Where To Stay in Florence With Kids 2025 - 3 Best Areas
Wondering where to stay in Florence with kids?
Planning a trip to Florence with kids can be a magical experience, but knowing where to stay is key to making the adventure enjoyable for everyone.
In this family-oriented travel blog with first-hand experience, we dive deeper into that question and we understand the importance of finding accommodations close to Florence’s main attractions to avoid long commutes or tiring walks with little ones.
Florence’s highlights—from the Duomo to the Uffizi Gallery and beyond—are largely situated in or around the historic center, making it an ideal base for families hoping to see the sights without constantly hopping on buses or trams.
If your budget allows, staying as close to the city center as possible is worth every penny, as it gives you quick access to Florence’s wonders while keeping downtime manageable for the kids.
But we also dive into the areas that are not far from the city center that offer far better value-for-money options.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Florence, each offering a perfect mix of convenience, comfort, and charm for an unforgettable family visit.
In short: The best areas to stay in Florence with kids are Centro Storico, San Lorenzo and Santo Spirito/Oltrarno.
Florence is a compact city and all the main attractions are located around the Duomo.
You want to stay as close as possible to this part of the city.
Centro Storico is therefore the best option you have. You have most of the attractions almost at your doorstep. It’s also the busiest and the most expensive part of the city.
San Lorenzo is a more budget-friendly area located just northeast of the historic center. Here, you can find markets and affordable restaurants and cafes.
But because of these markets, it does get crowded during the day.
You can opt for the quieter neighborhood of Santo Spirito/Oltrarno. It’s also easier to find something affordable here.
Just keep in mind that you’re located a bit further away from the heart of the city, as well as the train station.
If you travel by train, it makes more sense to pick one of the other two areas.
To be clear, it will take you about 10-15 minutes on foot to reach the heart of the city if you stay at either San Lorenzo or Santo Spirito/Oltrarno.
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 with kids.
Map of the best areas to stay in Florence with kids
The best areas to stay in Florence with kids are:
1. Centro Storico
Centro Storico is a fantastic choice for families visiting Florence, particularly because it offers the convenience of being right in the heart of the city.
Unlike San Lorenzo and Santo Spirito, which have their own charms but sit slightly farther from the major landmarks, Centro Storico allows you to step out of your hotel and immediately be surrounded by Florence’s most famous attractions.
This proximity is invaluable when traveling with kids, as it reduces the need for extensive walking or taking public transportation, making it easier to return to your accommodation for rest breaks whenever needed.
The historic center is bustling with activity, giving kids plenty to see and engage with as they wander.
From street performers near Piazza della Repubblica to the sheer awe of the Duomo towering above, Centro Storico is visually captivating.
This area is also packed with family-friendly dining options, ranging from casual pizza spots to gelato stands on nearly every corner, perfect for satisfying little appetites.
Also, most hotels in Centro Storico are well-equipped to cater to families, offering amenities such as larger rooms, breakfast options, and sometimes even babysitting services.
While San Lorenzo and Santo Spirito are excellent options for families seeking a quieter or more local experience, Centro Storico’s central location puts you at Florence’s cultural core, making it the ideal choice for those wanting immediate access to the city’s sights and sounds.
Staying here not only minimizes travel time but also immerses your family in Florence’s unique history and vibrant atmosphere—right outside your door.
Just keep in mind that this comes with a premium price tag. Finding something affordable is challenging, especially during high season.
2. San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo is an excellent choice for families looking to experience Florence from a central yet slightly more relaxed base.
Unlike the bustling historic heart of Centro Storico, which is always crowded and busy, San Lorenzo offers a slightly quieter atmosphere while still being within walking distance of top attractions like the Duomo and the Mercato Centrale.
This balance makes it a particularly good fit for families, as it provides both convenience and a bit more breathing room, perfect for when kids (and parents) need a break from the city’s busiest streets.
Keep in mind that around the markets, it does get crowded like the historic center.
One of San Lorenzo’s standout features is its proximity to the Mercato Centrale.
This vibrant market is a family favorite, offering diverse food options where everyone can find something they enjoy, from freshly made pasta to delicious gelato.
The area is filled with casual dining spots, making it easy to find kid-friendly meals without straying too far.
San Lorenzo also has a local feel, with smaller shops and cafes that provide an authentic slice of Florentine life, a nice contrast to the more tourist-focused spots in Centro Storico.
Compared to Santo Spirito, which sits across the river and has a bohemian, artisan vibe, San Lorenzo is more convenient for quickly accessing major landmarks.
It’s less residential than Santo Spirito, which means more accommodations and hotels designed with family needs in mind, including spacious rooms and helpful amenities.
Ultimately, San Lorenzo is a fantastic choice for families who want to stay near Florence’s key attractions, enjoy easy access to local food and shops, and prefer a less crowded environment than the very heart of Centro Storico.
If you do travel by train like we did, San Lorenzo is also an excellent option as the train station is located nearby.
However, around the train station, it’s quite noisy, especially during the night. This is not optimal when travelling with kids.
So my advice is to stay relatively close to the train station (within walking distance), but not directly at the train station.
3. Santo Spirito/Oltrarno
The last recommended area is Santo Spirito, which located in the Oltrarno district.
Staying here means that you combine central access with a relaxed, local atmosphere.
Unlike the lively, tourist-heavy Centro Storico and the market-centered charm of San Lorenzo, Santo Spirito provides a more residential, artisan vibe, ideal for families who want to experience Florence’s culture at a slightly slower pace.
Positioned just across the Arno River, it’s close enough to Florence’s main attractions but feels like a world away from the busiest streets, giving families a sense of calm and space that the other areas can’t quite match.
One of the biggest draws of Santo Spirito is its access to open spaces, such as the Piazza Santo Spirito, where children can run around and play safely in a beautiful setting.
This neighborhood is also home to the Boboli Gardens, a sprawling park filled with sculptures, fountains, and green spaces that’s perfect for a family outing when you need a break from sightseeing.
These areas provide a more relaxed pace, something families with young kids will especially appreciate after a busy day in the heart of the city.
In terms of dining, Santo Spirito and the Oltrarno area are known for their vibrant, artisan-driven food scene, filled with family-owned trattorias and cozy cafes that serve authentic Tuscan dishes.
Unlike the more commercialized options you find in Centro Storico, the dining options here have a neighborhood feel.
While Centro Storico puts you at Florence’s bustling center and San Lorenzo offers proximity to a lively market, Santo Spirito provides a unique balance of central access and local flavor, ideal for families who want a quieter, more intimate setting that’s still within reach of the main attractions.
You can also find far more affordable accommodation options here.
Just keep in mind that many parts are not tourist-orientated.
It gives a more authentic touch, but it also brings a few drawbacks. One of them is that restaurants here are not always good for picky eaters like your kids.
But you can always walk to the touristy parts to find an international restaurant, which takes you about ten minutes to get there.
Overview of where to stay in Florence with kids
1. Centro Storico: Centro Storico is ideal for families who want to stay in the heart of Florence without having to walk far to reach the city’s iconic landmarks. Staying here means you’re just steps away from sights like the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery, making it easy to pop back to your hotel for breaks if needed. The area offers plenty of family-friendly accommodations, and the abundance of nearby cafes and gelato shops means you’ll have no trouble keeping little ones fueled and entertained.
2. San Lorenzo: The San Lorenzo area is a perfect balance between accessibility and charm. It’s close to the Duomo and the lively Mercato Centrale, making it easy to explore the sights without going far. I’ve found San Lorenzo especially convenient for traveling with kids due to the family-friendly dining options and the manageable crowds. There are also plenty of bakeries and casual spots to grab a snack, which can be a lifesaver when dealing with picky eaters or midday hunger.
3. Santo Spirito/Oltrarno: For a quieter, more local experience, Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno area offers a perfect family-friendly option. It’s close enough to cross the river and reach main attractions quickly but has a laid-back atmosphere. The charming Piazza Santo Spirito offers open space for kids to play, and the nearby Boboli Gardens provide a fantastic outdoor escape. With plenty of artisan shops and cafes, this neighborhood is rich in culture and relaxed enough for young families to explore comfortably.
*If you tap on the neighborhood, you will go directly to the relevant part of the article for more detailed information.