Where to stay in Florence: the best neighbourhoods for your trip

Florence is small enough to explore on foot, but the neighbourhood you choose still shapes your trip. Some areas put you a few steps from the Duomo; others trade the crowds for quiet streets, artisan workshops and local trattorias. This guide compares the best areas to stay in Florence so you can pick the one that suits the way you like to travel.

How to choose where to stay in Florence

Almost everything first-time visitors want to see sits inside the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Walking from one side to the other takes around 30 minutes, so you don’t need to stay next to a particular museum. Think instead about:

• Atmosphere. Do you want to be in the middle of the action, or return to a calm street at night?
• Arrival. If you’re coming by train, staying near Santa Maria Novella station saves time and taxi fares.
• Driving. Most of the centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL) for non-residents. If you’re arriving by car, ask your host where to park before you set off.
• Length of stay. For a week or more, an apartment with a kitchen in a residential area often feels more comfortable than a hotel room in the busiest streets.

Duomo and the historic centre

The streets around the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria are the classic choice for a short first visit. You’ll wake up next to Brunelleschi’s dome, and the Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio are all within a few minutes’ walk.

Best for: short city breaks and first-time visitors who want to see as much as possible.
Keep in mind: it’s the busiest and usually the most expensive part of the city, and it can be noisy late at night.

Santa Maria Novella and Ognissanti

The area between Santa Maria Novella station and the Arno is one of the most practical places to stay in Florence. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and its historic pharmacy are here, and around Borgo Ognissanti you’ll find antique shops, traditional trattorias and the church of Ognissanti, where Botticelli is buried. The Duomo is about ten minutes away on foot, and Ponte alla Carraia takes you straight across the river into the Oltrarno.

Our Porcellana apartment is on Via del Porcellana in this neighbourhood, a short walk from both the station and the river.

Best for: travellers arriving by train, day trips around Tuscany, and anyone who wants a central base with a more local feel.

Oltrarno: Santo Spirito and San Frediano

“Oltrarno” means “beyond the Arno”, the south bank of the river. This is where Florentines go out in the evening. Piazza Santo Spirito, with Brunelleschi’s church, fills with locals at aperitivo time, and the streets of San Frediano are lined with workshops where artisans still restore furniture, gild frames and make leather goods by hand. Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens are on this side of the river too.

Best for: returning visitors, food lovers and anyone who wants to see everyday Florentine life.
Keep in mind: squares like Santo Spirito can be lively until late.

Santa Croce

East of Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce is built around its great Franciscan basilica, where Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are buried. The neighbourhood has a good mix of restaurants, wine bars and leather workshops, and the Sant’Ambrogio market is close by for fresh produce. From here it’s an easy walk across the river to San Niccolò and up to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Best for: couples and travellers who want a central base with plenty of places to eat.

San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo is the area of the Medici: the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and Palazzo Medici Riccardi are all here. It’s also home to the Mercato Centrale, Florence’s historic food market, with fresh produce downstairs and food stalls upstairs. The Galleria dell’Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s David, is a few minutes away.

Best for: budget-conscious travellers and food lovers.
Keep in mind: the market streets are busy and commercial during the day.

Ponte alle Mosse and the Cascine

Just west of the historic centre, the residential streets around Via Ponte alle Mosse offer a quieter, more local side of Florence. The Cascine, the city’s largest park, runs along the Arno nearby and is perfect for a morning run or a walk at sunset. The Opera di Firenze is at the edge of the park, and you’re around 15 to 20 minutes on foot from Santa Maria Novella station and the centre.

Our Bilocale and Monolocale apartments are in this area, ideal if you want a calm base with your own kitchen.

Best for: longer stays, families and travellers who prefer peace and quiet at night.

Apartment or hotel?

For a two-night city break, a hotel near the Duomo can make sense. For anything longer, many visitors find a self-catering apartment more relaxing: you have space to spread out, a kitchen for breakfasts and simple dinners with ingredients from the market, and the feeling of living in the city rather than just passing through.

Whatever you choose, check the address on a map before you book, and ask how check-in works. In Florence, the difference between a lively square and a quiet side street can be just one block.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Florence for first-time visitors?

The historic centre around the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria puts you closest to the main sights. Santa Maria Novella is a good alternative: it’s central, close to the train station and slightly calmer.

Is it better to stay north or south of the Arno?

Most major museums are north of the river, but the Oltrarno on the south bank is only a short walk across the bridges and has a more local atmosphere, especially in the evening.

Do I need a car in Florence?

No. The centre is compact and best explored on foot, and much of it is a limited traffic zone. A car is only useful for day trips into the Tuscan countryside, and transfers or rentals can be arranged when you need them.

How many days do you need in Florence?

Three days is enough to see the highlights at a comfortable pace. Read our 3-day Florence itinerary for a suggested plan.