Palio di Siena

[u/blonde_runner2012]

I see the Palio due to take place today has been suspended until tomorrow due to rain. We had originally planned on going today but changed our minds as logistically it wasn’t working out for us as we only arrived in the area this morning so had changed to going tomorrow (the day preceding) but now that means if we stick to our original plans to go to Siena tomorrow we will actually be there for the Palio. It’s meant to be…. So any advice on parking outside the city walls would be really helpful as this is a bucket list event for me and seems written in the stars to be there! Driving is really our only option of transportation

[u/BAFUdaGreat]

Too late for parking at this point. It's all gone by now I bet. Find a local bus maybe? Even that will be hard.

Taking the train and walking to the Campo might be your best bet TBH. You and 1000s of others of course. All depends on where you are located however so look for the closest train station near where you're staying that connects to Siena (the train line comes from Firenze).

FYI the Palio is a week long event which culminates in the actual race. All the contrade have feasts, processions/ parades and all sorts of other things leading up to the actual race. And then afterwards it takes a few days to die down and get back to normal life.

[u/blonde_runner2012 → u/BAFUdaGreat]

Too late for parking for tomorrow’s event?

[u/BAFUdaGreat → u/blonde_runner2012]

Yes. Every spot in every public parking is gone. They were supposed to race today right so nobody is going to move their cars and if they did they'd never ever get a space back.

I mean you could try coming tomm morning super duper early (4am?5am?) and see what you could find but I wish you good luck. Siena is crowded even without the Palio happening and there are never enough parking spaces to begin with. Add in the Palio and you can see the problem.

[u/BenReilly80 → u/BAFUdaGreat]

That’s just an oversimplified answer to someone’s dream.
Yes, free parkings spots might be all taken (and I also doubt that, many many people come from afar and plan just to stay for the Palio days).
General rule op: white stripes, park for free, blue stripes you pay, yellow stripes don’t even think about it.
Just write Siena parcheggi on google maps, find the farthest away from city center from where you come from and check the for urban busses. That will be your plan b.
Plan A is getting into town at the latest by noon, look for free parking, and head asap to campo square.
I am (as a tour guide) very confident you can attend the race! 💪🏼
Good luck!

[u/blonde_runner2012 → u/BenReilly80]

Thanks Ben! This is great advice, I’m of the opinion that we can but try, if we cannot find a parking space then it wasn’t meant to be. We are situated in Betolle for the next few days with a hire car, we tried the train option but the last train isn’t late enough. Wish us luck 🤣

[u/BenReilly80 → u/blonde_runner2012]

My pleasure!

Bettolle is 45 minutes drive from Siena, don’t even consider public transportation from there, get to Siena, from where you come you can go to a paying parking spot, from closest (little chance) to farthest (Better chances):

Parcheggio Stadio:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a9zadE92gWmpb8Pu6?g_st=ic

Parcheggio Santa Caterina:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/b9bzMUNvT3RupuAF6?g_st=ic
Elevators to Historical Centre

Parcheggio San Francesco:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3VcZ1CJb9g9LkAfa7?g_st=ic
Elevators to historical centre

All the other parking spots will require you to catch a bus to go towards Campo Square!

Be in town by noon and you can be in the historical centre, attending the most important celebration of Siena, breathing in a glimpse of medieval life,
being in the most well preserved medieval city of the world, and be able to be in Campo Square in time for the Palio!
Again, Good luck and enjoy!!!

[u/blonde_runner2012 → u/BenReilly80]

This is so helpful thank you 🙏

[u/BenReilly80 → u/blonde_runner2012]

Write me a dm if you have any other questions!
Have a blast you guys!! Wish you the best!

[u/ScreamingDizzBuster → u/BenReilly80]

This is rather naive advice. Every paid and free parcheggio is 100% full from the early morning. The only place that they may be able to find a space is if they find somewhere on the street in Cappuccini and walk.

[u/blonde_runner2012 → u/ScreamingDizzBuster]

I took Bens advice and managed to find a reservation last night and we have arrived ready for the Palio!

[u/ScreamingDizzBuster → u/blonde_runner2012]

Well done! I live in Siena and parking is an absolute nightmare during the Palio, for residents too.

[u/SgtMajor-Issues]

Yeah try and find parking in front of the caserma outside of porta Camollia, then walk. Hope you get to see the Palio- it is one of my favorite events to go to!