Top places to stay in florence in 2025

Florence is one of the most beautiful, historic cities in the world and a must-see destination when traveling throughout Italy. It's also one of the most popular places to stay in Italy, which can make choosing the perfect place for your group size, needs, and budget a little tough. Lucky for you, I visited Florence this past year and have composed a list of all the best Airbnbs and hotels for travelers looking to stick to their budget (along with a few other helpful tips!).

Map of the Safest & Most Unsafe Neighborhoods in Florence

Florence is generally safe for travelers, but like any city, there are areas I would recommend staying in and others I'd avoid. As shown in the map above, any of the green neighborhoods like Santo Spirito, San Frediano, Campo di Marte, Gavinana-Galluzzo, and Careggi are best for tourists to stay in. They have lower crime rates compared to neighborhoods like Rifredi, Isolotto, Novoli, Statuto, and Le Cure, which are depicted in red above. To learn more about each area, click on the colored pin!

TOP AIRBNBS TO STAY AT IN FLORENCE, ITALY ON A BUDGET

The Airbnb route is a great way to go when planning a vacation to Italy. While I personally love a good hotel stay here and there, I think Airbnbs are great for bigger groups who want to be able to have their own space, cook their own meals from time to time, store some snacks, and more. Here are some Airbnbs I would recommend for anyone looking for somewhere great to stay in Florence:

APARTMENT AIRBNB FOR 2-4 PEOPLE NEAR THE DUOMO

If you're looking for an Airbnb that's near Centro Storico in F`lorence (the historic district), then this is THE place to stay for you. I'm obsessed with how the host decorated the interior of the space, and it looks like it has great street views of Florence. You also just simply can't go wrong with this location since it's only one block away from the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

This Florence condo has an exceptional rate year-round and it's considered to be in the top 5% of the best airbnbs in the area! With an updated, modern interior, over 140 reviews, and a 5 star average rating, it's no surprise why guests love staying at this accommodation.

BEAUTIFUL FLORENCE AIRBNB FOR UP TO 8 PEOPLE

This Florence Airbnb is a modern, recently renovated beauty located in the historic district that's able to accommodate up to 8 people! It's only one minute from the Duomo, which is also a fantastic location from countless shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Are you looking for the PERFECT hotel stay in the center of historical Florence? If so, then look no further than the hotel list I've composed below. These seem to be the favorites, and once you take a look at the pictures of each accommodation and read about the unique features of each, I think you'll understand why!

FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli Firenze

FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli Firenze offers an unforgettable 4-star experience to travelers looking to stay in the heart of historical Florence. This hotel features 54 luxurious, custom rooms, each including the continental breakfast buffet in the main dining areas at no extra cost. With stunning views of the nearby Duomo, staying at FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli Firenze promises a classy stay in a prime location for around $250 to $500 a night. They can also accommodate small and medium sized pets at no additional cost, which makes this a great pet-friendly hotel in Florence! Just remember to look at their availability because pricing fluctuates quite a bit depending on the time of year you stay, as well as which days of the week.

San Firenze Suites & Spa

San Firenze Suites & Spa is located in a 17th century building that was recently restored, making it the perfect combination of historical Florence with a touch of European elegance. This accommodation is one of the few in Firenze with a private spa, and it's fulled equipped with a double jacuzzi bath, sauna, and double chromotherapy shower. Conveniently located just around the corner from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the San Firenze Suites & Spa is in the perfect area so that you can spend the day out on the town and then come back for a massage, a Turkish bath, or a sauna at night. During peak seasons of June, July, August, and September you can expect to pay around $400 to $600 a night on your stay, with prices dropping significantly to around $200 to $300 a night during the off season.

Hotel L'Orologio Florence

Hotel L'Orologio Florence is said to be both a "unique and unforgettable" location with 20 custom rooms and suites located on an unmarked corner of Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Equipped with a luxury bar for late night cocktails, a smoker's lounge, a sauna, and a gym, what more could you possibly need during your visit to Firenze? To me, this is an exceptional place to stay in Florence for many reasons, but the true highlight of this accommodation is the 4th floor breakfast room, complete with large windows overlooking the duomo so you can enjoy an exceptional view with your eggs every morning.

Palazzo Niccolini Al Duomo

Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo is your classic Italian hotel, complete with stunning historical and architectural details across the property. From wall to wall murals to large windows overlooking the city center, I would consider this an exceptional stay. This accommodation is also mere FEET away from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which means you'll have Florence quite literally at your fingertips during your entire stay. Pasta, pizza, wine, or the famous Florentine steak- your wish is Florence's command, and you'll find that by staying at this hotel, you're near quite literally everything you could want and more.

Hotel Spadai

Hotel Spadai is a boutique hotel in the center of Florence with an "extraordinary" breakfast, exceptional lounge bar, and beautiful rooftop view of the duomo that's located only 100 meters away. This accommodation also has a spa for two, where you can recharge in a jacuzzi tub, indulge in a Turkish bath or massage, and relax at the end of each day. With an average 4.9 star rating on Google and over 725+ boastful Google reviews, you can't go wrong staying here.

TOP LUXURY HOTELS IN FLORENCE, ITALY

Now that we've gone through some of the top rated hotels in Florence for under $500 a night, it's time to show you the cream of the crop. While all of the hotels listed above are magnificent in their own unique way, the luxury hotels below take indulgence to the next level. These establishments aren't just places to stay; they are experiences in themselves, offering unparalleled service, exquisite interiors, and prime locations that place you in the heart of Florence's rich culture and art scene.

Hotel Brunelleschi

The Hotel Brunelleschi is a 4-star hotel with an average 4.7 star rating on Google. Set in a converted church and Byzantine tower dating from the 6th century and located just around the corner from the Duomo, this accommodation features absolutely GORGEOUS custom rooms- and many with a view of the streets of Florence below. There's also 2 formal dining areas and a bar for any guests who wish to have a meal on the property, along with a free breakfast buffet every morning. Many of the rooms have flat-screen TVs and whirlpools as well. The price for this accommodation can be anywhere from $250 per night to almost $700 per night, depending on the time of year you travel there. I personally would advise choosing this hotel if you're traveling in August, November, December, or January if you're looking for the best price.

The Place Firenze

The Place Firenze is an accommodation with one of the most stunning rooftop views of Florence that I've ever seen. It's located directly across the square from the duomo, meaning that it's also in the perfect location for visitors who want to walk around the surrounding shops, indoor marketplace, or try out a few different restaurants. You can also tell that each room in this hotel was carefully created to showcase a luxurious ambiance, making visitors feel like they found everything they needed in an accommodation- a beautiful hotel with outstanding views and in a prime location in Florence. If $500 a night to $1000+ a night is within your budget and you're traveling with a significant other, this is a great option for you.

Hotel Savoy

Every time I see pictures of Hotel Savoy, I fall in love. Each room is absolutely BREATHTAKING, with a modern elegance that not many hotels can pull off. Even the exterior of this property speaks of quiet luxury, with large umbrellas covering guests as they enjoy classic Tuscan dishes from the hotel's restaurant, Irene Firenze. The hotel's prime location also means you're just a short stroll away from Florence's famed Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery, making it an ideal spot for those who wish to immerse themselves in the city's historical richness while enjoying an exceptional stay.

Corte Calzaiuoli Elegant Suites

If you're looking for a quiet property tucked away in the southern portion of San Giovanni, this is the perfect spot for you. This accommodation delivers an intimate, boutique hotel experience, blending traditional Italian charm with modern amenities. Each room is thoughtfully designed to provide a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, complete with elegant furnishings and soft, soothing colors.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is exactly what you would expect it to be like: the epitome of elegance and European beauty in one of the most famous cities in the world. At this high-end property, guests can indulge in a truly luxurious spa experience that features a stunning outdoor pool surrounded by lush private gardens, providing a serene escape in the heart of Florence. The hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Palagio, offers a remarkable dining experience with exquisite dishes that blend traditional Tuscan flavors with innovative culinary techniques, all served in an elegant, frescoed dining room. Additionally, the Four Seasons provides a top-tier fitness center equipped with the latest technology, personal training services, and a variety of classes, ensuring guests can maintain their wellness routines in style.

I would advise staying in Florence for atleast three days. You need minimum one day to explore Firenze and the historical city square, going into shops, visiting the Duomo, and enjoying Florentine cuisine. Then, you need a day to go on a wine tour where you can experience the rolling hills of Tuscany for yourself and try wines from different vineyards. And finally, you need a day to travel and go to any places recommended to you by hotel staff, Airbnb hosts, or locals- the type of places that you don't plan for, but that are very important to stop at.

should I travel to florence in august?

While Italy is known to have a holiday on the 15th of August called Ferragosto (where many Italians take off and go on vacation), Florence is still bustling in August. The first time I ever went to Florence was in August of 2023, and every single shop and hotel that I was looking into was open. I personally didn't feel like my experience was diminished in any way, shape, or form by going at this time, so I would say that if you want to go in August, just go in August. The only city I really found to be a little quieter was Rome, and that's because some of the most famous restaurants (like Trattoria da Enzo Al 29 and Osteria da Fortunata) were, indeed, closed for the duration of the month.

IS FLORENCE SAFE?

Florence is extremely safe. Just like any city, there are certain neighborhoods (like Rifredi, Isolotto, Novoli, Statuto, and Le Cure) that have higher crime rates than others. Fortunately, as long as you stay near the historical center of Firenze, beware of the most common scams, keep your valuables out of reach from pick pocketers, and use common sense, there is no reason you can't visit this exceptional and historical city safely.

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Regardless of what you do or where you stay in Florence, I can pretty much guarantee you're going to have a fantastic time. Before my first Italy trip, everyone kept telling me that Florence was their favorite part. I kept thinking to myself, "What about the Amalfi Coast?" or "What about Rome's pasta?", "Why is nobody mentioning these things?". But I have to tell you- they were right. As much as I loved laying on Praiano's public beaches, partying it up at Positano's famous beach club, and trying all four of the famous Roman pastas, Florence is just a unique, one-of-a-kind type of visit. It's hard to explain but once you experience it, you'll agree. Trust me. And if you're looking for more reviews, advice, or just simply information for your upcoming Italy trip, don't forget to hit the button below and subscribe! You can also scroll down and take a listen to my podcast, where my friends and I recorded two podcast episodes giving a play-by-play of our Italy trip and honest reviews of famous spots we went to. Have fun in Florence!