Where To Stay in Florence First Time 2025 - 5 Best Areas
Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and a must-see for history buffs. Here you’ll find masterpieces by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raphael. To fully enjoy this amazing city, you’ll first need to answer the question: where to stay in Florence first time.
In addition to offering beautiful art, Florence is home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and Tuscan landscapes.
Add to that the phenomenal Florentine cuisine and vibrant student life and you have the recipe for an unforgettable city trip.
In short: The best areas to stay in Florence first time are the historic center, Santa Croce, Oltrarno, San Lorenzo and Santa Maria Novella.
The historic center, where the cathedral is located, is the most practical area if you want to stay as close as possible to the city’s main attractions.
It is also the busiest area.
You can choose one of the areas that are directly connected to the city center but are a little less crowded.
Sante Croce and San Lorenzo are excellent options for this.
If you prefer to stay on the other side of the river, where you will find the fantastic viewpoint of Piazza Michelangelo, stay in Oltrarno, which is much quieter.
If you are traveling by train, Santa Maria Novella is the best option.
This is where we stayed last time and it has excellent access to both the station and the city center with its highlights.
You can easily navigate to each neighborhood by tapping the link.
In the next paragraph, you can find a map of the best areas.
You can also go straight to the overview of the best neighborhoods to stay in Florence.
Map of the best areas to stay in Florence first time
The best areas to stay in Florence first time are:
1. Historic Center
This is without a doubt the most convenient area to see all the major sights. If you stay in the heart of the city, you will be within walking distance of several iconic landmarks, such as the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio.
Because it attracts so many tourists, there are an abundance of shops, restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlours. If you want to try authentic Florentine food, be sure to book a table at Trattoria Zà Zà, a famous local restaurant that serves incredibly tasty and reasonably priced food.
Keep in mind that you need to book at least a month in advance of your visit.
In addition to the delicious restaurants and beautiful buildings, the cathedral is also the bustling epicenter of the city. There is always something going on both during the day and in the evening. If you fancy a glass of wine, head to one of the wine windows in the city, which is quite a fun experience.
The downside of the historic center is that it is incredibly busy. Plus, it is incredibly hot in the summer. But here’s my advice: get up early and explore the city between 6 and 9 in the morning. You’ll have an empty historic center that’s not yet oppressively hot and you can take great photos without any other people around (apart from a few garbage trucks).
Keep in mind that this is also the area most sought after by tourists, which means that not only are hotels often fully booked, but prices are also much higher compared to the suburbs. This is also reflected in the prices of food and drinks.
But when it comes to convenience, none of the other areas can compete with the historic center.
2. Sante Croce
Sante Croce is located on the eastern side of the cathedral. The main reason tourists choose to stay here is that it is a bit quieter compared to the historic center, but still centrally located.
Cross one of the bridges to the south and you will find yourself in Piazza Michelangelo, from where you have the best view of the city. It is highly recommended to visit this hill at sunset.
But Sante Croce has a lot to offer in itself, besides its convenient location between the cathedral and the viewpoint. A must for foodies is the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. This is the second most popular market full of fresh produce and incredibly tasty dishes that you can buy here for cheap.
This area is also home to the most famous wine window, in the Borgo dei Greci. And there are plenty of restaurants to choose from that do not primarily target tourists, unlike the historic center.
Keep in mind that Sante Croce is quite far from the train station.
If you are travelling by train, I would recommend staying somewhere else, especially closer to the train station, as it is simply much more convenient. Santa Croce is an excellent choice for those looking for a less crowded area that is still close to the touristic epicenter of the city.
Some of our favorite photos in Florence. Everywhere in the historic center you will be amazed by all the beauty the city has to offer.
Some of our favorite photos in Florence. Everywhere in the historic center you will be amazed by all the beauty the city has to offer.
3. Oltrarno
Oltrarno is the area across the river where you can find both Santo Spirito and Michelangelo Pizzia (viewpoint). This area is much quieter compared to the two previously recommended areas. But of course you are further away from the absolute highlights of Florence.
But don’t worry, you can still walk from Oltrarno to the historic center to explore more of Florence’s history. Especially if you are looking for a quieter area with a relatively central location, Oltrarno will not disappoint. The area feels much more authentic and less touristy and after a short walk you can reach the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens.
In the early morning it is nice to walk along the river to the Ponte Vecchio. Many locals like to jog here and the sunrise often colors the sky orange.
But there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is far from ideal to stay here if you are traveling by train, unless you take a taxi from the busy train station. Secondly, there is less to do. The busy historic centre is much more suitable for those planning to explore the city in the late hours.
But that is precisely the point of staying in Oltrarno. It is the perfect area for those looking for a quieter environment after a long day of sightseeing.
There is a lot to discover culinary in Florence! And treat yourself to a nice cold drink every now and then.
There is a lot to discover culinary in Florence! And treat yourself to a nice cold drink every now and then.
4. San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo is a neighborhood near the train station that takes you to the heart of the city. It’s the best option you can think of if you’re traveling around Italy by train. In July 2024, we traveled by train through different parts of Tuscany and in Florence we stayed in a modern apartment in San Lorenzo.
This area is also home to the Central Market of Florence, a must-visit foodie paradise. There are many popular shops here, but F.N. Pasta Fresca is by far the most popular. Pasta lovers should definitely visit this local eatery despite the long line.
But there’s so much more to do in this area. The street leading to the tourist epicenter is lined with great bars and pizzerias. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is just around the corner. And of course, you have perfect access to the tram system if you want to use it.
Is there anything not to like about this area? It’s a noisy place, even late at night. This is because it is the transport hub of Florence.
This is often the disadvantage of staying near the train station.
However, apart from some loud noises late at night, we had an incredibly comfortable stay in San Lorenzo and only needed five minutes to get to the train station for our next destination.
5. Santa Maria Novella
The last neighborhood we recommend is Santa Maria Novella, a large neighborhood “behind” the train station. This area feels much less touristy and offers great options for budget travelers.
If you are staying as close to the train station as possible, this neighborhood is simply fantastic because you have easy access to public transportation and the historic district is within walking distance.
However, if you choose to stay further northwest and further away from the historic heart of the city, this neighborhood becomes a lot less convenient.
The closer you stay to the airport and further away from the train station, the more you will be dependent on taxis or possibly the tram. On the other hand, you will be living in a much cheaper neighborhood than in the other recommended neighborhoods.
Keep in mind that there is less to do in the evenings than in the busy historic center of Florence. So the trick is to find a balance between a good location (as close to the train station as possible) and a hotel that fits your budget.
If you manage to find a hotel that meets these criteria, you will certainly enjoy Santa Maria Novella to the fullest.
Overview of where to stay in Florence first time
- Historic Center: This is the ideal area for sightseeing, as you can find all the major attractions here or nearby. It is also the most touristy area, so those looking for a more authentic and peaceful experience should choose another area.
- Sante Croce: This is one of the great alternatives to the historic centre, as you will be staying in a slightly quieter area but still be central. It is also particularly popular with foodies, as there is an abundance of fantastic restaurants in this part of the city.
- Oltrarno: This part is particularly peaceful compared to the two previously recommended areas. It offers excellent connections to Michelangelo Plaza. Keep in mind that public transport connections are not as good as in more central areas.
- San Lorenzo: This area is the most convenient if you are arriving by train. In addition to the excellent connection to the train station and the fact that you do not have to lug your heavy luggage around for long, you are also only a few minutes walk from the historic centre.
- Santa Maria Novella: This area is ideal for budget travelers, but you should try to choose a hotel that is as close to the train station as possible. If you stay too far from the train station and the historic center, this neighborhood can quickly become less optimal.
*If you tap on the neighborhood, you will go directly to the relevant part of the article for more detailed information.
About the author
My name is Joost, a travel enthusiast and a true foodie with a deep passion for exploring new places and cultures. Since 2017, I’ve been living abroad, immersing myself in diverse communities and cuisines. I spent four unforgettable years in Southeast Asia, where I fell in love with its vibrant street food, unique history, and beautiful landscapes. Since 2021, I’ve been calling South America home, continuing my journey of discovery and sharing tips to help fellow travelers make the most of their adventures.