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.

The Best Places to stay in Pistoia

For a Rural Retreat

• The Villa Parri is a carefully converted historic villa, set in the Tuscan hills above Pistoia, surrounded by glorious landscaped gardens demonstrating the bounty of Tuscany’s flora. The villa now has 13 guest rooms and apartments, all unique, and decorated with classical style, featuring marble, rich fabrics and antiques, so that the atmosphere is sophisticated — while still being family friendly. The pool is a on a sunny terrace and offers wonderful views. Sophisticated but affordable.

For a Private apartment or villa

• If you think a self-catering option would best suit your needs then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Pistoia?

• Pistoia’s closest international airport is Florence Airport, which is only about half an hour away by road, or 40 mintues on the train. Pisa Airport will be a useful connection for some too, it’s about three quarters of an hour away by road, or two hours on the train. Bologna Airport is next closest, also two hours away by train, or an hour in the car.
• If you plan to hire a car, which we would advise if you want to get out and explore further afield, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• Staying this close to Florence means there will always be something going on, and there are always visitors about. The weather is at its nicest in the summer months, with the average daily temperature climbing to 27°C in July and August. And there’s a large Blues Festival in July too. This is peak tourist season, and so if you want to avoid the crowds (and pay less for accommodation) then maybe September's a better bet. Temperatures peak at around 20°C, perfect for sightseeing. Easter and Christmas are always special times to visit Italy, and this region is still very rewarding in winter.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include the best places to stay in Tuscany
• Include other local towns, like Lucca, Pisa, or even head into more central Florence
• You may also want to search by the type of accommodation you fancy, opting for the best family hotels in Tuscany, the best wine hotels in Tuscany, or the best B&Bs in Tuscany
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Pistoia