Florence is, without a shadow of 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 organizing a visit to the city, choosing the neighborhood in which to sleep becomes a fundamental choice in order to enjoy the holiday to the fullest. Florence has a fairly small historic center and here you can find different solutions to stay, being close to the main attractions!
So let’s find out where to sleep in Florence : tips and best neighborhoods to stay in!
Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay
As in many cities, the best area to stay in Florence is the historic center , as it can be easily visited on foot and with all services close at hand.
The central station of Florence Santa Maria Novella is also very close to the main attractions , just 800 m from Piazza Duomo (10 min on foot).
The historic center 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 an accommodation in the Piazza Santo Spirito area , full of clubs open even until late! If you are with your family, we recommend central but perhaps a bit quieter neighborhoods, such as the Santa Croce district and thedistrict of Santa Maria Novella . The latter is where the station is, so the prices are also cheaper!
- Recommended areas to save : Santa Maria Novella district, Santo Spirito district, San Niccolo district
- Recommended areas for families with children : historic center, Santa Croce district, San Niccolo district
- Recommended areas for young people : Via dei Benci in the Santa Croce district, Piazza Santo Spirito
- Best accommodations : we have selected the best hotels, b & bs and hostels in Florence. Discover our advice and book 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 historic center area , and by staying in the surroundings you can easily move around on foot, also thanks to the presence of the ZTL and pedestrian areas.
The historic center, in turn, can be divided mainly into five historic districts :
- the San Giovanni district, where Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo are located;
- Santa Maria Novella, which includes a part of the center and then extends throughout the western territory, from the railway station onwards;
- Santa Croce, which develops around the homonymous Basilica, in the easternmost part of the historic center;
- San Niccolo, on the opposite bank of the Arno, ideal for families, as it is central but quiet;
- finally the Santo Spirito district, a favorite area for young people, which includes attractions such as Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
Areas to avoid : to stay in the city, we do not recommend areas that are too far from the historic center. The offer is very high, so you will also be able to find excellent low cost solutions while staying close to the most touristic and busiest areas. Avoid the suburbs, as you may take a long time to get to the center.
San Giovanni
district The San Giovanni district is the most central district of all , together with that of Santa Croce. Here you will find many of the most famous attractions of the city, such as the Florence Cathedral, Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery!
As a result, this is also the most expensive area to stay in, this district specifically, while in Santa Croce it is possible to find more offers. But by staying in San Giovanni it will be possible to open the window of your room and maybe have a splendid view of the Duomo ! You can also move easily on foot and you will find yourself in the center of the nightlife.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from around € 35.00 for low cost accommodations to over € 150.00 for high budget solutions – compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking .
Recommended
accommodations Accommodation Description
Hotel Davanzati Three stars 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, overlooking the Duomo. Availability of family rooms. Ideal for families and couples, pets allowed
Santa Trinita Red Apartment near Ponte Vecchio. Equipped with equipped kitchen. Ideal for groups of friends
Four Seasons Hotel Florence Hotel with luxury rooms and suites, a 2-storey spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant
Santa Croce
district Santa Croce, together with the San Giovanni district, is the most central district of Florence . Here you will be a stone’s throw from the historic center, and close to you you will have 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, butby booking early it will be possible to find some accommodation at excellent prices . Furthermore, it is an ideal neighborhood especially for families with children . It is still in the center but more peaceful, without being in the middle of the nightlife.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from around € 35.00 for low cost accommodations to over € 150.00 for high budget solutions – compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking .
Recommended
accommodations 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 guests, 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
neighborhood Photo by Andrzej Otrebski. Santa Maria Novella is the district that develops from the railway station towards the west , while on the east side it borders the district of San Giovanni. Here too 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 Duomo 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 solutions at more affordable prices , without sacrificing comfort and convenience! Ideal therefore if you are traveling low cost, but do not want to give up services such as shops, restaurants and clubs!
The average prices in the neighborhood range from around € 30.00 for low cost accommodations to over € 150.00 for high budget solutions – compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking
Recommended
accommodations Accommodation Description
Hotel La Scala Three stars near the station in a historical 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 a few steps from the station. Ideal for groups and backpackers. 24 h reception
JK Place Firenze 5 star hotel with bar, restaurant and room service. Ideal for families and couples. Private parking
San Niccolo
district Photo by Txllxt TxllxT. The San Niccolo district develops on the opposite bank of the Arno and at the foot of the hill where Piazzale Michelangelo is located, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city! Here, crossing Ponte alle Grazie you will be in the historic center in a few minutes and close to the main attractions!
It is aboutan ideal neighborhood for families , as it is very quiet but still central, with all services close at hand and various green areas, such as the Bardini Garden or the Terzo Giardino, a park that directly overlooks the Arno. The costs are slightly cheaper than those of San Giovanni and Santa Croce.
The average prices in the neighborhood range from around € 30.00 for low cost accommodations to over € 150.00 for high budget solutions – compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking
Recommended
accommodations Accommodation Description
My Boutique Home in Florence B&B with panoramic terrace and wonderful view over Florence. Availability of family and non-smoking rooms. 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 Niccolo 4-star hotel with terrace, wifi and non-smoking rooms. Family rooms available, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families
Santo Spirito
district Finally, the Santo Spirito district is located on the opposite side of the Arno river and is connected to the historic center 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 is also the Palazzo Pitti with the Boboli Gardens , a small Florentine jewel.
Here you will find plenty of offers and accommodations at very affordable prices and, of course, there are also hostels for backpackers! At the same time, you can find apartments for greater autonomy and beautiful historic hotels! However, if you are traveling with children, we recommend that you stay in the previously presented neighborhoods.
The average prices in the neighborhoodthey range from around € 10.00 for low cost accommodation to € 100.00 for high budget solutions – compare the best accommodation selection on booking .
Recommended
accommodation Accommodation Description
Wine Apartments Florence Rose Modern and bright apartment. Pets Allowed. Ideal for families and couples.
Casa Pucci B&B Cozy B&B with garden. Pets allowed and family rooms available. Ideal for friends, families or couples.
Ostello Tasso A well-designed hostel in an excellent location. Ideal for groups of friends or couples
Palazzo d’Oltrarno – Residenza d’Epoca Hotel inside a period building, frescoed rooms. Ideal for families or couples. Private parking.
Towns near Florence where to stay
Florence already offers several accommodation solutions for all needs and budgets. If the intention is to visit Florence and the immediate surroundings, there are no reasons to prefer another starting point , neither economic nor geographical.
If, on the other hand, the intention is 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 center of Tuscany, perfect starting point for day trips – Hotels and b & b 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 a base as it is connected to Florence by direct bus (line 365A, 55 min) – Hotels and b & b starting from € 80.00 per room
- San Casciano in Val di Pesa (23 km / 20 min) : south of Florence, a town full of typical agritourisms completely surrounded by greenery. In the surroundings there are several characteristic villages. Direct bus to Florence (lines 368A, 370A and 371A, 30 min) – Hotels and b & b starting from € 40.00 per room
If you are in Florence for work or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com.
Map of Florence accommodation prices.
Booking.com
