Florence is the favourite city for a number of our Hotel Gurus, loved for tis art, architecture, cuisine, and history. And it’s in Tuscany, so more points there. And, unusually for such a popular destination, the big hotel chains haven’t made huge inroads here, and the Florentine accommodation scene includes numerous converted palazzo and historic villas, townhouse hotels, and other independently run conversions. There aren’t a lot of new buildings in Florence, but if that’s your preference you will find hotel options here too, but we urge you to consider some of the cleverly thought out conversions, you can expect all the mod, cons., just in a traditional packaging. Many visitors opt to stay in Florence’s historic centre, but if you’re staying for a bit longer, visiting in the summer, or looking for a more relaxed visit, it’s worth considering some of Florence’s other neighbourhoods.
Our Guide to the Neighbourhoods of Florence
by AMY CORCORAN
Florence’s Historic Centre/ Centro Storico
Image by Makalu from Pixabay
The historic city of Florence is actually very small by today’s standards. You can walk from one side to the other in about 30minutes, and many of the main sights on bucket lists of Florence are within this area. Florence’s main station, called Santa Maria Novella, is just five minutes walk from the Duomo - which is about five minutes walk from the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi and the Palazzo Vecchio. And with no cars, this is a super easy area to stroll around. There’s lots of accommodation within Florence’s historic centre, so it’s easy to stay within the ghosts of the old city walls, and during the summer there’s a pleasant buzz through this area until late into the evening, as people enjoy meals out overlooking historic squares. The historic centre has lots of accommodation on offer, including a concentration of Florence’s five star hotels, and grand palazzo conversions with views of the Arno, or the Duomo - two of Florence’s most highly prized views. Affordable accommodation exists, you just have to book it well in advance. In the busiest summer season the Centro Storico is hot and busy, and very few hotels have pools.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: central; lots of major sites and sights; great atmosphere; great places to eat and drink; historic architecture; beautiful to stroll around
- Cons: can be expensive; touristy; hot!
- Ideal For: first time visitors; short stays; city breaks; sight see-ers; families; luxury lovers; art and architecture aficionados
Some of the best accommodation in Florence’s Historic Centre
Around the Piazza della Signoria
Image by user32212 from Pixaba
The Piazza della Signoria is Florence’s main square, closest to the Duomo, and probably felt like the centre of the world during the Renaissance. Along the edges of the square itself you’ll find the Palazzo Vecchio; the Palazzo Ugcciono; the Logia dei Lanzi - a small open air museum; and the Fountain of Neptune. And if you place the Duomo at the centre, and drew a circle around the narrow streets and lanes that surround it, you would also capture the Uffizi, the Accademia Gallery and the Pitti Palace - so it really is the centre of everything. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to cafes, bars and restaurants too, and fashion and architecture.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: super central; lively; great places to eat and drink
- Cons: busy; can be touristy
- Ideal For: city breaks; sight see-ers; luxury lovers; romantics, night owls
Accommodation recommendations around the Piazza della Signoria
Around the Piazza Santa Croce
Image by Guy Dugas from Pixaba
The area around the Piazza Santa Croce has a number of artisans workshop, as well cafes, bars and restaurants, so it’s got plenty of life day and night. The neighbourhood’s main sight is the Basilica Santa Croce, where you’ll find the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Dante, Rossini, and Machiavelli, and frescoes by Giotto and his pupils - this is a ‘must-see’ sight for many visitors, so expect a certain amount of buzz. On the other sides of the piazza are the 15th century Palazzo Cocchi-Serristori, and the Palazzo dell’Antella - so the views are impressive every way you look. The piazza around the church entrance has a charming collection of cafes, bars and restaurants, and foodies will be interested in visiting the Sant’Ambrogio Market, which is a great place for sampling local produce. This is a lovely neighbourhood for romantic, family-run boutique hotels and B&Bs; family-friendly accommodation, and apartment hotels - as well as larger hotels.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: central; charming; local sights; great range of accommodation
- Cons: small neighbourhood
- Ideal For: value seekers; romantics; families; city breaks; lovers of historic architecture
Some of our accommodation recommendations around the Piazza Santa Croce
Sant’Ambrogio
Bobfantastic
Neighbouring Santa Croce neighbourhood is Sant’Ambrogio, a central neighbourhood radiating outwards from the Sant’Ambrogio Market - which is working farmer’s market, beside a well known bric-a-brac market famous for its books and old jewellery. This is a fantastic neighbourhood to base yourself in if you’re interested in the cuisine and produce of Florence. This is a fantastic neighboured for sampling local wines too - and a pretty good place for eating out and going out. In fact this neighbourhood is where you’ll find Le Murate, a prison turned cultural centre, known for its exhibitions and performances - its box office sells tickets for events Florence-wide.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: less touristy; great markets; walking distance to major sights; great places to eat and drink
- Cons: less touristy = less charming
- Ideal For: foodies; living like a local; night owls, market shopping; cool kids
San Niccolò
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San Niccolò is on the opposite side of the Arno from the Centro Storico, but still within the medieval city walls - and the only place in Florence where you can actually see the original walls. As well as the walls, San Niccolò is also known for its contemporary art galleries; boutiques specialising in local brands; local cuisine; and a hipster crowd. The neighbourhood is a bit of a cobbled labyrinth, but with numerous charming piazzas lined with places to eat and drink, and the Piazzale Michelangelo, one of the Florence’s best known viewpoints, and a fantastic place for photographers to put some time in. And that’s not the only place photographers should hang out in San Niccolò, because the quickest route between this neighbourhood and Santa Croce is across the Ponte delle Grazie, which may not ring a bell to you compared to its famous neighbour, the Ponte Vecchio, but it’s the best place to take shots of that more famous bridge. Accommodation in San Niccolò includes more apartments and apartment hotels, with some charming boutique hotels, and just a few larger ones.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: fantastic views; walking distance to major sights; comparatively peaceful; great places to eat and drink;
- Cons: off centre; limited range of accommodation
- Ideal For: cool kids; foodies; art lovers; photographers; families; living like a local
Santa Maria Novello
Cleavers
The Santa Maria Novello neighbourhood is close to the main train station, so a good pick for anyone wanting to do a bit of travelling out of Florence. This is a good place to seek out great value accommodation, but it’s not one of the most beautiful or historic parts of the city. The most atmospheric part of the neighbourhood is around the Piazza de Santa Novella, which is between the station and the historic centre - only about a ten minute stroll from the Duomo, and close to the Mercato Centrale, and San Lorenzo street market. Santa Maria Novello runs along the right bank of the Arno, so some of the accommodation even has Arno views. If you’re interested in local sightseeing, the Santa Maria Novello neighbourhood has the exhibition centre, which has taken over several palazzo, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novello - one of those churches that looks like a liquorice allsort, and several significant contemporary art museums. It’s not a bad neighbourhood for shopping, either…
Pros and Cons
- Pros: close to the station; great value accommodation; local sight and sites; good shopping; easy walk to historic centre
- Cons: off centre; lacks charm and atmosphere
- Ideal For: value seekers; explorers
Oltrarno
Image by Iris from Pixabay
Oltrarno isn’t just where the Ponte Vecchio goes to, this long and narrow stretch of land on the ‘other’ side of the Arno is also home to the Palazzo Pitti; the Brancacci Chapel; the Boboli Gardens and the Church of Santo Spirito - home to a glorious daily morning market. Guests of Oltrarno can also expect colourful evenings, great food, and the possibility of popping their heads into artisan’s workshops, and maybe even taking a class or two? The Boboli Gardens are Florence’s largest public park - and there are 11 acres gardens, with fountains, sculptures, and a magical man-made grotto - making this a great neighbourhood for families to stay in. La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo is a wonderful spot to watch the sunset over the skyline of Florence. The gardens were once the grounds of the Palazzo Pitti, which is home to an incredible art collection that includes work by Raphael, Rubens, Titian and Correggio - as well as more contemporary artists. Surrounding the Pitti Palace are cobbled streets, small but picturesque churches, and charming piazza - especially around Santo Spirito. And you’re only 15minutes walk across the bridge from the Centro Storico.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: peaceful; great views; green and leafy; historic architecture; great places to eat and drink; good range of accommodation
- Cons: slightly off centre
- Ideal For: families; value seekers; view lovers; explorers; longer stays
San Frediano
BIG ALBERT
San Frediano is a distinct neighbourhood within Oltrarno , and worth mentioning because it lines the bank of the Arno, and has a fantastic foodie culture. Rife with traditional trattorias and osterias, this is a great part of town to stay in if you’re interested in the food and produce of Tuscany - as well as the art and culture of Florence. You’ll know if you’re serious about this if you’re excited by the idea of trying lampredotto - which are traditional Florentine tripe sandwiches. There are some up-and-coming restaurants too. As well as views and food, San Frediano offers its own collection of charming churches, a famous art school, and a relaxed nightlife. And you’re just across the Ponte all Carria from piazza Goldoni. If you don’t stay here you should definitely visit!
Pros and Cons
- Pros: fantastic food and drink scene; artisan shopping; peaceful
- Cons: off centre
- Ideal For: foodies; families; romantics, shoppers
Some of our accommodation recommendations in Oltrarno
The Hills Around Florence
Image by Claudia Schmalz from
On three sides of Florence are inviting green hills planted with vineyards and olive groves, and dotted with historic villas - many of them now converted into accommodation. This is where those who could afford it used to escape the hottest days of Florence’s summers, and that’s still the case now: the hills are a great option if you’re visiting Florence during the busiest season, they get the afternoon breezes and the rural cool. Accommodation in the hills around Florence often comes with a pool, or even a spa - possibly even with a view! and many of the hotels in the hills offer a regular shuttle service to the historic centre of Florence, meaning you can sightsee all day and enjoy an easy trip back to your hotel pool. You can probably enjoy a supper with a view too, because one of the really great things about staying in the hills around Florence is that you get a view of Florence.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: fantastic views; cooler of an evening; hotel pools and spa facilities; rural atmosphere; peaceful
- Cons: off centre; rural atmosphere; limited places to eat and drink; limited nightlife
- Ideal For: relaxing breaks; views; families; lovers of a hotel pool; romantics
Accommodation recommendations in the hills around Florence
Fiesole
GOC53
Fiesole is five kilometres, and about 20minutes from the historic centre of Florence by car or bus. And is a good neighbourhood to consider if you like the idea of staying in the hills of Florence, but you’re looking for a town or neighbourhood, not just a villa. Fiesole has many of the charms of a classic Tuscan town, but town the added benefit of being on the doorstep of Florence, and of having fantastic panoramic city views. In addition to a charming cathedral; several graceful palazzos and numerous villas; a smattering of lovely churches; and piazzas lined with charming restaurants, bars and gelateria; Fiesole also has an ancient Roman baths, a Roman theatres and an impressive amphitheatre. Fiesole has long been a popular spot with artists and writers, from Leonardo da Vinci to Frank Lloyd Wright and Albert Einstein. Because Fiesole has so many Roman era treasures it has a very impressive archaeological museum. Across the road from the museum is the Bandini Art Museum, which, much like the town of Fiesole, bats well above its weight.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: historic sights; views of Florence; Tuscan atmosphere; great places to eat and drink
- Cons: very off centre
- Ideal For: relaxing breaks; longer stays; living like a local; luxury lovers; romantics
