Where to stay in Florence?

Staying in Centro Storico, in the heart of Florence

The historic center is the heart of the city. Located north of the River Arno, this area boasts a number of must-sees, as well as a warm, authentic atmosphere. It's a must-see area: you'll spend a large part of your stay here, which is why it's a good place to stay.

One of the area's main attractions is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, an emblematic duomo considered to be one of the most beautiful and impressive in the world. Dating back to the 13th century, it's a landmark of architectural beauty, grandeur and prestigious decoration. The view of Florence's skyline from the top of the campanile and dome is breathtaking. Another must-see is the Piazza della Signoria, a sublime square with luxury boutiques, restaurants and the famous Palazzo Vecchio.

But it's also famous for its many museums, including the Uffizi Gallery, home to impressive art collections. Or the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, featuring Renaissance sculptures.

The atmosphere here is lively, day and night. The narrow streets hide splendid old buildings in every corner, witnesses to its prestigious past. In this area, you'll find restaurants with a Florentine menu, bars where you can sometimes admire the rooftops of Florence from their rooftops, and above all, countless fashion boutiques.

Most people get around here on foot. To give you an idea, it takes about ten minutes to walk from one point to another in this district. If you prefer, you can also take the bus. The Studio, Duomo Firenze, Cerretani stations will drop you off near the Duomo, while the Condotta station will drop you off in Piazza della Signoria.

It's worth noting that if Florence is a stopover on your Tuscan road trip, you won't need a car if you're staying here. Moreover, it's often difficult to find accommodation with a parking space. If you want to stay in the city center, the ideal solution is to do without your car and do everything on foot.

For accommodation, there are numerous hotels and apartments for rent. Being in the hypercentre, the price range is relatively high. Rest assured, however, that if you plan ahead, you can still find small, comfortable, traditional hotels.

Lodging in Santa Maria Novella, to the west

The western part of the historic district is called Santa Maria Novella. This is a district to remember when staying in Florence, as it contains the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and the railway station.

There are many attractions to see here, starting with the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, the first to be built in the city. From its sublime façade to its interior, it's worth discovering its history during a visit. This area also contains the main railway station. You'll want to stop here if you want to travel around Tuscany by train to discover other places (like Pisa or Siena).

Santa Maria Novella is also a lively district, with numerous café terraces and restaurants serving traditional Florentine cuisine. Popular with young Italians, it contains pubs and discotheques. For history buffs, you can head to Via dei Fossi, where numerous antique stores await you.

The tramway doesn't run into the historic center. So you'll have to walk a little or take the bus. The Duomo, for example, can be reached in 10 minutes by bus on line C2 from the station.

In terms of accommodation, there are plenty of hotels to suit all budgets. These range from small, simple and comfortable to chic and elegant. They are particularly concentrated near the station, but also close to the historic center. If you're looking to stay here, we advise you to plan ahead. As the area is less expensive than staying in the city center, it's very popular with travelers, and accommodation quickly fills up!

Stay in the bohemian student district of Santa Croce

Particularly touristy for its points of interest, the Santa Croce area, located to the east of the historic heart, is also an ideal place to stay in Florence. Filled with chic hotels and lanes perfect for strolling, you'll come here to enjoy the sights while staying close to the heart of the city.

Here you'll find the Basilica of Santa Croce, which gives its name to the district. Built in 1294, it is a symbol of Florentine art. Open to the public, you can admire its façade and numerous chapels, Giotto's fresco and the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo inside. The Bargello Museum features a collection of sculptures.

A stroll through the area will also take you to the Sant'Ambrogio market and the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale. It's also quite a student area, thanks to the bars in Piazza Sant'Ambrogio. The medieval-looking alleys are filled with small restaurants and leather goods stores.

Staying here, it's easy to do it all on foot, as the historic heart and its cathedral can be reached in less than 15 minutes' walk from the furthest point in this area. You'll also find bus routes C1 and C2.

As far as accommodation is concerned, most are concentrated near the basilica. It's worth noting that in the surrounding area, chic is the order of the day. Of course, you'll find inexpensive accommodations, but elegant, luxurious hotels are still in the majority.

Stay in the north of Florence, calm and relaxed

The area north of the historic center, notably San Lorenzo, attracts many tourists. Many must-sees and a pleasant neighborhood atmosphere make this a perfect place to stay in Florence.

With its Mercato Centrale and stalls, this is a lively area. Cobbled streets and wine bars await you, along with a host of good restaurants. A student zone, this is where you'll find the University of Florence.

There are many museums and attractions to see. Here you'll find the Galleria dell'Accademia ( Academy Gallery), where you can see Michelangelo's famous David. A must-see during your stay. The area is also home to the Museo di San Marco, and the Basilica of San Lorenzo. It's famous for its library and the tomb of the Medici, a Renaissance dynasty that contributed to the city's prestige.

As for getting around, you can get to the historic center on foot (it takes less than 10 minutes to reach the Duomo from the furthest point in the area) or by public transport. The streetcar doesn't serve this part of the city, but buses do.

On the other hand, for those with a car, the north is interesting. This district is less touristy, so you're more likely to be able to park there.

As you can see, this area is practical, but sleeping here is more about price than location. It's accessible to all budgets, but unfortunately, theoffer is relatively limited.

Accommodation in Oltrarno, the chic district south of the River Arno

A final option for accommodation in Florence is Oltrarno, the southern district beyond the river. You're bound to pass through here on your visit to the Italian city, as it contains two must-sees: the Ponte Vecchio and the magnificent view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Dating back to 1345, the Ponte Vecchio, which crosses the River Arno, is one of the monuments to be admired. Nearby is the Palazzo Pitti, residence of the Medici family. Inside, you'll find no fewer than 6 museums to discover. Its Giardino Bardini garden is one of the city's most beautiful, along with the Boboli gardens nearby. You can easily spend several hours there.

It's important to remember, however, that Oltrarno is actually built on a hill. Sloping streets, with occasional staircases, can be the order of the day in places. This is especially true as you head south away from the river. The view from Piazza Michelangelo, beautiful as it is, is well worth the effort on foot!

From here, you can reach the city center by bus, particularly the C4. However, as the city is relatively poorly served, you'll get there more quickly on foot. It takes just 15 minutes to reach the Duomo from the Pitti Palace via the Ponte Vecchio. More if you're staying further south.

As for where to stay in Florence in this area, there are a few fine traditional hotels. Concentrated near the river, they are very popular with foreign travelers. However, there are also a number of more out-of-the-way establishments for those on a budget.