The smaller areas of Santo Spirito and San Frediano are part of a bigger district called Oltrarno and theyre all great choices for foodies interested in trying some authentic Tuscan dishes or for party animals! Best Pool: Villa Cora Between here, the center and the river, you will find excellent shopping, with top labels on Via de Tornabuoni and a myriad of cool boutiques, galleries, and vintage shops on Via della Spada, Via dei Fossi, and more. She is a photographer, videographer and writer who likes to help people find out more about traveling. BEST FOR: Budget travelers and those that prioritize convenience and access to the main train station over atmosphere. All kinds of great food can be found here, from gourmet panini at AllAntico Vinaio to elegant Michelin-starred dining at Ora dAria; bars range from casual to chic rooftop ones. Start with the gourmet food stalls on the first floor of the Mercato Centrale, serving everything from traditional lampredotto to artisanal pizza and chocolate. Our pick of the AirBnB properties in Fiesole have all the comforts you need for a longer stay in Florence. Best Boutique: Palazzo Vecchietti They are perfectly situated to access the historic wonders of Florence on foot. If youre looking for an apartment cosy in the Santa Maria Novella district then browse these lovely stays on AirBnB. Stroll away from the Pitti Palace and youll discover small cobbled streets and the lovely Santo Spirito area. Youll need to venture further afield if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere or a hotel with a pool. Like most of historic Florence, there a couple of big attractions here: the Galleria dellAccademia, the beautiful monastery of San Marco, painted by Fra Angelico and his pupils, and the Cappelle Medicee, the grand burial place of the Medici, adjoining San Lorenzo itself. Across the Arno River from Santa Croce, the San Niccol district is a labyrinth of cobbled streets hugging the hillside below Piazzale Michelangelo a renowned viewing point in Florence. When you want to go see the sights its just 15 minutes across the bridge to the Uffizi Gallery and little further onward to the Duomo. If you have itinerary-related questions, please post them there! READ MORE: Trento, Italy Your Ultimate Accommodation List. P.Iva 05515250487, Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano Day Trip from Florence Including Lunch, Cinque Terre Day Trip with Transport from Florence, Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing Tour from Florence, I'm from California but have called Florence my home for over a decade. Excellent accommodation options, from luxury to budget ones, though not a great area if noise or crowds are concerns. Your Ultimate Guide, Trento, Italy Your Ultimate Accommodation List, Accommodation Guide for Bologna 4 Best Areas to Stay for Tourists, Secret Luxury Suite Somewhere in Santo Spirito, 6 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Rome (With Hotels and Prices! And, to make things even easier, weve shared our pick of the best hotels, apartments and AirBnBs in each area. Can find lovely properties close to the main piazza. Plus, the train station is a great gateway in case youre on a bigger trip around Italy! See our full disclosure here. Great for both high-street and high-end shopping. These areas offer a range of accommodation for all budgets. Almost everything you will want to see and do in Florence is within or a short walk from this small area. This bridge offers that hero shot down the river Arno towards the Ponte Vecchio. Between Santo Spirito and Piazzale Michelangelo, there are fewer attractions, though the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens are nothing to sniff at. In case you want a true taste of an Italian home or if you prefer some coziness during your travels, then you might be thinking about staying in an apartment in Florence instead of a hotel! Great for first time visitors to Florence. Read our Italy trip planning guide or join our FREE Italy travel planning community. There is also not much respite from the summer heat. At night, these areas come to noisy life with enough great bars and clubs to satisfy the most demanding hipsters. Less touristy, its a great place to enjoy the local caf culture and shop for food at the Mercato di SantAmbrogio in the adjoining neighborhood directly north. In this article we share our favorite Florence neighborhoods and their advantages and disadvantages depending on your style of travel, budget and intended length of stay. Florences best midrange and budget hotels can be found in primarily in the San Frediano, Santo Spirito, San Lorenzo, and San Marco neighborhoods. The shopping here is some of the best in the city and there are some standout luxury hotels near its border with the City Center and along the river plus several budget choices closer to the station. Bustling streets lead unexpectedly to truly iconic places, from the pastel houses of the Ponte Vecchio to Brunelleschis awe-inspiring dome on the Duomo. You can find some lovely luxury hotels with pools here; accommodations tend to be larger here than those closer to the city center, ideal for families or friend groups. Even though the distance is not that big, staying as close as possible to the airport could save you a lot of precious time and sleep in case you have an early flight (or a flight thats very late at night). This neighborhood has a lively bar and restaurant scene that spills out onto pavements well into the evening. Picturesque San Niccol lies east of Santo Spirito along the river, while quieter Piazzale Michelangelo rises on hills south of it. But, youll also find some interesting boutiques and ateliers including the incredible workshop of jeweller Alessandro Dari. ), Best Places to stay in Tuscany Towns and Accommodations, 6 Most Crowded Places in Rome and How to Avoid the Long Line, Where to Stay in Milan? There are fewer hotels in this area but you will find apartments with terraces overlooking the Arno. Updated: July 24, 2022, Best Hotel: Portrait Firenze BEST FOR: Visitors wanting a thriving local nightlife, scenic city views and artisan workshops to explore close to the center but away from the main tourist zone, Relax and soak up the neighborhood atmosphere at these handpicked AirBnB apartments in San Niccol. Feel part of the neighborhood when you stay at one of these charming apartments in Santa Croce. From the gritty north around the station, it shades quickly into an area of cool boutiques and bars running down to the river. You wont be disappointed by the choice of clubs and bars here, I promise! Not to mention the citys iconic piazzas, shopping streets and many museums and restaurants. Also known as the artisan quarter, they are packed with antique shops, cool boutiques, galleries, and workshops; start shopping on Borgo San Jacopo, Via Santo Spirito, and Via Romana. Here are the best ones I could find in central Florence: Florence International Airport, known as Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR) is the second busiest airport in the entire Tuscany (after Pisa), and its located around 10 kilometers away from the center, which means around 20 minutes by car. Santa Maria Novella neighborhood is the area where Florences main train station (Firenze Station) is located, which makes it a very convenient area to stay, especially if you dont have a lot of time in the city! . Head over to Via de Ginori for cool bistro/caf La Mnagre, quality panini at SandwiChic, and fine gelato at My Sugar. Santissima Annunziata sits northeast of the City Center, built around a serenely designed Renaissance piazza and including one of Florences top museums, the Galleria dellAccadmia, home to Michelangelos David. The best area to stay in Florence for first-timers is the Duomo and the area around Piazza della Signoria. The heart of Florence is a feast of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture. Piazza Santa Croce is truly beautiful and it hosts tons of amazing artisan shops, trattorias, charming cafes and bars. I love to explore Italy; it is a lot of fun to try to see everything like I'm seeing it for the first time, keeping you, our readers, always in mind. Some of these stays have views of the Arno River. Once poorer areas, they now ooze bohemian chic yet still manage to remain down-to-earth. cuisine, landscapes, and of course, wine! The best neighborhood to stay in Florence especially for first-time visitors is the, The best neighborhood to stay in Florence for one night is, The best area to stay in Florence if you have a car is the. San Niccol is artsy with narrow streets full of bars and shops, while further south the streets wind upwards through gardens to the famous viewpoint of Piazzale Michelangelo. >> click here to subscribe. Home to the opulent Medici Chapels and much loved Mercato Centrale, these areas will satisfy appetites for culture as well as food. READ MORE: Accommodation Guide for Bologna 4 Best Areas to Stay for Tourists. These two deeply cool neighborhoods lie in Oltrarno, the south bank of the river between Ponte Vecchio in the west to Porta Romana, one of the ancient city gates, in the south. READ MORE: 6 Most Crowded Places in Rome: How to Avoid the Line. I created Miss Tourist travel blog to help you organise the perfect holiday. If you want to get away from the flocks of tourists around the city center, but still want to be close to the main attractions that this city has to offer (and by close I mean 15 minutes away by foot), theres no better place to book your hotel than in SantAmbrogio! If you want to discover the citys artisan heritage, youll also find the Scuola del Cuoio (School of Leather) behind the basilica. Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links on this page might be affiliate links, which means that at absolutely no extra cost for you we will earn a small commission for a sale generated through the website. Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Neighborhoods, Oltrarno, Santo Spirito and San Frediano . READ MORE: Where to Stay in Milan? Florence is one of Italys most lovely and classic cities. There is no single best neighborhood for tourists; the main attractions are in the city center, but other areas have their own highlights. Even though the city is far from huge (it has a population of only 382 000 people), figuring out where to stay in Florence can be a tough task, as there are several different areas, each of them with its own charm and advantages. Its actually one of the cheapest areas if you want to be close to the city center! I hope you found this post useful to you and your future trip and I hope that you already found your dream place by now! Some excellent bars and restaurants, though plenty of tourist traps as well. This is considered to be the city center or Florence Downtown, also known as the most attractive and interesting area for all types of tourists out there. Oltrarno literally means across the Arno in Italian, which pretty much explains the positioning of this area right across Arno river and Ponte Vecchio from the city center. BEST FOR: Those craving a local neighborhood a little quieter than the main tourist area with interesting accommodation options. Oltrarno, Santo Spirito and San Frediano for foodies, 5. Formerly poorer areas, particularly towards the station, and now transforming, they make for a great destination for foodies. Still undecided about the best hotel for your interest and budget? Honeymoon Hotel: Ville SullArno This is also a great idea if you want to save some money or if youre traveling in a bigger group there is an apartment out there for every taste and need! This is the final resting place of famous Florentines Michelangelo, Galileo and Macchiavelli and a must visit site in Florence. I enjoy sharing what I know and helping others as they make their travel plans for Tuscany through our. READ MORE: 6 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Rome. This central Florence neighborhood is quieter and less expensive than the center. Dont worry, Im here to help! The best area for hotels and atmosphere in this district are found close to the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. The view of the Duomo from a room at the Brunelleschi Hotel in central Florence. Previously poorer, particularly towards the train station, now gentrifying, but still less packed with tourists than the center. Youll find great value AirBnBs, some lovely boutique hotels and luxurious properties with views closer to the river in Oltrarno. Santa Croce centers on the gorgeous basilica of the same name. This entire neighborhood is also calmer than the Duomo area, but its far from boring as well. Plus this town offers some of the best panoramic views of Florence and the surrounding countryside. North of Santa Croce, the SantAmbrosio food scene is fantastic, whether you are shopping for produce at Mercato di SantAmbrogio, enjoying the fantastic Tuscan fare at one of the Cibro restaurants nearby. Staying close to the station in the Santa Maria Novella district of Florence is a good choice for budget travelers and if you plan to do many day trips by bus or train from the city. Here is where you can get a taste of the local life and I recommend it even more if you love antiques and authentic markets, like the amazing flea market called Mercato di SantAmbrogio in Piazza dei Ciompi. One of the best things about Santa Maria Novella is that its right near the Duomo area (15 minutes by foot), which is the center of Florence. The Santa Croce district is a charming central neighborhood in Florence. Its safe to say that Florence is one of the most culture-rich cities in the entire country and a great destination for all types of travelers out there! No worries, staying here doesnt mean you wont have access to the things that are happening in the center of Florence if you have the car youll be there in the blink of an eye, or youll only be one shuttle bus ride away! Quiet leafy streets, gardens, and villas rise uphill toward San Miniato and its beautiful church and monastery. City Center the medieval and Renaissance heart of Florence lies between the Duomo in the north and the River Arno and Ponte Vecchio in the south. The architectural heart of the neighborhood is the Piazza della SS Annunziata an elegantly balanced Renaissance square with its namesake, medieval basilica (filled with Renaissance and Baroque frescoes, paintings, and sculpture) and the Ospedale degli Innocenti (the first orphanage in Europe, now a museum and childrens rights institute). historical center is off-limits to anyone without a permit, villas in outskirts and hills surrounding Florence, Practical Information & Fun Things to Know. In case you want to experience a countryside-like stay in Florence, in total relaxation then you should get away from the center and head over to the hills! Though near all of Florences best-known sights, this neighborhood remains fairly quiet, aside from the immediate vicinity of the Accademia. Santa Croce boasts its own impressive attractions, including the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, with its collection of Renaissance sculptures, and the lovely Basilica di Santa Croce, resting place of a host of Florentine greats, including Michelangelo, Macchiavelli, and Galileo. Here you find local restaurants and wine bars alongside artisan boutiques selling paper and leather goods and residential buildings. Sign up for our news and podcast updates where we share mini guides, tips, exclusive deals and more and we'll send you our Italy Trip Planning Checklist to say grazie! BEST FOR: Foodies and wine lovers seeking an escape from the crowds of the historic center. Its a fun area to stay if you want to get away from the vast crowds in the center. Both areas are ideal for families, with SantAmbrosio standing out for its more authentic feel. The spirit is bohemian and local, though gentrification has made this part of town more fashionable, with tons of hot new restaurants, craft cocktail places, and wine bars; check out around Piazza Santo Spirito and Borgo San Frediano just for starters. Ponte Vecchio is actually an area that surrounds Ponte Vecchio bridge and connects the northern part of Florence to the southern one, divided by Arno river. Just east of Via del Proconsolo and just steps from the central sights, it manages to be less touristy and more laidback, with a great local market and the old Jewish quarter. The piazza is a shady open space that is quite rare in the heart of the city making it one of the best places for families to stay in Florence. Piazza di Santa Croce is lined with bars and cafes and you can walk a few moments to the covered SantAmbrogio market where the freshest fruit, vegetables and local produce are sold every day except Sunday. Santa Maria Novella to stay near the train station, 6. Here you will find the most five star hotels in Florence as well as boutique properties with coveted Arno views. Considering this is not the cheapest destination in Italy, prices will only get higher with time, especially during high season! Many of the best hotels in Florence are in the City Center or Santa Maria Novella, though there are excellent luxury options in other neighborhoods too. Northeast of the City Center is Santissima Annunziata, one of the most visited corners of Florence and home to Michelangelos David, housed in the Galleria dellAccademia. I definitely recommend it to all types of travelers, but especially to those interested in the vibrant nightlife. Santa Croce where to stay in Florence for nightlife, 7. After all, here is where Florences status as a cultural force finds true expression overflowing with impressive museums, churches, and palaces. Just like most of the other areas in Florence (and in Italy, if I come to think about it), Basilica of Santa Croce also surrounds a square (piazza) with the same name. Ponte Vecchio: Portrait Firenze NOTE: As always, make sure to book your accommodation in Florence as far in advance as possible. Accommodation tends to be reasonably priced, with some upscale hotels as well. There are a number of excellent restaurants, especially toward the south and western parts near the City Center, San Lorenzo, and San Marco areas. But also having your hotel here is a big advantage, as here is where all the main attractions are located, like the Dome (also called Duomo di Firenze or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore), Palazzo Vecchio, the famous Uffizi Galleryetc. The only thing left to do is choose! Our 58,000+ members are happy to answer questions about your itinerary, how to get from place to place, the best places to stay and fun things to do. Let me know in the comments below if you have any other questions, Im happy to help! Heres a quick summary of Florences neighborhoods. In fact, this area is divided into two pretty different parts the half thats closer to the train station, which is vivid and a bit noisy at times, and the half thats more distant from it, which is actually a residential area with very good positioning. We handpicked the best AirBnBs near the Duomo in central Florence click here to view. Here the accommodation options include large villas, apartments and farm stays as well as the magnificent five star Belmond hotel. At night, the neighborhoods draws a cool, young crowd, with great bars especially on busy Via dei Benci and around the market, like the live music venue Le Murate. Its also a great shopping destination, with high street brands along Via dei Calzaiuoli and Via Calimala, and luxury labels on the famous Via de Tornabuoni. San Niccol stretches along the river bank, while Piazzale Michelangelo rises on hills to the south. Many have pools where you can cool off after exploring under the hot Tuscan sun. While the city is small, it offers many accommodation options and it can be confusing trying to decide the best location to stay. This area is very close to the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, which means that if you stay here youll be very close to the city center. The centro storico is so convenient that unsurprisingly it is also the most expensive. The area is very beautiful, conveniently located and the opposite of boring whats not to love? Im happy to announce that Florence has a wide range of Airbnbs that you can choose from! Thank you so much for supporting this project! Rest assured that youll visit the historic city centre during your stay in Florence nevertheless, as its the most famous area. We only recommend the things we actually use ourselves and never accept useless sponsored crap. Just 30 minutes by bus into the center, Fiesole gives you the peace and charm of a small Tuscan town with easy access to all the attractions of the Renaissance city. If youre looking for a non-touristic place with a traditional, calm atmosphere where to enjoy the city with the family, head over to SantAmbrogio! Its a 10 minute stroll to both the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo from the main piazza. Hope that helps, enjoy your italian trip! One of many trendy bars in Oltrarno, south of the River Arno, and not far from two great hotels: Hotel Lungarno and SoprArno Suites. Lots of lovely guesthouses, with some standout high-end hotels. Cheap Hotel: Alessandra Its just a 10 minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo is even closer. Full of artisans workshops and independent boutiques, but also hot restaurants and bars with better prices than the center. They are restful, full of lovely views, and can feel much further out of the city than they are. This ones for you! Youll want to enjoy all the atmosphere and spirit of the Renaissance city while ensuring that youre situated in an area close to transport and attractions. If you want to stay as close to Ponte Vecchio as possible, here are the best options I could find out there, but you better book them as soon as you can, the places here sell out super fast! READ MORE:Where to stay in the Region of Tuscany Best Towns and Hotels. Hi Autumn! San Niccol & Piazzale Michelangelo are charming, romantic areas south of the river and east of the Ponte Vecchio. If you feel like this could be a great solution for you, here are the best accommodation options I could find as close as possible to the airport: Thats it, you have reached the end of my super detailed guide on Florence accommodation, with the 8 best areas for tourists,!