Where to stay in Siena: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexSiena is a real Tuscan gem, a small town with medieval charm famous for the Palio and full of wonderful attractions enclosed within its ancient walls. There is no better place to stay than inside its walls, among the ancient streets, surrounded by taverns and wine bars and a few steps from the wonderful Piazza del Campo. Here are all our tips on where to sleep in Siena.
Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in Siena
Siena is a very small city, so the search for a place to stay is reduced to a single important choice: to stay inside or outside the walls? The best solution is to stay inside the ancient walls, in the heart of the centre. It is a unique experience, and you can enjoy all the charm this Tuscan town has to offer. The centre is suitable for families, remaining in the Duomo area, but also for young people, especially around Piazza del Campo, where the nightlife of Siena is concentrated.
If you want to save money, then it's best to look for accommodation outside the walls. In addition to being more convenient, it is also a quieter area, ideal if you want to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes of Siena and its surroundings.
- Recommended areas to stay on a budget: outside the walls
- Recommended areas for families with children: centre, outside the walls
- Recommended areas for young people: centre
- Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Siena. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking
Guide to areas of Siena
Siena is a small city, which extends for 118.53 square kilometres and has about 55,000 inhabitants. Settling in is very easy, especially if you stay inside the walls, where the centre develops and where the main attractions are located.
The centre is divided into districts, which are the ones that compete during the Palio. Each district bears a different name and there are 17 in total. They are very small in size, each district has just a handful of streets.
Not recommended areas: Siena is a very safe city, there are no places to avoid. From a tourist point of view, if you don't like crowds and confusion, it is better to avoid the centre during the days of the Palio.
Inside the ancient walls
The centre of Siena, housed within the walls, is certainly the best place to sleep in the city. Here you can breathe an atmosphere of other times, it almost seems to take a step back in time. Right here are the main attractions, such as Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico, the Mangia Tower, the Cathedral and museums such as the National Pinacoteca. Furthermore, staying in the centre will allow you to move easily on foot throughout your stay.
The centre is suitable for everyone. Obviously, it must be taken into account that the prices for accommodation are higher here than outside the walls. If you are looking for the nightlife then we advise you to look for accommodation near Piazza del Campo, a meeting place for young people and university students, who sit in the square in the evening. Even during the Palio this is the focus of the celebrations. If you are traveling with your family, we advise you to opt for quieter areas, such as the streets around the Cathedral, near Fontebranda or near the Basilica of San Francesco.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €50,00 for low-cost accommodation to €250,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel Minerva | 3-star hotel near Porta Ovile. Views of the centre of Siena, panoramic garden, air-conditioned rooms with WiFi , covered parking. Ideal for couples and families |
| Salicotto 56 | Guest house 200 m from Piazza del Campo. These rooms have a coffee machine, a private bathroom, free WiFi and some have city views. Ideal for young people |
| Casatorre dei Leoni Dimora Storica | B&B in an ancient historic residence, near Piazza del Campo. Air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TV, refrigerator and private bathroom. Restaurant. Ideal for couples and families |
| Hotel Palazzo Coli Bizzarrini | Luxurious apartments in a historic sixteenth century building, declared an asset of particular historical interest. Apartments with one or two bedrooms, city view or with Jacuzzi. Ideal for couples and families |
Outside the ancient walls
If the centre of Siena develops inside the walls, outside the walls there are a whole series of smaller, quieter and more residential neighbourhoods, which are not of great tourist importance but still offer a magical atmosphere. Furthermore, these are the best areas to stay if you arrive by car, as the entire centre is a Limited Traffic Zone. Around the walls, however, you can find accommodation with parking included.
The residential neighbourhoods outside the walls are recommended for those who want to save money and those who want a bit of tranquillity. In addition to affordable prices, it is an area also recommended for families, who may travel by car for convenience.
From here, you can travel by public transport or by car to the gates of the centre, and then continue on foot. All around the walls there are several carparks, with different rates depending on the area, where you can leave your car for the whole day.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €35,00 for low-cost accommodation to €200,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel Palazzo di Valli | 3-star hotel surrounded by an olive grove of about 7 hectares, not far from the centre. Restaurant, parking and views of the Tuscan countryside. Ideal for couples |
| Le case del conventino di Marciano | Apartment residence 6 km from Piazza del Campo. Units equipped with kitchen, two or three bedrooms, for 4 to 6 people. Shared barbecue area and swimming pool. Ideal for families and groups of friends |
| Porta Pispini Residence | Apartment residence outside the walls, near Porta Pisini. Studios or apartments for up to 4 people, equipped kitchen, one or two bedrooms, parking. Ideal for couples, families and young people |
| Hotel Certosa di Maggiano | 4-star hotel in a former monastery, 2 km from Piazza del Campo. Swimming pool, tennis court, parking, restaurant. Ideal for couples and families |
Places to stay near Siena
Siena is immersed in the beauty of the Tuscan hills, so it could be an excellent solution to stay in the surrounding area, especially if you have a car. In case you travel by train or bus, then we advise you to stay in the centre of Siena or just outside the walls, travelling may involve some difficulties and may take some time.
Staying in the surrounding area is recommended especially if you have a car, this way you can enjoy the beauty of the Tuscan countryside and sleep surrounded by nature. There is a great choice of farmhouses, but also many unique villages in which to stop. Here are some of them:
- Monteriggioni (20 km / 20 min): wonderful town in the province of Siena, full of farmhouses and accommodation surrounded by nature. Ideal for those who want to stay between breath-taking views and wineries - compare accommodation on booking
- Castelnuovo Berardenga (25 km / 25 min): municipality in the province of Siena located on a hill between the Malena stream and the Ombrone river. Full of farmhouses and small B&Bs. Ideal for those who want to visit Siena and go hiking in nature - compare accommodation on booking
- Buonconvento (29 km / 35 min): located in the Ombrone Valley, with other villages it forms the district of Crete Senesi. Not far from the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in nature - compare accommodation on booking
- San Gimignano (45 km / 45 min): well-known medieval city famous for its history, art and good wine. Several places to stay in the centre of the village and numerous farmhouses in the surrounding area. Ideal for those who love to stay in historic villages - compare accommodation on booking
- Montalcino (42 km / 48 min): village famous all over the world for its Brunello wine. Rich in wine bars, cellars and farmhouses. Ideal for those who love nature and wine - compare accommodation on booking
- San Quirico d'Orcia (46 km / 50 min): wonderful village nestled in Val d'Orcia, a few km from Bagno Vignoni. Ideal for immersing yourself in nature and enjoying the beauty of the Tuscan countryside - compare accommodation on ooking