Where to stay in Florence for first-time tourists

Variety is not a problem when deciding where to stay in Florence. The compact town center is packed with hotels, hostels, and small inns. The drawback of this upmarket central area is that even family-run B&Bs often cost as much as luxury hotels. For more affordable lodgings, explore the area outside the tourist-driven city center. Staying in one of the city's residential neighborhoods allows you to immerse yourself in the daily life of local Florentines. B&Bs and hotels outside the center offer private parking and spacious rooms, all within walking distance of the main tourist sites.