Where to Stay in Florence, Italy: The 5 Best Neighbourhoods for Every Type of Traveller
The first time I arrived in Florence, I dropped my bag at the hotel, walked out the door, turned a corner, and came face to face with the Duomo. No warning, no build-up. Just that cathedral, enormous and impossible, filling the whole sky.
Florence does that. It catches you off guard.
On my first visit, and after doing my research, I decided to base myself right in the historic centre, as close to the Duomo as I could get. It turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Everything was on my doorstep, the atmosphere was incredible, and waking up a two-minute walk from one of the most extraordinary buildings in the world never got old.
That said, Florence is small, fairly easy to explore on foot, and every neighbourhood has something going for it. This guide covers the best areas to stay, what each one is like, and some honest accommodation picks at mid-range and luxury budgets. If you’re still figuring out how to structure your time in the city, my 2 Days in Florence Itinerary covers exactly that.
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Plan Your Florence Trip
Browse hotels and apartments across all Florence neighbourhoods. Whether you want to wake up next to the Duomo or find something quieter in Oltrarno, Stay22 shows you all your options in one place.
Florence Neighbourhoods at a Glance
Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Centro Storico / San Giovanni — best for first-time visitors; everything on your doorstep
- Oltrarno — best for a second visit; local feel, great restaurants, still close to everything
- Santa Croce — best for nightlife, bars, and foodies
- San Lorenzo / Santa Maria Novella — best for budget travellers and train access
- San Marco — quieter, residential, great mid-range hotels
1. Centro Storico (San Giovanni): Best for First-Time Visitors
This is where I stayed on my visit to Florence, and I have zero regrets about it. The historic centre puts you right in the middle of everything. The Duomo is a two-minute walk. The Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio – all on your doorstep. For a first visit, when you want to absorb as much as possible without spending half your time commuting between sights, it’s hard to beat. For a full rundown of what to see and do while you’re here, check out my guide to the best things to do in Florence.
The trade-offs are real. It’s the most expensive area, and some restaurants closest to the main piazzas are firmly tourist-facing. But walk a street or two back from the main squares and things improve quickly, both in quality and price.
The streets are genuinely beautiful. Walking to the Uffizi and passing Palazzo Vecchio on the way never gets old, even if half of Europe is doing it alongside you.
💡 Insider Tip
If you’re staying in Centro Storico, avoid the restaurants directly on Piazza della Signoria or next to the Duomo. Walk one or two streets back and the quality and prices both improve significantly. I had one of the most amazing beef Ragu meals at Osteria Antica Casa Torre just around the corner from the Duomo!
Who it’s best for
- First-time visitors who want to make the most of limited time
- Travellers with mobility needs
- Anyone who wants to arrive, drop their bags, and be at the main sights immediately
Where to Stay in Centro Storico
Mid-range: Residenza Giotto — A small B&B on the top floor of a 19th-century building right on Piazza San Giovanni, the square the Duomo sits on. Only six rooms, so it’s quiet and personal rather than hotel-anonymous. Several rooms look directly onto Giotto’s bell tower, and there’s a rooftop terrace where you can have breakfast with the cathedral filling the view. You simply cannot beat this location!
Luxury: Brunelleschi Hotel — One of the most distinctive addresses in Florence. Built inside a 6th-century Byzantine tower and a medieval church right in the historic centre, steps from the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Ninety-six rooms and suites, two restaurants, a private museum, and the kind of location that makes even seasoned Florence visitors stop and stare.
Skip the Line: Florence Duomo & Accademia Tour
If you’re staying in Centro Storico, you’ll want to make the most of the main sights without losing hours in queues. This guided tour includes skip-the-line access to both the Accademia (Michelangelo’s David) and the Duomo complex.
2. Oltrarno: The Neighbourhood I’d Choose Next Time
On my trip I spent time exploring Oltrarno, and honestly, if I were to go back to Florence, this is where I’d base myself. It sits just across the Arno from the historic centre, technically outside the main tourist bubble, and you notice the difference almost immediately. It’s calmer, more residential, and it has the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to slow down a bit.
The neighbourhood is made up of three smaller areas: Santo Spirito, San Frediano, and San Niccolo. They bleed into each other and it doesn’t really matter which one you land in. What they share is a genuinely local feel. In the daytime you’ll still hear Italian in the cafes. In the evenings, Piazza di Santo Spirito fills up with people eating, drinking, and taking their time over it.
The streets have artisan workshops, independent wine bars, and the kind of places that have clearly been there for decades. There’s still plenty to see and do on this side of the river, and everything in the historic centre is a ten to fifteen minute walk across one of the bridges.
The main sights on this side of the Arno include the Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and Piazzale Michelangelo up the hill for panoramic views over the whole city.
💡 Insider Tip
Oltrarno is made up of San Frediano, Santo Spirito, and San Niccolo. Santo Spirito sits closest to Ponte Vecchio and is the most central of the three. For the best balance of location and local atmosphere, aim for streets around Piazza di Santo Spirito.
Who it’s best for
- Returning visitors who want a more local experience
- Anyone who wants to eat and drink well without hunting for good spots
- Couples or solo travellers wanting a more immersive neighbourhood feel
- People who don’t mind a short walk to the big museums
Where to Stay in Oltrarno
Mid-range: AdAstra Florence — Beautifully designed rooms in a restored palazzo. Quiet street, excellent breakfast, and staff who actually know the neighbourhood.
Luxury: Hotel Lungarno — Part of the Ferragamo family’s Lungarno Collection, sitting right on the south bank of the Arno with direct views of Ponte Vecchio. Elegant rooms, an outstanding art collection throughout, and the Borgo San Jacopo Michelin-starred restaurant for one of the better meals you’ll have in Florence.
Find Hotels in Oltrarno
Oltrarno properties book out fast, especially in summer. Check current availability and compare rates across boutique hotels and apartments in this neighbourhood.
💡 Insider Tip – My Favourite restaurant in Oltrarno
If you’re staying in Oltrarno, make a point of finding Hosteria del Bricco near Piazzale Michelangelo for dinner. We stumbled on it by chance and it ended up being one of the best meals of the trip. It feels like a proper old-school osteria – cosy, antique interior, unhurried pace. The owners were warm and steered us towards sharing a few dishes with a bottle of red, and we stayed far longer than planned. The kind of dinner that lingers long after you’ve left Florence.
3. Santa Croce: Best for Foodies and Nightlife
Santa Croce sits on the east side of the historic centre and feels livelier than anywhere else in Florence after dark. The streets around Piazza di Santa Croce fill up every evening with people eating, drinking, and lingering. There’s a good mix of tourists and locals, especially around the Sant’Ambrogio market area, which has some of the city’s best-value restaurants.
During the day the neighbourhood has real character. The Basilica di Santa Croce is one of Florence’s most important churches — the final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli — and the streets around it are full of small leather shops, trattorias, and wine bars tucked between medieval buildings.
It’s more central than Oltrarno, which means it’s more touristy, but the Sant’Ambrogio end of the neighbourhood feels genuine. If food is your main reason for being in Florence, this is a strong base.
💡 Insider Tip
The Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio (open Monday to Saturday, mornings) is smaller and far less touristy than the Mercato Centrale. Locals actually shop here. The stalls around the edges have some of the cheapest and most authentic lunches in the city.
Who it’s best for
- Food-focused travellers
- Anyone who wants to be out late without a long walk home
- Groups or friends trips
Where to Stay in Santa Croce
Mid-range: La Maison du Sage — Directly on Piazza di Santa Croce. Hard to argue with the location. Refined without being stuffy, and consistently well-reviewed for service.
Luxury: Palazzo Firenze by Baglioni Hotels & Resorts — An 18th-century nobleman’s palazzo right in the Santa Croce district, with only 24 rooms, original frescoes throughout, and a music room where they host aperitivo events and concerts. Enoteca Pinchiorri, one of the very few 3 Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, is in the same building. A genuinely special address.
Find Hotels in Santa Croce
Santa Croce is popular with visitors who want to eat and explore without going too far from the main sights. Compare options and book before summer rates kick in.
4. San Lorenzo and Santa Maria Novella: Best for Budget Travellers
These two neighbourhoods sit in the northwest corner of the historic centre, anchored by Santa Maria Novella train station and the Mercato Centrale. They’re practical rather than picturesque, but they’re well-placed for getting around and accommodation is noticeably cheaper than in the areas closer to the Duomo.
San Lorenzo has a good energy. The Mercato Centrale is one of the city’s best food markets, and the upper floor food hall is worth a visit even if you don’t buy anything. The leather market stalls around it are busier and more tourist-facing, but fun to wander through.
Santa Maria Novella has a slight split personality. The immediate area around the train station can feel a bit chaotic, but walk five minutes south towards the river and you’re in one of the nicer parts of Florence, with good restaurants, independent shops, and a mix of hotel options at different price points.
💡 Insider Tip
The Mercato Centrale’s ground floor is the traditional market: produce, meat, cheese, fresh pasta. The upper floor food hall is more touristy but still good. Go to the ground floor between 7am and 2pm on a weekday for the real experience.
Who it’s best for
- Budget-conscious travellers
- Anyone arriving or departing by train
- Travellers planning day trips to other parts of Tuscany
Where to Stay in San Lorenzo / Santa Maria Novella
Mid-range: B&B Lorenzo de Medici — Near the Mercato Centrale, comfortable rooms, good breakfast. Excellent value for the location, and a solid base if you’re planning day trips out of the city.
Luxury: Grand Hotel Minerva — A well-positioned 4-star property right on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, with a rooftop pool and terrace overlooking the square and the basilica. One of the better addresses in this part of the city.
Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano & Chianti
Staying near the station makes day trips into Tuscany easy. This is one of the most popular full-day tours, covering Siena, San Gimignano, and a wine tasting in the Chianti Classico hills. Guided, small group, transport included.
5. San Marco: Best for a Quieter Stay
San Marco sits just north of the historic centre, centred around Piazza San Marco and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. It’s the university district, which gives it a noticeably calmer, more lived-in feel than the areas further south. The streets are quieter, the cafes are more local, and you’re far less likely to find yourself fighting through tour groups on the way to breakfast.
It’s not a neighbourhood with a lot of evening atmosphere, which is worth knowing if that matters to you. But as a base it works well. The Accademia is right on your doorstep, the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria are a fifteen-minute walk south, and the Mercato Centrale is close for a good morning start. There’s also the Museo di San Marco, a former Dominican convent with a remarkable collection of Fra Angelico frescoes that most first-time visitors overlook entirely — worth an hour if you have it.
If you’re travelling as a family, with older parents, or simply want somewhere calm to return to at the end of the day without the noise of the main piazzas, San Marco is a solid and often underrated choice.
💡 Insider Tip
The Museo di San Marco is one of Florence’s most peaceful and undervisited museums. The Fra Angelico frescoes painted directly onto the walls of the monks’ cells are extraordinary, and on a busy summer day the contrast with the crowds outside is striking. Book a slot in advance and go early.
Who it’s best for
- Families
- Older travellers who want somewhere calm
- Anyone prioritising the Accademia Gallery
Where to Stay in San Marco
Mid-range: The Hoxton Florence — One of the newer, design-forward hotels in the city. Good bar, reliable Wi-Fi, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels a step removed from the intensity of the historic centre without sacrificing location.
Luxury: Four Seasons Firenze — Set within two Renaissance palazzi on the edge of San Marco, with one of the largest private gardens in Florence and a Michelin-starred restaurant. The most extravagant address in the city by some margin, and one of the few luxury hotels where the garden alone is worth the rate.
Florence Accommodation: Practical Notes
ZTL zone: Florence’s historic centre is a restricted traffic zone. You cannot drive or park in most of the areas above. If you’re arriving by car, check your hotel’s parking arrangements carefully before you arrive.
Heat in summer: Florence in July and August is extremely hot. Make sure your accommodation has air conditioning. It’s not optional.
Noise: Rooms directly on the main piazzas can be loud at night, especially on weekends. Ask for rooms on quieter interior streets if noise is an issue.
High season pricing: April to October sees significant price increases across all neighbourhoods. Book at least two to three months ahead for the best rates in summer.
💡 Insider Tip
Florence has no metro, and most of the historic centre operates as a restricted traffic zone (ZTL), meaning private cars can’t enter without a permit. Getting around day to day is largely on foot. There is one tram line (T2) that runs from the airport directly to Piazza dell’Unità, right next to Santa Maria Novella station, which makes arriving straightforward. That said, from the tram stop you’ll still need to drag your luggage through narrow streets to reach most hotels — on my visit that was about a ten-minute walk with bags in tow. If you have mobility issues or a lot of luggage, it’s worth arranging a direct transfer to your hotel door rather than relying on the tram alone.
More Florence & Italy Resources
Planning the rest of your trip? These might help:
FAQ: Where to Stay in Florence
What is the best area to stay in Florence for first-time visitors?
Centro Storico, the historic centre around the Duomo, is the most convenient for a first visit. You’re within walking distance of every major sight. If you’re going back for a second time, Oltrarno gives you a more local atmosphere with great restaurants and still easy access to everything.
Is Oltrarno safe to stay in Florence?
Yes, Oltrarno is very safe. It’s a well-populated residential neighbourhood with a mix of locals and visitors. Like anywhere in a busy European city, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas, but there’s no reason for concern.
What neighbourhood in Florence has the best food?
Santa Croce, particularly the area around Sant’Ambrogio market, is excellent for eating well without paying tourist prices. Oltrarno is also strong, especially around Piazza di Santo Spirito in the evenings.
Can I walk between Florence neighbourhoods?
Yes, easily. Florence is one of the most walkable cities in Europe. Walking from Oltrarno to the Duomo takes around fifteen minutes. From San Lorenzo to Santa Croce is roughly twenty minutes on foot. There’s no metro and the city is best explored on foot, though tram line T2 connects the airport to Santa Maria Novella station.
When should I book accommodation in Florence?
For travel between April and October, book at least two to three months ahead. July and August are peak season and prices rise significantly. If you’re visiting in winter (November to February), you’ll have more flexibility and better rates.
Where should I stay in Florence on a budget?
Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo have the most affordable accommodation in the historic centre. The area around the train station has a wide range of options at lower price points. Just avoid the very immediate station surroundings if you want somewhere calmer to walk back to at night.
Before you pack, check the Europe packing list for everything you might need.
