Florence, Italy is a city that’s well known around the world. It’s a place where you can find art, music and architecture in every corner.

The city is also known for its rich history and culture. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay while visiting Florence, then this guide will help you find the Best places to stay in florence italy, best neighborhoods in florence italy, Best area to stay in florence for first time visitor, and where to stay in florence italy reddit.

Best area to stay in florence for first time visitor

Duomo – City Center, where to stay in Florence for first-timers

Due to its proximity to Florence’s key tourist destinations, including the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria are the ideal areas to stay in Florence for first-time visitors. You will be in the center of Florence, close to many restaurants, pubs, and stores, as well as the city’s most popular attractions, if you stay here.

Florence historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is so much to explore in Florence’s historical center it’s difficult to know where to start, but the most striking landmark is the spectacular Ponte Vecchio bridge. This ancient structure spans the river Arno, is covered with buildings, and was the only old Florentine bridge to survive world war II.

Close to this landmark is the beautiful Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s finest museums of art. This glorious old structure houses treasures of the renaissance. Including works by artists such as Botticelli and Titian. But that’s just the start because the historic center of Florence is packed with museums and galleries, all with easy walking distance of each other. 

You can see spectacular Renaissance sculptures in the National Museum of Bargello. Then there is the Museum of The History of Science, the Museum of Anthropology, and the Museum Opera del Duomo, or cathedral museum, that contains works by Michelangelo amongst its treasures.

There are a wealth of historic buildings to explore in the historic center too. The Duomo de Firenze, known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is the city’s spectacular cathedral situated in a beautiful Piazza del Duomo. The Dome itself stands out and offers great views over Florence. Next to the cathedral is the Giotto’s Campanile and the Baptistry of Saint John.

Duomo is generally busy with tourists joining the local inhabitants day after day. There are charming cafes, boutique shops, bars, restaurants, and clubs meaning that even when the sightseeing stops at night, Duomo is still a hive of activity.

Florence that spreads out to the northeast of the historic center. There is plenty of historical interest in this part of town, including the Galleria dell Accademia which houses what is probably the world’s most famous sculpture, Michelangelo’s David.

The center of this area is a lovely old plaza packed with spectacularly ornate Renaissance buildings. Despite being an easy walk from the historical center of Florence, this area retains a remarkably relaxed and peaceful vibe.

Best places to stay in florence italy

Florence is a city full of history, culture, and beauty. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, with thousands of people visiting every year to explore its museums and landmarks.

If you’re planning a trip to Florence and want to stay somewhere that will make your experience truly unforgettable, check out these best places to stay in Florence.

1. The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

High-end clothing businesses that are typical of Via de’ Despite being only a short distance from the Duomo, the Four Seasons feels completely removed from the busy downtown streets due to its location inside 11 acres of private gardens. It is housed in two unique structures: a 16th-century convent and a Renaissance-era palazzo, both of which feature intricate historical details, such as vaulted ceilings in the guestrooms and an original bas-relief frieze in the foyer. This hotel boasts the excellent standards and amenities of a true resort hotel, with numerous dining options including the Michelin-starred restaurant Il Palagio. It is just as stunning as the world-class museums of Florence itself.

2. The St Regis Florence

The St. Regis is a renovated Renaissance palazzo with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Its unique selling point is that it is situated on the north bank of the Arno, offering breathtaking views from the front rooms that front the river. The design of this space blends elements from the 15th century with more modern furnishings, like gilded frames, brocade curtains, cream or chocolate-colored leather, and the occasional splash of animal print. The most costly rooms include a personal butler who will unpack your baggage and bring you a newspaper and wonderful coffee in the morning. Service is attentive without being intrusive.

3. Villa Le Piazzole

Consider this magnificent hotel a little outside the center, which has 40 country-style rooms and apartments with views of the Chianti hills and is surrounded by olive groves, if you wish to include parts of a Tuscan vacation into your trip to Florence. Visitors may view the cab or bus ride into town as a reasonable trade-off for the beautiful outdoor pool and box-hedge-filled gardens. Although there isn’t a restaurant on the property or close by, the hotel can make simple meals using top-notch regional ingredients and set up wine and olive oil tastings.

4. Villa Cora

Following a long tradition of devotional architecture, this 19th-century villa was built by Baron Oppenheim for his wife, Eugenia. He later tried to burn it down after suspecting her of infidelity, but happily it survived and is now considered one of Florence’s best luxury hotels. Opulent in the extreme, interiors include an abundance of gleaming parquet floors and gilded mirrors, stuccowork and statuary. Perhaps most astonishing of all is the ballroom, painted in ice-cream shades and edged with gold, while true romantics will love the four-poster beds in the suites. The huge heated pool makes it feel like a country retreat, but it’s only a 25-minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio.

5. Villa San Michele

Florence’s hotel offering errs on the expensive — especially in peak season — but this Belmond property does a fine job of justifying its price tag. Its façade is attributed to the Renaissance master Michelangelo, and the 45 rooms and suites are a model of restrained elegance; pale walls and some contemporary furniture sitting against terracotta tiled floors that have weathered centuries of footsteps. It’s a 20-minute cab ride from the sights, but Villa San Michele is a destination in itself, with panoramic views from the spectacular pool and from the restaurant tucked into the hotel’s vaulted loggia. If you feel inspired by the food — a modern take on Tuscan cuisine — then book in for a lesson at the on-site cookery school.

6. Continentale

Part of the same group as Hotel Lungarno — and almost opposite its sister property, which sits on the south bank of the Arno — the Continentale costs considerably less to stay at. There’s no compromise on style, though; its mid-century interiors are complemented by monochrome photographic prints and reception staff wearing sharp black suits. With a predominantly white palette and gauzy curtains in the windows, its 43 rooms and suites are sanctuary-like spaces. The La Terrazza rooftop is a delightful spot in summer, for either an alfresco breakfast or a cocktail alongside well-heeled locals.

7. Hotel Palazzo Guadagni

Overlooking the Piazza Santo Spirito, a square permanently abuzz with life, this bargain hotel is equally vivacious. A revitalised Renaissance palace, its cinematic good looks culminate in a magnificent wraparound loggia — no surprise that Franco Zeffirelli chose Guadagni to shoot scenes for his semi-autobiographical film Tea with Mussolini. Its 15 rooms are individually styled; some feature frescoes or a decorative original fireplace, but all are spacious with high ceilings. Ask the friendly staff for a restaurant recommendation while you enjoy Florence’s most scenic spot for a sundowner — there are lots of excellent trattorias near by.

8. AdAstra

One of Florence’s most distinctive boutique hotels, AdAstra occupies the first and second floor of an ancestral mansion — the current marchese still lives on the top floor. The 16th-century palazzo overlooks Europe’s largest private walled garden, where guests will find the neogothic tower that inspired its Latin name, meaning “to the stars”. The inside is stellar too, with 14 rooms — the best of which open on to the terrace — decorated with vintage finds and roll-top baths, bespoke lighting and original artworks. Perhaps most alluring of all are the communal spaces. Head to the salon, with its original parquet flooring, ceiling frescoes and chandelier, to enjoy complimentary tea and cake and an honesty bar.

9. Grand Hotel Minerva

One of the few hotels in the heart of Florence possessing a pool, the Minerva’s is a cracker. Sat on the sixth-floor rooftop, it’s surrounded by a split-level terrace — the perfect place for parents to keep an eye out, drink in hand, while their children frolic in the (heated) water. The hotel’s warm welcome for younger guests includes lollipops and colouring-in books supplied at check-in, and a complimentary drink and dessert when they’re dining in the restaurant — babysitting can also be arranged. The 97 rooms include many good options for families and, indeed, everyone else; their subdued colour schemes enlivened with pops of colour.

10. Hotel Morandi alla Crocetta

This former convent inspires religious-levels of devotion among its guests, not least because of its price point. With antique furnishings and striped bedspreads, decor has an appealingly timeless quality that occasionally borders on dated, but the two rooms with private miniature garden feel opulent in their seclusion. The very best is frescoed Room 29, where you’ll feel as though you’re bedding down in one of Florence’s peerless galleries. A few steps from the Academy of Fine Arts, it’s also less than 15 minutes’ walk to Piazza della Repubblica and other central attractions.

11. Hotel L’Orologio

An homage to Swiss watches in hotel form, this four-star property has the feel of a gentleman’s club, with an abundance of dark wood and tactile furniture upholstered in leather and velvet. Each floor is themed for a different brand, from Rolex to Patek Philippe, but the overall effect is nowhere near as naff as it sounds. As you might hope with a muse that’s a by-word for quality, the standard of accommodation is very good, with marble bathrooms, an appealing lounge bar, plus a sauna and fitness centre in the basement. Close to the main train station at Piazza Santa Maria Novella, it’s also a convenient base for those planning to make forays into the Tuscan countryside.

12. Gallery Hotel Art

A departure from the prevailing Florentine aesthetic of Renaissance revelry, this design hotel — one of the city’s first when it opened on the cusp of the new millennium — has a modern look and feel. An abundance of white wall space hosts a revolving exhibition of work, where local artists are featured, as well as big names such as David LaChapelle. Capitalising on its creative cachet, the bar is a hub for bright young things, with tables spilling out on to a terrace. Guests in its 74 rooms and suites are also able to use the facilities at other hotels within the group, which include a nearby spa.

12. Gallery Hotel Art

A departure from the prevailing Florentine aesthetic of Renaissance revelry, this design hotel — one of the city’s first when it opened on the cusp of the new millennium — has a modern look and feel. An abundance of white wall space hosts a revolving exhibition of work, where local artists are featured, as well as big names such as David LaChapelle. Capitalising on its creative cachet, the bar is a hub for bright young things, with tables spilling out on to a terrace. Guests in its 74 rooms and suites are also able to use the facilities at other hotels within the group, which include a nearby spa.

14. Milu Hotel

This hotel, which is surrounded by the high-end retailers typical of Via de’ Tornabuoni, offers a luxurious appearance at a designer-outlet price. It is made up of two palazzos from the fifteenth century, and the ordinary rooms are compact but lovely, with art deco baths and Egyptian cotton bed sheets. Visitors can access the rooftop terrace and a library via a magnificent central staircase that is adorned with intriguing works of art that are all for sale. Fortunately, there is a lift, a 24-hour concierge, and a sister spa nearby where you can make reservations for massages and other treatments.

Where to stay in florence italy reddit

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Florence, Italy, Reddit’s got you covered.

The website is full of crowdsourced recommendations from people who have visited the city before. You can find out about the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for your trip by checking out what other travelers recommend. Here are some of our favorite tips:

First off, there are a lot of great places to stay in Florence. It’s such an amazing city with so much history. You can get lost in the streets and stumble upon all sorts of unexpected treasures. But if you’re looking for somewhere a little more modern, here are some of my favorites:

-Hotel Villa Maria Luisa: This is a great place to stay if you want something upscale but also want to be close to all of the action. It’s right near Piazza della Repubblica, which is where most of the nightlife is happening at night—and it’s also really close to Santa Croce Church and Uffizi Gallery (two of my favorite spots). The hotel itself has a lot of charm, but it’s also got modern touches like an indoor pool and spa area.

-Hotel Michelangelo: This is another one that’s very close to Piazza della Repubblica, so it’s also great if that’s where you want your party scene to be. It also has amazing views overlooking Florence from its rooftop terrace bar/restaurant!

Hotel: Villa Carlotta

We stayed at Hotel Villa Carlotta for two nights and were blown away by the beauty of the hotel itself and its location in the center of Florence. The hotel has been around since 1776, so it’s got history on its side! It’s also just steps away from Piazza della Signoria—the main square where most tourists flock to see Florentine landmarks such as Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia della Signoria.

Restaurant: La Locanda del Lupo

This restaurant is located right next to Hotel Villa Carlotta (ahem… how convenient!). It boasts delicious food made with locally sourced ingredients like wild boar meatballs or homemade pasta with truffle sauce served up alongside great wine selections from all over Italy.

Hotel_Firenze-Florence_Tuscany.html). It’s right in the center of town, so you can walk to everything you need. It has a lot of charm and character—I wouldn’t call it modern or fancy or anything, but that’s part of what makes it so great! The staff is super friendly and helpful, and they have some nice amenities like free breakfast and free wifi in the rooms.

Best neighborhoods in florence italy

Sant’Ambrogio

Sant’Ambrogio, east of the city’s duomo, is one of the few central neighbourhoods in Florence to retain a village-like charm. Daily life buzzes around its fresh food market in Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti. Open from 7am, the market’s outside stalls have colourful, seasonal fruits and vegetables stacked on trestle tables, while inside the wrought-iron market building an incredible variety of meats and cheeses are displayed under gleaming glass counters.

A greengrocer awaits at the Piazza Ghiberti market, Sant’Ambrogio | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

On Sant’Ambrogio’s cobbled lanes, locals spill outside cafés, sitting al fresco for morning coffees, perhaps on the terrace at Cibrèo Caffè, or a few blocks north on the leafy Piazza Massimo D’Azeglio. Come midday, La Cucina di Pescepane on Via Giosuè Carducci is an excellent stop for a light fish lunch, before dropping into Société Anonyme to browse the latest European fashions. At dusk, rum aficionados should head to Café 19.26, or for live music and film screenings, swing by former jail Le Murate, which has been transformed into a café and nightlife hub.

Le Murate Caffè Letterario is located in the former city prison | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

The terrace of Cibrèo Caffè in Sant’Ambrogio’s Piazza Ghiberti is a popular spot | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

San Lorenzo

Once a run-down district, the past few years have seen the San Lorenzo area, around Florence’s train station, undergo a serious upgrade. Via de’ Ginori houses many of the newest hipster haunts in the neighbourhood, like café/homestore/florist La Ménagère that is always heaving from morning until night.

There is a flower shop inside La Ménagère in San Lorenzo | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

San Lorenzo is a great neighbourhood for food and drink. A few doors down from La Ménagère, at biodynamic venture SimBIOsi, diners tuck into fresh pasta, pizza and panini, while My Sugar, with its handmade gelato lovingly made on-site by a young husband and wife team, is a local favourite.

A block away, San Lorenzo’s food market, which dates back to 1874, now boasts a slick food court on its upper deck serving quality cheap eats until midnight. Pizza lovers can grab a table at Da Michele, the sister restaurant to the original Naples branch made famous in Eat, Pray, Love, which now boasts a stand-alone eatery.

The Market of San Lorenzo now offers food stalls on the upper level | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

Le Cure and Campo di Marte

Outside Florence’s old city walls but worth the walk from the city centre, the neighbouring northern districts of Le Cure and Campo di Marte are quiet residential areas.

For a great, authentic Florentine experience away from the main sites, peruse Le Cure’s flea market on Piazza delle Cure (daily from 7am) then grab a sweet treat from Gelateria Cavini. For the artsy, the Mud Pottery Club on Via Faentina, where you can unleash your inner Michelangelo with clay, is well worth a go.

The Mud Pottery Club and Gelateria Cavini are gems in the Le Cure neighbourhood | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

Down the road heading east, the 19th-century quartiere of Campo di Marte may lack the Renaissance charm of inner Florence, but its sports and entertainment options more than make up for it. You can swim in the local piscina (pool), stroll the leafy paths along Viale Malta, or catch a show at the Nelson Mandela Forum. Football fanatics can flock to Artemio Franchi Stadium to watch local team, ACF Fiorentina, in action.

If you’re planning on dining in the area, book a table at Ristorante Pizzeria Stadio for local cuisine, or for an ice cream, pop by Gelateria Pasticceria Badiani, which has been open since 1979 (try their Buontalenti ice cream flavour). Come sunset, luxury hotel Il Salviatino, a former private villa dating back to the 15th century, serves its cocktails with a spectacular view.

Santo Spirito

The southern side of Florence is renowned for its bohemian feel and artisan workshops. Santo Spirito is a particularly popular neighbourhood in the area, centred on a leafy piazza lined with eateries perfect for an al fresco lunch or a sunset aperitivo. Pop into Basilico di Santo Spirito, the neighbourhood’s namesake church, whose simplistic facade is something of a visual trick. Within its walls you’ll find mesmerising, ornate Baroque styling. Be sure to seek out the church’s “secret” side room, which has a Michelangelo crucifix on display.

Santa Felicita Square in the Oltrarno is a great spot for an outdoor meal | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

For shopping in this neighbourhood, head to Via Santo Spirito for fashion at Santo Spirito 9, jewellery at Angela Caputi and handmade gladiator sandals at Francesco. Further south, along Via Romana you’ll find homewares, food shops and the gates to the green oasis of Boboli Gardens.

Borgo Santo Spirito is full of artisan shops like Francesco’s lab | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

San Niccolò

A minute and quaint part of the city’s Oltrarno district (south of the river Arno), San Niccolò is buzzing with new ventures, especially along Via San Niccolò. These make it a brilliant neighbourhood for shopping, and recent new openings include scent shop Sileno Cheloni and the perfume museum of Lorenzo Villoresi. Be sure to stop by jewellery maestro Alessandro Dari’s museum-like showroom, before checking out the modern street art within the creative space of Clet Abraham.

The perfume shop of Lorenzo Villoresi is a recent addition to Borgo San Niccolò | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

Luxurious linens are on display in the 11th-century church showroom of Busatti, a Tuscan brand that has been making refined homewares since 1842, while further along Via San Niccolò the terrace at The Speakeasy is ideal for a Spritz under the shadow of nearby medieval tower, Porta San Niccolò.

San Frediano

Heading west, San Frediano was the poorer cousin to the chicer neighbourhoods nearby until recent gentrification. Today, Borgo San Frediano is lined with food venues worth visiting, with craft cocktails at Mad Souls & Spirits, Tuscan cuisine at BORGO, and new opening Gunè, keeping Florentine foodies satisfied.

The sculpture on display at Galleria Romanelli, which is one of the oldest studios of its kind, takes you back to a bygone era of Florence, as does the fresco splendour within the Brancacci Chapel in the church of Santa Maria in Piazza Carmine. For a greener escape, the small but quaint Piazza Tasso is complete with basketball courts and benches ideal for sitting and enjoying a gelato, perhaps from La Sorbettiera at number 11r.

Leondoro’s decorations shop can be found in Borgo San Frediano | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

Romanelli Sculpture Studio and Gallery is a unique spot in Borgo San Frediano | © Filippo Bardazzi, Laura Chiaroni – SooS Chronicles / Culture Trip

Fiesole

Not officially in Florence, but still considered by many as part of the city, the hilltop enclave of Fiesole boasts Roman roots and is a worthwhile escape from the hustle of the inner city. It’s worth coming for the morning market in the Piazza Mino, where antiques are on sale the first Sunday of every month, before hiking the cobbled lane towards the monastery of San Francesco to look down over Florence from the heavens.

Lunch has to be on the sunny terrace at La Reggia degli Etruschi, which serves classic Florentine dishes with a modern twist. Eatery Coquinarius boasts a garden for sunset cocktails, as does 15th-century Villa San Michele, now a luxury hotel. In summer, classical and progressive jazz concerts are held in the remains of the old Roman theatre for Estate Fiesolana.