Planning a trip to Florence and not sure where to stay? We want to help by explaining which neighborhoods are the best and which hotels to consider. We’re Florence experts, so you can trust we know the best hotels and where to stay in Florence.
The Best Neighborhoods in Florence for Any Traveler
Florence, compared to cities like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona, has a smaller historical center. That alone makes planning much easier since you shouldn’t be too nervous about staying on the “wrong side of town.” As a rule of thumb, if you are within a 15-minute walking distance of Ponte Vecchio, you are in a good position.
That said, nothing beats the perfect location, and we built this article to help everyone find their version of “perfect.” We’ve done our best to describe each neighborhood so you can choose the one that matches your travel style. We want to make planning as easy as possible, so we’ve added why we love each area and the top attractions too!
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Santa Croce Neighborhood
For Foodies
Photo courtesy of Note di Vino in Santa Croce
The Santa Croce neighborhood in Florence is named after the minor Basilica of Santa Croce. The area is the burial ground for famous historical figures of the Renaissance and pre-renaissance eras, such as Michelangelo and Galileo but also has funeral monuments dedicated to many of Florence’s greats.
This is where you’ll find some of the best markets, from leather to food. And if you’re wondering if any events are happening while you’re staying in Florence, just head to Piazza Santa Croce, which is the most happening square for activities.
€€€€ | 5 Star | Small Luxury Hotel | Family Friendly
A big reason I like this hotel is they have a nice outdoor garden and seating area which will allow you to unwind after a long day walking around the city. Kids need to run around, and an enclosed area with some plants is perfect for them to let some steam out without fearing they will run into a high-traffic street.
€€€ | 4 Star | Rooftop Pool | Family Friendly | Santa Croce
I really like Plaza Hotel Lucchesi for many reasons. First, it has an epic pool on the roof which is great for a hot summer day. It is also simply a nice hotel with classic charms, which is something that adds to the experience of visiting an old-world city like Florence.
€€€ | 4 Stars | Ultra Modern | Rooftop Terrace | Quiet Area
This is a cool hotel if you’re into those clean European lines. They have lots of room options, and several even have terraces, which are great for enjoying an evening breeze near the Arno River. It’s a bit of a walk to get to most attractions, but the trade-off is a nice and quiet location.
Palazzo Urban Peruzzi Residences is your home away from home. It’s a luxury apartment set within the historic surroundings of a 13th-century palace. They offer an easy self-check-in process through WhatsApp too.
When I am not traveling and filming our youtube channel or writing articles like this one, I am normally tending to my flowers. I simply love nature, which presents a big struggle when I am planning a vacation in a crowded city. This is why I love hotels like Monna Lisa. There is a nice garden that is tucked away from the crowds and commotion.
This is a pretty cool choice with good value. It is a well-planned and neatly decorated ancient palazzo featuring rooms and apartments. It is an excellent choice for families looking for more space. I truly believe that a little extra room and fresh air goes a long when traveling with the children.
Santa Maria Novella is a large neighborhood along the Arno River. When I write about this neighborhood, I am referring to the area from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte Amerigo Vespucci to Via della Scala. It is a small section of the neighborhood that is super posh and relaxing.
It is right next to all of Florence’s attractions but surprisingly calm and relaxing. This is the reason why it is my neighborhood of choice for a romantic stay in Florence.
Why I love Santa Maria Novella:
It has beautifully paved wide streets that give it a cleaner and more relaxing feel.
€€€€ | 4 Star | Contemporary | Ponte Vecchio/Uffizi
Gallery Hotel Art is part of the Lungarno Collection, which is owned by the Salvatore Ferragamo family. They have a few hotels in Florence, including Hotel Lungarno, above, and Portrait Firenze. This particular property is one of my favorites due to its apparent uniqueness.
€€€€ | 5 Star | Elegant Luxury | Dining and Spa | Rooftop Terrace
Your money is well spent if you choose to stay at the Helvetia and Bristol Firenze luxury hotel. Just a few blocks from the Duomo, this hotel is tasteful and elegant. This is what I would pick for a romantic weekend with my wife if we want to pamper ourselves while enjoying Florence.
Hotel Degli Orafi is in a great location within walking distance of Ponte Vecchio. It’s also close to Santo Spirito across the river if you’re looking for some great food. Best of all, it’s just behind the Uffizi Gallery, which is the best museum in Florence—definitely worth a small group tour!
€€€ | 4 Star | Convenient Location | Quiet Area | Tuscan Vibes
You might as well pick a place that has those Tuscan vibes everyone loves—with a bonus of a restaurant using ingredients from a local farm. The rooms are spacious, and you have a rooftop terrace for those perfect Florentine evenings. Plus you’re close to the train station, but it’s still a quiet area. What’s not to love??
€€ | Rooms and Suites | Family Friendly | Traveler Favorite
Make your family’s stay in Florence the best with all the apartment amenities you need, plus some. From babysitting to personal chef, just ask the staff what else you can book. You’re not far from the river or the Duomo, though you’re still in the heart of Santa Maria Novella.
Hotel Torre Guelfa is one of those hotels that people love to come back to. It’s a pretty great price, a great location, and awesome amenities. If you’re traveling with pets, they’re happy to welcome your furry friend. And they’re able to accommodate most allergen and food intolerances at breakfast.
The Medici chose Santo Spirito as their area of choice, so who are we to question? Santo Spirito is across the Arno River, which makes it perfect for contrarians who like to escape a bit. There are great restaurants in Santo Spirito and access to Florence’s famed Piazzale Michelangelo for great views. All these reasons are why Santo Spirito and the nearby Oltarno is our top neighborhood choice when visiting Florence.
Why I love San Spirito and Oltarno:
The Arno River separates it from the main attractions, which gives Santo Spirito a more local feel.
Close proximity to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch sunsets.
Attractions in San Spirito and Oltarno:
Pitti Palace (Medici Palace)
Boboli Gardens
Basilica di Santo Spirito
Giardino di Palazzo Frescobaldi
Ponte Vecchio (Shared with S.M. Novella)
Great Hotels in San Spirito and Oltarno:
Hotel Lungarno
Photo courtesy of Hotel Lungarno
€€€€+ | 5 Star | Luxury | Santo Spirito
Hotel Lungarno is part of the Ferragamo-owned Lungarno collection and sits in an incredible location near Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, which makes it an ideal choice. You have to imagine that the hotel was opened by the owners of one of the world’s greatest fashion houses which says a lot about its decor and design.
Hotel Pitti Palace is located just across the Ponte Vecchio from all the “main” attractions in Florence. It is just down the street from the former Medici Residence known as the Pitti Palace, which is a museum in itself. The hotel is nice and priced reasonably low. It has a great rooftop restaurant with excellent views of Florence. A great modest choice.
Hotel La Scaletta is a really nice find in Florence. It is just over the Ponte Vecchio from the “happening” center of Florence, which means you can walk to Uffizi or the Florence Cathedral. At the same time, it is tucked back into the Santo Spirito neighborhood, which is a little less crowded but has tons of great restaurants and places to grab a drink.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Florence Guide for more info.
Florence Cathedral/Duomo Neighborhood
Center of Everything
The Florence Cathedral, aka il Duomo, is without argument the center of Florence. The Medici would probably say something romantic, like the cathedral is the beating heart of the city, and they would be correct to say it.
It is a wonderful—if not the most wonderful—area of Florence, but normally I tend to avoid staying here as I prefer not to stay in highly touristy areas. That said, Florence is small, and this area gives you the best access to all of Florence’s best neighborhoods, so I still recommend it if you can find good accommodation. Check out where I would recommend below.
Why I love the Duomo area:
It is the center of everything in Florence
Walking distance from all of Florence’s attractions
Close proximity to other neighborhoods so you can see them all
Photo courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy. Photographer Janos Grapow
€€€€+ | 5 Star | Refined Luxury | Center of Florence
Hotel Savoy is an extremely luxurious and meticulously decorated hotel which is probably why they can charge so much for a room. The hotel is right in downtown Florence and within walking distance to the Duomo, Accademia, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, and pretty much everything in the city.
We love the Brunelleschi Hotel, and so do many of our tour customers who stay there. This hotel is simply very cool, well decorated, ideally located, and has excellent service.
€€€€ | 4 Star | Pool & Courtyard | Family Friendly | Near Accademia
Hotels like Palazzo Castri 1874 are a mystery to me. They are somehow in the center of a city but have this expansive outdoor space. Their pool is small but perfect for a central Florence hotel. This hotel is great for couples, kids, and anyone who wouldn’t mind taking a “dip” after a long day of exploring!
Galileo 2000 B&B is a nice and centrally located B&B near the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. One of the coolest things about the hotels is the classic furniture and design in each room. The rooms are also slightly more spacious than your average European hotel room.
Palazzo Uguccioni Apartments is an excellent choice for families or multi-generational groups that don’t need all the bells and whistles that go along with a hotel. It is inexpensive and right in the heart of Florence. What is not to love?
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
