After 12 years of living there, I have thoughts about the best places to stay in Florence. At some point, I have lived in almost all the central Florentine neighborhoods and visited each of them numerous times. Florence is a small city, but unfortunately, it has gained a reputation for being too touristy or unwelcoming.
Like other Italian cities, such as Venice and Rome, Florence can be crowded with tourists and frustrated shop owners. However, that’s only if you don’t know where to look, because there are numerous off-the-beaten-path attractions and neighborhoods in Florence, Italy, still full of charm.
Having lived in Florence for over a decade, I have explored, lived in, and ventured to every corner of the city. And now that I help our clients with custom Italy Travel Planning, I get to share the best parts of the city tailored to each traveler’s personality!
Once you find your ideal part of the city, Florence will quickly become one of your favorite cities in Tuscany, if not all of Italy. That’s why we’re breaking down the neighborhoods for you, so you can find the best places to stay in Florence.
The Best Places To Stay In Florence
One of our travel clients’ first major decisions is where to stay when they visit Florence, Italy. There are several distinct neighborhoods, each catering to a different type of traveler.
Generally, our first-time visitors stay in the Centro Storico, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, or Oltrarno areas. In contrast, those seeking a more in-depth experience will stay in Oltrarno or as far out as Fiesole or Bellosguardo. Read on to find the best spot to be sure to have the Italian vacation of your dreams.
Centro Storico (Duomo)
If you’re short on time, one of the best places to stay in Florence is the city’s Duomo area, as it’s the most convenient. It’s one of the best neighborhoods for first-time visitors as everything you want to see is reachable on foot in about 20 minutes.
You’ll be close to the top Florence Italy attractions like the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore (aka the Duomo), the Ponte Vecchio (old bridge), world-class museums such as the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery (home to Michelangelo’s David), the Palazzo Vecchio in the famous Piazza della Signoria, and much more.
Most designer shops can also be found within a short walk of this area on Via Tornabuoni, just a few minutes’ stroll from Piazza del Duomo. Because of its proximity to so much, the centro is understandably also the most expensive area of the city, and most of the luxury hotels are located here.
This is by far the most crowded area of Florence. Everyone, from day trippers to overnighters, students, and expats, navigates to this city area, so it’s packed during high season. The busiest months are May through October, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, the neighborhood has been packed year-round. Walking around can be difficult, and navigating crowds will become part of your stay.
Pros: Easy to get around, close to everything, one of the best places for first-timers
Cons: Busy, crowded, expensive
Best for: First-time visitors, those who aren’t looking to walk far or long to get to the main sights, those wishing to stay in 5-star accommodations, those who are not overwhelmed by large crowds
Classic Hotel: Hotel Continentale
Oltrarno (Santo Spirito and San Frediano)
Heading south from the Duomo and crossing the river at the Ponte Vecchio, you’ll find yourself in the Oltrarno area of Florence. Oltrarno means “oltra l’Arno” or “across the river Arno,” as it’s across the Arno river, which divides the city into two. This is one of the best places to stay in Florence if you want to be away from crowds but still near the major sights.
During the Renaissance, this area was once the location of wealthy wine merchants’ family homes; over the years, it transitioned into a grungy lower-class neighborhood in the 1980s, before evolving into the trendy area we know today in the 2010s.
Besides numerous artisan shops and excellent restaurants, you’ll also find the Palazzo Pitti, a museum not to be missed, and the Boboli Gardens, worth visiting on a nice day.
Heading west, you’ll venture into the Santo Spirito neighborhood, named after the Santo Spirito church and piazza. Piazza Santo Spirito is a lively spot, and at night, it is packed with 20-something Italians out for a drink.
Heading west on a 5-minute walk, you’ll find yourself in the Borgo San Frediano neighborhood, named one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods by Lonely Planet. It’s home to many restaurants, leather and clothing shops, artisanal shops, bars, and pubs.
This area also gets busy at night and can be pretty loud. Italians like congregating on the streets, sipping wine, chatting with friends, and spending evenings outdoors. Even so, our clients regularly list it as among the best places to stay in Florence, Italy.
Pros: Trendy, hip, great nightlife
Cons: It can be loud, a little bit farther walk to the main sights, and expensive
Best for: Young travelers seeking to spend their nights out with other young Italians, those who don’t mind walking a bit farther to the sights, and those craving a more trendy, less touristy area of Florence.
Classic Hotel: Hotel Lungarno
Santa Maria Novella
The Santa Maria Novella neighborhood in Florence is probably the least quaint but the best-connected. It takes its name from the main church, Santa Maria Novella, and is situated around the central train station, also known as Santa Maria Novella. This is one of the best places to stay in Florence if you don’t really care to explore the neighborhood but want to do day trips and generally spend your days exploring.
Like most big cities in Europe, staying near the train station makes for easy day trips and travel, but it’s not necessarily the most beautiful part of town. The evenings can get a bit rowdy, and while, in general, it’s a safe city, this area can be a little riskier for things like petty theft, especially at night.
It’s a great spot for budget travelers as most of the city’s hotels are here. It’s also perfect if you have limited time and need to get to the train station (or airport) quickly. Also, it shares a border with the San Lorenzo neighborhood, where the main market, Mercato Centrale, is located.
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to get to, close to the train station
Cons: Can be less characteristic, at night, it can be less ideal for walking around, especially for solo travelers
Best for: Budget travelers, group travelers, or those just making a quick stop in Florence
Classic Hotel: Hotel Santa Maria Novella
Santissima Annunziata
Heading north from Piazza del Duomo, on Via dei Servi, you’ll reach the Piazza Santissima Annunziata, named for the church with the same name. This Piazza also hosts the Museo degli Innocenti, an excellent museum with a rooftop restaurant with incredible city views. On the downside, this piazza is home to a large population of Rom people who sleep in this piazza at night, which can make some travelers uncomfortable.
This area is a bit farther from the principal attractions, as it’s the farthest (and busiest) northern point of the tourist center. However, it’s close to the Accademia Gallery and Piazza San Marco. Piazza San Marco has a beautiful church worth visiting, and it’s also where most buses to the Gallery, connecting outside of Florence, are accessible.
Pros: Easily accessible by bus, easy to get to Fiesole and other points
Cons: A bit of a walk for most people, can be full of transient people, especially at night
Best for: Those wanting to stay farther from the city center, those looking to escape to areas frequented by the bus line in San Marco Square
Classic Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Santa Croce
Santa Croce is a lively district in the historic center, and it’s one of the best places to stay in Florence if you want to be in the mix. It’s named after the Basilica Santa Croce, which holds the tombs of some of Florence’s most famous citizens, like Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and Galileo.
The main piazza frequently hosts events such as the Chocolate Festival, the French Festival, and the Calcio Storico tournament. Surrounding the piazza is some of the busiest nightlife in Florence. You can find everything from bars to clubs to restaurants. This area is also home to the traditional Florentine leather market. You can visit the historic leather school, Scuola del Cuoio, behind the basilica.
Pros: Area of the city with the most clubs, active young nightlife, beautiful sites, close to everything
Cons: Touristy area; most people partying here are tourists and not Italians, can be loud and busy
Best for: Young travelers looking to party, those who are interested in going out, those who want to be easily connected to everything, but in an area less busy than the Duomo
Classic Hotel: Hotel Palazzo Lucchesi
Sant’Ambrogio
Heading east from Santa Croce, you’ll eventually run into the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood, slightly off the beaten path. This is one of the best places to stay in Florence if you want to be among locals and don’t mind being away from the main sights. This is one of the most authentic areas of the city, a place filled with Italians and relatively few tourists. It’s an area loved by locals and has everything from a thriving market to fashion to nightlife.
On a tour or on your own, check out the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio (Sant’Ambrogio market), which has the best fruits, vegetables, and, in our opinion, cheese in the city. While this neighborhood has some hotels, it’s mostly apartment rentals. If you make it out this way, try crossing Piazza Beccaria onto Via Gioberti for a lively street full of places to eat and a fun all-ages crowd in the evening.
Pros: Authentic, great market, lots of shopping
Cons: A bit farther from the center, not home to many hotels
Best for: Seasoned Florence travelers looking to stay off the tourist path, those not interested in the main sights but looking for a more “Italian” travel experience
San Niccolò and Piazzale Michelangelo
Heading south from Mercato Sant’Ambrogio and crossing the Arno at Ponte alle Grazie, you’ll find yourself in the quietest central neighborhood of Florence, San Niccolò. This area is like a labyrinth with winding, hilly, cobbled streets. Many restaurants and bars are tucked back here, frequented chiefly by Italians.
It can get lively at night, but not as much as Santo Spirito or Santa Croce. This area has few hotels, but it’s still a great place to stay because you can stroll down the Arno, heading west, and reach the Ponte Vecchio in about 10 minutes.
This area is the farthest from the main sights, so staying here is best suited for those who have been to Florence before or are comfortable with taking long walks. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the Duomo from the central area of San Niccolò.
Right above San Niccolò is the Piazzale Michelangelo. This is a steep climb, but it is worth it for one of the city’s best views and the iconic dome. If you plan to spend your days lounging in your apartment and not wandering far from “home,” it can be an excellent spot for those looking to have a place with a view, as many places here have incredible terraces.
Pros: Authentic, less touristy, tiny, charming streets
Cons: Sidewalks are tiny and narrow, would be impossible with a stroller or for those needing assistance when walking, hilly, and can be a longer walk to the main area
Best for: Seasoned Florence visitors, those without trouble walking, those looking for some nightlife but nothing too rowdy
Classic Hotel: Villa Cora
Fiesole
This is a bonus location for travelers who want to be near Florence but not in it. About a 20-minute drive outside Florence, this is an excellent spot for those seeking a quieter stay and looking to escape the city’s crowds and business. It’s also home to the stunning Villa San Michele, which is consistently ranked among the top luxury hotels in Tuscany.
This small hilltop town is a world away from the bustle of Florence and is worth visiting in its own right, as it was founded by the Etruscans in the 8th century BCE.
In Fiesole, you can find accommodations to suit any budget, ranging from stunning 5-star properties to budget hotels. There are many famous villas, a historic Roman theater, and a quaint town center that would please any traveler.
Fiesole has no nightlife, but in the summertime, it hosts alfresco concerts in its historic Etruscan-era amphitheater. And, any time of year, you can head there for a beautiful meal or a spritz while overlooking Florence down below.
Pros: Can be very quiet, far from main tourist areas
Cons: Not in Florence, need to take a bus to and from, can be very quiet
Best for: Those looking to be near the action but not in it, those who have been to Florence before and want to be nearby but stay somewhere quieter and relaxed
Classic Hotel: Belmond Villa San Michele
Get To Know Florence Layout
To choose among the best places to stay in Florence, you need to understand the city’s layout. The center of the town is the “Centro Storico,” or the historic center. This area is part of the city, initially surrounded by a large city wall, most of which has now been demolished.
Some traces of the historic boundary remain, such as the giant old city doors in Porta al Prato and Porta Romana, or fragments of the wall on the city’s southern side.
Inside this wall, there were historically four main neighborhoods: San Giovanni (near the Duomo), Santo Spirito (near the Santo Spirito church), Santa Croce (near the Santa Croce Basilica), and Santa Maria Novella (located by the train station and Santa Maria Novella church).
These broader neighborhood terms aren’t referenced much anymore (besides political or historical reasons), and the historic center is divided into numerous smaller subdivisions. These are the neighborhoods named above:
- Centro Storico (Duomo)
- Oltrarno (San Frediano and Santo Spirito)
- Santa Croce
- San Niccolò and Piazzale Michelangelo
- Sant’Ambrogio
- Santissima Annunziata
- Santa Maria Novella
- Fiesole
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Things To Do In Florence, Italy
Now that you know the best places to stay in Florence, you may be wondering what to do! Since we always have food and wine around here, we have five unique things to do in Florence, Italy, for food lovers. From DIY street food tours to hands-on gelato-making and cheese-tasting experiences, you can delve deeper into the city’s food scene with these activities.
Classic Tuscan Recipes
Want to cook some local food at home before you decide among the best places to stay in Florence? Here are some classic dishes from Tuscany that our readers love:
Tuscany Travel Guide
Are you considering traveling to Florence and the Tuscany region in real life? Well, then, beyond reading about the best places to stay in Florence, you’ll want to check out our free Tuscany Travel Guide for our best travel tips and articles.
Have Us Plan Your Italy Trip
Did you know we’re also a boutique travel agency specializing in Italy travel planning? If you’re looking to plan one of the best trips to Italy, our Italy trip planner services are here to help you plan your perfect itinerary.
Photo Credit: Opening photo by Explorelixir; Piazza Santa Croce by canadastock; Fiesole Photo by Ranieri Rossi on Unsplash
