Florence, also known as Firenze, used to be the main hub of the Italian Renaissance and is still one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in Europe. The city has amazing artwork and buildings made by famous artists like Brunelleschi, Botticelli, and Michelangelo, which is why We at Dena Trip think you should give Florence a visit.
It attracts visitors all year except for the quieter time from January to mid-March. Luckily, the city center of Florence is easy to explore on foot and has many excellent hotels, which makes it convenient and enjoyable for travelers. Even though Florence is a small city, it has different neighborhoods that have unique vibes and levels of tourists. So, where you decide to stay can really affect how your experience will be. The City Center has many popular tourist spots, but other areas also have their own special things to see. It is easy to walk around the city, so there is no one neighborhood that is the best for tourists. Florence’s top hotels are located all over the city.
best places to stay in Florence Italy
if we are going to talk about best areas to stay in Florence Italy, then we have to say that Florence is situated by the Arno River, and most places to visit for tourists are found on the north side of the river. In the areas south of the Arno River, closer to the hills, you can find affordable hotels in the Oltrarno neighborhoods. However, you can also find good deals near the Santa Maria Novella train station.
We can not talk about Ideal places for a memorable stay in Florence and not mention The City Center of Florence. The City Center is the historic part of the city that dates back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It is located between the Duomo in the northern part and the River Arno and Ponte Vecchio to the south. This place is very popular with tourists because it has small and often crowded streets.
It also has important museums like the Uffizi and Bargello, old churches, and palaces from the Renaissance. Florence being one of the best places to visit in Italy for the first timers is known for its culture and history, which can be seen here. This place is great for both regular and expensive shopping. There are also good bars and restaurants here, but be careful of places that try to trick or scam tourists.
San Lorenzo is located to the northwest of the Center. It has beautiful Medici Chapels, a popular Mercato Centrale, and good local restaurants and vintage stores. It’s a good place for people visiting for the first time. Just a bit north of here is San Marco, a part of the city where the university is located. It is famous for having the Accademia, which is where Michelangelo’s David statue is housed. At night, San Marco is usually calmer compared to other areas. There are plenty of inexpensive hotels and bed and breakfasts that are close to the city center.
To the left of the center is the Santa Maria Novella district, which is in the area between the main train station and the river and we have to state that it’s one of the Ideal places for a memorable stay in Florence. As you travel towards the south from the less fancy area near the station, the atmosphere quickly becomes more elegant. You will find trendy shops and bars that lead to the Arno river.
There are some very nice and expensive hotels near the river here, and also near the neighborhood that borders the City Center. If you want more affordable options, there are many good budget hotels that are closer to the train station and could be one of good Low budget vacation ideas for couples.
The Santa Croce and Sant’Ambrogio districts are located east of City Center. Santa Croce is focused around the beautiful church and square named after it. Slightly less popular with tourists than the Center, this is a wonderful place to experience the local café scene and visit the food market called Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio in the neighborhood just north of it. At night, these places become very active and loud with lots of bars and clubs. There are some expensive and impressive hotels here, and both areas can be a good place for families to stay. Sant’Ambrogio is especially known for its genuine atmosphere.
Santissima Annunziata, is located to the northeast of the City Center, next to San Marco. This area is centered around a pretty square called Piazza della SS Annunziata. In the square, there is an old church that has beautiful artwork from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. There is also a museum that used to be the first orphanage in Europe. Despite being close to all of Florence’s most famous attractions, this area is still quite peaceful, with only a few hotels scattered around which is why Florence is one of the Best places to visit in Italy in October.
On the other side of the river in the Oltrarno area, there are two neighborhoods called San Frediano and Santo Spirito. These once poor areas have been transformed into vibrant neighborhoods that have a trendy and artsy atmosphere, but still feel grounded and unpretentious. The area is filled with small shops run by skilled crafters and unique stores. There are also many nice places to eat and drink, which cost a little less than those in the city center. There are many different types of good places to stay here, no matter how much money you have. Hotels are not very expensive, and the City Center is nearby and easy to get to.
The charming and romantic neighborhoods of San Niccolò and Piazzale Michelangelo can be found further to the east in the Oltrarno area which is one of the best places to stay in Florence Italy. San Niccolò is a neighborhood by the river that feels artsy and welcoming. Its small streets have lots of bars and shops. Going towards the south, the lanes go uphill through gardens to reach the famous viewpoint at Piazzale Michelangelo, which offers a great view of the city.
There aren’t many hotels in this area, and it’s the same in the Hills of Oltrarno further south. In that area, there are peaceful streets with lots of trees, gardens, and lovely villas. They are located near the beautiful church and monastery of San Miniato al Monte. Here, you can find really nice fancy hotels that have pools. The hotel rooms are also bigger than the ones near the City Center. This is great for families or big groups of people.
The best places to visit in Florence for sightseeing is the city center
One of best European family destinations, The small, bumpy roads in the center of the city have Florence’s most famous attractions. The old town in Florence is the best-preserved Renaissance old town in the world. It is located between Ponte Vecchio, where there are many jewelry shops, and the beautiful marble facade of the Duomo. When you combine the impressive beauty of the Palazzo Vecchio’s spiky design with the unmatched art collections of the Galleria degli Uffizi and Bargello, you are presented with a stunning variety of great art and architecture in a small area.
If you want to see beautiful art and visit churches, go to Cappelle Medicee in San Lorenzo and the Galleria dell’Accademia in San Marco. They are also where you can find Michelangelo’s huge statue called David. Florence is easy to navigate by foot because it is compact. You can save money by staying in neighborhoods like San Marco, Santa Maria Novella, and the Oltrarno, without sacrificing convenience.
The Ideal places for a memorable stay in Florence for Going Out at Night: San Frediano and Santo Spirito (Oltrarno), Santa Croce
There are many cool bars and nightlife spots spread throughout Florence. But if you want a place that’s really bustling with activity at night, with lots of different types of beer, cocktails, and even live music or film showings, then you should go to the trendy Santa Croce area, especially around the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. In the south part of the Arno river, you can find San Frediano and Santo Spirito.
These areas have a diverse range of places to visit, especially along Borgo San Frediano and Piazza Santo Spirito. Rasputin is a good place for cocktails, Il Santino is the best place for wine, and the Loggia Roof Bar at the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni has amazing views. If you want to treat yourself, go to the Picteau Bistrot & Cocktail Bar that has a great view of the river.
The best places to stay in Florence for great food and restaurants are San Frediano & Santo Spirito and Santa Croce.
There is delicious food all around Florence, but you have to be careful of places that target tourists in order to find the best places to stay in Florence Italy. In San Lorenzo, there is a place called Mercato Centrale. It has lots of fresh food, fancy food stands, and some really good places to eat. You can try authentic Tuscan food at Da Nerbone or get some fish and chips at Pescheria Sugarello. However, Santa Croce, as well as San Frediano and Santo Spirito in Oltrarno, have the best selection of really good food, which is usually not too expensive.
The first place mentioned has really good cafes, delicious street food at Mercato Sant’Ambrogio, an interesting dinner theater at Teatro del Sale, famous restaurants called Cibrèo, and the only restaurant in Florence with 3 Michelin stars called Enoteca Pinchiorri. San Frediano and Santo Spirito have a variety of different food options. Some restaurants serve traditional Tuscan dishes, while others offer modern interpretations of Tuscan cuisine. There are also places that serve authentic tapas and vegan food. If you want to have a special meal for a special occasion, you should consider going to Ristorante Borgo San Jacopo or iO-Osteria Personale.
The best places to visit in Florence for shopping: downtown area
Florence is famous for expensive and fancy things like designer clothes and accessories, valuable gold jewelry, and really nice leather goods. It’s a popular place for tourists, but the jewelers and goldsmiths on Ponte Vecchio are authentic and genuine. Via de’ Tornabuoni is a street where you can find stores from all the best fashion designers and luxury brands like Tiffany & Co, Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada, and others. If you want to find inexpensive items, you can go to the stalls around the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo, or you can visit department stores like Rinascente on Piazza della Repubblica. At Rinascente, you’ll also find a large Zara store, a Michael Kors boutique, and a Red Bistrot bookstore.
The best places to stay in Florence Italy for families are Santa Maria Novella, Santissima Annunziata, and San Niccolò.
Santa Maria Novella is conveniently situated in a convenient location between the main train station, City Center, and river. It is near famous historical places and a large park called Parco delle Cascine. Being close to the train station makes it easy to take day trips to the countryside. San Niccolò is a calm and residential area that is less busy than the Center. It has lovely parks, like the Giardino delle Rose. Hotels in this area usually have gardens and some even have a swimming pool. Santissima Annunziata is a place in Florence where you can easily walk to the best places to visit and eat. It is also quiet at night.
The best place in Florence for first-time visitors to stay is the city center.
For someone new, there is no better way than to fully experience the busy and exciting views of the City Center. You can easily walk to all the other neighborhoods listed from here. Santa Croce is a nice choice located to the east of the main attractions. It has a more local feel and there are peaceful areas if that’s what you’re looking for. Both places have really nice places to stay that are affordable for everyone.
Florence alone is one of top travel destinations in the world, but in this article, we hope we have covered it with details and we were a good help for you. Come again our dear friend for more tips and guides for your trips.
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Florence is a captivating city, and this article recommends the best places to stay for visitors. It highlights the unique charms of each neighborhood, ensuring that travelers find the perfect accommodation to complement their exploration of this artistic Italian gem.