Florence, Italy, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is rich in history, cultural treasures, incredible artworks, and spectacular architecture showcased in its palaces, museums, and churches. The Uffizi, for instance, traces its history back to the 1500s and is home to some of the most well-known masterpieces of Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. The vast Palazzo Pitti, which dates back to the 1400s, is divided into five museums, with the Boboli Gardens just behind it. You can also find famous sculptures of Renaissance artists in the Accademia Gallery and Bargello National Museum. Love Gothic structures? Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, and Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, also known as the Duomo. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural heritage, check out our list of the top historic hotels in Florence, Italy, for a fitting accommodation.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) properties with historic significance, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 13, 2024.
1. Brunelleschi Hotel (from USD 758)
Brunelleschi Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel in the center of Florence, contained in a restored medieval church and a byzantine tower called Torre della Pagliazza. It offers a private museum, a fitness center, and 96 rooms and suites ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families. Filippo Brunelleschi, a Renaissance artist, was once one of the building’s proprietors, thus its name.
The tower houses the hotel’s Pagliazza Tower Suite on the third and fourth floors, enclosed in medieval brick walls furnished with antique oak wood floorings and 18th-century chandeliers. In addition, there’s a conference hall on the second floor, the Santa Elisabetta restaurant on the first floor, and the Osteria Pagliazza on the tower’s ground floor.
Tip from tour guide
This hotel is only a five-minute walk from Uffizi Gallery. Visit the gallery to be enchanted by this painting. Baccio Maria Bacci, an artist from Florence who lived from 1888 to 1974, has a hold of me. His paintings hang in the contemporary art gallery in Palazzo Pitti and Bardini Museum in Florence. I must say, no photo does justice to the colors, light, and technique used in his paintings. You just have to see it live.
This painting hangs in the self-portrait gallery and portrays the artist with a cigarette and a dog sitting close to him during a lazy afternoon in Fiesola. It feels like it's summer already, June perhaps, dinner just ended with a bowl of fruit (maybe plums and apricots as they are still customary here) and some leftovers of red wine in a glass. You can see his buddy playing the guitar as well. The painting was created between 1926 and 1929. The artist participated in the First World War and you can almost feel the wartime vibe of lack of joy and resignation.
Brunelleschi Hotel
Address: Piazza Santa Elisabetta 3
479 meters (0.3 ft) from Ponte Vecchio
2. Hotel Orto de' Medici (from USD 277)
Great value for money, true value for money, excellent pricing for the quality
Clean, spacious rooms, modern interior, beautiful courtyard, lovely balcony, air conditioning, historic location
Excellent, centrally located, walking distance to attractions, quiet at night, close to train station and shopping
Delicious breakfast with variety, fantastic coffee, accommodating with dietary needs, great choice of restaurants nearby
The hotel is hosted in a palace that traces its history back to the 19th century. It is situated in the ancient street of Via San Gallo, approximately a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
They offer air-conditioned spacious rooms with modern amenities. Guests may gaze out the window onto medieval rooftops or the hotel’s garden, where the noble Medici family founded their art school during the Renaissance. This unique garden, formerly San Marco Garden, is where Lorenzo de Medici, met and discovered the young Michelangelo one afternoon in 1489.
Tip from tour guide
Hotel Orto de' Medici is about a 10-minute drive from Bargello National Museum, one of the most beautiful museums in Florence. This place, almost unknown to most tourists, contains real treasures in the form of paintings, sculptures, medieval art, Islamic art, frescoes, and ceramics. The list is almost endless!
You can see the statue of Perseus with marble reliefs and the small bronze one of Mercury by Benvenuto Cellini; the bust of Constance, realistically and passionately rendered by her lover Gian Lorenzo Bernini; Michelangelo's Bacchus, one of his early sculptures; Giambologna's Mercury, perhaps one of my favorite sculptures, defying the laws of physics; Vincenzo Gemiti's Fisherman, the only 19th-century sculpture in the museum; and the unfortunate Ammannati fountain with Juno, Ceres, two rivers, Flora, and the allegory of Prudence.
In addition, all this beauty is housed in a 14th-century building inextricably linked to the city's history. The museum is also never overrun by tourists and tickets can be bought on the spot.
Hotel Orto de' Medici
Address: Via San Gallo 30
1.26 km (0.8 mi) from Ponte Vecchio
3. Hotel degli Orafi (from USD 530)
Reasonable pricing for a central location in Florence with luxurious amenities.
Majestic rooms with classic furniture, multiple sitting areas, rooftop cafe, and attentive housekeeping services.
Superb location on the Arno River, next to the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio, within walking distance to major attractions, restaurants, and shops.
Delicious and varied buffet breakfast, stunning rooftop bar with great cocktails, and a beautiful breakfast room with river views.
Hotel degli Orafi is a prestigious hotel with a rich history dating back to the 13th century. Formerly an Augustine convent, the property includes remains of an ancient medieval tower that the Ghibellinis destroyed in 1260. Due to its preserved historic elements, it was chosen in 1985 as the setting of the movie “A Room with a View,” which was set in the Edwardian era.
Aside from elegant rooms, the hotel features a rooftop bar with scenic city views and a former ballroom with 19th-century frescoes where an American breakfast buffet is served.
Tip from tour guide
Are you both a lover of nature and history? Then you'd surely love Boboli Gardens, a 10-minute walk away from Hotel degli Orafi. In the garden, there is a brown sculpture from 1997, the Cracked Tyndareus, who is the legendary king of Sparta. This was created by one of the most famous Polish sculptors, Igor Mitoraj. At the back, you can see a miniature torso of a man from front and back.
The sculptor gifted these creations to the mayor of the city after the exhibition of his works in Florence. They have integrated into the landscape beautifully and garner a lot of interest among the visitors to the garden.
Hotel degli Orafi
Address: Lungarno Archibusieri 4
111 meters (365.5 ft) from Ponte Vecchio
4. Hotel Pendini (from USD 296)
Reasonable pricing for a central location in Florence.
Spacious, well-maintained rooms with classic decor. Helpful staff and valet parking available.
Perfect central location near shops, restaurants, and major attractions.
Delicious and varied breakfast with fresh pastries, cold cuts, and more. Friendly waitstaff and ample dining options nearby.
This hotel bears the name of a rich Florentine woman of the Pendini family who decided to establish lodging for travelers in 1879. Staying here will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the 19th century with its vintage structure, antique furnishings, and frescoes. It is, nevertheless, equipped with modern conveniences such as air conditioning, satellite TVs, and free Wi-Fi.
The Florence Cathedral, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio are just a short walk from Hotel Pendini, and it is located on Piazza della Repubblica, one of the main squares of Florence.
Hotel Pendini
Address: Via degli Strozzi 2
403 meters (0.3 ft) from Ponte Vecchio
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5. NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa (from USD 554)
The 14th-century structure, Locanda Porta Rossa, once occupied the property that is now known as NH Collection Firenze Porta. Inside its walls is the historic Monalda Tower. History buffs will surely have a fascinating stay at this 5-star property, considered to be the oldest hotel in Italy.
Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast with Italian and vegetarian dishes in the elegant dining room. Guests can choose from 70 stylish rooms with vibrant views.
Tip from tour guide
If you are interested in purchasing authentic souvenirs from Florence, you should visit the historical shop and atelier Paolo Penko, only 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from this hotel. They reproduce many jewels from Florentine paintings or medieval gold coins such as Fiorino. You can also find small silver copies of reliefs from Giotto's bell tower or the symbols of various medieval gilds. It's really interesting to see how they work and sometimes, it's even possible to become a goldsmith for some hours during their workshops.
NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa
Address: Via Porta Rossa 19
275 meters (0.2 ft) from Ponte Vecchio
6. Hotel Santa Croce (from USD 151)
Hotel Santa Croce was constructed in the 17th century with stones dating back to the 600s, and it is set amid the remnants of an ancient Roman amphitheater. Adjacent to the hotel is a house where the legendary Michelangelo Buonarroti spent his early years.
The rooms, with an ambiance reminiscent of the city’s charm, provide a modest and comfy resting place for travelers. You can easily walk to some of the city’s attractions, such as the Uffizi, Signoria Square, and Santa Croce Basilica, from the property.
Tip from tour guide
Are you into astronomy? Then visit the Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo for a visual treat! This place is little more than 1 km (0.6 mi) away from Hotel Santa Croce.
Here, you can see a mysterious astronomical representation, similar to the one in Pazzi Chapel in Santa Croce church. Both chapels were designed by Brunelleschi, and the picture of the sky was carefully created by a painter called Pesello. Experts say it represents the sky over Florence on the 4th of July, 1442. It looks like a fight between various constellations!
Hotel Santa Croce
Address: Via dei Bentaccordi 3
512 meters (0.4 ft) from Ponte Vecchio
7. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze (from USD 2429)
Luxurious and pricey, worth the splurge for a memorable stay.
Stunning gardens, beautiful pool, exceptional spa, and well-equipped gym.
Tranquil, slightly off-center location with a 20-minute walk to the city center.
Varied dining options with exceptional service, though limited plant-based choices.
Experience living like royalty in the Renaissance era with a contemporary twist at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze! It offers luxurious rooms that blend Renaissance elegance with modern facilities. The hotel’s two ancient buildings, the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the former 16th-century convent, La Villa, are separated by 4.5 hectares (11.12 acres) of gorgeous gardens with sculptures, fountains, and old trees.
Savor exquisite Tuscan dishes at the hotel’s main restaurant and pamper yourself in the spa, which features nine beauty treatment rooms and a Turkish bath. The garden pool is perfect for reconnecting with nature while soaking in the cooling water.
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Address: Borgo Pinti 99
1.47 km (1.0 mi) from Ponte Vecchio
8. Hotel Santa Maria Novella (from USD 493)
This hotel is founded inside the walls of an ancient structure steeped with arts and history. It is decorated with vintage paintings and antique items and furnished with lacquered wood floors along with French furnishings.
Visitors particularly like spending time on the rooftop terrace, which overlooks the lovely Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the Santa Maria Novella Basilica. For a more pleasurable dining experience, you can order snacks and beverages and have them served on the rooftop. You can also access the sauna and fitness room for free.
Tip from tour guide
Located close to Hotel Santa Maria Novella is the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. It is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. Founded by Dominican friars shortly after 1221, the year of their arrival in Florence, the pharmacy used medicinal herbs grown in the monastic gardens to make medications, balms, and pomades for the monks' infirmary. Today, the pharmacy is known for its perfumes and beauty products made from natural essences. The Officina also produces many ancient liquors. The interiors are beautifully preserved, and this place offers an extrasensorial experience.
Santa Maria Novella - WTB Hotels
Address: Piazza Santa Maria Novella 1
681 meters (0.5 ft) from Ponte Vecchio
9. Hotel Albani Firenze (from USD 256)
Reasonable pricing for a central location, but may vary by season and event
Spacious rooms, antique decor, gym, and convenient proximity to train station
Conveniently located near main attractions, train station, and dining options
Varied and tasty breakfast, but limited vegetarian options and occasional service delays
This 4-star hotel is a restored early 20th-century residence, a few minutes’ walk from Santa Maria Novella Station and Florence Cathedral.
Start your day with a buffet breakfast at Bernini Restaurant, which serves local and international cuisines. You can also take advantage of the room service if you’d like to savor your meal in your own space. For an organized city tour, you can ask the staff available 24 hours a day for assistance. They can also book tickets for events and reserve tables at restaurants on your behalf.
Tip from tour guide
Only 15 minutes from this hotel by car, you can find the National Archaeological Museum of Florence, a lesser-known museum, and discover some fascinating exhibits. In the museum, I often visit my favorite animal in Florence. It's a mythological monster, Chimera of Arezzo, uniting the characteristics of many animals.The Chimera was made approximately 2400 years ago by the enigmatic Etruscans! They were very skilled in metalwork. The statue was found in the 16th century in Arezzo and Cosimo I of Medici had a special love for it. He used to polish it by himself very often, according to Vasari. This interesting hybrid creature shows lion, goat, and snake features and is very expressive, detailed, and dynamic, definitely something not to miss in Florence. In fact, if you cannot visit the museum, you can check out some copies in many antiquity shops in Florence, such as those in Via del Parione, Via dei Fossi, or Via Maggio.
Aside from this, the museum also has a wonderful Egyptian section. If you're passionate about such topics, I recommend visiting this museum!
Hotel Albani Firenze
Address: Via Fiume 12
1.05 km (0.7 mi) from Ponte Vecchio
10. Grand Hotel Minerva (from USD 777)
The palace was built about 700 years ago as a monastery and has since been occupied by numerous Florentine noble families. In 1848, it was repurposed into an inn until two prominent Italian architects transformed it in 1958 into what is currently the Grand Hotel Minerva. The hotel is adorned with contemporary elements, futuristic drawings, ancient paintings, and renowned sculptures from various eras, making it a gallery in its own right.
Rooms are soundproofed, providing guests with a quiet private space. In addition, each room features air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a minibar. If you happen to visit between April and October, you may enjoy access to the rooftop heated pool.
Grand Hotel Minerva
Address: Piazza Santa Maria Novella 16
745 meters (0.5 ft) from Ponte Vecchio
Discover the historic treasures of Florence, Italy
Florence can offer a broad choice of activities and attractions for tourists with varied needs. Its rich history, stunning landmarks, and charming ambiance make it a popular tourist destination. Book one of the above top historic hotels in Florence, Italy, on this list and take a peek back in time.
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