Duomo Gothic cathedral with colorful facade and the first dome built since ancient Roman times. There are only a few stairs at the entrance, and it's away from the other rooms - sort of your own private space. The Renaissance City is divided into five distinct districts. i loved the David, but I would not recommend it for only two nights with a small child. There was also an electronic safe in the room, which is a nice feature you don't usually get at B&Bs.There really is nothing I have to complain about the rooms - immaculate and very high-tech. The breakfast staff are efficient and service oriented, and the food satisfying. I use public transport for my travels and I am wondering does a traveller HAVE to have a car to take experience agriturismos. Browse the largest collection of sacred art in the city at the Museo di San Marco. Santa Maria Novella is also where youll find Parco Delle Cascine, an expansive park with plenty of space to run around. The Arno River is right on the doorstep, with more of Florences top attractions within walking distance. Weve also included the best accommodation and things to do in each area, so you can figure out wheres best for you. Best Places to Go in 2023. faded elegance, the smell of beeswax and cool stone steps. We are travelling with an 18 month old. Though our room was a little on the small side (the other rooms are larger but were not available when we booked) it was very comfortable for a two night stay. Baptistery Bronze doors fit to be the gates of paradise. Palazzo Vecchio Fortified palace, once the home of the Medici family, wallpapered with history. After happily staying in a variety of nice hotels, college dorms and a variety of pensions and hostels, my wife nearly revolted against staying here. Sip a classic apertivo at Kitsch Devx Firenze. Soggiorno Battistero. They boast a vibrant and artistic atmosphere and its here that youll find the best nightlife in the city. I have been to Italy twice but my vacation was very touristy! Alessandro is awesome - you must meet him!Tip #1:- Get Alessandro to make your phone reservations for Uffizi and Accademia. You say you booked a place that is near both the SM train station and the Uffizi? The sitting room is always available to guests which include chocolate cookies and bottled water. I feel extremely lucky to have found this bed and breakfast on the internet. Can you say central? If youre visiting with family, this is the best neighborhood to stay in. . We are staying in Florence for 2 nights. Terms of Service | Privacy, Florence & Tuscany: Recommended Books and Movies, Florence: Heart of the Renaissance (episode), Florentine Delights and Tuscan Side-Trips (episode), Renaissance Art and Architecture in Florence (clip), Comfort and Company in Europes Cafs and Pubs, Experiencing Italys Renaissance in Person, Finding Peace in Europes Overlooked Sights, Florences Accademia: The Temple of David, In Studio: Roaming the Homes of Europes Top Artists, Take the Stairs for Europes Most Insightful Views, Miles J. Unger's "Michelangelo: A Life in Six Masterpieces" Venture beyond the fringes of Florence and youll find a series of sun- and wine-soaked villages, each with its own appeal. I would not bother with any 1-night stays. Location, photos, and booking. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Also, check for the high tide charts for Venice, if you decide to go there. Due to its popularity, Florence isnt renowned for being a cheap destination. It is on the third & fourth floors but has a lift, it is very clean and has a nice breakfast. This isn't widely known (you read it here first), but the Hotel David, recommended above, is where David actually stayed while he was posing for Michelangelo. We caught up on some American TV that was undubbed (remember to change the langauge). document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This modern and trendy apartment boasts amazing views overlooking Piazza Santa Croce. Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Our top recommendation is staying around the Duomo area, particularly if its your first time visiting Florence. This is easily mitigated with some foam earplugs. It's on a very quiet street in a quiet neighborhood, yet just a few blocks behind the Duomo and a quick walk to Santa Croce and the Ospedale degli Innocenti. With its amazing food and incredible sights, Florence is certainly one of the best places to visit in Italy. Medici-Riccardi Palace Lorenzo the Magnificent's home, with fine art, frescoed ceilings, and Gozzoli's lovely Chapel of the Magi. (A great value!) Bargello Underappreciated sculpture museum (Michelangelo, Donatello, Medici treasures). If you don't mind a curfew, my very favorite place to stay in Florence is at the convent of Oblate dell'Assunzione, on Borgo Pinti, 15. Beautiful and Modern Private Room is one of our favourites in Florence but theyre not taking guests right now. While Ive stayed at Cretaiole several times, the most memorable was the wonderful Thanksgiving week that Isabella arranged an ideal off-season alternative. I lured my husband, with our son, to Europe in 1999 with a fabulous three weeks at Montestigliano, just outside Siena. Also, I am open to the idea of staying outside of Florence - a train stop or two away. These two hostels, northeast of downtown, are a bus ride from the action. http://www.ilsalottodifirenze.it/en/index.php. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Hand painted walls, velvet chairs, palms and beautiful lighting all contribute to the sense that one is actually in a film set. Weve tested countless packs over the years, and now weve found our absolute favourite: the nomad-approved Nomatic Travel Bag. Had a lovely 6 day stay at Hotel Loggiato. While the building itself is old, the owner, Alessandro, did a fantastic job at renovating his B&B which incidentally only opened January 2007. It's less central than some of the other places suggested and they don't provide breakfast or TV, but I've stayed there a few times and really enjoyed it. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Florences Rustic Gem: Trattoria la Burrasca, Comrades No More: Thoughts on Russias Invasion of Ukraine, The Tour du Mont Blanc: Some Tips I Learned Along the Way, The Best Hike of my Life: The Tour du Mont Blanc. Situated on the historic Piazza San Marco, this stunningly renovated budget hotel provides classic accommodation in Florence at great value. Each room in this hotel is elegantly and intricately decorated with wooden furnishings and vibrant colours. Service: While Il Salotto already shines in all other areas, the 6 stars really comes from service. In addition to being a cultural hotspot, San Marco is where youll find a high concentration of budget accommodations. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Posted by Lauren Taunton, MA, USA 06/12/10 09:49 PM 74 posts Were not sure if theyre closed for good but we hope theyll come back soon. Required fields are marked *. Here youll find winding streets, charming cafes, and eternal beauty around every turn. Duomo Where to Stay in Florence for your First Visit, 2. If youre still unsure where to stay in Florence, you cant go wrong with Piccolo Hotel. Rick's most versatile travel bag. Chiara V. at the front desk was amazingly helpful! Its close to the citys main attractions and is near to restaurants, bars and museums. Best Hotels in Florence Luxury Budget Family Location Culture All Filters 62 Hotels Sort by: culture Torre Guelfa $$ | Santa Maria Novella Borgo Santi Apostoli 8 Boasting some of the oldest. Siena is just 20 minutes away fromBorgo Argenina, the perfect location to stay if you want to experience the Palio like Rick Steves did! It easily qualifies for an american sized room. One of the coolest things about the hotels is the classic furniture and design in each room. All of the sites are within walking distance of the train station. If youre not sure which neighborhood is best for you, take a look at my 5 best neighborhoods in Florence in more detail below. Let us know in the comments! In Florence I always stay at the Archi Rossi Hostel, in the annexe - it's a 5-minute walk from the train staion, and about 10 to the Duomo. The part she hated was the cigarette smoke billowing under our door from the hotel owner's family down the hall. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Highly recommended! Ponte Vecchio Famous bridge lined with gold and silver shops. If you are looking for a sleek modern hotel, this is not it. Can you say central?Room: We were in the Giovanni Fratori, the largest room of the 6 rooms. Grab a drink at Volume, a cosy Florentine pub. Santa Maria Novella: The best area to stay in Florence for day trips by train. 100 meters from the duomo. See the incredible Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. A free breakfast is included in the room price, and the hotels central location means youll save money on public transport, too. Firenze!. Rodolfo Budini Gattai, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Slides over the handle of any rolling bag. I share a dozen of my favorite Tuscan experiences here. I share a dozen of my favorite Tuscan experiences here. Oh and you cannot beat the location.just around the corner from the duomo and close to everything else! Just down the street is the Osteria Cinghiale Bianco with its traditional Tuscan menu-- Share. Some travelers who think they want an agriturismo would actually be more comfortable with a more polished countryside hotel experience. Here are a few near the train station and a few further from the center you might consider. It may be unpleasant for a short trip if you have to borrow boots to walk through water while you are there. 2. We're staying one night in Venice then heading to Cinque Terre for a few days at an Airbnb. The breakfast staff are efficient and service oriented, and the food satisfying. Accademia Michelangelo's David and powerful (unfinished) Prisoners. With such a short trip and so many cities, you will spend a lot of your time in transit. Heres what people usually ask us about the areas of Florence and where to stay. If you continue to browse, you accept the use of cookies, otherwise you may leave the site. Hello, A wonderful experience in Florence, we surely go back in our next visit! more. As for getting around, Florence is pretty walkable-but I didn't have a toddler with me when I went:) They don't have a metro,(unless they built one since 2001 which would be very impressive:)) just buses. loggiato, Proprietario at Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti, responded to this review. 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