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Neighborhoods to stay: 10 days in Florence, 10 days in Rome

I am a senior male in good health and would like to spend time this coming Fall in Florence and Rome. Can someone suggest neighborhoods walking distance to public transportation (bus and metro lines), grocery stores, restaurants. I would rent an ARBNB, see tourist sights, soak up the atmosphere and take a few day trips out of the cities, on my own or with a group guide. I won't be renting a car. Not looking for high end places to stay, I have a mid-range budget.
I have been in both cities before, over 15 years ago, and only spent less than a week in each. Now I want to go back and take it as a slower pace.
Thank you.

Posted by
1625 posts

I can give you two recommendations of apartments we stayed at in Rome and Florence and each had wonderful host with no problems and everything was as described. Keep in mind we are budget travelers who require quiet, clean lodgings with a good mattress (Husband has a bad back).
In Rome we rented an apartment in the Monti neighborhood we stayed in the Roman Forum Apartment we were close to a Metro station at the end of our block, which also had a café and many close restaurants. We were within walking distance to the Colosseum.
https://www.dolceroma.it/

In Florence we rented this apartment which was in the heart of the city. We walked to the train station (which is how we arrived from Rome) and we were a stones throw away from the Duomo which has lots of restaurants/shopping yet the apartment was very quiet.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1474636?source_impression_id=p3_1645634681_I%2F23d5gLMT%2FAyYcg

Posted by
274 posts

In Florence, I prefer to stay across the river from the tourist crush, in the Oltrarno neighborhood. (Full disclosure: I'm biased because that's where I lived when I studied abroad in Florence in 2008.)

The Oltrarno neighborhood is still only 15-20 minutes from most of the main sights, and has more of a neighborhood feel. There's a local market and lots of great restaurants near Santo Spirito, plus a few grocery stores. Lodging is more affordable, too, which leaves more room in the budget for gelato!

Posted by
95 posts

In Florence, I would recommend the less touristy neighborhood around Sant' Ambrogio/Santa Croce area. Especially if you enjoy getting fresh food to pepare at home...The Sant' Ambrogio market is fantastic! there is an indoor area for meats, fresh pasta, cheeses etc. and outside all the veg as well as household items in different stalls. There is also a really nice supermarcato (Conad) in the same area. Florence is very walkable but the bus system is great...have made more use of that as I age.

In Rome, I really enjoyed the Trastavere neighborhood...can walk to the Vatican and use Metro to explore other areas.

Posted by
387 posts

Both times I stayed in Rome, I got an Airbnb in the Monti neighborhood, close to the Cavour metro stop. Just north of the Monti neighborhood, you can catch all the main bus lines on Via Nazionale. In Florence, I try to stay between the train station (for day trips) and the Duomo. Most of Florence is so walkable (and beautiful!!) that it doesn't matter exactly where you stay in the city center.

Posted by
128 posts

I have been renting short-let apartments in Rome for 25 years. I have enjoyed every neighborhood I have stayed in. Almost any neighborhood will be wonderful. Monti would be my first choice. It is about as far from the historical center that I would suggest. It is well situated for bus and metro transport but close enough for walking to just about anywhere you want to be. My second choice would be the Campo dei Fiore area or Trastevere, mostly because of their proximity to a lot of what people want to see and do. The neighborhoods further out such as Pigneto or Monteverde involve a longer commute. Those farther out neighborhoods are wonderful, just not as easy of a commute to the big tourist draws. I remember seeing some Youtube programs on neighborhoods in Rome, but none of the specifics. if you do a search you may find some ideas to guide you.

I have little experience with Florence but I am sure someone will have wonderful ideas for you to explore.