Destination guide

Fabulous Florence – a real Renaissance city

The peerless home of Da Vinci, Dante and more pasta than you can shake a breadstick at, the Metropolitan City of Florence is a beautiful city that sees millions of visitors every year. A bustling hub – it's the capital of Tuscany, after all – Florence offers everything from Renaissance art galleries and medieval buildings to hip cocktail bars, buzzy international restaurants and trendy shopping – sometimes all within the same block. You'll find plenty of central Florence vacation rentals within walking distance of the city's countless attractions, like the Uffizi Gallery, the Florence Cathedral and the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum.

Things to do

No filter needed – snapping up Florence's attractions

Now's the time to perfect your selfie pose, because you'll be face-to-face with some truly Instagram-worthy sights in Florence. If history's your bag, you can visit medieval landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the iconic Fountain of Neptune and the castle-like Palazzo Vecchio. Artsy types can check out originals by luminaries like Botticelli, Da Vinci and others at the Uffizi Gallery, a world-class art museum dating from the 16th century. At the nearby Museo Galileo, visitors of all ages can enjoy a deep dive into the history of science, from ancient times to the modern day.

Activities

Set your sights on Florence's epic sightseeing

Visitors typically find themselves engaged in 1 of the 3 S's – sightseeing, shopping and snacking. You could spend weeks taking in the city's historic buildings, bridges and monuments – or you could check out the spectacular Florence Cathedral and call it a pretty successful day. Fashionistas can stroll the Via de' Tornabuoni, where names like Gucci, Prada and Tiffany will probably more than ring a few bells. And since no visit to Tuscany would be complete without sampling – or feasting on – the regional cuisine, the Santa Croce neighborhood boasts everything from traditional trattorias to sushi bars, delis and osterias.

Weather

(Th)under the Tuscan sun – Florence's seasons

The climate of Florence is somewhere between humid subtropical and Mediterranean, with hot, occasionally stormy summers, cool winters and plenty of rainfall throughout the year. Average highs during the summer months peak in the low 30s in July and August, while winter temps range from 2 to 12 degrees between December and February. Spring and fall are mild, but pack an umbrella – April, October and November are the wettest months. A popular destination in the spring and summer, you'll have the best luck finding killer deals on Florence vacation rentals during the slower fall and winter months.

Natural highlights

Going with the flow in riverside Florence

Florence sits in a low-lying basin along the broad Arno River. A number of hills surround the city, and you'll find several smaller streams flowing through the region, too. The city itself is dense and urban, with lots of winding streets and medieval stone buildings in the historic city centre. Further out, you'll find wide boulevards, as well as a ring of modern suburbs and older villages on the outskirts of the city. A short drive east, the Casentino Forest National Park features wooded mountain slopes and a wealth of wildlife, including deer, wolves and more than a hundred species of birds.

How to get there

How to get to and around Florence

Fly into Florence (FLR-Peretola), the closest airport, located 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from the city centre.

If you're travelling by train, Florence Santa Maria Novella Station, Stazione Porta al Prado, Florence, Italy and Florence Campo Di Marte Station are the main stations that serve the city. You might consider catching a ride on the metro at Florence-Cascine Station for ease of access to the rest of the city.

Where to stay near Florence?

Our 2019 accommodation listings offer a large selection of 5,775 holiday rentals near Florence. From 4,094 Condos/Apartments to 685 Houses, find unique holiday homes for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends. The best place to stay near Florence is on HomeAway.

What is the best area to stay when travelling to Florence?

Whether you are travelling solo or with family and friends, here are the areas with the largest selection of holiday rentals for a long holiday or just a weekend break in Florence:

  • Santo Spirito: 1,431 holiday homes
  • Oltrarno: 1,427 holiday homes
  • Santissima Annunziata: 1,647 holiday homes
  • Basilica of Santa Croce: 2,051 holiday homes
  • San Giovanni: 1,687 holiday homes

For other neighbourhoods, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday homes available.

What are the most popular points of interest and landmarks to stay near when travelling to Florence?

HomeAway offers a large selection of holiday homes near great places in Florence. From HomeAway travellers, the most popular points of interest to stay near are:

  • Florence (ZMS-Santa Maria Novella Train Station): 8,428 holiday rentals
  • Ponte Vecchio: 2,251 holiday rentals
  • Accademia Italiana: 8,494 holiday rentals
  • Piazza San Firenze: 8,470 holiday rentals
  • Florence Santa Maria Novella Station: 8,319 holiday rentals

But there are many other points of interest around Florence listed on HomeAway where you can find your place to stay. Please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available near the point of interest of your choice.

Can I rent Condos/Apartments in Florence?

Yes, of course. HomeAway offers 4,094 Condos/Apartments in Florence. Our other popular types of Florence holiday rentals include:

  • Houses: 685 holiday houses
  • Villas: 465 holiday houses
  • Cottages: 36 holiday houses

But you can also enjoy a great stay in one of our other holiday rentals including Farmhouses and more.

Can I find a holiday accommodation with pool in Florence?

Yes, you can select your preferred holiday accommodation with pool among our 1,568 holiday homes with pool available in Florence. Please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available.

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