Where to stay in Florence: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexFlorence is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, full of attractions, museums and monuments, loved by both Italians and the many tourists who choose it as their destination every year. When organising a visit to the city, choosing where to stay is a fundamental choice in order to enjoy the holiday to the fullest. Florence has a fairly small centre and here you can find different places to stay, close to the main attractions.
So let's find out together where to stay in Florence: tips and the best neighbourhoods to stay in!
Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in Florence
In Florence, as in many cities, the best area to stay in is the centre, as it can be easily visited on foot and all services are close by.
The central station of Florence Santa Maria Novella is also very close to the main attractions, only 800 m from Piazza Duomo (10 min on foot).
The centre is then divided into different areas, ideal or not according to your type of holiday. If you are looking for nightlife, we advise you to choose accommodation in the Piazza Santo Spirito area, full of clubs open until late. If you are with your family, we recommend central but perhaps quieter neighbourhoods, such as Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella. The latter is where the station is, so the prices are cheaper too!
- Recommended areas to stay on a budget: Santa Maria Novella, Santo Spirito, San Niccolò
- Recommended areas for families with children: city centre, Santa Croce , San Niccolò
- Recommended areas for young people: Via dei Benci in the Santa Croce district, Piazza Santo Spirito
- Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Florence. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking
Guide to the areas of Florence
As soon as you arrive in Florence, you will find that the city is very well organized and that getting around is very simple. All the main attractions are located in the old town centre, and by staying in the surrounding areas you can easily get around on foot, thanks to the Limited Traffic Zone and pedestrian areas.
The centre, in turn, can be divided into five historic districts:
- The district of San Giovanni, where you find Piazza della Signoria and the catherdral;
- Santa Maria Novella, which includes a part of the centre and then extends throughout the western territory, from the railway station onwards;
- Santa Croce, which develops around the Basilica, in the easternmost part of the centre;
- San Niccolò, on the opposite bank of the Arno river, ideal for families, as it is central but quiet;
- Santo Spirito, a popular area with young people, that includes attractions such as Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
Not recommended areas: to stay in the city, we do not recommend areas that are too far from the centre. There is lots to choose from, so you will also be able to find excellent low cost accommodation by staying close to the busiest areas. Avoid the suburbs, as you may waste some time getting to the centre.
San Giovanni
The neighbourhood of San Giovanni is the most central area, together with Santa Croce. Here you will find many of the city's most famous attractions, such as Florence Cathedral, Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.
Consequently, this is also the most expensive area to stay in. While in Santa Croce there are more options, by staying in San Giovanni it is possible to open your window and enjoy a splendid view of the cathedral. It is easy to get around on foot and you will find yourself in the centre of the nightlife.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from €35,00 for low-cost accommodation to €150,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel Davanzati | Three-star hotel in the heart of Florence. Ideal for families and couples. Equipped with parking and airport shuttle service |
| B&B Soggiorno Antica Torre | In Piazza della Signoria, view of the cathedral. Availability of family rooms. Ideal for families and couples, pets allowed |
| Santa Trinita Red | Apartment near Ponte Vecchio. Equipped kitchen. Ideal for groups of friends |
| Four Seasons Hotel Firenze | Hotel with luxury rooms and suites, a two-storey spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant |
Santa Croce
Santa Croce, together with San Giovanni, is the most central district in Florence. Here you will be a stone's throw away from the centre, and close to important attractions such as the Basilica of Santa Croce or Casa Buonarroti.
As a result, this is also one of the most expensive areas to stay in, but by booking early you can find accommodation at great prices. Furthermore, it is an ideal neighbourhood especially for families with children. It is still in the centre but quieter, without being in the middle of the nightlife.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from €35,00 for low-cost accommodation to €150,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Casine 28 Apartment | Apartments in the heart of Santa Croce. Non-smoking rooms, wifi. Ideal for families and friends |
| B&B Le Stanze di Santa Croce | B&B in the heart of Santa Croce. Luggage storage, non-smoking rooms. Ideal for families and couples |
| La Maison du Sage | Luxury B&B overlooking the Basilica of Santa Croce. Availability of family rooms and disabled rooms, pets allowed. Ideal for families and couples |
| Plaza Hotel Lucchesi | 4-star hotel with luxury rooms and suites. Wonderful panoramic terrace with swimming pool. Ideal for couples |
Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is the district that extends from the railway station towards the west, Here you will find yourself close to the main attractions and you can easily reach them on foot! In fact the station is located just 800 m from the cathedral and just 1 km from Piazza della Signoria, you can reach them with a pleasant 10/20 min walk through the streets.
This district, developing in the station area, offers accommodation at more affordable prices, without sacrificing comfort and convenience. Ideal if you are traveling on a budget, but do not want to give up services such as shops, restaurants and clubs.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from about €30,00 for low-cost accommodation to €150,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel La Scala | 3-star hotel near the station in a historic building. Suitable for families and couples. Private parking |
| B&B Kingsman | 500 m from Santa Maria Novella, with large elegant rooms. Ideal for families and couples |
| New Generation Hostel Florence Center | Hostel within walking distance of the station. Ideal for groups and backpackers. 24-hour Reception |
| JK Place Firenze | 5-star hotel with bar, restaurant and room service. Ideal for families and couples. Private parking |
San Niccolò
The San Niccolò district develops on the opposite bank of the Arno river and at the foot of the hill where Piazzale Michelangelo is located, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city. If you cross Ponte alle Grazie you will be in the centre in a few minutes and close to the main attractions.
It is an ideal neighborhood for families, as it is very quiet but still central, with all services close at hand and several green areas, such as the Bardini Garden or the Terzo Giardino, a park that directly overlooks the Arno. The prices are slightly cheaper than those of San Giovanni and Santa Croce.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from €30,00 for low-cost accommodation to €150,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| My Boutique Home in Florence | B&B with panoramic terrace and wonderful view of Florence. Family and non-smoking rooms available. Ideal for families and couples |
| Lungarno Serristori | Apartments with large kitchen and terrace. Availability of family rooms and parking. Ideal for families and groups of friends |
| San Niccolo Apartment | Luxury apartments with terrace and free parking. Ideal for families and couples |
| Palazzo San Niccolò | 4-star hotel with terrace, wifi and non-smoking rooms. Family rooms available, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families |
Santo Spirito
Finally, the Santo Spirito district is located on the opposite side of the Arno river and is connected to the centre by the famous Ponte Vecchio. This is the nightlife district, full of clubs open until late, and where many young people gather, who meet mainly between the squares of Santo Spirito and Piazza del Carmine. Here, you can also find the Palazzo Pitti with the Boboli Gardens, a real jewel of Florence.
Here you will find plenty of accommodation at very affordable prices and, of course, there are also hostels for backpackers! At the same time, you can find apartments and beautiful historic hotels. However, if you are traveling with children, we recommend you to stay in the previously mentioned neighbourhoods.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from €40,00 for low-cost accommodation to €100,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Wine Apartments Florence Rosé | Modern and bright apartment. Pets Allowed. Ideal for families and couples |
| Casa Pucci B&B | Cozy B&B with garden. Pets allowed and availability of family rooms. Ideal for friends, families or couples |
| Ostello Tasso | Nicely designed hostel in an excellent location. Ideal for groups of friends or couples |
| Palazzo d'Oltrarno - Residenza d'Epoca | Hotel in a period building, frescoed rooms. Ideal for families or couples. Private parking |
Places to stay near Florence
Florence already offers several accommodation solutions for all needs and budgets. If you plan to visit Florence and the immediate surroundings, there is no reason to prefer staying elsewhere, neither economic nor geographical.
On the other hand, if you intend to visit other areas of Tuscany, such as Chianti or the Val d'Orcia further south, then you may prefer other cities, villages and towns that are more central or more immersed in the countryside.
- Siena (70 km / 1 hour): ideal town for visiting the wine-growing areas of Chianti and Val d'Orcia, in the centre of Tuscany, perfect base for day trips - Hotels and B&B's from €45,00 per room
- Greve in Chianti (30 km / 45 min): ideal village to discover the whole Chianti region, one of the most famous in Tuscany, ideal for wine lovers. Ideal as it is easy to reach Florence by bus (line 365A, 55 min) - Hotels and B&Bs from €80,00 per room
- San Casciano in Val di Pesa (23 km / 20 min): south of Florence, full of typical farmhouses completely surrounded by greenery. Several villages nearby. Direct bus to Florence (lines 368A, 370A and 371A, 30 min) - Hotels and B&Bs from €40,00 per room
If you are in Florence for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com