At the foot of the snow-capped Apennines in a sea of terracotta roofs, Renaissance palaces and Romanesque churches, stands Pistoia, the "little Florence" of Tuscany. Yet at only 30 minutes away from regular-sized Florence, it’s remarkable Pistoia is as free of tourist throngs as it is! While Pistoia has the beautifully preserved centro storico of Florence it definitely doesn’t have the same range of accommodation, though it does have a large number of converted palazzos and villas, many of which are the best places to stay in Pistoia. Some of these conversions have resulted in elegant guesthouses and B&Bs, while some are small, or boutique hotels. There are also some great properties in the hills behind the town.
Pistoia’s location offers more than just proximity to Florence, it’s in the ‘Tuscan Chocolate Valley’, a hub for artisan chocolate makers, as well as other local producers, so it's a good destination for foodies, and chocolate lovers in particular. Pistoia’s weekly markets are on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and fill the central Piazza del Duomo with colour, scent and plenty of opportunities to experience flavour too.
Pistoia is also a wonderful destination for those with an interest in art, history and architecture, and again, it’s not just about proximity to Florence, it has its own incredible, 67 metre bell tower, plus a collection of palaces, churches and even a cathedral. Whatever the reason for this town's under-the-tourist-radar status, it’s really worth visiting before that changes and the best places to stay in Pistoia become booked up year round.