Every trip requires finding accommodation, and to help you with that, I'll guide you step-by-step through the process of choosing your future hotel in Florence!
I'll detail each neighborhood in the city and give you my honest opinion on each, so you can choose the perfect place to stay.
Why your choice of neighborhood in Florence makes all the difference to your stay
Choosing the right neighborhood will not only optimize your travel time but also ensure you're in a location that best suits your needs based on several criteria:
- Peace and quiet
- Affordable price
- Activities and museums close to your accommodation
- Nearby transport links
In Florence, even though the city might seem large, all tourist attractions and museums are easily accessible on foot. Therefore, it's important to find the right spot to be as close as possible to the things you want to do around your accommodation!
The 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Florence
In Florence, there are 5 neighborhoods you should know about:
- Centro Storico: literally the city's historic center, home to numerous historical sites and must-see museums
- San Lorenzo : Florence's popular district, home to the Central Market and countless street markets
- Oltrarno : Located on the other side of the Arno River, this is the least touristy district as it's a bit further from the historic center
- Santa Croce : This is a residential neighborhood offering good value-for-money accommodation, all while being close to the historic center
- Santa Maria Novella : A central district to be close to public transport with the advantage of having more affordable accommodation.
My personalized map below will allow you to explore each district with its pros and cons:
My personal opinion: Personally, I stayed in the San Lorenzo district, which I believe is a very good compromise for being close to the historic center, the train station, and the central market of Florence. If I had to recommend a place to stay, it would definitely be this district!
Centro Storico (Historic Center): ideal for being in the heart of the action
Why choose to stay in Florence's historic center:
- You are right in the middle of all the tourist attractions: the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery
- It's the best district for optimizing your travel between neighboring areas
- It's the liveliest district in the city in the evenings, with many restaurants and bars on every corner
- High-quality and highly-rated hotels
Why NOT choose to stay in Florence's historic center:
- A lively district means quite a bit of noise in the evenings
- Hotel and Airbnb prices are quite expensive
- It's the most touristy district in Florence
Here are some recommendations for the best hotels to stay in the historic center:
Toan - Le Solo Backpacker
Mon conseil d'expert : Même si le centre historique reste le meilleur emplacement possible pour un séjour à Florence, les logements restent chers. Il y a d’autres quartiers que je recommande bien plus pour son rapport qualité/prix.
Réservez à l'avance votre hôtel dans le centre historique Disponibilités en temps réel →
Oltrarno: The Bohemian and Authentic Neighborhood
Why choose to stay in Florence's Oltrarno neighborhood:
- It's the quietest neighborhood to stay in, away from the main tourist areas.
- The atmosphere is less lively, but much more local for those seeking authenticity.
- Some very nice restaurants in the area, such as at Pitti Express which I particularly enjoyed for their lasagna and tiramisu!
- Affordable accommodation for all types of travelers.
Why NOT choose to stay in Florence's Oltrarno neighborhood:
- A bit far from the main tourist attractions.
- Less lively at night.
Here are some recommendations for the best hotels to stay in the Oltrarno neighborhood:
Toan - Le Solo Backpacker
Mon conseil d'expert : C’est un très beau quartier pour se loger lorsqu’on est en famille ou en couple, mais à mon goût pas le meilleur pour certaines catégories de personnes (backpacker, solo traveler).
Réservez à l'avance votre hôtel dans le quartier Oltrarno Disponibilités en temps réel →
Santa Croce: The Right Balance Between Authenticity and Accessibility
Why choose to stay in Florence's Santa Croce neighborhood:
- A good neighborhood close to tourist sites, with the advantage of being more local than San Lorenzo.
- More affordable accommodation for everyone.
- A lively neighborhood, but not overly festive.
Why NOT choose to stay in Florence's Santa Croce neighborhood:
- Accommodation options are primarily for families or couples, with fewer choices for backpackers or solo travelers.
- Slightly less charming than other neighborhoods.
Here are some recommendations for the best hotels to stay in the Santa Croce neighborhood:
Toan - Le Solo Backpacker
Mon conseil d'expert : Même si le quartier de Santa Croce semble avoir un bon rapport qualité/prix en terme de logement, je ne choisirai pas forcément celui-ci pour un premier séjour à Florence.
Réservez à l'avance votre hôtel dans le quartier Santa Croce Disponibilités en temps réel →
San Lorenzo: The market district for budget travelers
Why choose to stay in Florence's San Lorenzo neighborhood:
- The best neighborhood offering the ideal balance of location, value for money, and hotel selection.
- A lively neighborhood day and night.
- Plenty of restaurant and bar options.
Why NOT choose to stay in Florence's San Lorenzo neighborhood:
- A neighborhood that can sometimes be noisy at night.
- Less charming than other neighborhoods.
Here are some recommendations for the best hotels to stay in the San Lorenzo neighborhood:
Toan - Le Solo Backpacker
Mon conseil d'expert : Pour y être resté pendant mes 3 jours à Florence, c’est selon moi le meilleur quartier pour un premier séjour, car ce n’est pas loin de tout : transports en commun, sites touristiques avec des options de restaurants sympathiques.
Réservez à l'avance votre hôtel dans le quartier San Lorenzo Disponibilités en temps réel →
Santa Maria Novella: Convenient for transit
Why choose to stay in Florence's Santa Maria Novella neighborhood:
- Affordable prices accessible to everyone (families, couples, backpackers).
- Proximity to public transport (trains, buses for excursions).
- Also close to the historic center
Reasons NOT to stay in Florence's Santa Maria Novella district:
- A busy district due to its proximity to the central station
- A district that's a little less romantic than its neighbors
- The area around the station is not highly recommended at night
Here are some recommendations for the best hotels to stay in the Santa Maria Novella district:
Toan - Le Solo Backpacker
Mon conseil d'expert : Pour des personnes qui ne veulent pas se prendre la tête à devoir traîner leur valise ou à porter leur sac durant son séjour en Italie, se loger dans ce quartier est un bon choix. Pensez bien à choisir un hôtel qui soit un peu éloigné de la gare pour éviter certaines zones la nuit.
Réservez à l'avance votre hôtel dans le quartier Santa Maria Novella Disponibilités en temps réel →
How much does accommodation cost in Florence?
It all depends on when you plan to visit Florence. Generally, high seasons remain the most expensive (summer and year-end holidays).
Summer is definitely when tourist numbers are at their highest. You can find luxury hotels reaching up to €900 per night! And for backpackers, booking hostels needs to be done in advance to hope to get affordable accommodation.
Spring is a good compromise as accommodation prices remain reasonable.
The rest of the time (off-peak period), you can find very affordable accommodation with very decent quality!
Here is a summary table of accommodation costs in Florence by traveler type:
Tips for Booking Your Accommodation in Florence
- Book in advance : Between April and October, don't wait until the last minute to book your accommodation, as places with good value for money fill up quickly.
- Avoid peak periods : Spring and summer are the busiest tourist seasons. To make the most of a 3-day trip to Florence, for example, it's better to visit outside these seasons.
- Always check the cancellation policy : On some online accommodation booking platforms, such as Booking.com, opt for accommodations with a free cancellation policy if you want more flexibility.
- Tourist tax : A tourist tax is mandatory in Italy, regardless of the type of accommodation (Airbnb or hotel), costing between €3 and €7 per night per person depending on the lodging, and often not included in the displayed price. Make sure to have cash on you just in case!
Toan - Le Solo Backpacker
Mon conseil d'expert : Même si je suis plutôt partisan pour réserver mes billets à la dernière minute en tant que Solo Backpacker, je vous conseille vraiment de prendre votre logement à l'avance à Florence car non seulement les logements sont assez chers de base, et vous risquez en plus de ne pas avoir de logement abordable.
Réservez à l'avance votre hôtel à Florence Disponibilités en temps réel →
FAQ: Your Questions About Where to Stay in Florence
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Florence?
In my opinion, the best neighborhood is San Lorenzo, located northwest of the city center, for several reasons: lower accommodation costs than in other neighborhoods, close to public transport and major historical landmarks as well asa good atmosphere at night.
How much does a hotel night in Florence cost?
It depends on the type of traveler you are: for a backpacker you should expect to pay at least €25, for a mid-range budget you'll need at least €90, and for a comfortable trip it can go up to at least €150.
Should you book far in advance?
I strongly recommend to plan at least 1 to 2 months in advance to book your accommodation during peak tourist seasons (spring and summer).
Where to stay in Florence on a budget?
For budget accommodation in Florence, I recommend two neighborhoods: San Lorenzo offers the best compromise in terms of value for money and location. Santa Maria Novella is also a neighborhood with plenty of very affordable accommodation, and it's a central hub for transit to other destinations.
Is a hotel or an Airbnb better in Florence?
A hotel is convenient for travelers looking for well-priced accommodation. With many options available around the city center, I believe it's an excellent choice for a first trip to Florence.
An Airbnb might be a good option if you're looking for authenticity and the ability to cook your own meals. However, budget-friendly options are limited.
Further reading: planning your trip to Florence
If you want to explore Florence further, I also recommend reading my other related articles:
- Visiting Florence in 3 Days: Optimized Itinerary + Complete Plan → to help you plan your itinerary in detail
- Visiting Bologna in 2 days: Complete itinerary, budget, and tips → a destination very close to Florence, accessible by train in 40 min to complete your trip to Italy
- Visiting Venice in 3 to 4 days: Complete itinerary, budget, and tips → Accessible by high-speed train in 2h15min to discover a gem of Italy
