Siena is one of the most beautiful Italian cities, visited by thousands of travelers every year. The iconic medieval city is a perfect base to explore Tuscany further, and spending a few days there means you can join some fantastic Siena wine tours. However, if you arrive in Siena by car, you’ll soon encounter a typical problem: where to park. And if you wonder where to stay in Siena with a car, things might become even more complicated.
I recently wrote a guide for a road trip to Tuscany, where I highlighted the parking issue in Siena, Italy. However, if you don’t have a good overview of how to visit Siena with a car, you might end up fined by the authorities. Therefore, I decided to write this article to clarify everything and prevent you from spending money on fines. That said, in the following lines about the best hotels in Siena with parking, you’ll also read where you can park your vehicle in the city and the costs you should expect.
So, let’s see where to stay in Siena with a car and what you need to know about parking it. If you’re already aware of the parking system in Siena, you can use the menu to head directly to the best hotels in Siena.
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Where to stay in Siena: here’s what you need to know about parking
The city’s beautiful architecture and urban planning are actually what makes the parking situation in Siena complicated. The medieval center has narrow streets, meaning there’s no space to leave your car. Vehicle access is very limited within the city walls, and finding a parking space is often a riddle.
I faced the same problem when I visited Siena (book your rental car in Tuscany here), and I almost got fined because I didn’t know the rules. So, before we head into the best accommodations in town, here’s what you need to know.
Siena ZTL Zones (Limited Traffic Zones)
Due to its undeniable beauty, the Siena historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The marvelous yet often claustrophobic streets of the city center are restricted to vehicles. The so-called ZTL Zones you’ll find everywhere downtown means that only if you have a permit, you can drive your car.
Moreover, the absence of such a permit can lead to fines. It doesn’t mean that if a police officer doesn’t stop you, you won’t get fined: actually, cameras can photograph your license plates, and you’ll receive a fine later. If you travel to Siena with a rental car, the fine will go directly to the rental company, and they’ll forward it to you.
The same rules apply for parking in Siena. You’ll need to find a designated parking lot where you can leave your car. Specifically, you must prepay for the parking hours in the automatic machine by calculating the number of hours you’ll stay. Of course, if you’d like to stay longer in town, you can pay the extra cash and renew the receipt.
Just a few hotels in Siena offer free private parking
Due to its construction, Siena cannot accommodate all travelers’ cars. Some hotels in downtown Siena do offer parking spaces within their premises. However, that’s not always the case.
Most hotels have special agreements with the parking lots, and they will provide you with info on how to find a space to leave your car. Usually, you’ll prepay an amount of money for your stay, and you’ll be given spots and addresses around town to choose from. There are also some free parking lots in Siena, but they are usually packed.
Before sharing the best hotels to stay in Siena with private parking, I’ll list the city’s parking lots.
However, when booking a hotel in Siena, Italy, make sure to add a note on your reservation that you’ll need parking space. They will provide all the required documents and help you avoid fines.
Parking lots outside Siena’s historic center
You can also stay outside Siena’s walls for slightly lower prices and significantly less parking hassle. There are plenty of places to choose from, but keep in mind that they aren’t always that close to the center. If that’s the case, cross-check that your hotel offers the so-called Park-and-Ride service. This practically means that they provide shuttle services several times per day that bring you back and forth to the city center.
That’s a great alternative when visiting Siena by car because you avoid the parking stress and you can easily travel from your accommodation to the walled city with ease.
Of course, if your hotel outside the walls of Siena is within walking distance, you won’t even need to worry about that. However, remember that the landscape is hilly and that not many hotels are located straight outside the walls of Siena.
To Siena by car: the parking lots
Before jumping to the section about where to stay in Siena with a car, I’ll add information about the city’s parking lots.
There are free parking lots and also paid ones. Apparently, everybody wants to park on a free parking lot in Siena, but that’s pretty hard. Despite being an extra -and often uncalculated- cost, the best option is to reserve a spot in paid parking and have peace of mind.
So, here you’ll find Siena’s parking spaces and their prices. Although I do my best to keep the fees up-to-date, slight variations might occur. The safest option is always to ask your hotel in Siena for the current prices.
Paid Parking Lots in Siena, Italy
Here’s the list of paid parking lots and garages in Siena. Please note that if you stay within the walls of Siena, you get a reduced daily rate: instead of 35 euros, you’ll pay 25 euros. Your accommodation can guide you on how to get the reduction.
Il Campo Parking
That’s the biggest and most central parking in downtown Siena. It lies next to the iconic Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Publico, and as you can imagine, it’s always packed. If you’re lucky enough to find a spot there, get it without second thoughts; you won’t regret it.
It’s open 24/7, and the rates are:
- 2 euros per hour.
- 1-day pass: 35 euros (or 25 euros if you stay within the walls).
- 3-day pass: 85 euros.
- Weekly pass: 140 euros.
Il Duomo Parking
As its name suggests, it’s close to the Duomo, the stunning Siena Cathedral, and a short distance to Piazza del Campo. It’s also open 24/7, and the rates are the same as above.
San Francesco Parking
The San Francesco parking is more compact than the previous ones and close to the city’s famous university. Rates and opening times are the same.
Santa Caterina Parking
This one is much larger than the one in Duomo, but it’s equally close to the city’s main attractions. There is no difference in the rates, and it’s open 24/7 as well.
Fortezza Parking
That’s one of the largest parking lots in town, and it’s near the Stadium. It’s not that far from the city center, though, and it’s open 24/7. However, there’s a slight difference in the prices:
2 euros per hour between 7 am and 8 pm
1-day pass: 26 euros.
Train station Parking
Finally, there’s also the huge parking lot next to the train station of Siena. That’s the cheapest place to park your car in Siena, but it’s a bit farther away than the rest. It’s open 24/7, and the prices are:
0,50 euros for the first hour.
2 euros for every additional hour.
Free Parking Lots in Siena
The free parking areas in Siena are significantly fewer and not as conveniently located as the paid ones. However, if you have the patience and don’t mind circling around, here are the free parking lots you can use in Siena. Each link will take you to the Google Maps location of the parking. Bookmark them and retrieve them when you are in Siena.
Of all three, I’d only pick the Il Campino due to its proximity to the center. However, it will most likely be full…
Where to stay in Siena with a car: The best hotels within the walls
So, after making everything clear with the somehow troublesome parking conditions of Siena, it’s now time to proceed to the list of Siena hotels with private parking spaces. The hotels in this section are within the city walls; if you want to stay outside the city center, please check the next section.
So, the best hotels in Siena with private parking are:
Palazzo Ravizza. That’s hands down the best hotel in Siena with private parking -and it also has a garden, a rarity in the city center. You can see prices and availability for Palazzo Ravizza here.
Hotel Athena. That’s another great accommodation within the city walls. The hotel offers covered parking, and it’s just a few minutes from Piazza del Campo. You can see prices and availability for Hotel Athena here.
Hotel Minerva. Not far from Palazzo Publico and Torre del Mangia, the hotel offers 56 rooms and covered parking. You can see prices and availability for Hotel Minerva here.
Where to stay in Siena with a car: The best hotels outside the walls
Staying outside the Siena walls reduces the stress of finding a parking lot. However, you should remember that distances vary and you can’t always access the city on foot. I handpicked the accommodations featured below, always keeping in mind that it’s good to have free parking space outside the walls. Hotels on the city’s outskirts have more open space and great views of Tuscany’s hills.
So, here’s where to stay in Siena with a car outside its historic center:
Borgo Grondaie. That’s an old Tuscan farm converted into a beautiful hotel. Located two kilometers outside the walls, the hotel is a great option if you want a more rural feeling. See prices and availability for Borgo Grondaie.
Palazzo di Valli. Just 800 meters outside the walls and close to Porta Romana, this old Palazzo is a magnificent option for your stay. See prices and availability for Palazzo di Valli.
Hotel Garden. This accommodation is just a few minutes away from Porta Camolia and the city’s walls and features a splendid terrace with panoramic views. See prices and availability for Hotel Garden.
Castello delle Quatro Torra. Ever wanted to stay in a castle in Tuscany? If so, here’s your opportunity: this beautiful castle turned into a hotel offers beautiful rooms and an atmosphere of old times. See prices and availability of Castello delle Quatro Torra.
Fonte dei Tufi. Last but not least, that’s one more great place to stay close to Siena. Located outside the walls and offering free private parking, the Fonte dei Tufi is one of the most charming places to stay. See prices and availability for Fonte dei Tufi.
Other hotels in Siena, Italy
There’s no lack of accommodation in town, and the best way to explore availabilities is by using the interactive map below. And if you want to filter your results like a pro, check my Booking.com guide here.
What to consider when searching where to stay in Siena Italy
In the final section of this article, I’ll share some quick Siena tips about the things you need to consider when searching for accommodation in town.
1. If you decide to stay within the city walls, reserve a parking slot. Yes, it is an extra cost (currently, it’s 35 euros per day), but it will save you from unwanted stress and potential fines.
2. On the other hand, if you decide to stay outside the walls, don’t underestimate the distances. Two kilometers are indeed easy to walk for most people, but keep in mind that the area is hilly, and everything outside the walls is poorly lit in the evenings.
3. If there’s no parking in your accommodation, check if there’s at least a public parking nearby.
4. If your hotel offers a shuttle service to and from the city, use it. Not worrying about finding a place to park in Siena will make your vacation so much better.
5. I said it before, but I must repeat it: avoid driving in the ZTL zone without a permit. You risk getting fined around 80-100 euros for every time you cross the ZTL.
Where to stay in Siena with a car: conclusion
Although you can visit Tuscany without a car, having a vehicle will give you the much-needed flexibility for an immersive journey on this side of Italy. As a base for your road trip, Siena is one of the most convenient locations to have as a starting point. World-famous places like San Gimignano or Pienza are within a short distance, while the city itself is beautiful and worth visiting.
As you read in the previous lines, the best hotels in Siena with parking spaces come at an elevated price but will save you from hassle. Remember that Tuscany is not a cheap destination, and the cost of parking your car will be an extra expense. However, I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry: risking a fine will give you unwanted stress and ruin your vacation.
In my opinion, part of traveling is also respecting the local rules. Cities like Siena rely on tourism, and preserving its magnificent center comes at a cost. That said, choose accommodation according to your budget and reserve a slot for parking your car in Siena. The city is stunning, and you’ll have a fantastic time.
More about Tuscany: Florence wine tours, Things to do in Arezzo, Art tours in Florence
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Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos