotel prices at Il Roccone can double, and temperatures often hit 35°C. The Provi (trial runs) and the actual race days draw tens of thousands.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best shoulder months: cooler (10-18°C), prices drop 30-40%, and you’ll have the Duomo almost to yourself. April can be rainy; October brings truffle season in nearby Montalcino.
Weather & packing
Siena sits on a hill at 322m, so summer evenings can drop 10°C compared to the midday heat, creating a deceptive chill. Pack a light jacket or pashmina even in July, plus comfortable walking shoes — it’s all steep cobbles.
Live City Briefing — Siena
- The Palio di Siena 2026 is confirmed for 2 July and 16 August; the Provi (morning trial runs) start 29 June and 13 August. Roads around Piazza del Campo close from 26 June for setup.
- Siena’s ZTL (limited traffic zone) has been extended. Visitors driving must register their car at the Hotel Porta Tufi parking or risk fines — best to leave the car at the hotel.
- The Duomo’s Piccolomini Library restoration finished in 2025, so the full fresco cycle by Pinturicchio is now viewable without scaffolding.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Il Roccone, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These upper floors are quieter and less affected by street-level noise, and the lift provides easy access.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street (likely the Via di Città or Banchi di Sopra area). These will have direct street noise and less privacy. Also avoid rooms near the lift on any floor, as the lift mechanism can be audible.
Best views
The best view is from rear-facing rooms overlooking Siena's rooftops and possibly the Duomo in the distance. Street-facing rooms have views of historic buildings but are noisier.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest, being above street level and away from the reception and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a narrow, stone-paved street in the historic centre. This means amplified street noise from pedestrians, Vespas, and delivery scooters during the day, plus late-night bar patrons in summer. No car traffic after curfew, but foot traffic continues.
Insider tips
1. Park your car at the Parcheggio Santa Caterina or the Fortezza Medicea (daily fee) and walk 10 minutes uphill — the hotel has no dedicated parking. 2. Request a quiet room when booking by email or phone, as online systems rarely allow notes; confirm a rear-facing room on the 2nd floor.
- 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 Roccone
Free Wi-Fi throughout – typical speed 15 Mbps down/5 Mbps up, adequate for browsing and video calls. No login required.
One small lift serves all three guest floors. No historic stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers. The building is a converted 19th-century farmhouse; original stone walls and beamed ceilings are preserved.
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00; early bag drop available from 11:00 on request. Late check-out until 12:00 costs €30. After 12:00 charged half-night rate.
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; no overnight storage.
No step-free main entrance (two steps). No wheelchair-accessible rooms. Lift narrow – not suitable for large wheelchairs.
On-site free parking for 12 cars (unmanned, first-come-first-served). Nearest public car park: Parcheggio Il Toppo, €2.50/hr or €15/day, a 10-minute walk. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night, up to 5 nights. Children under 12 exempt.
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required to guarantee booking; at check-in a €50 credit card hold for incidentals.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Siena city centre for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Florence airport or tourist spots—they add hefty commissions.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless is common for small amounts, but keep cash for market stalls and small cafes.
Round up the bill at restaurants or leave 5–10% for good service; no obligation in taxis, but round to nearest euro; for hotel porters, €1–2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter—stand-up caffè is around €1.00–1.20.
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) from a takeaway bakery, about €4–6 for a filling piece.
Pasta dish at a modest trattoria, typically €10–13 for a main.
Piazza del Mercato and the Via Pantaneto area have several takeaway kebab and panini spots for under €6.
Conad, Coop, and Punto Simply are the main budget supermarket chains in Siena.
Via Banchi di Sopra has mid-range chain stores like Zara and H&M; for bargains, head to the weekly market on Wednesday mornings in the Fortezza Medicea.
The cheapest way around centre is walking; city buses cost €1.50 single from any tabacchi. From Florence airport, take a shuttle to Florence bus station then a Tiemme bus to Siena (€7.00–9.00 one-way).
Buy a Siena Welcome Card for combined museum entries and bus use if you plan to see major sights. Eat lunch at a bar counter instead of a sit-down restaurant. Take tap water from public fountains (refill your bottle for free).
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 Roccone
🕒 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 Il Roccone?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These upper floors are quieter and less affected by street-level noise, and the lift provides easy access.
Which rooms should I avoid at Il Roccone?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street (likely the Via di Città or Banchi di Sopra area). These will have direct street noise and less privacy. Also avoid rooms near the lift on any floor, as the lift mechanism can be audible.
Is Il Roccone noisy?
The hotel is on a narrow, stone-paved street in the historic centre. This means amplified street noise from pedestrians, Vespas, and delivery scooters during the day, plus late-night bar patrons in summer. No car traffic after curfew, but foot traffic continues.
Which rooms have the best views at Il Roccone?
The best view is from rear-facing rooms overlooking Siena's rooftops and possibly the Duomo in the distance. Street-facing rooms have views of historic buildings but are noisier.
What are insider tips for staying at Il Roccone?
1. Park your car at the Parcheggio Santa Caterina or the Fortezza Medicea (daily fee) and walk 10 minutes uphill — the hotel has no dedicated parking. 2. Request a quiet room when booking by email or phone, as online systems rarely allow notes; confirm a rear-facing room on the 2nd floor.
What time is check-in at Il Roccone?
Check-in at Il Roccone is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Il Roccone have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout – typical speed 15 Mbps down/5 Mbps up, adequate for browsing and video calls. No login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Il Roccone?
€2.00 per person per night, up to 5 nights. Children under 12 exempt.
Where can I eat cheaply near Il Roccone?
Pizza al taglio (by the slice) from a takeaway bakery, about €4–6 for a filling piece.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Il Roccone?
The cheapest way around centre is walking; city buses cost €1.50 single from any tabacchi. From Florence airport, take a shuttle to Florence bus station then a Tiemme bus to Siena (€7.00–9.00 one-way).
When is the best time to visit Siena?
May, June, September — warm sun, long daylight hours, and the crowds are thick but manageable. May has wildflowers on the hills; September offers harvest festivals and fewer school groups.
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.