Where to Stay in Florence

Florence is a captivating city with an exceptional artistic and architectural heritage that draws visitors from across Italy and beyond. The historic centre is quite compact and easily navigable on foot – indeed, walking is the best way to fully appreciate all its beauty. If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, a stop in Florence is essential, where you should spend a couple of days exploring the main attractions and experiencing its vibrant nightlife.

But what’s the best area to stay in Florence? The city offers a range of accommodation types to suit all requirements.

To choose where to stay in Florence, you need to be clear about what your travel priorities are. The historic centre is undoubtedly the best option if you’re visiting Florence for just a few days and want to have the main monuments within easy reach, plus plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

Alternatively, you might consider staying in the Santa Maria Novella area, which is close to the railway station, or in Oltrarno, a very peaceful neighbourhood south of the River Arno. If you love nightlife and entertainment, you could choose accommodation near Piazza Santo Spirito, considered the city’s nightlife hub, or on Via dei Benci in the Santa Croce district.

Those seeking a more peaceful stay can opt for accommodation outside Florence’s centre in a property nestled in the quiet Tuscan countryside. Finally, bear in mind that if you choose to stay in the historic centre and arrive by car, it’s better to book somewhere with parking, as the centre is completely pedestrianised. To help you choose the most suitable accommodation, we’ve put together a mini-guide with some useful tips on the different areas where you might stay in Florence.

Historic Centre – San Giovanni

Choosing accommodation in Florence’s historic centre is certainly one of the best options, especially if you’re planning to spend a limited amount of time in the city. The city centre is conveniently located for visiting the main attractions such as the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio. The historic centre area, also known as the San Giovanni district, boasts numerous accommodation options at various price points: from luxury hotels to charming bed and breakfasts, from apartments to hostels. In addition to hosting the main places of interest, the centre is also full of shops, designer boutiques, restaurants and bars.

Given its central location, this is one of the most expensive areas to stay, but by booking in advance you should be able to find excellent deals. Some of the most strategically located streets in the centre are: Via dei Leoni, Via del Proconsolo and Via della Condotta.

Santa Maria Novella – Railway Station

If you’re looking for accommodation in a more affordable yet still central area, try the Santa Maria Novella district, located in the north-western part of the historic centre. This area, which includes the famous Church of Santa Maria Novella and the railway station, offers not only hotels but also guesthouses and hostels.

Santa Maria Novella is a very convenient location because from here you can easily reach both Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, which are just a 10-15 minute walk away! Choosing accommodation in this area is recommended for those arriving by train or for those using Florence as a base to travel by train and explore nearby destinations.

Near the station you’ll also find the Fortezza da Basso, the city’s trade fair venue, so Santa Maria Novella is an ideal area to stay if you’re attending any exhibitions.

Oltrarno – Santo Spirito

If you want to stay in a less hectic area characterised by small independent shops, artisan workshops and art galleries, Oltrarno is the neighbourhood for you. This area is located south-west of the River Arno and is connected to the centre via the Ponte Vecchio. Nearby you’ll find the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Garden, as well as numerous restaurants, wine bars and cafés. Staying here means you’re always in central Florence and can reach all the main points of interest with a pleasant stroll.

The areas of Santo Spirito and San Frediano are part of this neighbourhood and are packed with restaurants and bars that come alive from aperitivo time onwards. Some of the liveliest streets are Via Santo Spirito, Via Romana, Via Sant’Agostino and Piazza della Passera. The area is very popular with young people and nightlife enthusiasts, so you’ll find not only hotels and apartments at excellent prices but also plenty of hostels here.

Santa Croce

If you want to experience the most authentic Florence, the recommendation is to stay in Santa Croce, the district that’s home to the Basilica of Santa Croce, one of Italy’s largest Franciscan churches. Inside the Basilica you’ll find the tombs of illustrious figures such as Machiavelli, Alfieri and Michelangelo, as well as the sepulchre of Galileo Galilei.

Being further from the main attractions, this area is quieter during the day, but comes alive in the evening thanks to the presence of bars and restaurants serving local cuisine. In this district you’ll find restaurants in luxury hotels, gourmet eateries, pubs and small trattorias.

This area also has numerous accommodation options at various price points: from hotels in historic buildings to small B&Bs.

Florence Airport

Florence has an airport named after Amerigo Vespucci, located in the Peretola area about 10 km from the city. The airport is served by the A11 Motorway Florence-Seaside and the Ponte all’Indiano viaduct. From the airport you can reach the city centre by car or via the Volainbus airport shuttle. If you’re arriving in Florence by air in the evening, or if you have an early morning flight, you might consider staying near the airport where there are several hotels. Staying here is a choice made out of necessity, as there are no attractions nearby and limited accommodation options.

Staying outside Florence

Many people choose to stay in the surroundings of Florence in smaller, more intimate towns or in a property set amid the peaceful Tuscan countryside, such as Fiesole or Sesto Fiorentino. Staying in one of these locations allows you to reach Florence quickly by bus or train whilst also easily exploring other Tuscan destinations. Outside the centre you’ll often find welcoming B&Bs and farm stays offering more spacious accommodation than a typical hotel room.

Moreover, these properties often feature extra amenities such as a swimming pool, spa facilities and plenty of outdoor space. Some of the most recommended locations are: Montespertoli, Barberino Val d’Elsa and Dicomano. Staying in these areas can be a good solution for anyone doing a road trip around Tuscany where Florence is just one day stop on your itinerary.