When deciding where to stay in Florence, there are a few main neighborhoods to choose from in the historical center of Florence. The Arno River runs through Florence, splitting it into two distinct areas, the north side and the south side, called Oltrarno.

The north side is where the heart of Florence is, with many of the major sights, while Oltrarno is much smaller with fewer tourists and just a few major sights. We stayed in the Oltrarno in Florence during our two weeks in Italy.

One thing to keep in mind is that Florence is not that big — it’s easy to walk between each neighborhood in less than 20 minutes. I had no idea the city was so small until I visited! Even if you just have one day in Florence, you can easily hop around to all the different neighborhoods.

Where you choose to stay in Florence depends on your priorities. If you want to be in the center of the action in a lively, energetic area, then San Giovanni is the neighborhood for you. Prefer a more quiet, artsy neighborhood? Then San Niccolò and Santo Spirito are perfect!

Where To Stay in Florence: Guide to the Best Neighborhoods

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Overview of Florence Neighborhoods

The best area to stay in Florence is District 1, the historic city center. This is where all the sights, activities, and attractions in Florence are! You can stay outside of this area, but you will be far from all the things you likely are visiting Florence for in the first place.

Within the historic city center, Florence is officially separated into four historic neighborhoods: Santa Maria Novella, San Giovanni, Santa Croce, and Santo Spirito.

I’ve also included San Frediano and San Niccolò in this guide of places to stay in Florence as they’re distinct areas near the historic city center and shouldn’t be left out.

Santa Maria Novella: This neighborhood is on the north side of the river west of the city center, close to the train station, further away from major attractions, and has a large grassy park.
San Giovanni: This neighborhood is on the north side of the Arno in the heart of the city with major attractions, the historic city center, and the most crowds.
Santa Croce: This neighborhood is to the east of the city center on the north side of the river with a lively nightlife, proximity to major attractions, and lovely historic streets.
Santo Spirito: This neighborhood is south of the Arno on the west side of the city near Boboli Gardens. It’s an artsy, trendy neighborhood popular with younger travelers and locals.
San Frediano: This area is within the Santo Spirito neighborhood, but as its own personality that makes it separate from Santo Spirito. It has an authentic feel true to its history as a home to working-class people and artisans.
San Niccolò: This neighborhood is also south of the Arno, but on the east side of the city near Piazzale Michelangelo and the rose garden. It’s a quiet area away from the buzz of the city center. This is where we stayed during our trip to Florence and I highly recommend it!

Best Places to Stay in Florence

These are the best places to stay in Florence based on price, location, design/decor, value, and reviews.

I recommend reading through this full post to determine which neighborhood best suits your preferences, but these accommodations are the highlights!

Best Overall: Angolo al Giardino delle Rose in San Niccolò
Best Luxury:

Leone Blu Suites in Santa Maria Novella
Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo in San Giovanni
AdAstra Suites in San Frediano

Best Mid-range:

Angolo al Giardino delle Rose in San Niccolò
Casa dell'Artista in Santa Croce
Lunaria Suites in Santo Spirito

Best Budget:

Historic Loft with a View in Santa Croce
Dépendance Machiavelli in Santa Maria Novella

Best Views:

Leone Blu Suites in Santa Maria Novella
Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo in San Giovanni
Donati Luxury Tower Suites in San Giovanni
Hotel Lungarno in Santo Spirito

Note: Florence requires a tourist tax to be paid separately from the booking price, typically in cash. It’s less than 10€ and varies depending on the accommodation. It’s listed next to the price for most of the accommodations on Booking.com!

View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

Neighborhoods North of the Arno

Most of the major attractions, including the Uffizi Museum, the Duomo, and the Historic Center, are on the north side of the river. It’s more crowded in this area because of the big attractions, but you’ll be in the heart of the city.

On this side, there’s much more action and energy! There’s a constant flow of people throughout this area, the restaurants and bars are always busy and open late, and you’re steps away from the majority of the most popular spots in Florence.

The main neighborhoods on this side of the Arno are Santa Maria Novella, San Giovanni, and Santa Croce.

Santa Maria Novella

The Santa Maria Novella neighborhood is to the west of the city center, extends north towards the airport, and has the train station. The nicer areas of this neighborhood are further from the station and closer to the river.

The main attraction in this neighborhood, aside from the train station, is the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella and the square in front of it: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella.

The largest green area in Florence—Parco delle Cascine—is in Santa Maria Novella as well!

Stay in the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood if you want to be further away from the busy city center, on the north side of the Arno, and close to the train station and green spaces.

Things To Do in Santa Maria Novella

Tour Basilica Santa Maria: This gorgeous basilica has a contrasting white and black marble design on its facade, built over a 100-year period starting in the 13th century. You can get tickets for €8 online or in person upon arrival.
Picnic in the square: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella has been around since the 13th century. It’s in front of the beautiful Basilica with plenty of benches where you can enjoy a picnic on a nice day.
Stroll through the park: As mentioned above, Parco delle Cascine is the largest green area in Florence at over 395 acres. It’s a lovely area for a stroll next to the Arno! There’s also an outdoor market on Tuesday mornings.
Tour Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti: This is an operating Franciscan church with gorgeous early baroque architecture. It’s home to frescoes created by Italian artists like Botticelli and Giotto, as well as Botticelli’s tomb. It’s free to enter and no tickets are required, though donations are welcome.

Places to Stay in Santa Maria Novella

Luxury:

Hotel L'Orologio Firenze: Boutique, designer hotel with views of the Duomo, unique rooms with elegant decor, and a buffet breakfast.
Leone Blu Suites: Grand suites with high ceilings in a 15th-century medieval building. These royal rooms have luxurious styling and stunning views.
The Moon Boutique Hotel & Spa: This lovely hotel has sophisticated rooms, some of which have their own private sauna.

Mid-range:

Oro Nero Florence: Three separately bookable rooms in a guest house with king beds, kitchenettes, city views, and private bathrooms. The rooms have white walls with beautiful dark wood furniture and accents.
Residenza Gambrinus: Located close to the cathedral in the historical center, the rooms in this theater-turned-townhouse have a relaxing atmosphere with warm tones and modern furniture. There are a few different rooms to choose from, depending on your preferences.

Budget:
- Dépendance Machiavelli: Charming one-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and living room. There’s also a desk area if you need/want to work while you’re here!
- Hotel Argentina: Located closer to the train station, this hotel has a clean and cool style with black, white, and grey colors throughout the rooms.

San Giovanni

The San Giovanni neighborhood is where you’ll find the buzz of the city and the historic city center. It’s the most touristy, crowded area because it is the heart of Florence with many of the biggest attractions in the city.

The main attraction in this neighborhood is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which has the famous Duomo, rust-color roof, and stunning black and white marble facade.

There are far more people in this area compared to the other neighborhoods due to the attractions, vibrant nightlife, and the historic city center. It’s one of the most popular areas to stay in Florence and many tourists visit this area throughout the day even if they are staying in other neighborhoods.

Accommodations in this area tend to be much more expensive because of their central location and views of the basilica, Arno, or other landmark.

If you’re looking for a bustling area to stay in Florence with exciting energy that’s also just steps away from the cathedral, nightlife, authentic restaurants, museums, and the Arno, then San Giovanni is a wonderful choice.

If you want to stay in an area with high energy, steps away from the grand Duomo, and in a hotel with 10/10 views, then San Giovanni is the best neighborhood for you!

Things To Do in San Giovanni

Tour the Santa Maria Cathedral: Explore the cathedral and neighboring baptistry in the city center. It’s free to visit the cathedral, but you need tickets to tour the dome, bell tower, museum, and baptistry. The Brunelleschi Pass gives you access to all of them.
Visit the Uffizi Museum: View stunning artwork in this large museum, home to Sandro Botticelli’s famous painting (and one of my all-time favorites), The Birth of Venus. Entrance to the Uffizi is included in the Passepartout 5-Day Pass (Combo Ticket).
Visit the Galileo Museum: This small museum has many scientific instruments and antique pieces with information about each one. It has nice displays and is rarely crowded — perfect for a midday visit when crowds are high elsewhere.
Walk around the city center: The picturesque, historic city center is a nice area to stroll around and explore the architecture, shops, and restaurants.

Places to Stay in San Giovanni

Luxury:

Donati Luxury Tower Suites: Historical building with charming rooms featuring stone wall interiors, terraces, kitchenettes, and views of Florence’s city center.
Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo Residenza D'Epoca: Ultra-luxurious rooms and suites fit for royalty and ideal for a romantic couples’ trip.
Hotel Calimala Florence: Gorgeous rooms that combine modern style with traditional charm, featuring an on-site restaurant with a wide selection of cuisines.

Mid-range:

Casa Uffizi XIII Century Tower House: Boutique hotel in a historical building with quaint rooms and a concierge service.
Residenza Alessandra: Lovely boutique hotel near the Uffizi with three spacious guest rooms and high ceilings.
Mabelle Firenze Residenza Sassetti: Comfortable rooms with views of Florence, some featuring a loft and in-room jacuzzi. Their single room is ideal for solo travelers!

Budget:

Domus Plaza: Bright and modern apartments, some with kitchens and views of the Duomo. Ideal if you want to be in the heart of the city in a cozy apartment without the frills (and prices) of luxury hotels.
Duomo Palace: Simple, spacious rooms with friendly staff, desks, and city views.

Santa Croce

The Santa Croce neighborhood is ideal if you want to be close to the city center but in a slightly less touristy area. This neighborhood’s main attraction is the Basilica of Santa Croce, which houses the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli and artwork from over a dozen different artists.

There aren’t many sights and attractions in the Santa Croce neighborhood, but it’s just a 5-minute walk to some of the major sights in Florence!

Though it is less touristy than the San Giovanni neighborhood and the historic city center, this area is still quite busy! There are many people walking around during the day checking out the shops, rolling their suitcases to/from their accommodation, and making their way to other parts of the city.

When we walked through this neighborhood on a weekday evening after dinner (at Osteria Vecchio Cancello II), it was lively with people hanging out at the bars and in the streets. The nightlife here is thriving and it’s a fun area to go to dinner.

Things to Do in Santa Croce

Tour the Basilica di Santa Croce: Tour the church, art, tombs, and memorials inside the Basilica, or just admire it from the outside! Tickets are 10€ each for adults and can be purchased online where you will reserve your entry date and time.
Visit the Sant’Ambrogio market: You can purchase fresh food at this local indoor market to make some meals at your accommodation (if it has a kitchen). It’s been around since 1873 and is considered an authentic, non-touristy market.

Places to Stay in Santa Croce

Luxury:

Palazzo Firenze by Baglioni: 5-star hotel with large, luxurious rooms, frescoes on the high ceilings, and an on-site restaurant with fresh produce from the Sant’Ambrogio market.
Palazzo Roselli Cecconi Apartments: Large, 2-3 bedroom apartments with full kitchens and living rooms, surrounding a peaceful inner courtyard.
La Maison du Sage: Bed and breakfast with beautifully eclectic rooms next to the Santa Croce Basilica — some rooms have views of the basilica.

Mid-range:

Appartamento Centro Storico Pepi 22: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a full kitchen and brightly colored walls and decor. Ideal for families or small groups of 2-4 people.
Casa dell'Artista: Elegant, spacious one-bedroom apartment with dark, moody tones and warm lighting, a full kitchen, a washing machine, and art throughout.
Dimora72: Bright and airy apartment with a living room, kitchenette, high ceilings, and decorated with pops of Mediterranean blue.

Budget:

Acacia Firenze - Melissa: Spacious, one-bedroom loft apartment with a full kitchen, living room, and washing machine.
Historic Loft with a View: Cozy, one-bedroom apartment with a kitchen, warm stone and white walls, wooden beams, and spacious tiled shower. Ideal for solo travelers or couples.
Le Stanze Di Santa Croce: Small bed and breakfast with a homey feel and a terrace.

Neighborhoods South of the Arno (Oltrarno)

The south side of the river is called Oltrarno, which directly translates to "on the other side of the Arno.” The main attractions in this area are Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace, and Piazzale Michelangelo.

Oltrarno is a much quieter, less-touristy region of Florence and tends to be less expensive since it’s further away from the heart of the city, though it’s just a 10-minute walk away!

There are a handful of hotels in Oltrarno, most with glowing reviews! There are also many individual apartments available to rent out, which is what we chose to do.

If you’re visiting Florence for the first time, Oltrarno is the ideal area to stay! There’s a much more peaceful atmosphere in this area compared to the bustling city center.

There is only one official neighborhood on this side of the Arno: Santo Spirito. Within the Santo Spirito neighborhood is the San Frediano neighborhood. The San Niccolò neighborhood is not in one of the Quartieri Storici but is a distinct area on its own to the east of the Santo Spirito neighborhood.

Santo Spirito

The Santo Spirito neighborhood is home to the gorgeous Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace. This is a cool and trendy area with an artsy feel that tends to have a younger population.

The Santo Spirito neighborhood is across the Arno from the San Giovanni neighborhood — the center of Florence. Its location is perfect for those who want to stay in a quieter area, but still be a short walk from the heart of the city.

Despite its secluded feel, you can walk to the city center from either of these neighborhoods in about 10-15 minutes as they’re less than a mile apart.

This area is best for young people, solo travelers, and couples. The nightlife is lively (specifically in Piazza Santo Spirito) with bars and plenty of nearby restaurants, while still being a pretty quiet area.

Things to Do in Santo Spirito

Basilica of Santo Spirito: This basilica was designed by Brunelleschi in the 1400s. The basilica is filled with art, including the Crucifix, which was carved in wood by Michelangelo. It costs 2€ to enter and tour all parts of the building, to be paid upon arrival.
Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens: Boboli Gardens is the name for the gardens surrounding Pitti Palace, which was once the home of the Medici family and is now open to the public. You can buy your tickets online — I recommend the Combo Ticket that gives you access to both, as well as other main attractions like the Uffizi.
Fort Belvedere: Built in the early 1590s to defend Florence from any attacks, this old fort is completely free to visit unless you want a full guided tour for 5€ per person.

Places to Stay in Santo Spirito

Luxury:

Hotel Lungarno: Top-tier luxury hotel owned by the Ferragamo family (of the Salvatore Ferragamo luxury fashion brand) with rooms offering high-end decor, terraces, and views of the Ponte Vecchio and historic city center. They have a highly rated restaurant on-site, as well as a lounge bar.
Casa Botticelli: Next to Pitti Palace, this hotel has palatial rooms that would fit right in at Pitti Palace or an art museum.
Soprarno Suites: Spacious rooms with a unique combination of modern and traditional styles. This hotel offers daily breakfast, high ceilings, and some rooms with balconies.

Mid-range:

Pitti Studio Design: One-bedroom apartment with a small terrace, masculine styling/decor, a gorgeous bathroom with marble walls, and a small loft area with a record player.
Lunaria Suites: A palace, once home to artist Fyodor Dovstoyesky, converted into five charming suites with simple decor and a calming atmosphere.
Oltrarno Charm Apartment: Recently remodeled, bright white apartment with a kitchenette, washing machine, and gorgeous original brick ceiling in the living room.

Budget:

Santo Spirito Living: Large one-bedroom apartment with light and bright interiors, modern furniture and appliances, and a living room and kitchen.
Friends of Florence: Bright rooms in a restored building from the 15th century with pops of color and wood beam ceilings.

San Frediano

The San Frediano area is part of the Santo Spirito neighborhood, which is one of the Quartieri Storico. It’s a bit further from the rest of the city center and has a more local feel with fewer tourist attractions.

It was once a working-class neighborhood and a popular neighborhood with artisans and craftsmen. Today, it’s an area where you can experience the authentic charm of historic Florence and visit some of the artisan workshops.

Though it’s quiet and somewhat empty during the day, San Frediano also has a lively nightlife with a thriving bar scene. Borgo San Frediano is the main strip where most of the action is, with bars and restaurants lined down the street.

San Frediano has been called one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods by Lonely Planet, Destination Florence,

If you’re looking for a low-key neighborhood with trendy cocktail bars, a slower-paced lifestyle, and artistic roots, San Frediano is perfect for you.

Things to Do in San Frediano

Tour the Santa Maria del Carmine Church: This church is unassuming on the outside, but the inside has gorgeous high ceilings with frescoes, ornate Baroque-style architecture, multiple chapels, and a convent.
Explore Borgo San Frediano: This street is where you’ll find artisan workshops, art galleries, antique shops, and trendy cocktail bars.

Places to Stay in San Frediano

Luxury:

Oltrarno Apartment: Large, three-bedroom apartment with four bathrooms, a living room, wood beam ceilings, and traditional decor. It’s perfect for families or a group of friends/couples.
AdAstra Suites: Boutique hotel on a grand property with luxurious rooms, each with its own elegant style overlooking a manicured garden. There’s a common lounge and daily continental breakfast with seating overlooking the garden.
Camaldoli 8 Apartment: Bright one-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette, overlooking Florence rooftops. Ideal for couples or solo travelers.

Mid-range:

Piattellina Five Senses: Cozy one-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a full kitchen, black marble shower, and a sofa bed. Perfect for couples or a family.
Dimora Pieri: Lovely 1-3 bedroom apartments with a comforting, homey feel, traditional style/decor, kitchens, and some with balconies or terraces.
Acacia Apartments Salvia-Rosmarino: Gorgeous split-level apartment with wood accents, tranquil bedroom, full kitchen, and city views.
Cestello Luxury Rooms: Charming rooms with neutral, sophisticated decor and daily housekeeping. Lovely for couples.

Budget:

Sun Frediano Suite: Cute studio apartment with a kitchen and a desk. Best for solo travelers, but also great for couples.

San Niccolò

San Niccolò may not be part of the official Quartieri Storico, but it has its own unique vibes and points of interest that define it as a separate neighborhood.

If you’re looking for a quiet, enjoyable stay in a charming area of Florence, San Niccolò is ideal. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of the popular north side of the Arno and doesn’t have the lively nightlife that Santo Spirito has.

The main attractions in this area are the lovely rose garden and Piazzale Michelangelo. Like other neighborhoods, San Niccolò is a short walk to other popular attractions in central Florence.

We stayed in this area and LOVED it! As someone who likes to be away from the crowds of tourists and doesn’t mind walking to activities, this was the perfect area for me.

Our apartment was lovely and right next to the rose garden and Piazzale Michelangelo. The hosts were kind and helpful too! I spent a couple of mornings watching the sun rise from Piazzale Michelangelo since our apartment was so close to it.

The only time this area has any crowds is when tourists and locals head to the top of Piazzale Michelangelo to take in the stunning views of the city as the sun sets. Even then, the crowds in the neighborhood are small as everyone is at the piazzale.

Things to Do in San Niccolò

Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo: The best thing to do in San Niccolò is to watch the sunset or sunrise from Piazzale Michelangelo. Sunrise is empty, with just some photographers and morning joggers, while sunset is packed.
Picnic in the rose garden: Grab a pizza or panino to-go and enjoy it among the roses in the free Giardino delle Rose. The best time to experience the 400+ varieties of roses is when they’re in full bloom in May.
Explore the Iris Garden: This is an incredibly seasonal garden of Irises, open from the end of April through the end of May — just one month. It’s free to enter and located on the other side of Piazzale Michelangelo from the rose garden.
Walk through the San Miniato Gate: This archway is an opening for vehicles and pedestrians to enter through the city wall that runs through San Niccolò. It’s not the most exciting thing, but you’ll walk through it often to reach the restaurants and cafes if you stay in this area — especially if you stay in the same cute apartment as we did!
Visit the fountain: Below Piazzale Michelangelo is the Sistema delle Rampe del Poggi, a gorgeous water feature built in the 19th century and restored in 2019. It’s a giant fountain with three levels and is frequented by adorable local ducks.
Tour the Torre di San Niccolò: This large tower was part of the medieval city walls, built in the 1300s. You can climb the stairs to the top, when it’s open, for 6€ to get panoramic views of the city.

Places to Stay in San Niccolò

Luxury:

Hotel Silla: Upscale hotel close to the Arno River with nicely decorated rooms, a buffet breakfast, and a rooftop terrace with a cocktail bar.
San Niccolò Luxury Apartment: Spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with calming white and gray interiors, marble shower, kitchen, and living room with a sofa bed.
Apt in San Niccolò: Warm and cozy two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on the ground floor with a kitchen, lovely patio, living room, washing machine, and authentic brick accents in the archways and some ceilings.

Mid-range:

Casa Anna: Beautiful two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with a double room, single room, and sofa bed in the living room. It’s a warm and inviting space with light colors, a full kitchen, and a cozy seating area.
Angolo al Giardino delle Rose: Charming ground-floor apartment with one bedroom, a kitchenette, washing machine, and a comfy living room. My husband and I stayed in this apartment and loved the location, coziness, and kind hosts! It was perfect for us.
Across The River: Small, one-bedroom apartment with high ceilings with wood beams, lovely light mint walls, kitchen, washing machine, and living room with a sofa bed.

Budget:

Appartamento San Niccoló GR: Simple apartment with one bedroom, kitchenette, and a living area with a futon and table.
Woodie Apartment by Mamo Florence: Charming one-bedroom with arched doorways, a renovated kitchen, living room, and dining room.
S2 Tower - Dolcevita Holiday: Cozy studio apartment with a kitchenette, small dining area, and washing machine. Perfect for solo travelers on a budget!