In a nutshell
- Is this your first time in Florence? Then your best bet is to stay centrally in the historic old town. Our top pick: Relais Condotta — stylish, super central, and still relatively affordable.
- Want the authentic Florence experience? San Frediano is your neighborhood. Locals and students set the tone here. Our top pick: Palazzo Martellini — spacious, elegantly furnished rooms in a historic manor house.
- In San Niccolò you can really unwind. It’s quiet, romantic, and the hillside location gives you a lovely panorama over the city. Our top pick: My Boutique Home in Florence — beautiful studios with stunning views.
How much does a hotel in Florence cost?
Staying in Florence is not exactly cheap.
For a clean and comfortable double room in a central location, you’ll pay at least 150 euros per night — and prices can go much higher from there.
That said, there are ways to save money when searching for a place to stay: for example, by booking a hotel that’s a bit farther from the cathedral.
Or you can plan your city trip to Florence during the off-season (November through March), if you don’t mind cooler temperatures.
The best neighborhoods to stay in Florence
Florence is a fantastic city to explore on foot. So your best bet is to find a hotel as close as possible to — or right in — the historic center.
Overall, there are three neighborhoods we recommend for where to stay in Florence:
- The historic old town – here you have all the attractions of Florence practically at your doorstep.
- San Frediano – an affordable student neighborhood and perfect for going out.
- San Niccolò – a quiet, romantic hillside neighborhood, just a few minutes’ walk from the main highlights.
The best neighborhoods to stay in Florence on a map
So you know what we’re talking about, we’ve marked the best neighborhoods on this map:
Staying in the old town
The old town is a great choice if it’s your first time in Florence. Virtually all the sights and the main train station are right at your doorstep.
In the old town you’ll find the Florence Cathedral, the Uffizi, the Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio, and Michelangelo’s David. You simply can’t stay anywhere more central than this.
Everything is within a radius of one to two kilometers, so you won’t need public transportation at all.
You’ll be just a short walk from the most beautiful museums in Florence or the famous shopping streets, like the Via de’ Tornabuoni with its many cool designer boutiques.
A hotel in the center of Florence does mean, however, that it’s always crowded. Restaurants are expensive, and if you want to drink your cappuccino sitting on a café terrace rather than standing at the counter, you’ll have to pay an extra fee.
Advantages of a hotel in the historic city center:
- You have most of the must-sees in immediate proximity.
- The main train station is not far away.
- You’ll find some of the most beautiful hotels in Florence here.
Disadvantages of a hotel in the historic city center:
- You can only enter the old town on foot or by electric taxi.
- It’s always very crowded.
- Hotels here are the most expensive.
Our hotel recommendation for the historic city center
We recommend the B&B Your Florence if you’re arriving by car and want to stay as centrally as possible. It offers a private parking lot, a terrace with lounge chairs, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the Florence Cathedral.
The Relais Condotta also offers great value for money. It’s located right next to the Uffizi and the Piazza della Signoria and has comparatively reasonable overnight rates for such a super central location.
Better
Luxurious
Staying in San Frediano
San Frediano is the perfect choice if you want a more authentic experience and love spending your evenings among locals.
San Frediano is located in the Oltrarno district on the other side of the Arno. It’s home mainly to locals and students, making it much less touristy than the old town — and you can find relatively affordable lodging here.
Tucked into the medieval alleyways, you’ll keep stumbling upon charming trattorias and cafés and small artisan shops.
The neighborhood’s squares are the main gathering spot in the evenings. Restaurants and bars line up one after another, and people sit out on sidewalks and church steps until late at night with a cocktail or a midnight snack.
The Ponte alla Carraia or the Ponte Vecchio bridges take you straight to the old town, and if you take the Ponte alla Carraia, you’ll reach the main train station in about ten minutes.
Advantages of staying in San Frediano
- Better overnight rates than in the old town.
- Lots of bars and restaurants.
- You live among locals.
Disadvantages of staying in San Frediano
- There are no spectacular buildings like in other neighborhoods.
- There’s no tram and only a few bus lines.
- You’ll need to walk 10–15 minutes to reach the main attractions.
Our hotel recommendation in San Frediano
In San Frediano, we recommend the Palazzo Martellini. The hotel is housed in a medieval manor, the rooms are huge, and they’re decorated in a cool mix of old and modern.
The charming B&B Stupido Hotel is a particularly budget-friendly option. The rooms are minimalist in style, with painted ceilings and rain showers.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Staying in San Niccolò
San Niccolò is perfect if you’re staying in Florence for more than two or three days. The pace here is totally relaxed, and the elevated location gives you a wonderful vista over the city.
While the old town of Florence is always incredibly busy and chaotic, the quiet alleyways of San Niccolò let you completely unwind. For a longer stay, that’s worth its weight in gold!
At the same time, you’re just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the historic center.
And because San Niccolò sits on a hillside, you’re treated to genuinely stunning views of the city as you walk around — for example from the breathtaking Bardini Garden, which is also one of our top insider tips in Florence.
That said, some of the alleyways climb quite steeply. If that’s not your thing, book accommodation as far down the hill as possible, near the Arno.
Advantages of staying in San Niccolò
- The peace and quiet and all the greenery make it easy to truly switch off.
- It’s not touristy at all and very authentic.
- You’re just minutes away from the historic old town.
Disadvantages of staying in San Niccolò
- Transportation connections aren’t great — the main train station is about a 20-minute walk away.
- There are very few accommodations; most options are vacation rentals.
- It’s often steep, which can be tiring.
Our hotel recommendation in San Niccolò
Our personal top pick in San Niccolò is My Boutique Home in Florence, which consists of vacation apartments. You can book them if you’re staying in Florence for at least three days — so it’s perfect if you’re already planning a few day trips into the rest of Tuscany!
The medieval palace with seven vacation apartments is located on a very quiet alley. The apartments are decorated in a classic Tuscan style, with wooden beams, terracotta floors, and large wooden windows. Some also have a terrace with a view of the Arno. If you’re specifically looking for boutique hotels in Florence, we have a dedicated article for you.
