siena

[Frank Gerace]

I will spend 8 days in siena as a base from which I will visitother towns.
BUT... I hear Siena is very hilly. I am a very slow old guy. I will be in the hotel duomo. Is it a hard walk back to the hotel from the piazza del campo? anyhone know siiena/ and how I can get around? I will be going to the bus station some days and to the train stRion other days. Can they be reached by taxi to and from the duomo hotel? THANKS A MILLION

 

[Ian Sutton]

Yes it's hilly, but from memory, the via di citta that takes you towards piazza del campo is not steep.

I recall lots of buses / 'pullman' coaches go from Piazza Gramsci, and again I don't recall it being steep from here to the area where your hotel is. We never used the train station, so don't know about that walk.

I don't know how close to the hotel taxis can get, but that's a question you can ask of them, as it will be a popular request they'll be used to fielding. I reckon they should be ok, as on google streetview, it shows a blue and white traffic senso unico (1 way) sign, which wouldn't be there if no traffic were allowed.

 

[JMichael]

Taxis run all over Siena, so that shouldn't be an issue for you. You will want to take one to the train station since it is below the city. There is a looong series of escalators that will deliver you to the train station's level, but it's a lot of walking. Depending on how you handle steps, you can take a short cut to the Campo by walking around the Duomo and taking the steps to the Baptistery. From there, turn right and it's a short, level walk to the Campo.

It is a long walk to the Basilica of St Catherine from your hotel, so a taxi would probably be a good idea if you wish to see that area. Siena is a wonderful city. When you get to the Campo, reward yourself with an aperitivo and enjoy the people watching in an historic spot.

 

[wco81]

It's not level the center but the steeper inclines are when you head outside the gates.

The times I've stayed in Siena, it's been with a car, which I would have to park near one of the ports.

So it was always a long hike and some inclines on the way. I think even one time I pulled my suitcases through and I usually have one which is about 50 pounds.

Yeah I would research what kind of taxis or other services there may be. Maybe they have electric buses.

 

[Pauline]

Lucky you! Siena is such a wonderful city! The Campo itself is a gradual slope but, as everyone else says, it is not steep in the city centre. Gently sloping from my memory.

 

[Tim W]

I lived not too far from there when I tried to study Italian. From the Campo itself, up past the fountain of the Pantera contrada is moderately steep. If you click on the link, the Hotel Duomo is just around the corner uphill. That said, my 70ish mother who needed to use sticks to help her walk managed that section without too much difficulty. Once you get near the entrances to the Campo itself (moderate slope or steps) it is relatively flat until you get to Piazza Gramsci/Via Tozzi from where you gan get the buses to Florence or the local bus to the station (it used to be numbers 9 or 10 - but it's been a while since I was there).

Alternatively, there is a taxi rank at Piazza Indepenenza - not too far from the campo - and about 400meters from your hotel.

I hope you enjoy Siena. For me its my "Place I'm going to live when I win the lottery" - absolutely my favourite city in Italy, if not the world.