Where To Stay in Florence On A Budget 2025 - 3 Best Areas
Wondering where to stay in Florence on a budget?
This former capital of the Kingdom of Italy is a popular destination and is home to some of the most famous art galleries in the world.
Here you can see some of the Renaissance masterpieces, as Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance.
The beautiful historic city centre is famous for its stunning architecture.
But if you are on a tighter budget, you should unfortunately stay a little outside this beautiful city centre, as hotels in the historic parts are expensive.
Fortunately, there are quite a few alternatives and during the day, you can easily take in the beauty of the Duomo, the Bardini Gardens, the Brancacci Chapel, the Rose Garden, the famous Florence Baptistery Doors at the Baptistery of St. John and Michelangelo’s David Sculpture.
In this article, we cover what we think are the best areas to stay in Florence cheap.
These areas have their own advantages and disadvantages.
You’ll also find a map with all the recommended areas of Florence to make an even better decision.
With that said, let’s get straight to our recommendations.
In short: The best areas to stay in Florence on a budget are Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo and Oltrarno.
Florence is a compact city and all the main attractions are located around the Duomo.
The tourist epicentre of Florence is also the most expensive part of the city, so it is best to stay in one of the nearby areas.
The three recommended areas offer much cheaper accommodation options while still being centrally located.
Santa Maria Novella is the area where you can find Florence’s main train station, ideal for those who explore Italy by train.
San Lorenzo is the area northeast of the historic center and is known for its amazing markets, including Mercato Centrale Firenze (a foodie’s heaven).
Oltrarno is the area on the opposite side of the river, which is much quieter than the historic center, ideal for families.
It will take you about 10-15 minutes on foot to reach the heart of the city.
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 on a budget.
Map of the best areas to stay in Florence on a budget
The best areas to stay in Florence on a budget are:
1. Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is Florence’s main transportation hub, and its central train station offers easy access to other parts of Tuscany and beyond.
In the summer of 2024, we explored Italy by train and Florence was one of our destinations.
We stayed in this part of the city for several reasons.
It’s quite convenient that you just have to cross the street from the train station and you’re already at your hotel.
Once we dropped off our luggage, we started exploring the city and you’re within walking distance of many of the main attractions, including the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio.
Although Florence has a tram, most tourists will explore the city solely on foot.
Like many European cities, accommodations around the train station are affordable, so there are plenty of options.
The area around the train station is lively, with several nice restaurants, cafes, markets, and supermarkets.
But the downside to staying near a main train station is that in the evening, and even at night, there is always noise.
Also, the further you go from the city centre, the less convenient Santa Maria Novella is.
That’s why we highly recommend staying as close to the train station as possible if you decide to choose this area.
And if you’re a light sleeper, you might want to bring some earplugs.
If you’re looking for something quieter, there are better options.
But in terms of convenience, this area is the best choice if you’re travelling on a budget.
2. San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo is the area adjacent to the area recommended above.
Right in the center of this area is the Mercato Centrale, the largest covered market in Florence.
It is a must-visit for any food lover.
But the area itself is full of affordable restaurants.
During the day, San Lorenzo gets very crowded because of all the markets.
It is within walking distance of the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Piazza del Duomo, and other iconic landmarks.
In fact, San Lorenzo offers a slightly better location compared to the area recommended above.
So why do we recommend Santa Maria Novella instead of San Lorenzo?
Staying near the train station is more convenient for getting to and from Florence for most tourists.
But the differences between these two popular and budget-friendly areas are minimal.
However, San Lorenzo offers a more lively atmosphere.
The good thing is that both areas are neighboring each other, meaning that if you can’t decide between these two areas, you can easily enjoy the benefits of both.
3. Oltrarno
The last area we recommend is Oltrarno, an area that really feels authentic.
It’s a much quieter area compared to the previous two areas.
From here, you can easily explore the cultural sites such as the Pitti Palace, as well as the Boboli Gardens.
During sunset, make sure to visit Piazzale Michelangelo to take the best pictures of your entire trip.
You can also reach the historic center quite easily.
But it’s a much less bustling area, which means the area gets boring during the evening.
During the day, there’s plenty to discover.
Known for its artisan workshops and studios, Oltrarno is home to many of Florence’s traditional artisans, including leather workers, goldsmiths, and painters.
Walking through its streets, you’ll come across unique craft shops, galleries, and small studios where artists create and sell their works, offering a real insight into the creative side of Florence.
The neighborhood is known for its fantastic trattorias and osterias, where you can enjoy authentic Tuscan dishes without paying tourist prices.
If you’re looking for an area that’s not so touristy, offers a quieter experience, and you want to stay in an affordable hotel with nice river views, then Oltrarno is the area you’ve been looking for.
Just keep in mind that for a fun night out, you’ll need to visit more lively areas nearby.
Overview of where to stay in Florence on a budget
- Santa Maria Novella: This neighborhood is home to the main train station and has plenty of affordable accommodation options. It’s also well connected to the rest of the city, allowing easy access to landmarks like the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery.
- San Lorenzo: Known for its bustling central market, San Lorenzo offers plenty of budget accommodation and is popular with backpackers. The area has a lively local vibe, with plenty of street vendors, inexpensive cafes, and access to cultural sites like the Medici Chapels. The neighborhood is close to major attractions, so you can save on transportation.
- Oltrarno: Across the Arno River, Oltrarno is known for its quieter atmosphere and affordable restaurants. This area feels less touristy and offers a more authentic Florentine experience, although it’s within walking distance of the historic center. Be warned, though, that at night, this part of the city is pretty boring.
*If you tap on the neighborhood, you will go directly to the relevant part of the article for more detailed information.