Best Hotels in Florence: Where to Stay in Tuscany's Art Capital

Florence’s accommodation market is tighter than Rome’s. The city is small and central rooms are expensive relative to the quality. In peak season (April–October), last-minute availability is limited and prices are high. The best strategy is to book well ahead and choose a neighbourhood base carefully — staying in the historic centre costs a premium that isn’t always justified by the experience.

Best neighbourhoods

Oltrarno — South of the Arno. Generally better value than the north bank, more local character, excellent restaurants, easy walking distance to the Uffizi and Duomo via the Ponte Vecchio. Our first recommendation for most visitors.

Santa Croce — East of the centre around the basilica. Good mid-range options, less saturated with tourists than the San Lorenzo and Duomo area.

Centro Storico (Duomo area) — Maximum convenience but premium prices. Fine for short stays; expensive and crowded for anything longer.

Outside the walls (San Niccolò, Oltrarno periphery) — A 15-minute walk from the main sights but genuine neighbourhood living with far better value. Worth considering for stays of 4+ nights.

Budget breakdown

Budget (under €90/night): Florence doesn’t have a large hostel network by European standards. Ostello Bello Firenze (near Santa Maria Novella station) is the best option for social atmosphere. Private hostel rooms and small B&Bs in Santa Croce offer the best budget-to-location ratio.

Mid-range (€120–220/night): The Oltrarno neighbourhood has several good boutique hotels and B&Bs in restored Renaissance and medieval buildings. This range gets you a genuine Florentine character that chains can’t offer.

Luxury (€300+/night): The Lungarna and Riva Lofts hotels on the Arno embankment are the best design options. The Portrait Firenze on Ponte Vecchio and the Il Salviatino in the hills above the city are the most prestigious addresses.

Practical notes

Parking in central Florence is expensive and difficult. If arriving by car, book accommodation with parking or use a peripheral garage and walk/bus in. The ZTL (restricted traffic zone) covers most of the historic centre — entering it in a rental car without a permit results in automatic fines.