AirBnB Florence

Welcome to the forum!

It's really hard to answer your question, as there's no such thing as "the best place to stay" anywhere. There are many factors that go into selecting lodging, not just location. The type of accommodation you prefer, your budget, the number of travelers, your fitness level (in case there are stairs), the number of days you will be in town, how you are arriving and what method of transportation, all these can factor in.

Get a hold of Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany guidebook or any other guidebook for Florence and read about some of the suggested accommodations. In addition, use the search box (up at the top of this page) to find other posts on this forum that provide recommendations on lodging in Florence. It's one of the most popular destinations, so a lot of people have a lot of ideas on this that have already been posted here.

Good luck!

Most places in the historic center on Florence are expensive. There’s a good array of listings across the river in Oltrarno, which is more neighborhoody and a little quieter. You’re a decent walk from most of the major sights. I would recommend this area.

Family with 2 teenagers, we stayed in the San Frediano area of the Oltrarno. If you are up for a 10 minute walk into the tourist area, I recommend staying here. It’s quiet, great restaurants, economical and free of the crowds of travellers. We felt like it was a quick escape from all the people and we enjoyed a more authentic slow paced local experience. It was August and very hot. Our little apartment was perfectly located for decompressing after long hot days.

Having been to Florence many times, I would say not to stay right near the Duomo.
The streets are busy and loud till very late, then the garbage collectors start really early.
You might not get much sleep.
Cross the river, and stay in the Oltrarno.

I stayed in the Sant'Ambrogio area of Florence and liked it very much. Just enough outside the busy central area and still a manageable walk to the Duomo, Accademia, Santa Croce, etc. It was very quiet at night and yet I felt safe walking after dark as a single female. Good restaurants nearby. I stayed in this AirBnb apartment and liked it very much.

Stayed here with a party of 5. It is listed on Airbnb. It was a gorgeous, very clean location. Via Bisenzio, 39, Firenze, Toscana 50127, Italy. Also, at the time, it was one of the most inexpensive listings in Florence.

I've stayed in this apartment twice, and loved it.
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p417919

It's just over the Ponte Carraia in Oltrarno.
The owners are wonderful and the place is spotless.
It can sleep 4 at a pinch, but better for two.

Taking copious note. Just starting my search in Florence. Thanks for asking the question.

Debbie where did you stay with your two teenagers while in the Oltrarno area?

Hi DeAnn
I was unable to find your listing Via Bisenzio 39 on Airbnb Even putting in the address
Any suggestions on how to find this listing?

We stayed at this Airbnb earlier this year and really liked it. It is right by Santo Spirito but very quiet. No problem walking with luggage to the train station and an easy walk to most places in Florence. Only caveat is that you have to climb stairs but it's worth it. Excellent restaurants very close plus the Saturday market.

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/539313?guests=1&adults=1&sl_alternate_dates_exclusion=true&source_impression_id=p3_1559448563_ql6g1QO%2Fvyt6R2Xg

My best place is oltrarno, via Maggio, piazza Pitti, Piazza Santo Spirito up to and no further than Piazza Romana.

I stayed at this AirBnB near the train station. It's up a rather narrow, steep set of stairs but it's very large (2BR) with a good kitchen and living area. The host is very helpful, too, and it's about a 5 minute walk to the Duomo. It's also right next door to an excellent gelateria!!

For those unfamiliar with Florence. So that you search appropriately for your accommodations.

Oltrarno (lit. “Beyond the Arno river”) is the general term the southern bank of the river.

Within the city walls (the historical center) the Oltrarno comprises 3 districts:

1. Santo Spirito (near the homonymous Piazza, directly south of Ponte Vecchio)
2. San Frediano (still south of the river but to the west of Santo Spirito)
3. San Niccolò (south of the river, but east of Santo Spirito)

Santo Spirito has become very popular lately, so if you look for quiet, the other two might be better. However it depends on the street the apartment is in, because there are busy spots and quiet ones in all three.

If you don't mind only a couple minutes longer walk, the streets just past Piazza Santo Spirito are much quieter. I recently stayed on Via del Campuccio and it was very peaceful day and night.