The best hotels in Siena
Siena has thousands of options across the UNESCO old city and surrounding Tuscan hills. We reviewed the standouts. These 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Siena
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Piccolo Hotel Etruria
Centro Storico, Siena
Free cancellation & Pay later
Albergo Bernini
Banchi di Sopra, Siena
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Cannon d'Oro
Banchi di Sopra, Siena
Free cancellation & Pay later
Palazzo Ravizza
Piano dei Mantellini, Siena
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
Maggiano, Siena
Free cancellation & Pay later
Grand Hotel Continental Siena
Banchi di Sopra, Siena
Free cancellation & Pay later
Castello di Casole
Chianti Senese, Casole d'Elsa
Free cancellation & Pay later
Borgo San Felice
Chianti Classico, Castelnuovo Berardenga
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piccolo Hotel Etruria | Centro Storico, Siena | $55–85/night | 7.8/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Albergo Bernini | Banchi di Sopra, Siena | $72–98/night | 8.1/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Hotel Cannon d'Oro | Banchi di Sopra, Siena | $105–155/night | 8.3/10 | Most Popular |
| 4 | Hotel Duomo | Duomo, Siena | $130–190/night | 8.6/10 | Best Location |
| 5 | Palazzo Ravizza | Piano dei Mantellini, Siena | $148–210/night | 8.7/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 6 | Hotel Athena | Porta Romana, Siena | $155–215/night | 8.2/10 | Family Friendly |
| 7 | Hotel Certosa di Maggiano | Maggiano, Siena | $175–240/night | 8.9/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 8 | Grand Hotel Continental Siena | Banchi di Sopra, Siena | $195–248/night | 9/10 | Top Rated |
| 9 | Castello di Casole | Chianti Senese, Casole d'Elsa | $420–750/night | 9.3/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Borgo San Felice | Chianti Classico, Castelnuovo Berardenga | $310–520/night | 9.1/10 | Romantic Stay |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Piccolo Hotel Etruria
This small family-run hotel sits just off Via delle Donzelle, a short walk from Piazza del Campo. Rooms are basic but clean, with simple furnishings and decent beds. The staff are genuinely helpful and speak good English. Breakfast is nothing special but included in the rate. A solid no-frills base for exploring the city center on foot.
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Albergo Bernini
The location on Via della Sapienza puts you within a five-minute walk of the Duomo and Campo. Rooms are compact but tidy, and some upper-floor rooms have partial rooftop views over the medieval skyline. The building itself dates back centuries and you can feel it in the thick stone walls. Wi-Fi is reliable and the check-in staff are friendly. Good value for a city where prices climb quickly.
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Hotel Cannon d'Oro
Set on Via Montanini, one of Siena's main shopping streets, this hotel is easy to find and well-connected to the main sights. Rooms are comfortable and recently refreshed, with warm tones and decent bathroom sizes. The breakfast spread is better than average for this price point. Street noise can be noticeable on lower floors, so ask for a room facing the courtyard. A reliable mid-range pick in a city that lacks many of them.
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Hotel Duomo
The name is not misleading. This hotel on Via Stalloreggi is steps from the Siena Cathedral, and several rooms have direct views of the striped marble facade. The building has character without feeling tired, and rooms on the upper floors are especially good. Staff are professional and willing to suggest local restaurants away from the tourist circuit. The terrace is the best feature, perfect for an evening aperitivo with the Duomo lit up behind you.
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Palazzo Ravizza
This Renaissance palazzo on Piano dei Mantellini operates as a small hotel with genuine old-world atmosphere. The garden terrace at the back overlooks the Sienese countryside, which is rare to find inside the city walls. Rooms vary considerably in size and decor, so check photos carefully before booking. The restaurant is good and uses local Tuscan ingredients throughout. A quieter and more atmospheric alternative to hotels closer to Piazza del Campo.
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Hotel Athena
Located near Porta Romana on the southern edge of the historic center, Hotel Athena is one of the larger hotels in the city. Rooms are spacious by Siena standards and the pool area is a genuine bonus in summer. The walk to Piazza del Campo takes about fifteen minutes, which suits families who prefer more space over proximity. The restaurant serves solid Tuscan classics and the staff handle families with ease. Parking is easier here than at hotels deeper in the center.
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Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
Housed in a 14th-century Carthusian monastery just outside the city walls in the Maggiano area, this hotel is one of the most atmospheric places to stay near Siena. The cloistered courtyard, frescoed ceilings and stone corridors all remain intact. Rooms are elegantly furnished without being over-styled. A small pool and tennis court are tucked into the grounds. The setting is peaceful and the fifteen-minute walk into the historic center is pleasant through olive groves.
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Grand Hotel Continental Siena
This 17th-century palazzo on Banchi di Sopra was once owned by the Gori Pannilini family and the frescoed rooms have been carefully restored. The location is central without being directly on the tourist circuit, and the building's courtyard is genuinely beautiful. Breakfast is served in a frescoed salon that alone justifies the stay. The superior and deluxe rooms are significantly better than standard rooms so upgrading is worth it. One of the most consistently well-reviewed hotels in the city for good reason.
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Castello di Casole
This converted 10th-century castle sits on a 4,200-acre estate in the Chianti Senese hills, about 30 kilometers from Siena. The suites and residences are enormous, finished with stone, timber and high-end Italian fabrics. The spa, infinity pool and farm-to-table restaurant are all exceptional. This is not a hotel you stay at for Siena sightseeing. It is a destination in itself, best suited to guests who want Tuscan countryside immersion with serious luxury.
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Borgo San Felice
Set in a restored medieval hamlet in the Chianti Classico zone near Castelnuovo Berardenga, this Relais and Chateaux property is about 20 kilometers from Siena. The stone village layout means every suite feels private and distinct. The Michelin-starred restaurant Poggio Rosso is the culinary highlight and worth booking a table even if you stay elsewhere. Vineyards surround the property and wine tastings are organized daily. The pool area framed by cypress trees is exactly what people imagine when they picture Tuscany.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Siena
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
The Perfect Morning in Siena
Arrive at Piazza del Campo by 7am before tour groups. The shell-shaped square with its 13th-century palazzo and tower is at its most magical in early morning light. Have a coffee at any bar on the Campo before the tourist markup kicks in at 9am.
From the Campo walk 5 minutes uphill via Via di Citta to the Duomo. Arrive at opening (10:30am) to beat the crowds. Buy the combined ticket at $17 to include the Baptistery and Cripta (uncovered underground space with frescoes). Allow 90 minutes minimum.
Eating Off the Tourist Trail
The best trattorias in Siena are in the contrada neighborhoods away from the Campo. Osteria Le Logge on Via del Porrione, 3 minutes from the Campo, is mid-priced and consistently good. Buca di San Pietro on Via di San Pietro has Sienese cooking without the tourist markup at $35-45 for two.
For lunch, Pizzicheria de Miccoli on Via di Citta sells porchetta sandwiches for $4. The Mercato on Piazza del Mercato (open Tuesday and Saturday mornings) has local produce and snacks. Avoid any place with a menu visible in English, German, and Japanese simultaneously.
The Duomo and Its Surroundings
The Siena Cathedral is one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Italy. The interior has the famous inlaid marble floor with 56 narrative panels, only fully uncovered October to January. The facade glitters with white, black, and green marble. The combined Duomo Museum (OPA) ticket at $17 gives access to the main cathedral, baptistery, museum, and Facciatone (rooftop views).
Allow at least 2 hours for the full complex. The Facciatone gives views over the unfinished nave of what would have been the largest church in Christendom before the Black Death halted construction in 1348. The Piccolomini Library inside has intact 15th-century frescoes in perfect color.
Wine and Day Trips into Chianti
The Chianti Classico wine region starts about 20 kilometers north of Siena. Rent a car for a day and drive the SP2 (Chiantigiana road) through Castellina in Chianti and Radda in Chianti. Most cantinas offer tastings for $10-15 per person. The Dievole estate near Vagliagli is 12 kilometers north and has excellent Chianti Classico.
For organized wine tours from Siena, several operators run half-day trips to 2-3 estates for $60-80 per person including transport. The wine bus (not the tourist name, a real bus) runs to Castelnuovo Berardenga with connections to some wineries.
Navigating Siena on Foot
Siena has three main hills meeting at the Campo. Via Banchi di Sopra runs north to Piazza Salimbeni (beautiful banking palazzo). Via di Citta runs east toward the Duomo district. Via di Banchi di Sotto runs southeast toward the Pinacoteca. These three roads cover 80% of what you need to see.
The stairs and steep lanes can be tiring with luggage. Hotels inside the walls usually arrange luggage porter service. The main parking area is at the Stadio Comunale (Viale Maccari), a 15-minute walk from the Campo, with a free shuttle bus in summer.
Shopping in Siena
Via Banchi di Sopra has the best mix of local shops and Italian brands. Pasticceria Bini on Via Stalloreggi makes the best ricciarelli almond biscuits in the city at $6-8 per 200g bag. Panforte Margherita is the other essential, available in most alimentari (food shops) from $8-15 per cake.
The weekly market on Piazza La Lizza near the fortress (Wednesday morning, large) has local produce, cheeses, and salami at proper prices. Avoid the souvenir shops immediately adjacent to the Duomo and Campo which charge double.
Siena's best neighborhoods
Siena is contained within remarkably intact medieval walls. The center revolves around Piazza del Campo and the Duomo. Banchi di Sopra is the main commercial street running north. Piano dei Mantellini to the southwest is quieter with garden views. Porta Romana at the south gate is furthest from the center.
Piazza del Campo and Centro Storico 4 vetted hotels Heart of the medieval city, best location
Heart of the medieval city, best location
The area within a 5-minute walk of Piazza del Campo is the most desirable and most expensive location in Siena. Hotel Duomo on Via Stalloreggi and Hotel Cannon d'Oro on Via Montanini are both here, at $105-190 per night. Everything is walkable: Duomo, Palazzo Pubblico, Pinacoteca, all in under 10 minutes.
Noise from the square itself is noticeable at weekends in summer. Street-facing rooms on the main shopping streets are nosier. Ask for courtyard-facing rooms at mid-range hotels. The area empties significantly after 8pm when day-trippers leave.
Piano dei Mantellini 3 vetted hotels Quieter Renaissance palazzi with garden views
Quieter Renaissance palazzi with garden views
Piano dei Mantellini is a distinctive residential street in the southwest quadrant of the old city, quieter than the Campo area and home to Palazzo Ravizza at $148-210. The street has genuine local character with small alimentari, wine bars, and few tourists.
The Duomo and Campo are 10 minutes walk. The view from the back garden of Palazzo Ravizza over the Sienese countryside is genuinely rare inside the city walls. Best for couples and travelers who want atmosphere over convenience.
Porta Romana and Southern Walls 3 vetted hotels South gate area, further from center but quieter
South gate area, further from center but quieter
The Porta Romana area near the southern city gate has Hotel Athena and a few mid-range options at $120-180. The location is 15 minutes walk from the Campo, which is manageable on foot but feels further with luggage.
The advantage is quieter streets and immediate access to the countryside views from the walls. Some buses stop near Porta Romana. Best for drivers who want easy parking access combined with an inside-the-walls address.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Siena.
Architecture
The Duomo with its inlaid marble floor and the Palazzo Pubblico with Simone Martini's Maesta fresco are both world-class. The Pinacoteca Nazionale on Via San Pietro has Sienese Gothic painting in a 15th-century palazzo, rarely crowded.
Romantic
Palazzo Ravizza on Piano dei Mantellini has a garden terrace overlooking the Sienese countryside at $148-210. Piazza del Campo at 7am before the crowds is extraordinary. Dinner at Osteria Le Logge on Via del Porrione for two at $50-70.
Food and Wine
Pici pasta with wild boar ragu at a local trattoria for $15-18 per plate. Panforte and ricciarelli from Pasticceria Bini on Via Stalloreggi. Chianti Classico estates are 20 kilometers north for half-day wine trips.
Budget
Piccolo Hotel Etruria offers rooms from $55, a 2-minute walk from the Campo. Porchetta sandwiches from Pizzicheria de Miccoli on Via di Citta at $4. Combined Duomo ticket at $17 covers 5 sites. Siena is meaningfully cheaper than Florence.
Family
The Torre del Mangia (88-meter medieval tower) is a climb kids remember. The weekly Wednesday market on Piazza La Lizza has local food. Day trip to San Gimignano on the bus takes 50 minutes and is excellent for the towers.
Countryside
The Val d'Orcia UNESCO landscape starts 50 kilometers south. Day trips to Montalcino (Brunello wine) and Pienza (best pecorino cheese in Tuscany) are both under 2 hours by bus from Siena.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Siena
When to visit Siena and what to pay.
Spring
April and May are excellent. Piazza del Campo is lively but not yet overwhelmed. Temperatures are perfect for walking the steep lanes. The Duomo marble floor inlays are covered until October. Easter weekend brings Italian domestic tourists and slightly higher prices. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for April.
Summer
July 2 (Palio) and August 16 (Palio) are the most famous events in Tuscany, booked a year ahead at 3-4x prices. Otherwise June and early July are hot but manageable. The rest of August is crowded with European tourists. Book the Palio experience if you can, or avoid these days entirely.
Autumn
September and October are among the best months. Crowds thin from September, temperatures are comfortable, and the Duomo marble floor is uncovered for October viewing. The white truffle season in the region begins in October. Wine harvest in Chianti happens October-November.
Winter
December through February has thin crowds and excellent hotel availability. The Duomo marble floor is fully uncovered all winter. Cold but manageable for walking with a coat. Some restaurants reduce hours or close January-February. Christmas week is more animated with local traditions.
Booking Tips for Siena
Insider tips for booking hotels in Siena.
Book Palio dates a year in advance
The Palio horse race on July 2 and August 16 is the most famous event in Tuscany. Hotels inside the walls book out 6-12 months ahead at 3-4x normal prices. If you want to see the race, start planning a year ahead. If you dislike crowds, avoid the 3 days around each race. The Campo is standing-room only from 6pm the night before.
Arrive at the Campo at 7am
Piazza del Campo is one of the great public spaces in Europe. Before 9am it belongs to locals having coffee and dog walkers. After 10am tour groups arrive and the atmosphere shifts. The best photographs of the tilted shell-shaped square are taken in early morning light from the upper rim near the Fonte Gaia fountain.
Buy the combined Duomo OPA ticket
The Opera del Duomo combined ticket at $17 includes the main cathedral, baptistery, Piccolomini Library, Duomo Museum, and the Facciatone rooftop. Buying individual entries costs more and involves separate queuing. Book online a day ahead in July and August when the Duomo queue is longest. Arrive at 10:30am opening for the shortest wait.
Eat away from the main tourist routes
The restaurants facing Piazza del Campo and immediately outside the Duomo charge 50-80% more than places one street back. Via del Porrione and Via San Pietro have excellent options at proper prices. Osteria Le Logge (Via del Porrione) and Trattoria Papei (Via del Mercato) are both good at $35-50 for two with wine.
Park outside the walls and walk in
Cars are prohibited in the historic center during the day. The Stadio Comunale car park on Viale Maccari has space and charges $2-3 per hour. A free shuttle bus runs to the city center in summer. From the car park, the walk to the Campo is about 15 minutes. The easiest taxi meeting point is Piazza Gramsci near the bus station.
October is the best month for the Duomo
The famous inlaid marble floor of the Siena Cathedral is covered with protection boards from January to September. It is fully uncovered October to January to protect it from summer visitor footfall. October is the sweet spot: full marble floor, comfortable temperatures, thinner crowds than summer, and wine harvest happening in the surrounding countryside.
Hotels in Siena — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Siena.
What is the best area to stay in Siena?
Inside the walls near Piazza del Campo for atmosphere and walking access to the Duomo, Palazzo Pubblico, and the Pinacoteca. Piano dei Mantellini for quieter garden views in a Renaissance palazzo. Banchi di Sopra for the main commercial corridor. Skip anything marketed as 'convenient' that turns out to be outside the walls.
How much does a hotel in Siena cost?
Budget options like Piccolo Hotel Etruria run $55-85. Mid-range on Banchi di Sopra charges $105-190. Palazzo Ravizza on Piano dei Mantellini costs $148-210. The most upscale options reach $350+. Palio race weeks in July and August double prices and require booking months in advance.
When is the Palio di Siena and how does it affect hotels?
The Palio horse race runs twice a year, July 2 and August 16. These are the most famous events in Tuscany and hotels inside the walls book out a year in advance at 3-4x normal prices. If you want to see the Palio, start booking 10-12 months ahead. If you want to avoid the chaos, skip the three days around each race.
Is Siena walkable?
Completely. The historic center is only 1 square kilometer and entirely pedestrian-only within the walls. From Piazza del Campo to the Duomo is a 5-minute walk uphill. From the Campo to Palazzo Ravizza is 10 minutes. Cars must park outside the walls. The streets are steep and cobbled, wear comfortable shoes.
What should I not miss in Siena?
Piazza del Campo at 7am before tour groups arrive is one of the great moments in Italian travel. The Duomo interior with its inlaid marble floor (uncovered October to January) is extraordinary. The view from Torre del Mangia, 88 meters of medieval tower, costs $12 and requires 503 stairs. The Pinacoteca on Via San Pietro has Sienese Gothic painting with no crowds.
How do I get to Siena from Florence?
The fastest option is the bus: Siena Bus SENA runs the Siena-Florence route in 75 minutes for $9 from Santa Maria Novella station. Trains require a change at Empoli and take 90-120 minutes for $10. A taxi or private transfer takes 70 minutes and costs $80-100. Direct trains are not available.
What is Siena like compared to Florence?
Smaller and less overwhelming. Florence has 5 million annual visitors to Siena's 2 million. The streets are more manageable and the locals are more used to smaller tourism numbers. Architecturally Siena is equally stunning. Food is better value, a proper dinner for two costs $40-60 at a local trattoria versus $70-100 in Florence's center.
What is the best food in Siena?
Pici pasta (thick hand-rolled spaghetti) with wild boar ragu is the essential dish. Ribollita (Tuscan bean and bread soup) is excellent in winter. Panforte (spiced fruit and nut cake) and ricciarelli (almond biscuits) are the sweets to take home. The best value trattorias are on Via delle Donzelle and in the contrada neighborhoods away from the Campo.
What are the contrade and do they affect staying in Siena?
Siena is divided into 17 contrade (districts), each with its own animal symbol, colors, and church. Each contrada has its own neighborhood feel. The Tartuca (turtle), Oca (goose), and Istrice (porcupine) contrade are in the areas most used by visitors. During the Palio weeks, contrada neighborhoods hold public dinners in the streets that visitors can sometimes join.
What day trips are possible from Siena?
San Gimignano with its medieval towers is 30 kilometers northwest by bus (50 minutes, $7). Montalcino, home of Brunello di Montalcino wine, is 42 kilometers south (bus 1 hour 20 minutes, $7). Pienza, the ideal Renaissance town, is 52 kilometers southeast (bus 1 hour). The Val d'Orcia countryside visible from the bus windows is a UNESCO landscape.
Are there good options outside the walls?
Several agriturismo (farm stays) within 10 kilometers offer Tuscan countryside accommodation at $80-200 per night. These require a car to reach. The advantage is genuine wine country surroundings and better breakfast quality. The disadvantage is you need to drive after dinner. For first visits, staying inside the walls is better.
What should I avoid in Siena?
Restaurants on Piazza del Campo that face the square are charging 50-80% more for the view. Walk one street back and pay local prices. Hotels marketed as 'Siena city' that turn out to be in Poggibonsi or other towns are worth checking maps before booking. Skip the tourist menus printed in five languages near the Duomo.