We will be spending 4 nights in Florence with a toddler and infant. I’ve found a lot of great apartments but would like suggestions on what neighborhoods are best. Especially considering afternoon nap time, we would like something with easy access to sites and some place we can enjoy the neighborhood (good cafes, quaint, scenic). Maybe near a square or park?
I’ve noticed a few near the train station (5-10 min walks). Is this a nice area?
I’ll take any thoughts.
Check out the Hotel Balesteri, on the Arno with spacious rooms. It is in a great location.
https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/hotelbalestrifirenze.html?aid=330632;label=msn-w4ll6IgCspn5S4CD8Qv1JQ-457000000%3Atikwd-3452008284%3Aloc-190%3Aneo%3Amte%3Adec%3Aqshotel%20balestri;sid=5a16360974f915c0e69c5342b26b1c4f;dist=0;hapos=1;hpos=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;srepoch=1541350781;srpvid=6053777e7a98007a;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl
Same general area as the one above, but across the river in a less congested, greener area.
Colors in some of the rooms quite bright for my taste but well appointed. Great staff.
The center of the center of the center of Florence city center is the original Roman Quadrilateral roughly around Piazza della Repubblica, between Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo. You can see the typical Roman castrum grid the streets have in that original area.
If you can find something there, or as close as possible, you will be in the most central spot for all sights. It is also the most crowded with tourists however. If you want a quieter area, then on the southern bank of the river Arno (a.k.a. Oltrarno) there are relatively fewer tourists, but you will have to walk a bit longer for sights on the northern end of the city center, like the Academy (David).
Thank you! The south side of the river seems closer to parks too, so this might be a good idea. Do you think east vs west makes a difference?
Not sure which parks we are talking about here. If we are talking about the Boboli gardens or the Bardini gardens, you need to pay a fee to be admitted there.
