Are you wondering where to stay in Florence and which neighborhood and area to choose ? Don’t panic, this guide to accommodations in the capital of Tuscany in Italy will help you find the perfect place based on your budget and preferences.
The fourth most visited city in Italy (after Rome, Venice, and Milan), Florence offers a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, and apartments for staying in the historic city. The only requirement is to book in advance in order to find accommodation with good value for money, as demand is high throughout the year.
So which hotel should you choose? Which accommodation offers free parking ? Which neighborhood should you stay in to go out at night ? This guide answers all your questions.
Where to stay in Florence : neighborhood map
The map above shows the location of the different neighborhoods mentioned in this guide to the best places to stay in Florence. Since the historic center is quite compact, it’s easy to move between neighborhoods and do everything on foot. A car is not useful—you will need to leave it in a parking lot. Most of the must-see attractions are close to each other.
These neighborhoods that make up the historic center (centro storico) are located inside the ZTL (limited traffic zone). This is a restricted area where it is forbidden to enter by car without authorization. If you have chosen accommodation in Florence with parking, you are allowed to enter this zone. You simply need to make sure that the person managing the booking properly declares your vehicle to the city via the form (they will normally ask you to sign it when you arrive). This will prevent you from receiving a hefty fine !
All the neighborhoods where I recommend staying in Florence are located within the historic center. Why ? For me, it’s the best option to explore the city on foot. It also allows you to go out at night without having to take public transport to return to your accommodation. The historic center has a large number of accommodations that suit travelers with all budgets.
The accommodations mentioned in this guide all have at least one bedroom and a private bathroom. If you are really on a tight budget, it is possible to find cheaper hotels with shared bathrooms. One last point: all the places I recommend have good traveler reviews, I removed the shabby hotels 🙂
The best and most central area : Duomo and Centro
This is the historic and artistic heart of Florence, where the main attractions of the capital of Tuscany are concentrated. The narrow streets between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria (where the Palazzo Vecchio is located) are lined with cafés. West of the Duomo Centro area, Via Tornabuoni has the highest concentration of designer boutiques.
You can’t get more central or better located, it’s the ideal place to stay in Florence for first timbers and be close to everything. But it’s also the most expensive. The area is often crowded due to the many tourists walking through the streets. If one of your criteria when choosing accommodation in Florence is peace and quiet, you should look for a calmer neighborhood.
- 81 € : Albergo San Giovanni, one of the cheapest hotels to stay in Florence just steps from the Duomo, in a double room with a private bathroom (there are cheaper rooms with shared bathrooms).
- 91 € : Servi Apartment, this 40 m² apartment in a traditional Florentine style is located 200 m north of Piazza del Duomo. It includes a kitchen and a washing machine, perfect for a longer stay in Florence.
- 102 € : LEONARDO apartments, another apartment located close to the previous one and very well positioned for visiting Florence. Modern accommodation and very well equipped (kitchen, air conditioning, and Netflix). Breakfast included in the price.
- 147 € : B&B La Terrazza Sul Duomo, this bed and breakfast offers beautiful Florentine-style rooms (especially the “superior” range with views). Its main asset is the terrace overlooking the cathedral.
- 154 € : B&B Residenza Giotto, this very well-located guesthouse has a terrace overlooking the Duomo where breakfast is served (included in the price). Private parking available for an additional fee.
- 186 € : Tornabuoni Suites Collection Residenza D’Epoca, this aparthotel offers beautiful rooms with modern décor as well as a magnificent suite. All with views over the city. Breakfast and parking available for an extra fee.
Where to stay in Florence in the Santa Croce neighborhood ?
The Santa Croce neighborhood, located in the eastern part of the historic center, is organized around the Basilica of Santa Croce and the square of the same name. Apart from the basilica, it does not have any major landmark monuments. The neighborhood is therefore less touristy and fairly quiet. It’s ideal for families with children looking for accommodation in the center but more peaceful than the Duomo area.
Santa Croce still has very good bars and restaurants, and the neighborhood will also appeal to those looking for a lively nightlife, with several nightclubs.
- 65 € : Violet 27, if you are looking for cheap accommodation to stay in Florence in the Santa Croce neighborhood, this apartment is for you. It is simple but functional thanks to its equipped kitchen. Recommended for small budgets.
- 88 € : Visit Florentia Apartment, this charming and very comfortable 40 m² apartment with wooden ceiling beams can accommodate up to 3 people. Restaurants, bars, and a grocery store within 200 meters.
- 99 € : Ghibellina Apartment in the heart of the city, this large 50 m² apartment can accommodate 2 to 6 people in two bedrooms. Perfect for large families with children.
- 128 € : Florence Charming Apartments, beautiful new 50 m² apartment with wooden parquet floors for 2 to 4 people (two sleeping areas bedroom + living room). Very well equipped and located a 10-minute walk from the center.
- 168 € : B&B Isola d’Arno, this guesthouse located a few steps from the Arno River offers double rooms with modern bathrooms. Breakfast included in the price is served on the terrace.
- 176 € : Palazzo Roselli Cecconi, one of the few hotels in the Santa Croce neighborhood. It offers beautiful rooms with Florentine décor, ideal for a romantic weekend in Florence. Breakfast and parking available for an extra fee.
San Marco and San Lorenzo : the alternative
The northern part of the historic center includes the San Marco and San Lorenzo neighborhoods. This is the territory of the Medici family, where you will find their palace (Palazzo Medici-Riccardi) and their church (Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata). This area, which is also Florence’s university district, is home to several must-see sites : the Galleria dell’Accademia with Michelangelo’s David, the Mercato Centrale, and the Museo di San Marco.
San Marco and San Lorenzo are a good alternative to the Duomo area for those who want to avoid the ultra-touristy center while still staying less than a 10-minute walk from the main attractions.
- 68 € : Lavagnini My Place B&B, this guesthouse is located at the northern end of the San Marco and San Lorenzo neighborhoods, just a 15-minute walk from the very center. Some rooms have a balcony with city views.
- 86 € : Hotel Nuova Italia, this well-located 2-star hotel right next to the Mercato Centrale offers rooms for 2 to 4 people. Breakfast included in the price. Public parking nearby.
- 96 € : Florence David’s Guesthouse, this accommodation in Florence offers double rooms with private bathrooms and apartments for up to 7 people. Very well located.
- 116 € : Coco Places Soggiorno Panerai, located in a beautiful Florentine building, this guesthouse offers spacious rooms for 2 to 5 people. Well located near Florence’s museums.
- 125 € : Flor in Florence, this bed and breakfast set in a 1930s building offers comfortable, modern, and nicely decorated rooms. Breakfast included in the price.
- 129 € : Appartamento San Pietro Firenze, located very close to the central market, this well-equipped 50 m² apartment (kitchen, Netflix, and washing machine) can accommodate between 2 and 4 people. It has a balcony overlooking a garden and a private gated parking space (€20/day).
Where to stay in Florence in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood ?
This is the neighborhood located west of the Duomo and which includes the train station. It takes its name from the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella with its beautiful white and green marble façade. The neighborhood has beautiful palaces and churches. It is also known for its many fashion and vintage boutiques. It’s the ideal area for shopping in Florence.
Budget travelers will prefer accommodation near the train station. If you arrive by train from Pisa or from Florence Airport, this is where you will arrive. You can therefore choose accommodation in this area so you don’t have to take a bus, tram, or taxi.
- 71 € : Hotel Tourist House, located in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood on the border with the Duomo area, this 3-star hotel offers good value for money considering its location. Several types of rooms available for up to 4 people.
- 82 € : Borgo Ognissanti Central and Charming Location, this accommodation in Florence offers two different apartments. One on the ground floor overlooking a small garden and one upstairs with a balcony. Supermarket right next door, ideal for cooking at home.
- 89 € : Aleri, this large 50 m² apartment has old-world charm in a Florentine style (wooden beam ceiling, canopy bed). It can accommodate up to 4 people. Well equipped and close to the monuments to visit.
- 101 € : Mimì Suite, this apartment in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood located in a quiet area can accommodate up to 4 people (bedroom + living room). Equipped with a kitchen with everything you need to cook. Located 200 m from the station.
- 114 € : Hotel Boccaccio, this 3-star establishment offers rooms for 2 to 4 people. Breakfast included in the price. Recommended for those who prefer hotels when staying in Florence.
- 116 € : 1suite firenze, this accommodation in Florence offers suites, some with a jacuzzi bathtub. Spacious room and beautiful modern bathroom. Very well located between the station and the center.
Where to stay in Florence in the Oltrarno neighborhood ?
Literally “the other side of the Arno,” the Oltrarno neighborhood, which stretches south of the river, traditionally hosts the workshops of the city’s artisans. It is a very lively area with many restaurants and shops and more authentic than the historic center. For those who want some greenery, it’s the ideal neighborhood as it has several parks and gardens, something you won’t find elsewhere in the historic center. It’s a perfect area for romantics.
The Oltrarno neighborhood is directly connected to the Duomo area by the famous Ponte Vecchio or by the Ponte Santa Trinita to the east. It is only a few minutes walk from the main attractions. Oltrarno is also home to several major sites such as Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens, and the Basilica of Santa Spirito.
- 68 € : Casa Del Buono, this is the cheapest place to stay in Florence in the Oltrarno neighborhood. The décor is a bit unusual but reviews are unanimous and excellent. Located 400 meters from Palazzo Pitti.
- 76 € : Appartamento Real Taste of Tuscany Top, this apartment whose rate is for 3 people will particularly interest couples with one child thanks to its excellent value for money. Also an apartment for 6 people.
- 96 € : Hand decorated house with court, the owner of this apartment located in a 16th-century building decorated everything by hand. It has a small outdoor courtyard, ideal for having breakfast.
- 101 € : Casa di Annusca, this guesthouse offers double or quadruple rooms. It has a superb garden where breakfast is served (included in the price). Located a 5-minute walk from Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
- 102 € : Studio Flat Ponte Vecchio, this 19 m² studio located right next to the Ponte Vecchio while still remaining quiet has a nice view. It is very well located close to restaurants and cafés and 5 minutes from Piazza della Signoria.
- 270 € : Oltrarno Splendid, this bed and breakfast is the kind of place to treat yourself, ideal if you want to stay in Florence for a special event. The décor of this palace mixing old and modern styles is magnificent. A guaranteed favorite.
Which accommodation has free parking ?
Finding an apartment or hotel in Florence that offers free private parking in the historic center is quite complicated. Most accommodations do not have a garage, and when they do it is often charged €25 per day (or more, I have seen rates up to €35/day). If this is an important criterion when choosing your hotel, you should know that there are still a few accommodations that offer free private parking.
I have selected addresses only in the historic center (the colored neighborhoods on the map). Beyond that area you will need to take public transport to reach the center. Outside the ZTL it is possible to find street parking, but it’s a bit of a lottery. If you stay in the center, which is a limited traffic zone, you must make sure before arriving to ask the hotel or Airbnb host about the procedure. If your license plate is not transmitted to the city, you will receive a fine.
Here is a list of places where to stay in Florence with free private parking :
- 101 € : Il Quartierino d’Oltrarno, an apartment for 2–3 people in the Oltrarno neighborhood.
- 101 € : Oltrarno Sweet Rose, an apartment for up to 4 people in the Oltrarno neighborhood.
- 111 € : Hotel Dali, a 3-star hotel located very close to the Duomo.
- 180 € : Roommo Santa Maria Novella, an apartment for 2 to 4 people near the train station.
- 181 € : PRESTIGE Santa Maria Novella, another apartment in the same neighborhood with free parking.
- 198 € : Hotel Principe, a 4-star hotel in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood.
Hostels for small budgets
Backpackers will be happy to know that it is possible to stay in Florence on a budget. Like in all major European tourist cities, you will find hostels here. Some of them are very well located, and you don’t need to be young to stay there. Hostels are open to everyone with no age restrictions. It is often a good option when traveling solo because they are social places where you can meet other travelers.
To get the lowest prices, you will need to book in advance and choose a bed in a dormitory (some hostels offer double rooms for couples). Bathrooms are of course shared with the other people in the dorm. Most of the time food is available in the shared kitchen to prepare breakfast.
This is the best way to stay cheap in Florence, so go for it if you are on a tight budget and don’t mind sharing your room with other travelers. For women traveling alone who are afraid of ending up in a room with men, note that most hostels offer female-only dormitories.
- 31 € : My Friends, located only 450 meters from Santa Maria Novella station. Female and mixed dormitories.
- 31 € : Plus Florence, located in the San Marco San Lorenzo neighborhood. Female and mixed dormitories.
- 34 € : Ostello Bello Firenze, located between the train station and the Duomo. Female and mixed dormitories.
How to reach the city center from the airport ?
Florence Airport, which is smaller than Pisa Airport for serving Tuscany, is located less than 10 km from the city center. This allows you to reach the historic center quickly if you arrive in Florence by plane. There are several ways to do this :
- Tramway : this is the cheapest solution to reach the city center from the airport. As soon as you leave the airport, walk to the Peretola Aeroporto tram station 100 m away to take line T2. The route goes directly to the center and takes 20 minutes. To reach the Duomo area, get off at the Unità station. Trams run in Florence from 5:30 AM to midnight with departures every 5 minutes during the day. Tickets can be purchased directly at the station (€1.50).
- Bus : the Volainbus company operates a shuttle between Florence Airport and Santa Maria Novella train station (both directions). The journey takes about 20 minutes. Departures every hour between 10:30 AM and 8:30 PM. Fare : €6 (€10 round trip).
- Taxi : if you have a lot of luggage or arrive outside public transport operating hours, you can take a taxi. Expect to pay around €25 for a ride between the airport and the historic center.
- Voiture : during a road trip in Tuscany you may arrive in Florence by car. Since you won’t need it to visit the city, the best option is to leave it in a covered parking garage so it remains safe throughout your stay. To avoid wasting time searching for parking, I recommend booking your parking in Florence with Parclick now. It’s simple, fast, and more economical !
I hope that with this guide you now know where to stay in Florence. If you have any questions about accommodation in Florence, feel free to ask them in the blog comments.
My other articles on accommodation in Italy
- Where to stay in Lake Como
- Where to stay in Milan
- Where to stay in Puglia
- Where to stay in Venice
- Where to stay in Naples
- Where to stay in Rome
- Where to stay in Cinque Terre
- Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast
- Where to stay in Turin