Florence is compact enough to walk almost anywhere, so where you stay is about atmosphere as much as location. The Centro Storico puts every major sight on your doorstep; the artisan Oltrarno across the Arno is quieter, more local and often better value; and the streets around Santa Croce and San Lorenzo buzz with restaurants and markets. From Renaissance-palace grand hotels and Ferragamo-owned boutiques to reliable central four-stars and friendly budget guesthouses, here are the best places to stay, with areas, prices and honest advice.
€€€€Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Area
San Marco
Type
5-star luxury
“The 11-acre private Giardino della Gherardesca is the largest garden in the city — reason enough to splurge here.”
€€€€Hotel Savoy
Area
Piazza della Repubblica
Type
5-star luxury
“The most central luxury address in Florence — request a room facing Piazza della Repubblica and dine at the buzzy Irene bistro.”
€€€€Portrait Firenze
Area
Ponte Vecchio
Type
5-star boutique
“Owned by the Ferragamo family with rooms overlooking the Arno — ask for a Ponte Vecchio-view suite.”
€€€€Hotel Lungarno
Area
Oltrarno
Type
4-star boutique
“Another Ferragamo hotel, on the Oltrarno bank — the best rooms frame the Ponte Vecchio across the water.”
€€€Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni
Area
Centro Storico
Type
4-star boutique
“A medieval tower-palace with a rooftop terrace and Duomo views — the breakfast on the roof is the highlight.”
€€€Hotel Calzaiuoli
Area
Centro Storico
Type
4-star
“You cannot stay more central — it's seconds from both the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria on the main pedestrian street.”
€Plus Florence
Area
Santa Maria Novella
Type
Design hostel/hotel
“A rare hostel with a rooftop pool and terrace bar with Duomo views — book a private room or a dorm bed cheaply.”
€Hotel Patrizia
Area
San Lorenzo
Type
Budget guesthouse
“A simple, family-run 2-star near San Lorenzo — a friendly, wallet-friendly base right in the centre.”
Florence hotels & areas in detail
1.Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is arguably the finest luxury hotel in the city, occupying two historic buildings — a fifteenth-century palazzo and a former convent — that took seven years to restore, filled with original frescoes, carved ceilings, stuccowork and antique detail. Its single greatest asset is the Giardino della Gherardesca, an eleven-acre private park that is the largest garden in Florence, a rare expanse of lawns, ancient trees, sculpture and birdsong in the middle of a dense city, where guests take breakfast, drinks and quiet walks far from the crowds. The rooms and suites are among the most sumptuous in Florence, blending frescoed grandeur with every modern comfort, and the hotel holds a Michelin star at its restaurant Il Palagio, alongside a more relaxed garden restaurant, an elegant bar, and a full spa and outdoor pool set in the grounds. Service is polished and discreet in the Four Seasons manner. It sits a little north-east of the very centre near Piazza San Marco and the Accademia, a pleasant ten-to-fifteen-minute walk from the Duomo, which trades absolute centrality for peace, space and that extraordinary garden. Prices are firmly at the top of the market, but for a landmark stay combining Renaissance splendour, resort-like grounds, superb dining and a genuine sense of escape within the historic city, the Four Seasons is in a class of its own — the choice for a honeymoon, a milestone celebration or anyone for whom the garden alone justifies the indulgence.
Hours
Check-in 15:00 / check-out 12:00
Price
Doubles from ~€700/night
Getting there
On Borgo Pinti near Piazza San Marco, a 12-minute walk from the Duomo
Insider tip: The 11-acre private Giardino della Gherardesca is the largest garden in the city — reason enough to splurge here.
2.Hotel Savoy
The Hotel Savoy occupies one of the most central and prestigious positions in Florence, standing directly on Piazza della Repubblica, the grand nineteenth-century square at the very heart of the city and moments from the Duomo, the Uffizi and the luxury shops of Via de' Tornabuoni. Part of Sir Rocco Forte's collection and styled by his sister the designer Olga Polizzi, it offers a lighter, more contemporary luxury than the frescoed-palazzo aesthetic of some rivals: bright, elegant rooms and suites in soft Tuscan tones, many with views over the piazza or the rooftops toward the cathedral dome, generous marble bathrooms and thoughtful modern comforts. Its ground-floor restaurant and bar, Irene, spills out onto a terrace on the square and is a fashionable, buzzy spot in its own right, popular with well-heeled Florentines as well as guests for its Tuscan bistro cooking and aperitivi, giving the hotel a sociable, connected-to-the-city feel rather than a hushed cocoon. There is also a small gym and the impeccable, attentive service you would expect at this level. What you are really paying for is the peerless location — you can walk out of the door and be at every major sight within minutes — combined with polished, understated five-star comfort. For travellers who want to be right in the thick of Florence in contemporary style, with excellent dining downstairs and the whole historic centre on the doorstep, the Savoy is one of the most convenient and appealing luxury choices in the city.
Hours
Check-in 15:00 / check-out 12:00
Price
Doubles from ~€500/night
Getting there
On Piazza della Repubblica in the dead centre, a 3-minute walk from the Duomo
Insider tip: The most central luxury address in Florence — request a room facing Piazza della Repubblica and dine at the buzzy Irene bistro.
3.Portrait Firenze
The Portrait Firenze is one of the most desirable boutique hotels in the city, part of the Lungarno Collection owned by the Ferragamo fashion dynasty and set in a prime position on the riverbank right beside the Ponte Vecchio, with many of its rooms and suites gazing straight out over the Arno and the famous bridge. It is an intimate property of relatively few, generously sized suites, styled with an elegant 1950s-inflected Italian glamour by designer Michele Bönan and infused throughout with the Ferragamo family's sense of fashion, film and craft — the corridors are hung with vintage photographs celebrating the golden age of Florentine style. The emphasis is on residential comfort and highly personal service: guests are looked after by a dedicated 'lifestyle' team who arrange everything from restaurant bookings to private tours, and rooms come with thoughtful touches, kitchenettes in many suites and sumptuous bathrooms. The hotel's Caffè dell'Oro on the river is a chic spot for breakfast, lunch, aperitivo or dinner with a Ponte Vecchio view, and guests can also use the facilities of its sister hotels nearby. The combination of a spectacular riverside location in the absolute centre, a small and exclusive scale, distinctive design and the cachet and care of the Ferragamo name makes it a favourite for romantic escapes and style-conscious travellers. It is expensive and the best river-view suites command a premium, but for an intimate, glamorous and impeccably located boutique stay overlooking the most iconic view in Florence, the Portrait is hard to beat.
Hours
Check-in 15:00 / check-out 12:00
Price
Doubles from ~€600/night
Getting there
On Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli beside the Ponte Vecchio, a 2-minute walk from the Uffizi
Insider tip: Owned by the Ferragamo family with rooms overlooking the Arno — ask for a Ponte Vecchio-view suite.
4.Hotel Lungarno
The Hotel Lungarno is the flagship of the Ferragamo family's Lungarno Collection, sitting on the Oltrarno bank of the Arno just west of the Ponte Vecchio, and it offers one of the loveliest river settings of any hotel in Florence. Its rooms and suites are decorated in a crisp, elegant blue-and-white palette with a subtle nautical theme, and the prized ones — along with the terraces and the restaurant — look directly across the water to the golden arches and jewellers' shops of the Ponte Vecchio, a view that turns magical at sunset and after dark. A distinctive feature is the hotel's remarkable private art collection of some four hundred works, including original pieces by Picasso and Cocteau, hung throughout the public spaces and corridors so that a stay feels like moving through a small gallery. Its riverside restaurant, the Michelin-recognised Borgo San Jacopo, is one of the finest dining rooms in the city, and there is a chic bar and terrace for drinks over the water. Positioned in the artisan Oltrarno, it puts the workshops, the Pitti Palace, Santo Spirito and the walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo on the doorstep while remaining just a two-minute stroll across the bridge from the main sights. Though slightly less expensive than the very top grand hotels, it is still a luxury address, but for a romantic, art-filled boutique stay with those unbeatable Ponte Vecchio views and excellent dining, the Lungarno is a standout — and a natural choice for anyone drawn to the quieter, more creative south bank.
Hours
Check-in 15:00 / check-out 12:00
Price
Doubles from ~€350/night
Getting there
On Borgo San Jacopo in the Oltrarno by the river, a 5-minute walk across Ponte Vecchio
Insider tip: Another Ferragamo hotel, on the Oltrarno bank — the best rooms frame the Ponte Vecchio across the water.
5.Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni
The Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni occupies one of the most romantic addresses in Florence — a genuine thirteenth-century medieval tower rising above the smart Via de' Tornabuoni, the city's premier luxury shopping street — and turns its historic bones into a characterful boutique hotel of just over twenty rooms. The building's antiquity gives it real atmosphere, with some rooms retaining original architectural features and views over the street, the river or the rooftops, decorated in a classic Florentine style of warm fabrics, antiques and parquet. Its crowning glory, quite literally, is the rooftop terrace at the top of the tower, which commands a spectacular 360-degree panorama over the heart of the city — Brunelleschi's dome, the towers, the hills beyond — and where breakfast is served on fine mornings and drinks in the evening, an experience that guests consistently single out as the making of a stay. The location could hardly be better, in the elegant centre within a few minutes' walk of the Duomo, the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio and the designer boutiques on the doorstep. As a four-star it offers a more attainable price point than the grand palace hotels while still delivering charm, history, personal service and that unforgettable roof terrace. For travellers who want an atmospheric, well-located boutique base with genuine Florentine character and a knockout rooftop view, without the top-tier luxury price tag, the Antica Torre is a memorable and consistently well-liked choice.
Hours
Check-in 14:00 / check-out 11:00
Price
Doubles from ~€220/night
Getting there
On Via de' Tornabuoni in the centre, a 7-minute walk from the Duomo and beside the Arno
Insider tip: A medieval tower-palace with a rooftop terrace and Duomo views — the breakfast on the roof is the highlight.
6.Hotel Calzaiuoli
The Hotel Calzaiuoli is a dependable and well-run four-star that trades above all on an extraordinary location: it stands right on Via dei Calzaiuoli, the broad pedestrianised street that runs straight between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, meaning both of Florence's greatest landmarks are barely a minute's walk in either direction and the entire historic centre is on the doorstep. Housed in a restored historic building, it offers comfortable, classically decorated rooms in warm Florentine tones, some with views over the bustling street or up toward the cathedral dome, with quality bedding, modern bathrooms and good soundproofing to keep out the noise of the busy centre. It is not a design showpiece or a luxury indulgence but a reliable, professionally managed hotel that consistently earns praise for its friendly, helpful staff, its generous breakfast and its cleanliness, and above all for putting guests in the absolute heart of the action at a sensible mid-range price. Family and triple rooms make it a practical choice for those travelling with children who want to minimise walking with tired legs. Because everything — the Uffizi, the Ponte Vecchio, the Accademia, the shops and countless restaurants — is within a few minutes on foot, it is ideal for a short break where you want to step out of the door and straight into Florence. For travellers who prioritise location, comfort and value over boutique styling or five-star frills, the Calzaiuoli is one of the safest and most convenient bets in the city centre.
Hours
Check-in 14:00 / check-out 11:00
Price
Doubles from ~€180/night
Getting there
On Via dei Calzaiuoli, the main pedestrian spine linking the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria
Insider tip: You cannot stay more central — it's seconds from both the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria on the main pedestrian street.
7.Plus Florence
Plus Florence is one of the best budget and mid-budget bases in the city, a large, contemporary hostel-hotel hybrid that offers far more in the way of facilities than its low prices would suggest. Located near the Mercato Centrale and within easy walking distance of both the main railway station and the Duomo, it provides a range of accommodation to suit different travellers and budgets, from clean, functional mixed and female-only dorms for backpackers and solo travellers to comfortable private double and twin rooms — some with their own small terraces or Duomo glimpses — that undercut most conventional hotels. The standout features are unusual for a property at this price: an indoor swimming pool and sauna, a bar and café, and, best of all, a rooftop terrace bar with views over the Florence skyline, a wonderful spot for a sunset drink that many far pricier hotels cannot match. The atmosphere is sociable and international without being a raucous party hostel, making it suitable for solo travellers, couples and even budget-minded families or groups who want private rooms with hostel-style amenities and prices. The neighbourhood around the station and central market is practical and central rather than picturesque, but everything is within a short walk. For anyone wanting to keep accommodation costs down in an expensive city while still enjoying a pool, a rooftop and a genuinely central location, Plus Florence delivers exceptional value — book private rooms ahead in high season, as they are popular and go quickly.
Hours
Check-in 14:00 / check-out 10:00
Price
Dorm beds from ~€25; private doubles from ~€80
Getting there
On Via Sant'Antonino near the Mercato Centrale and the main station, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo
Insider tip: A rare hostel with a rooftop pool and terrace bar with Duomo views — book a private room or a dorm bed cheaply.
8.Hotel Patrizia
Hotel Patrizia is a small, friendly, family-run guesthouse that represents the kind of honest budget accommodation that is increasingly hard to find in the centre of a major tourist city like Florence. Housed in a historic building near the San Lorenzo basilica and its lively market, and only a short walk from the Duomo and the main station, it offers simple, clean and comfortable rooms at prices well below the smart four- and five-star hotels that dominate the centre. This is a no-frills, two-star operation rather than a design statement — you should expect modest, functional rooms and straightforward amenities rather than luxury — but what it lacks in gloss it makes up for in warmth, personal service and value, with the owning family widely praised for being welcoming and helpful with tips, directions and the practicalities of a Florence stay. The location is a genuine strength: being right by San Lorenzo puts you in the heart of the historic centre, within easy walking distance of every major sight, the Mercato Centrale for cheap eats, and the transport links at Santa Maria Novella station, which is handy for day trips to Pisa, Siena and the rest of Tuscany. For solo travellers, couples and families who want to spend their money on experiences, food and museums rather than a hotel room, and who value a central, walkable location and a personal, family-run atmosphere over amenities, Hotel Patrizia is a reliable, affordable and pleasant choice — just book ahead, as good-value central rooms in Florence fill fast.
Hours
Check-in 14:00 / check-out 11:00
Price
Doubles from ~€90/night
Getting there
Near San Lorenzo and the Mercato Centrale, a 5-minute walk from the Duomo
Insider tip: A simple, family-run 2-star near San Lorenzo — a friendly, wallet-friendly base right in the centre.