Arriving in Florence is always a special moment. Whether it’s your first time in the city or a welcome return, Florence has the gift of instantly making you feel like you’re part of something unique. Choosing where to stay is not a secondary detail: the neighborhood you stay in becomes an integral part of your trip and should be considered carefully.
Some people love to go out in the morning and immediately find themselves in the streets of the historic center, while others prefer to return in the evening to a quieter area, perhaps away from the crowds. Still others are looking for comfortable, well-connected, and more budget-friendly options.
In this article, I’ll help you navigate the city’s various neighborhoods, telling you where to stay in Florence based on how you want to experience it, with practical advice and no pre-packaged formulas.
Practical tips for choosing where to stay in Florence
It’s often the case that you realize only upon arrival that the accommodation you’ve chosen isn’t quite what you imagined. Not because it’s absolutely wrong, but because it doesn’t reflect the way you experience the city. In Florence, small details like the neighborhood, the transportation options, or the evening atmosphere can make a big difference during your stay.
How do you plan to get around during your stay?
How you get around Florence will greatly influence your choice of accommodation. If you imagine your days as a long stroll through monuments, museums, and piazzas, sleeping in the city center or just outside the historic walls makes everything easier and more spontaneous. Being able to leave in the morning and immediately begin exploring the city, without having to stick to a timetable, is one of the great advantages of these areas.
If you don’t mind using trams or buses, you can also explore the more remote neighborhoods. The connections are efficient and allow you to reach the city center quickly, offering quieter environments and, often, more spacious accommodations.
The time of year you travel really makes a difference.
Florence isn’t always the same year-round, and this also affects the accommodation experience. During peak tourist seasons, some central areas remain very lively until late at night. For some, this is part of the city’s charm; for others, it can become tiring after a busy day.
During the quieter months, however, sleeping downtown can be particularly pleasant: the streets empty earlier, the atmosphere is more intimate, and the city seems to reveal itself in a more authentic light. Considering the season helps you make a more informed choice.
What atmosphere are you looking for when you come home in the evening?
An often overlooked aspect is the return journey. Some people prefer to sleep in a lively neighborhood, with restaurants, bars, and people on their doorstep, while others prefer to end the day in a quieter neighborhood, away from the tourist crowds.
Florence offers both options, but choosing an area that’s in line with your habits makes your stay more natural. After hours spent walking and visiting museums, returning to an environment that’s familiar to you makes a huge difference.
Price matters, but it must be read in the right context
Budget is obviously an important factor, but in Florence, it’s worth looking at it with some perspective. Saving on accommodation can mean having to travel longer distances or sacrificing some of the comforts. Conversely, spending a little more for a well-connected area or one more suited to your needs can make your stay much more relaxing.
Sleeping in central Florence: who is it really the right choice for?
Sleeping in the historic center of FlorenceIt’s a choice that appeals to many, especially those visiting the city for the first time. Opening the door of your accommodation and immediately finding yourself among Renaissance squares, bell towers, and streets that seem to have come straight from a painting is an experience with its own undeniable charm. Everything is within easy reach: museums, monuments, restaurants, historic shops. Often, you don’t even need to use public transportation, as you can easily get around on foot.
Staying in the center isparticularly suitable if you have only a few days availableandyou want to optimize your time as much as possible, or if you love experiencing the city even in the evening, returning calmly after a dinner or a night walk without having to worry about transportation.
It’s a convenient solution even for those travelling without a car, since many central areas are subject to limited traffic zones and parking can become complicated.
That said, it’s good to know that sleeping in the historic center also involves some compromises. Prices are generally higher compared to other areas of the city, especially during peak tourist seasons, some areas can be very lively until late at night. If you’re looking for absolute silence or more space, the center may not be the ideal choice.
Sleeping in the city center is perfect if you want to experience the city intensely and up close, while accepting some sacrifices in terms of tranquility and budget. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, it’s worth looking just beyond the historic walls.
Where to stay in Florence on a budget
Find where it’s possible to sleep in Florence on a budget, but it requires a bit of flexibility and some conscious choices. Florence is a highly visited city year-round, and this inevitably affects prices, especially in the more central areas. That said, there are valid solutions available even for those on a more limited budget.
One of the most effective strategies is obviously to move slightly away from the historic center, without actually leaving the city. Well-connected neighborhoods such as Novoli, Rifredi or the area aroundCampo di Marte. They often offer more accessible facilities, keeping travel times short. In many cases, all that is needed is a few minutes by tram or urban train to find yourself in the heart of Florence.
Even the typology of accommodation It makes all the difference. In addition to traditional hotels, it’s worth considering guest houses, small B&Bs, or apartments, which can be more affordable, especially for longer stays. Some properties, while not in tourist areas, make up for this with a more family-friendly welcome and a relaxed atmosphere.
Another useful tip is to pay attention to the time of year you’re traveling. During the high season or on the busiest weekends, as you might imagine, prices tend to rise rapidly. If you can travel during less crowded periods, such as some winter months or close to the low season, it will be easier to find good solutions at reasonable prices.
Sleeping in Florence on a budget it doesn’t mean giving up on quality. With a little planning, you can find comfortable, well-connected accommodation, leaving more room in your budget to experience the city.
The best areas to stay in Florence
When looking for accommodation in Florence, you often find that the real challenge isn’t choosing a property, but figuring out which area you’ll truly feel at home in. Florence isn’t a huge city, but each neighborhood has its own soul and can significantly impact the pace of your days.
Sleeping in the historic center means staying in the heart of Florence’s most iconic neighborhood. It’s the perfect choice for those who love exploring on foot, getting lost in the alleys and piazzas, and returning home in the evening without worrying about public transportation schedules. It’s charming, convenient, and vibrant. At the same time, it’s also the most sought-after area, often the most expensive and decidedly busiest, especially during peak season.
If you like the idea of experiencing the city up close, but prefer a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, the Oltrarno. It is one of the most loved areas. Neighborhoods like San Frediano and Santo Spirito offer more everyday Florence, filled with artisan workshops, bustling squares, and bars frequented by residents. Here, you often sleep better, with less noise, while still being just minutes from the city center.
The area around Santa Maria Novella is a practical choice, especially if you arrive by train or plan on traveling frequently. It’s well-connected and functional, perhaps less charming in some streets, but convenient for those who want to have everything within easy reach without necessarily being in the heart of the city’s tourist hub.
Then there are the outer neighborhoods, like Novoli, Rifredi and Campo di Marte, often overlooked. Thanks to the tram and urban rail connections, they allow you to reach the city center quickly and offer more affordable options and larger spaces. They’re ideal if you’re looking for tranquility or if your stay in Florence is a bit longer.
Choosing the right area to stay in Florence isn’t about finding the absolute best, but rather the one that best suits your travel style. Figuring this out before you leave can really make a difference.
Conclusion
Choosing where to stay in Florence ultimately means choosing the type of Florence you want to experience. The historic center is perfect if you want to get around on foot and have everything within easy reach, while the neighborhoods just outside the tourist hub offer a quieter and often more authentic atmosphere. If, however, your goal is to keep costs down, some more remote but well-connected areas allow you to spend less without complicating your life.
The most important thing is not to look for the absolute “best area,” but rather the one that best suits your trip: time available, budget, pace of life, and type of experience. Florence will always welcome you—but if your accommodations are well-chosen, you’ll enjoy it much more.
