Florence is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, rich in attractions, museums and monuments, loved by both Italians and the many tourists who choose it as their destination every year. When planning a visit to the city, choosing the district in which to sleep becomes a fundamental choice in order to enjoy your holiday to the fullest. Florence has a fairly small historic centre and here you can find several different ways to stay while being close to the main attractions!
So let's discover together where to sleep in Florence: tips and the best neighbourhoods to stay in!
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
As with many cities, the best area to stay in Florence is the historic centre, as it is easy to visit on foot and all services are close at hand.
Florence's central station Santa Maria Novella is also very close to the main attractions, just 800 m from Piazza Duomo (10 min walk).
The historical centre is then divided into different areas, ideal or not depending on your type of holiday! If you are looking for movida, we recommend accommodation in the Piazza Santo Spirito area, which is full of clubs open until late! If you are with a family, we recommend central but perhaps a little quieter districts, such as the Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella districts. The latter is where the station is located, so prices are also cheaper!
Recommended areas tosave money: Santa Maria Novella district, Santo Spirito district, San Niccolò district
Suggested areas forfamilies with children: historic centre, Santa Croce district, San Niccolò district
Suggested areas foryoung 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. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
Florence area guide
As soon as you arrive in Florence, you will realise that the city is very well organised and that getting around is very easy! All the main attractions are located in the historic centre area, and if you stay in the area you can get around easily on foot, also thanks to the ZTL and pedestrian zones.
Thehistoric centre, in turn, can be divided mainly into five historic quarters
the San Giovanni district, where Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo are located;
Santa Maria Novella, which encompasses part of the centre and then stretches all the way west, from the railway station onwards;
Santa Croce, which develops around the Basilica of the same name, in the easternmost part of the city centre;
San Niccolò, on the opposite bank of the Arno, ideal for families, as it is central but quiet;
finally, the Santo Spirito district, a favourite area for young people, which includes attractions such as the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens.
Areas to avoid: to stay in the city, we advise against areas too far from the historical centre. The offer is very high, so you will also be able to find good low-cost solutions by staying close to the most touristy and popular areas. Avoid the suburbs, as you could lose a lot of time getting to the centre.
Neighbourhood of San Giovanni
The neighbourhood of San Giovanni is the most central neighbourhood, together with Santa Croce. Here you will find many of the city's most famous attractions, such as the Duomo of Florence, Piazza della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery!
It follows that this is also the most expensive area in which to stay, this district specifically, while in Santa Croce you can find more offers. But by staying in San Giovanni you will be able to open the window of your room and perhaps have a splendid view of the Duomo! Moreover, you will be able to move around easily on foot and you will be in the centre of the movida.
Average prices in the district range from around €35.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Three stars in the heart of Florence. Ideal for families and couples. Equipped with parking and airport shuttle service | |
In Piazza della Signoria, view of the Duomo. Family rooms available. Ideal for families and couples, pets allowed | |
Residence with renovated studios and flats with all comforts. Some accommodations enjoy panoramic views over the city. Daily cleaning service and WiFi included. Ideal for couples and families | |
Hotel with luxury rooms and suites, a 2-storey spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant |
Santa Croce district
Santa Croce, together with the district of San Giovanni, is the most central district of Florence. Here you will be a stone's throw from the historic centre, and close by you will have important attractions such as the Basilica of Santa Croce or the Casa Buonarroti.
It follows that this is also one of the most expensive areas to stay in, but if you book in advance, you will be able to find some accommodation at great prices. Moreover, 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 district range from around €35.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Flats with garden and free WiFi. The accommodations are spacious and fully equipped. Maximum capacity 6 adults and 4 children. Ideal for families and groups | |
B&B in the heart of Santa Croce. Luggage storage, non-smoking rooms. Ideal for families and couples | |
Luxury B&B overlooking the Basilica of Santa Croce. Family rooms and disabled guests available, pets allowed. Ideal for families and couples | |
4-star hotel with luxury rooms and suites. Wonderful panoramic terrace with swimming pool. Ideal for couples |
Santa Maria Novella district
Photo by Andrzej Otrębski. Santa Maria Novella is the neighbourhood stretching from the railway station to the west, while on the east side it borders the San Giovanni district. Here, too, you are close to the main attractions and can easily reach them on foot! In fact, the station is only 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 neighbourhood, developing in the area of the station, offers cheaper solutions, but without giving up comfort and convenience! Ideal therefore if you are travelling low-cost, but do not want to give up services such as shops, restaurants and clubs!
Average prices in the district range from around €30.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Three stars near the station in a historic building. Suitable for families and couples. Private parking | |
500 m from Santa Maria Novella, with large, elegant rooms. Ideal for families and couples | |
Hostel with terrace and city view. Spacious rooms with private bathroom. Italian breakfast included | |
Hotel with luxurious rooms, panoramic views from the terrace and free WiFi. Rich breakfast included and à la carte restaurant open until 10.30 pm. Ideal for couples and families |
District of San Niccolò
Photo by Txllxt TxllxT. The San Niccolò district is on the opposite bank of the Arno and at the foot of the hill where Piazzale Michelangelo, one of the city's most beautiful viewpoints, is located! Here, cross Ponte alle Grazie and you will be in the historic centre and close to the main attractions in just a few minutes!
It is an ideal neighbourhood for families, as it is very quiet but still central, with all services at hand and several green areas, such as the Bardini Garden or the Third Garden, a park directly overlooking the Arno. The costs are slightly cheaper than in San Giovanni and Santa Croce.
Average prices in the district range from around €30.00 for low-cost accommodation to over €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
B&B with panoramic terrace and wonderful views over Florence. Family and non-smoking rooms available. Ideal for families and couples | |
Small flat with city view, equipped kitchen, dining area and private bathroom. Ideal for couples | |
Flats with lounge area, dining area and private bathroom. Central location and capacity for 4 people | |
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 historical centre by the famous Ponte Vecchio. This is the movida district, full of clubs open until late, and where many young people are concentrated, meeting mainly between the squares of Santo Spirito and Piazza del Carmine. Here you will also find the Pitti Palace with the Boboli Gardens, a small Florentine jewel.
Here you can find many offers and accommodation at very affordable prices and, of course, there are also hostels for backpackers! At the same time, you can find flats for more independence and beautiful historical hotels! However, if you are travelling with children, we recommend staying in the districts presented above.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €10.00 for low-cost accommodation to €100.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on booking
Recommended accommodations
Countries near Florence where to stay
Florence already offers plenty of accommodation solutions for all needs and budgets. If the intention is to visit Florence and its immediate surroundings, there is no reason to prefer another base, neither economic nor geographical.
If, on the other hand, the intention is to visit other areas of Tuscany, such as Chianti or, further south, Val d'Orcia, then other cities, towns and villages more central or more immersed in the countryside may be preferred.
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 starting point for day trips - Hotels and B&Bs from €45.00 per room
Greve in Chianti (30 km / 45 min): an ideal village for discovering the entire Chianti region, one of the most famous in Tuscany, ideal for wine lovers. Ideal base as it is connected to Florence by direct bus (line 365A, 55 min) - Hotels and b&b from €80.00 per room
San Casciano in Val di Pesa (23 km / 20 min): south of Florence, a location rich in typical farmhouses completely surrounded by greenery. Several characteristic villages can be found in the surrounding area. 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 on 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
