{"id":9232,"date":"2016-06-14T10:29:28","date_gmt":"2016-06-14T08:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=9232"},"modified":"2026-11-01T11:24:57","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T11:24:57","slug":"where-to-stay-in-florence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence","title":{"rendered":"Where to Stay in Florence: Local Guide to the Best Neighborhoods"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For such a small city, Florence packs a formidable punch. With incredible Tuscan cuisine, world-class art, architecture, and Renaissance history seeping from every stone, it is one of the most popular cities in Italy for tourists. Florence\u2019s historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot, with many major sights within a 20\u201330-minute walk of one another. Despite its smaller size it still has individual neighborhoods and choosing where to stay in Florence will have a big effect on how you experience the city. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Each area within Florence\u2019s UNESCO-designated historic center has something different to offer. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you want to get the most out of your visit, check out our guide to finding the best places to stay in Florence.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21002\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21002\" class=\"wp-image-21002 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/rsz_florence.jpg\" alt=\"The sun setting over beautiful Florence with the duomo rising above the red rooftops.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/rsz_florence.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/rsz_florence-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21002\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Florence, with its architectural wonders, offers a perfect blend of history and romance. Photo credit: Pretty Pink on Unsplash<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Where_to_stay_in_Florence_Neighbourhood_Guide\" >Where to stay in Florence: Neighbourhood Guide<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Santa_Maria_Novella\" >Santa Maria Novella<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Santa_Maria_Novella_Train_Station\" >Santa Maria Novella Train Station<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Fortezza_da_Basso\" >Fortezza da Basso<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#San_Lorenzo\" >San Lorenzo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Santissima_Annunziata_and_San_Marco\" >Santissima Annunziata and San Marco<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Duomo_and_the_historic_centre\" >Duomo and the historic centre<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Santa_Croce\" >Santa Croce<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#SantAmbrogio\" >Sant&#8217;Ambrogio<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Via_de_Tornabuoni_and_the_luxury-shopping_district\" >Via de\u2019 Tornabuoni and the luxury-shopping district<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#Santo_Spirito\" >Santo Spirito<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#San_Niccolo\" >San Niccol\u00f2<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#San_Frediano\" >San Frediano<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#FAQs_%E2%80%93_Where_to_stay_in_Florence\" >FAQs &#8211; Where to stay in Florence<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#How_much_does_it_cost_to_stay_in_Florence\" >How much does it cost to stay in Florence?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#How_far_in_advance_should_I_book_accommodation_in_Florence\" >How far in advance should I book accommodation in Florence?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/where-to-stay-in-florence\/#What_is_the_easiest_way_to_get_from_Florence_Airport_or_train_station_to_my_hotel\" >What is the easiest way to get from Florence Airport or train station to my hotel?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_stay_in_Florence_Neighbourhood_Guide\"><\/span>Where to stay in Florence: Neighbourhood Guide<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Santa_Maria_Novella\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Santa Maria Novella<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Santa Maria Novella has two distinct sides: the busy, less picturesque streets closest to Florence\u2019s main train station, and the more residential area stretching past the namesake basilica towards the Arno River. Choose your accommodation carefully, as the neighbourhood offers everything from budget-friendly hotels to elegant, high-end properties. The area is home to the magnificent Dominican Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, as well as caf\u00e9s, bars and restaurants serving a range of cuisines. Its convenient location also puts many of Florence\u2019s main sights within walking distance. The airport tram connects to the station, making this area particularly convenient for air travellers.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You want to be close to the train station; you\u2019re looking for a centrally located hotel at a reasonable price; you enjoy a varied food scene; or you\u2019re travelling with family and want convenient transport links. For a more attractive setting, look beyond the streets immediately surrounding the station and towards the basilica and river.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Santa_Maria_Novella_Train_Station\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Santa Maria Novella Train Station<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Although technically part of the Santa Maria Novella neighbourhood, the streets closest to Florence\u2019s main train station are busier and less picturesque than some of the surrounding area. On the upside, this is a convenient place to stay if you&#8217;re short on time: the Duomo is around a 10-minute walk away, many other major sights are within walking distance, and the station is right on your doorstep. The area also offers some of the best-value accommodation in central Florence. In fact, we often stay here when visiting the city for work.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You\u2019re on a tight budget; you have an early-morning train to catch; you\u2019re booking at the last minute; or you prioritise convenient transport links over a picturesque setting. If you\u2019re sensitive to noise or prefer quieter streets when returning to your hotel at night, check the exact location and recent reviews before booking.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_23421\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23421\" class=\"wp-image-23421 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0071.jpg\" alt=\"A group of tourists enjoys the breathtaking view of Florence\u2019s terracotta rooftops and surrounding hills from the dome\u2019s summit. A good place to see the neighbourhoods ans where to stay in Florence\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0071.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0071-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0071-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23421\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Discover the views, and the neighborhoods of Florence from a bird\u00b4s eye view!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fortezza_da_Basso\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fortezza da Basso<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The neighborhood of Fortezza sits to the east of the train station. It might not seem like much at first glance, but that\u2019s exactly its draw: It is well removed from the throngs of tourists, but still within walking distance of the city\u2019s main sights. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\u2019ll find a few more cars here since it&#8217;s not completely pedestrianized, but you\u2019ll also have the big complex of the 16th-century Fortezza (now a convention center) and restaurants featuring some of Florence\u2019s most traditional foods. For example, the classic <em>ribollita\u00a0<\/em>vegetable soup &#8211; one of the locals favourite <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-foods-for-winter\">warming winter Italian dishes<\/a> &#8211; and the famous tripe sandwiches called lampredetto. Tripe may not initially appeal, but we promise you its worth a try, check out where to find this delicacy at the <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/florence\/panini-restaurants-in-florence\">best panini restaurants in Florence.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You\u2019d like a residential, quiet stay; you need to be near the train station but want to be slightly more up-market than Santa Maria Novella; you\u2019ve come to Florence for a convention; you don\u2019t mind walking a bit to see the city\u2019s main sights; you want to avoid the crowds; you\u2019re not interested in the nightlife.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_22279\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22279\" class=\"wp-image-22279 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Lampredotto.jpg\" alt=\"Two women standing in front of a window smiling as a man slices meat for a Lampredotto, a Florentine dish made from cow stomach.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Lampredotto.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Lampredotto-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22279\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lampredotto is one of the best, most authentic ways to eat on the run in Florence.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"San_Lorenzo\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">San Lorenzo<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Located between the train station and the Duomo, San Lorenzo is the market district. This is a bustling, chaotic, neighborhood and definitely where to stay in Florence if you want to be near attractions like the Renaissance <em>Basilica di San Lorenzo<\/em> and the adjacent Medici chapels, which stand out like islands in the middle of the street market which sells clothes, souvenirs, and leather goods. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The covered San Lorenzo market is a must-see. Peruse the stalls on the ground floor selling fresh fish, meat, and vegetables, then head up to the food court up above. The ground-floor fresh-food market generally operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and on Saturday until 5pm, closing on Sundays and public holidays. The upper-floor Mercato Centrale food hall has different hours and is open daily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You thrive on crowds and chaos; You want to explore Florence\u2019s food culture and scour the massive outdoor market for souvenirs, steals, and great finds; You find a good deal on a room; You want to be in the center; You\u2019re a foodie.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_20682\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20682\" class=\"wp-image-20682 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/San-Lorenzo-market-1200.jpg\" alt=\"people shopping at San Lorenzo street market\" width=\"1200\" height=\"799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/San-Lorenzo-market-1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/San-Lorenzo-market-1200-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20682\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The bustling San Lorenzo Market s a great way to spend the morning. Photo by Tiana Kai.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Santissima_Annunziata_and_San_Marco\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Santissima Annunziata and San Marco<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">North of Florence\u2019s busiest tourist streets, the Santissima Annunziata and San Marco area offers a slightly quieter base for exploring the city, with a wealth of historic sights and museums nearby. Although it\u2019s a little removed from the liveliest parts of the historic centre, you\u2019ll still be within walking distance of many major attractions, and you may find good-value accommodation if you look carefully.<\/p>\n<p>Piazza della Santissima Annunziata is home to the beautiful Basilica of Santissima Annunziata and the <em>Ospedale degli Innocenti<\/em>, a pioneering foundling hospital designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and founded in 1419. Today, its museum explores the history of the institution and its care for abandoned children. Further south, near San Marco, you\u2019ll find the National Archaeological Museum, with its important Etruscan collection, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/top-attractions\/gallerie-dellaccademia-venice\">Galleria dell\u2019Accademia<\/a>, home to Michelangelo\u2019s iconic<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/top-attractions\/michelangelo-david-sculpture-florence\">David<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You want a quieter base within walking distance of major sights; you\u2019re visiting Florence for its museums and art; or you\u2019re looking for good-value accommodation away from the busiest tourist streets.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Duomo_and_the_historic_centre\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Duomo and the historic centre<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Duomo area is the city\u2019s bullseye, it&#8217;s the center of the action as well as the most touristy and expensive place to stay. The actual name of this neighborhood is <em>San Giovanni<\/em>, but we also include the beautiful <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/top-attractions\/piazza-della-signoria-florence\"><em>Piazza della Signoria<\/em><\/a> in here as well. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This is Florence&#8217;s main hotel district, but be careful; while some of the hotels are the height of luxury, others hide behind the star afforded to them by their great location. You won\u2019t be dodging tourists around the Florence Duomo neighborhood, you\u2019ll be one of them, but you\u2019ll be steps away from the beautiful <a href=\"https:\/\/duomo.firenze.it\/en\/discover\/cathedral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cathedral,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/top-attractions\/palazzo-vecchio-florence\">Palazzo Vecchio<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/top-attractions\/uffizi-gallery-florence\">Uffizi Gallery <\/a>&#8211;\u00a0and that&#8217;s hard to beat.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> Money is no object; You\u2019re only in town for a short time; You\u2019re unable or unwilling to walk a lot but still want to see the main sights; You don\u2019t mind tourists; You want the convenience; You\u2019ve come to Florence for a room with a view.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_23422\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23422\" class=\"wp-image-23422 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080.jpg\" alt=\"The guide leads a group along a narrow exterior walkway of the Florence Cathedral, with the massive dome rising beside them under a blue sky.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0080-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23422\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Florence Historic Centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Santa_Croce\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Santa Croce<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Santa Croce is best known for the massive Basilica of the same name. The walls inside are covered in intricate frescoes by Giotto and the chapels serve as the final resting place for some of the most well-known Italian artists and thinkers in the world, including Michelangelo and Galileo. Outside, the bars and restaurants that line the streets\u00a0fill with people for the ever-popular <em>aperitivo<\/em> hour. There is also a wide variety of hotels. There\u2019s a place to stay for travelers of nearly any taste and style on <em>via de\u2019 Benci<\/em> or <em>via de\u2019 Macci<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You want to feel like a local; you\u2019re looking for great nightlife close to the center; you don\u2019t mind a bit of noise at night; you\u2019re fascinated by Florentine art; you want to see and be seen; you plan on frequenting fashionable bars and restaurants; you want to be out of the throngs in the center, but still close enough to walk; you want to be centrally located between the Duomo and Oltrarno.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_22084\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22084\" class=\"wp-image-22084 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Devour_Florence_Tastes-and-Traditions_May24_0309.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people closely listening to a tour guide in front of Florence's Basilica di Santa Croce.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Devour_Florence_Tastes-and-Traditions_May24_0309.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Devour_Florence_Tastes-and-Traditions_May24_0309-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22084\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Basilica di Santa Croce is one of Florence&#8217;s most impressive landmarks.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SantAmbrogio\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sant&#8217;Ambrogio<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To the east of Santa Croce is the quiet, family-oriented Sant\u2019Ambrogio neighborhood. It&#8217;s one of the last genuinely Florentine neighborhoods left on this side of the Arno and features attractions like the city\u2019s Synagogue, and some of Florence\u2019s best, affordable cuisine. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The ever-popular flea markets held on the last Sunday of each month in the Piazza Annigoni\u00a0sell anything from vintage furniture and clothing to teacups, lamps, mirrors and postcards. If you&#8217;re lucky enough to catch one, you&#8217;ll experience a real gem of Florentine life.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You\u2019re looking for a completely non-touristy place to stay in Florence; you want to stay outside of the city center but still in a good neighborhood; you want to live like a local; you are more interested in the atmosphere than the sights; you\u2019re traveling with kids and want a tranquil atmosphere during the day, but a bit of life after dark; you love the idea of exploring the daily antique market and monthly flea market.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Via_de_Tornabuoni_and_the_luxury-shopping_district\"><\/span>Via de\u2019 Tornabuoni and the luxury-shopping district<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The most famous <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/florence\/best-shopping-in-florence\">shopping street in Florence<\/a>, <em>Via de Tornabuoni<\/em> spills directly into <em>Piazza Santa Trinit\u00e0<\/em>, named after the beautiful church that dominates it. This is where to stay in Florence if you came to shop! <em>Tornabuoni<\/em> is home to Gucci, Armani, Versace and even more couture from Italy and beyond. Explore\u00a0the narrow medieval streets stemming from <em>Tornabuoni<\/em> for even more options. The neighborhood is well-off, well kept, and a pleasant place to be even if you didn\u2019t come to shop.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> Your idea of souvenir shopping involves designer bags; you want to stay in a luxury hotel; the only tourist you\u2019re willing to dodge is a well-dressed one; you want to be near the Oltrarno; you want to experience a modern Florence against a backdrop of medieval streets.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_22277\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22277\" class=\"wp-image-22277 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Mercato-di-San-Lorenzo.jpg\" alt=\"Florence's Ponte Vecchio spanning over the Arno river.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Mercato-di-San-Lorenzo.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Mercato-di-San-Lorenzo-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22277\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Florence&#8217;s Ponte Vecchio spanning over the Arno river.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Santo_Spirito\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Santo Spirito<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Santo Spirito, along with the following two neighborhoods, is located in the <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/florence\/oltrarno-florence-italy-pitti-palace\">Oltrarno district<\/a>, literally all the area \u201cover the Arno\u201d. Once a working-class artisan quarter, it is still less touristy than the right side of the banks. This is one of the best places to stay if you like to find artisan workshops determinedly holding up centuries-old traditions of handcrafts. If you time it right, you can enjoy the Fierucola organic and artisan market, which is usually held on the third Sunday of the month (except August).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The lively, popular Santo Spirito neighborhood starts just on the other side of the <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/top-attractions\/the-ponte-vecchio\">Ponte Vecchio<\/a>. Today it\u2019s best known for its great restaurants and rowdy nightlife. This Florence neighborhood\u00a0is home to both the\u00a0<em>Palazzo Pitti<\/em> and the <em>Boboli Gardens<\/em>, along with some of the original artisan shops from Renaissance Florence. Enjoy a night out at one of the myriad different bars and restaurants in the area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> Your idea of a perfect neighborhood is offbeat and lively; you\u2019re coming for the nightlife; you don\u2019t mind a few hipsters; you are a hipster; you want to explore the tiny streets and stone alleyways in a lively atmosphere; you\u2019ve already visited the major sights around the Duomo; you don\u2019t mind being a bit of a hike from the train station.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_26357\" style=\"width: 1610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26357\" class=\"wp-image-26357 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/zhruk9gnvhy.jpg\" alt=\"a view of a fountain in the middle of a park\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/zhruk9gnvhy.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/zhruk9gnvhy-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/zhruk9gnvhy-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-26357\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Boboli Gardens in Florence. Photo by Lorenzo Turroni on Unsplash<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"San_Niccolo\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">San Niccol\u00f2<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">San Niccol\u00f2 sits to the east of Santo Spirito and at the foot of Florence\u2019s hills. Now beginning to buzz as a nightlife spot, possibly from Santo Spirito\u2019s overflow, this neighborhood has a smaller offering of accommodation and hotels and<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u00a0offers reasonable prices on dinner and drinks.\u00a0Also, perched above this neighborhood is the beautiful San Miniato church in <em>Piazzale Michelangelo<\/em>. Head there to enjoy the best sunset view over Florence that the city has to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You want to escape the crowds but still enjoy the nightlife in and around Santo Spirito. Even if you can&#8217;t find a place to lay your head, the neighborhood is definitely worth a visit for the views, food, and quiet strolls alone.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_20674\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20674\" class=\"wp-image-20674 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Florence-panorama1200.jpg\" alt=\"The\u00a0view from Piazzale Michelangelo overlooking Florence with the river and the duomo in sight.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Florence-panorama1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Florence-panorama1200-768x509.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20674\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The\u00a0view from Piazzale Michelangelo can&#8217;t be beat!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"San_Frediano\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">San Frediano<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">San Frediano sits to the west of the Santo Spirito neighborhood. Stretching from the Oltrarno end of the Santa Trinit\u00e0 bridge and westward to Porta Pisana, this former working class borough can still claim Florentines as its citizens and artisans as its lodgers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once upon a time it was a little too residential to merit a mention; now, however, it&#8217;s the best area to stay in Florence if you want to tell all your friends that you &#8220;went there before it was popular&#8221;. In fact, there\u2019s enough good food, lodging, and culture in San Frediano that a visitor won\u2019t even need to cross back over the river.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Stay here if:<\/strong> You want to know more about Florence\u2019s ancient artisan history and see how it juxtaposes with modern day Italy; you want to stay \u201coff-the-beaten-path\u201d; you don\u2019t mind walking a bit; you want to stay somewhere \u201cnew\u201d; you really detest the crowds; you don\u2019t need to be near a major attraction.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_20683\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20683\" class=\"wp-image-20683 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Santa-Trinita-bridge-1200.jpg\" alt=\"A pedestrian bridge spans over a shallow river as the sun sets in Florence.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Santa-Trinita-bridge-1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Santa-Trinita-bridge-1200-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20683\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This beautiful bridge is a great place to watch the sunset over the river. Photo Credit: Chris Wee on Flickr, CC by 2.0<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_%E2%80%93_Where_to_stay_in_Florence\"><\/span>FAQs &#8211; Where to stay in Florence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_does_it_cost_to_stay_in_Florence\"><\/span>How much does it cost to stay in Florence?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Accommodation prices in Florence vary considerably depending on the season, location and type of property. As a rough guide, budget double rooms and guesthouses may cost around \u20ac80\u2013\u20ac150 per night, while comfortable mid-range hotels often fall between \u20ac150 and \u20ac300. Luxury hotels can cost considerably more, particularly in the historic centre during peak season. These are estimates rather than fixed prices, so compare options for your dates and check whether local tourist tax is included in the quoted rate.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_far_in_advance_should_I_book_accommodation_in_Florence\"><\/span>How far in advance should I book accommodation in Florence?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;re visiting between April and October, aim to book your accommodation around three to six months in advance, especially for weekends, public holidays and major events. Booking early gives you a wider choice of locations and prices, particularly if you want a hotel near the Duomo or a room with a view. Outside the busiest months, you may have more flexibility, but compare cancellation policies before committing to a non-refundable rate.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_easiest_way_to_get_from_Florence_Airport_or_train_station_to_my_hotel\"><\/span>What is the easiest way to get from Florence Airport or train station to my hotel?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Florence Airport is connected to the city by tram line T2, which reaches the city centre in around 20 minutes and serves the Santa Maria Novella railway station area. This is usually a convenient, economical option if your hotel is near the route. Taxis are another option, particularly if you&#8217;re travelling with heavy luggage or staying somewhere that requires a longer walk from the tram. If you&#8217;re arriving by train at Santa Maria Novella, many central hotels are within walking distance, but check the exact route and distance before booking. If your flight arrives at Pisa Airport instead, allow extra time and budget for the transfer to Florence.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23554\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23554\" class=\"wp-image-23554 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0189-1.jpg\" alt=\"People walking past a church on a tour from Florence to San Gimignano.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0189-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0189-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23554\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Take a guided tour to discover the best of Florence with a local expert who knows the city streets and sights!<\/p><\/div>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong>Still deciding where to stay in Florence, Italy, or found your own favourite neighbourhood?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Choosing the best area to stay in Florence depends on your budget, interests and travel plans, but wherever you book, the city\u2019s Renaissance treasures are never far away.\u00a0Once you\u2019ve found your base, make the most of your visit with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/\"><strong>Florence tours<\/strong><\/a>, led by local expert guides who bring the city\u2019s art, history and culture to life. Or if you are looking for a more personalised experience, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/attraction\/private-tours-in-florence\/\"><strong>private tours in Florence<\/strong><\/a> let you explore at your own pace and tailor your visit to your interests.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For such a small city, Florence packs a formidable punch. With incredible Tuscan cuisine, world-class art, architecture, and Renaissance history seeping from every stone, it is one of the most popular cities in Italy for tourists. Florence\u2019s historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot, with many major sights within a 20\u201330-minute walk of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":8867,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[96,64],"ppma_author":[161],"class_list":["post-9232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-accommodation","tag-florence"],"authors":[{"term_id":161,"user_id":40,"is_guest":0,"slug":"ginamussio","display_name":"Gina Mussio","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d9497ce1b0417babd82886ad23b18998?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"Mussio","first_name":"Gina","job_title":"","description":"Gina is a Midwesterner living in Lombardy, Italy where she writes about Italian culture, travel and food. She is a bilingual primary school teacher by day, forever interested in developing cross-culture communication skills across languages. Gina loves touring Italy's beautiful and tiny borghi with her family and exploring Italy's culture through its culinary history."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9232"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9232"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26433,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9232\/revisions\/26433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9232"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=9232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}