The Best Hotels In Florence, Italy By Neighborhood

Florence is a popular destination with tons of accommodation options throughout the city. The best hotels for you in Florence, Italy by neighborhood will depend on your taste, budget, and the vibe you want for your trip.

This post will focus on the best hotels in Florence by neighborhood. We have included a hotel residence that offers apartments for that extra comfort, or for families to stay in. If you need something like an apartment, these are a smart choice because Florence is one of the many European cities that are experiencing overtourism. You can reduce your impact by staying in an apartment at a hotel rather than a traditional vacation home rental. We’ve included some budget hotels, boutique hotels, and luxury hotels in Florence, Italy, organized by neighborhood. We’ve even included a hostel option that offers private rooms with an ensuite bathroom!

Skip to the best hotels in Florence, Italy by neighborhood:

• How we select a hotel to recommend in Florence, Italy
• Hotel star rating system
• Things to think about when you select a hotel/neighborhood to stay in
• Oltrarno (Santo Spirito and San Frediano): For foodies and families
• Santa Croce: For first-time visitors, nightlife, and proximity to main attractions
• Sant’Ambrogio: For foodies on a budget
• San Lorenzo/San Marco: For families and lower prices
• San Giovanni (Historic Center): For proximity to sights and attractions
• San Niccolò: Quieter neighborhood with restaurants and wine bars. Great for families too
• Santa Maria Novella: For quick access to transportation and slightly lower prices
• FAQs about choosing a neighborhood in Florence, Italy

Hotel rooms in Europe are not like hotel rooms in the U.S., even when you’re staying at a familiar chain hotel. The biggest difference is the size of the room and the size of the beds. If it’s your first trip to Italy, read more about what to expect from a hotel room in Europe here. 

How we select a hotel to recommend in Florence, Italy: 

We’re looking at location, price, amenities, reviews, and personal experience. We’ve tried to provide a range of options for each neighborhood. Please note that pricing fluctuates greatly, especially in the high season; booking well in advance can save you a lot. If you’re able to travel in the off-season, you can save the most; we’ve seen hotel rooms that are less than €100/night in the off-season charge almost €400/night in the summer!

Hotel star rating system:

To select the best hotels in Florence, Italy by neighborhood, we consider a hotel’s star rating, not to be confused with the review rating system. A star rating is about the kind of hotel and the amenities offered. Keep in mind that star ratings indicate amenities offered at the property, not necessarily price or quality. For this reason, you’ll find our recommendations organized by star rating for each neighborhood. Reminder: just because a property only has 2 stars doesn’t mean it’s not neat, clean, and comfortable; it primarily means that it has fewer amenities.

• A 1-star hotel is going to be a budget option with only basic functional furniture, and the bathrooms could be shared, so read the description closely.
• A 2-star hotel usually includes a private bathroom, some comfort, possibly a TV, and very basic cleaning services. This is great for short stays when you just need a shower and a place to sleep, but you don’t need any meal offerings on-site. This means that a 2-star hotel could have the same type of room offering as a 3-star hotel, but doesn’t have a restaurant on-site like a 3-star hotel will.
• A 3-star hotel is typically mid-range and offers larger rooms (than a 1- or 2-star hotel; it doesn’t mean the room is big, per se). The hotel should have dedicated staff in uniform, an on-site restaurant or bar, and internet access. 
• A 4-star hotel is when you start to see higher quality, but that doesn’t mean that it is modern. A hotel can get 4 stars and have high-quality but old-world furniture and upholstery. These hotels often offer room service, parking options, and daily linen changes. A 4-star hotel might also have a gym and/or a pool. We often don’t see a big price difference between 3- and 4-star hotels.
• A 5-star hotel is almost always luxury and top-tier services. This is where you’ll get a concierge who speaks multiple languages, spas, exceptional customer service, and a fine dining restaurant on site. 

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling to multiple cities, mix things up. Book a 2- or 3-star hotel for the cities you only have a couple to a few nights in and splurge for 4- and 5-star in cities you will spend more time in. Let your need for breakfast, parking, a pool or gym, and dining guide you. 

Things to think about when you select a hotel in Florence, Italy:

• Pick a neighborhood first, then narrow your hotel search to that area; this way you don’t end up in a less-than-desirable neighborhood to save a few bucks.
• Will you have a car? Florence has a lot of ZTLs (zona traffico limitata, areas you can’t drive in without a permit). If you’ll have a car, you’ll want to make sure that you stay somewhere with parking options. Find out the price of parking before you book. For stays within the ZTL, contact your hotel ahead of time to ask them for help registering your rental car. They will know what to do. Honestly though, Florence is the most walkable city in the world. You only need a car if Florence is your base and you plan to drive to other towns for the day. The train is a great option too.
• Florence has become expensive, and the best way to lower the cost of your accommodations is to book far in advance or to come in the off-season (if you can). We see incredibly low prices from late November to February. 
• If you’re looking to keep the cost down, you may consider a hostel; don’t roll your eyes at me! You’d be surprised what you can find; hostels aren’t all dorm rooms. Some hostels also offer private rooms with private bathrooms. Amenities that may surprise you are common spaces for laundry, cooking, and outdoor relaxation. Hostelworld is a great place to find a hostel anywhere on the planet. Keep reading for our hostel recommendation in Florence.

A note on our recommendations: The links included in this post are connected to the site where we found the best deal at the time of writing/updating this post. It’s always a good idea to compare prices and availability; some booking sites may show the hotel is sold out while other sites still have rooms. We like to use booking.com, expedia.com, agoda.com, and trip.com. Another great option is to use vio.com to compare all the prices and find an even better rate – you can often save up to 45% by booking through vio.com. When you’re ready to book, we appreciate you coming back to our post and clicking our links.

*No BS, we want to be transparent; some of the links included on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. We only recommend products and companies that we have vetted. If you aren’t booking today, please come back to click our link again before you make a purchase. Think of it like buying us a coffee to say “thank you,” except you’re buying it with money you already spent on something else. Thank you for your support!

Best hotels in Oltrarno (Santo Spirito & San Frediano), Florence, Italy

Oltrarno: Best for a local vibe, foodies, boutique, and luxury hotels

The Oltrarno area is our favorite part of Florence to stay in because there is no shortage of restaurants, wine bars, and great spots for an aperitivo in the evening. San Frediano was named one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world by Lonely Planet. Read more about the Oltrarno neighborhood here.

Map outlining Oltrarno, Florence, Italy neighborhoods: Santo Spirito and San Frediano

The best hotels in Florence, Oltrarno neighborhood:

2-star budget hotel in Santo Spirito: Boboli Living is in a great location directly across the street from Pitti Palace. The hotel will hold your luggage if you arrive early or plan to stay in town later than check-out. The first time we stayed here, we had a very basic room, and it seemed that they were slowly updating their rooms. We’re going there again in October, and we’ll update this post again because we think they may be done with the renovations. Stay here if you just need a place to sleep and shower, nothing fancy.

3- star hotel San Frediano: To get a little further from the crowds, try La Torre del Cestello in the San Frediano neighborhood of the Oltrarno. Spacious, comfortable, valet parking for a fee, and elegant rooms (some with river views) in an authentic Florentine neighborhood. 

4-star hotel in Santo Spirito: B&B Hotel Firenze Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio is right next to the Ponte Vecchio bridge; they offer breakfast, and the hotel has a terrace for guests to enjoy with a fabulous view of the city. This hotel is budget to moderate because you can find some great deals in the off-season.

4-star luxury hotel in San Frediano: Hotel Horto Convento is on the far side of the San Frediano neighborhood. The modern, luxurious, and comfortable rooms are designed for relaxation. Located just outside of the ZTL area, you can drive to the hotel, where they offer private on-site parking. Breakfast is often included at the hotel (look for this on booking sites), and there is a bar on site. Take advantage of their concierge service. If you stay here, look into the exclusive benefits that guests receive at the nearby Della Calza Retreat and Spa. Pricing will depend upon when you are going and how early you book; we’ve seen budget prices up to the higher end of moderate pricing.

5-star luxury hotel in Santo Spirito: Hotel Lungarno is luxury at its finest. This hotel offers one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio. The hotel has 2 dining options and room service. Enjoy dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant or at their bistrot & bar. At Hotel Lungarno, you’ll find options for rooms with private terraces, river views, and family rooms.

Best hotels in Santa Croce, Florence, Italy

Santa Croce: Best for nightlife

The Santa Croce neighborhood has a lively nightlife. The Basilica di Santa Croce is in the heart of the neighborhood, and it’s a stone’s throw from the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. This is a working-class neighborhood, and we love the vibe. Sant’Ambrogio is just north of the Santa Croce neighborhood and boasts historic trattorias and pizzerias. Read more about the Santa Croce and Sant’Ambrogio neighborhoods here.

Map showing Florence neighborhoods: Santa Croce, Sant’Ambrogio, and San Giovanni (historic center).

The best hotels in Florence, Santa Croce neighborhood:

3-star hotel in Santa Croce: B&B Firenze City Center is just outside of the Santa Croce and the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhoods. A 14-minute walk to the Basilica di Santa Croce and an 8-minute walk to the Sant’Ambrogio market. Sometimes you can find really good prices, and the savings may be worth having to cross the street before you find yourself in the old Santa Croce or Sant’Ambrogio neighborhoods.

4-star hotel with a rooftop pool in Santa Croce: Plaza Hotel Lucchesi has a rooftop pool and bar with spectacular views of the city and is just a few minutes’ walk to the Basilica di Santa Croce. This hotel is not only great for couples, but families can find family room options too. Pricing is moderate to luxury. Prices are certainly higher in the busy season, but if you go in the off-season, you’ll be surprised by how affordable this hotel can be. 

4-star luxury hotel in Santa Croce: The Grand Hotel Mediterraneo is just outside of the Santa Croce neighborhood and across the river from the Piazzale Michelangelo, Rose Garden, and Giardino dell’Iris. The hotel offers holiday packages like Thanksgiving dinner or New Year’s Eve dinner and brunch. Choose from classic rooms, suites, or family rooms. Rooms are modern, spacious, and comfortable. The hotel is located outside of the ZTL, so you can park a car here, and the hills of Florence are just minutes away.

Best hotels in San Lorenzo/San Marco, Florence, Italy

San Lorenzo/San Marco: Best for savings and proximity to attractions

San Lorenzo and San Marco are great neighborhoods for first-time visitors because they are easy to navigate and you’ll be close to just about everything you want to see and do. Read more about the San Lorenzo and San Marco neighborhoods here.

Map of San Lorenzo and San Marco neighborhoods, also showing Sant’Ambrogio and San Giovanni (historic center) neighborhoods.

The best hotels in Florence, San Lorenzo/San Marco neighborhoods:

2-star budget hostel in San Lorenzo: Plus Florence is a Hostel in the San Lorenzo neighborhood and is listed as a 2-star property, most likely because of the dorm room options (big $ saver). The hostel offers tons of amenities and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. If you’re looking to socialize a little at the end of the day but still want a room to yourself, their double private rooms can be quite affordable. If you’re traveling solo, try one of the more dorm-like accommodations to save even more $$. Two swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a gym, and a sauna await you for a total recharge. The hostel offers breakfast and has a laundry service to wash and dry your clothes for you. Both are available for a fee. You’ll find areas for relaxation, billiards, and ping pong tables.

3-star hotel with a rooftop bar in Florence: Hotel Machiavelli Palace has a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city, including a view of the Duomo. Sip on a cocktail on the terrace while you recount your day! The continental breakfast option is perfect if you won’t have time to stop at a cafe in the morning or if you want more than a pastry and coffee. The hotel is an 8-minute walk to the Duomo and a 5-minute walk to the train station. The location is super convenient, and you can walk just about anywhere in Florence from here. If you do need a ride, they can call a taxi for you and even pre-arrange a transfer service to get you to the airport (or take the T2 to the airport; the tram stop is 4 minutes from the hotel on foot).

4-star hotel in San Lorenzo: Botticelli Hotel Florence City Centre, conveniently located close to the train station and central market. The hotel also serves breakfast, and this is our go-to when we leave early, need breakfast, and want to get to the train station quickly. The staff is always nice, and it’s clean, with affordable rates. 

Pro tip: The central market is a couple of minutes’ walk from this Botticelli Hotel, and the upstairs part of the central market is open daily from 9 am to 11 pm. Stop here if you need a snack or something to eat near the hotel.

4-star comfortable hotel in San Marco: De La Pace, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western is in the northernmost part of the San Marco Neighborhood and is moderately priced ( sometimes you can find more budget pricing available). This is a comfortable hotel that can feel like home. The hotel is an 8-minute walk from the Galleria dell’Accademia (where the David is). The hotel has air conditioning, soundproof rooms, and breakfast is included (or you can treat yourself to the nearby Brunch Republic).  

Best hotels in San Giovanni (Historic Center), Florence, Italy

The historic center (San Giovanni): Best for proximity to attractions and luxury hotels

This is the heart of Florence; it’s where you’ll find the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Bargello Museum, Piazza della Signoria, and the Piazza della Repubblica. This can be good for first-timers because of its proximity to everything. Just beware that not every restaurant is amazing or authentic. This is the tourist neighborhood, and you will find plenty of businesses that cater to that. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great finds in the neighborhood. Read more about our favorite places in the neighborhood here.

Map of the San Giovanni neighborhood (historical center) in Florence, Italy

The best hotels in Florence, San Giovanni (historic center) neighborhood:

3-star budget hotel in the historic center of Florence: Albergo Firenze is clean and close to the Duomo. Some months the prices are moderate and other months low (like under €100 per night)! Furnishings are modern and comfortable, although basic. The bathrooms are nothing special, but they have what you need and are clean. Their breakfast is reasonably priced, and they have luggage storage too. Charlene stayed here for one night when she really just needed a place to sleep, and it was perfect; she got the reservation the night before at a reasonable rate.

4-star elegant hotel in the historic center of Florence: Strozzi Palace Hotel puts you right by it all, a short walk to the Train Station, Duomo, Palazzo Strozzi, Chiesa Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi Gallery, shopping, and dining. If you’re looking for Tuscan elegance meets palace vibes, this is your spot. Services include a breakfast buffet, private transfers, parking, and pets are allowed. 

5-star luxury hotel in the city center of Florence: Helvetia & Bristol Firenze is absolute luxury with an on-site spa. This is definitely a splurge, but you’re worth it! This is more than a hotel, with every amenity you could need. From large rooms to concierge, bellhop, shuttle services, 3 dining options, and more. They are even pet-friendly and offer wedding services. You’ll find yourself a short walk from the Duomo. A perfect location for a special trip in Florence.

Best hotels in San Niccolò, Florence, Italy

San Niccolò: Best for views and fewer crowds

Across the river from the Santa Croce neighborhood and home to one of the best views of Florence is the San Niccolò neighborhood. Read more about the San Niccolò neighborhood here.

Map of the San Niccolò neighborhood, Florence, Italy

The best hotel in Florence, San Niccolò neighborhood:

4-star boutique residence hotel in San Niccolò:  At Serristori Palace – Residence a Firenze, you can book an apartment with all of the support and amenities of a hotel, including cleaning, because who wants to clean their apartment when they’re on vacation! Indulge in a private home at a prestigious residence for the duration of your stay in Florence. The residence offers studio, standard, superior, and penthouse apartments for a moderate price. Some of the apartments are big enough for a family. We’ve all heard about overtourism and the problem caused by vacation rentals in the city of Florence. This is a nice alternative; it’s a boutique hotel with apartments, so you get the best of both worlds. Clean, comfortable, stylish, and quiet!

Best hotels in Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy

Santa Maria Novella: Best for convenience and access to transportation

Santa Maria Novella is a large neighborhood. For the purposes of this post, we’re focusing on the area surrounding the train station and lining the San Giovanni, San Lorenzo, and San Marco neighborhoods. Staying near the train station can be convenient, especially if you need to take the T2 to the airport. Read more about the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood here.

Map of the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood, Florence, Italy

The best hotels in Florence, Santa Maria Novella neighborhood:

4-star budget hotel in Santa Maria Novella: Ambasciatori Hotel Florence is right by the train station and a great option if you have an early train or are just in town for 1-2 nights. The rooms are comfortable and modern. We put this here because you can get some really good rates. In the off-season, they may be as low as €100/night, but in the busy travel season you’re looking at a bit more.

4-star stylish and affordable hotel in Santa Maria Novella: 25hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino is a stylish and affordable option. This hotel is super cool. If you’re looking for something unique, this is it. The design of this hotel is inspired by Dante’s Divina Commedia (Divine Comedy); when you book, you’ll select a room with ethereal colors (whites and off-whites) or bold reds, and they call this their nod to the Divine Comedy. On site, you’ll find a restaurant, negroni bar, and a cinema with curated movies, but that’s not all. The hotel also has a sauna, gym, garden lounge, pool, alimentari (bodega), and bike rentals. The location is convenient too, just a 12-minute walk to the Duomo and an 8-minute walk to the train station. 

4-star luxury hotel in Santa Maria Novella: The Grand Hotel Minerva overlooks the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, and the rooftop pool has stunning views of the city. Italian design meets modern convenience. The hotel offers guest rooms, luxury suites, family options, and connecting rooms. This is also close to the train station and the T2 (tram) that can take you to the airport. This hotel has that extra touch that might be just what you need on your vacation.

We hope this post has given you some options to consider for your next stay in Florence, Italy. We know that looking at a map of the multitude of options can be overwhelming. If you’re looking for more guidance on which neighborhood to stay in Florence, Italy, read our post about where to stay in Florence, Italy by neighborhood. The post will give you a better understanding of what each neighborhood has to offer so you can decide what works for you.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to plan your trip, we can help. Have an expert (that’s us) do the research, offer you options, build your custom itinerary, and even save you time with secure bookings (on your behalf) with our custom travel planning services. Still want to plan your trip but need somewhere to start? Our rough itinerary services will help you organize your trip so you can book with confidence. Need some resources so you can plan your trip completely on your own? Check out our favorite resources to get started.

Have you stayed at any of the hotels we’ve recommended? We’d love to hear from you. Please tell us in the comments which hotel and if you would stay there again. 

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-XO, The Twins

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FAQs about choosing a neighborhood in Florence, Italy