The Best Airbnbs in Florence: For Slow Mornings, Golden Light & Rooftop Views
Last Updated on February 23, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
Florence has a way of disarming you almost immediately — which is saying a lot coming from someone who has never really considered herself a “city person” and tenses up a little bit in busier environments. I tend to gravitate toward coastal towns, countryside escapes, and anywhere life moves a little slower… yet Florence holds a permanent spot on my list of favorite places in the world.
Maybe it’s the golden light that seems to bounce off every terracotta rooftop at sunset, the quiet hum of early mornings before the streets are fully awake, or the feeling that art and history are simply part of everyday life here rather than something confined to museum walls. Whatever the magic is, Florence invites you to settle in instead of rushing through — and where you stay becomes part of that experience.
Over time (and after far too many hours happily spent scrolling), I’ve found a collection of Airbnbs that feel less like rentals and more like beautiful Florentine homes — the kind you look forward to returning to after long dinners, spritzes in sunlit piazzas, and aimless wandering down cobblestone streets. If you’re currently planning your Florence itinerary, securing accommodations early is key — especially for spring and summer travel. And if a vacation rental is your chosen style of stay, I hope one of the spots on this list is your perfect match!
While I haven’t personally stayed at every Airbnb on this list, each one was hand-picked for its dreamy decor, great location, thoughtful amenities, and glowing guest reviews. If you’re searching for the best Airbnbs in Florence, Italy — the kind that feel less like rentals and more like beautiful Florentine homes — you’re in the right place.
Quick Picks: Find Your Florence Match
- Best for Couples: Penthouse in the Heart of Florence
- Best Duomo View: Luxury Apartment ‘Catarina da Siena’
- Best Design Stay: Palazzina Maresa
- Best for Groups of 4: La Dimoretta (Arno riverfront)
- Best for Large Groups: Gorgeous Florentine Apartment (sleeps 8)
Penthouse in the Heart of Florence
2 guests | Book on Airbnb
Three things immediately caught my eye about this beautiful penthouse Airbnb when I was deep in our Italian honeymoon research phase:
- The stunning amount of golden light that leaks through the large windows and illuminates seemingly every inch of the penthouse.
- The beautiful decoration — deep brown couches, warm accents, and the bed?! It has that boutique-stay meets small, stylized-home feel that I always strive to find, no matter the hotel or vacation rental.
- The private terrace, complete with a hot tub — perfect for winding down after long days of exploring the city.
This Florence penthouse Airbnb is an absolute dream for couples looking for a unique, homey stay in the heart of the Renaissance city. Located right on the Piazza Santa Trinita, it’s ideally placed a stone’s throw from some of my favorite spots near the famous Via Tornabuoni and Fiume Arno (Arno River): Stella d’Italia — the boutique hotel we actually ended up staying at on our honeymoon, Ponte Santa Trinita — a lovely bridge to watch the sunset over Florence with fellow tourists and locals (with a spritz, of course), and a short stroll to my cherished walk-in only wine bar in Santo Spirito: Il Santino.
Elegant Apartment with Frescoes 209
2 guests | Book on Airbnb
Located just down a side street from Florence’s iconic Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo), this is the Airbnb for couples looking to be close to an iconic Florentine landmark. Not only that, but starting your mornings and ending your days surrounded by some of the most incredible tall ceilings, walls adorned in beautiful frescoes, with a small sliver of a Duomo view out of a side window? This is firmly on my personal list for a future return to Florence.
Palazzina Maresa – Apartment by a Renowned Designer
2 guests | Book on Airbnb
If you’re looking for a design-centered stay for two, this Palazzina Maresa apartment might be the perfect spot for you. Beautifully designed and updated with modern touches, Palazzina Maresa was crafted by a young, renowned local designer. This specific apartment blends contemporary design with historic Florentine touches, and includes a beautiful private terrace and backyard — perfect for slow mornings sipping espresso or late nights with a bottle of wine and a recapping of the day’s adventures.
Located just beyond the buzz of Florence’s center, in Porta Romana, it is perched slightly above the city. But have no fear. It is not too far from historic landmarks like the Boboli Gardens, and the entire city of Florence is generally walkable, so you can easily reach the Ponte Vecchio in minutes on foot. Those who have stayed at and reviewed Palazzina Maresa also mention that bus and taxi stops are closeby, a lovely option for those with more limited mobility.
New OltrarnoNest with CourtAC
2 guests | Book on Airbnb
Close to my beloved wine bar friend, Il Santino, and BABAE‘s wine window, this stylish, colorful, and updated apartment is just minutes from Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno district. It’s located a short distance from Florence’s main attractions, but situated far enough, too, to feel like a personal retreat.
The Airbnb itself features a modern kitchen equipped with everything you’d need to make food at “home.” It’s also an ideal spot for those who might be on a later leg in their Italian adventures, complete with a laundry area (yes, a full washer/dryer situation) for refreshing the items in your suitcase.
Dream Loft Next to the Basilica of Santa Croce
3 guests | Book on Airbnb
If a collected, eclectic look is the decor style you treasure, I do not doubt that you are going to gravitate toward this magical find perched “above” the Basilica of Santa Croce — an area that is still considered part of the main tourist center, though slightly quieter than the immediate surroundings of the Duomo or Ponte Vecchio
The loft itself is light, bright, and equipped with a full kitchen, dining area, and even a decently spacious bathroom for a city-center stay in Florence. And the views of the Basilica outside the windows, even in photos, feel otherworldly. I can only imagine how transportive they feel in person!
Luxury Apartment ‘Catarina da Siena’
3 guests | Book on Airbnb
Looking for a Duomo view right outside your window? Pair it with luxurious interiors, and Catarina da Siena is your Airbnb. This apartment is a part of Airbnb’s “luxe” collection, and I can definitely understand why. The Duomo view alone is something out of a movie. But space to spread out, possibly one of the largest bathrooms you’ll find in a city-center apartment, and a kitchen for cozy nights in? Say no more.
The view of the Duomo from the bedroom window, specifically, is reason enough to book this Airbnb when it’s available and plan your entire stay in Florence around it. Imagine waking up to that! Given the view, it goes without saying that this is a highly central stay — giving you walkability to all of Florence’s main attractions.
Sant’Egidio Suite Florence
4 guests | Book on Airbnb
Need a slightly bigger space for a group of friends or a small family? Sant’Egidio Suite is a light, airy, modernized spot in the heart of the city that’s perfect for four. The dark wood and green velvet accents are what make the Airbnb, in my opinion. And the paintings on the bedroom walls? Swoon!
Something small (and silly), but worth noting is that there is a stated €5 per person charge for bath and shower towels and bed sheets on the Airbnb listing, and they also charge an additional fee for late check-ins — €20 from 8:00 pm to 11:30 pm, and €50 after 11:30 pm. Seemingly not a bi
La Dimoretta – Historical Residence
4 guests | Book on Airbnb
A historical home with windows that let in plenty of natural light, La Dimoretta is beautifully set up for groups of four: a true two-bed, two-bath property that’s a proper “home” away from home. The walls are adorned with frescoes and tiles, a mix of historic charm and thoughtful modern updates.
It is located right along the banks of the Arno, just steps away from the Ponte Vecchio, making it an ideal location for exploring along the river, heading inward toward the Piazza del Duomo, or toward Santo Spirito and Oltrarno neighborhoods. Given the two-bedroom setup, this would be an ideal Airbnb for two couples traveling together, a group of friends, or a small family.
Apartment in Renaissance Palace
4 guests | Book on Airbnb
A quick jaunt from the Santa Maria Novella train station and minutes from the Duomo, this Florentine apartment is suitable for four, and in an ideal location for exploring Florence’s historic center.
The apartment is updated, with modern amenities and simple yet tasteful decor. It’s set up in a way that might seem a little strange at first glance: a bed in the living space (like a studio apartment might be), and two single beds upstairs in the loft, making it ideal for a group of friends (girls’ trip?) or a family of four. It also has in-unit laundry!
Destra Terrace 4th Floor
4 guests | Book on Airbnb
There is something undeniably romantic about staying in an Airbnb that makes you feel like you’ve moved to the city — even if only for a few days. Upon stumbling across this fourth-floor apartment, I knew that it would likely give off that feeling. It’s warm, clean, homey, and serene. The rooftop views from the terrace are somewhere I know I’d want to sip my espresso every morning, or even enjoy a cozy sunset aperitivo.
The Destra Terrace apartment is located a short walk from Florence’s central market, Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, and since it’s perched up on the fourth floor of the building, has lovely views (including the cathedral!). Although the Airbnb listing shows that this apartment is suitable for four guests, it’s important to keep in mind that there is one “official” bedroom — the other bed is a sofa bed in the living room. Given this, it is better suited for two, a group of friends that doesn’t mind the sofa bed situation, or a family with small children who won’t know the difference.
Perhaps the most important element to note is that there is no elevator (or “lift”). Given that it is a fourth-floor stay, this would not be ideal for guests with mobility issues.
Gorgeous Florentine Apartment
8 guests | Book on Airbnb
Possibly the most incredible, most spacious Airbnb I’ve found for larger groups, this gorgeous Florentine apartment can fit up to eight guests across a four-bedroom, four-bathroom layout. Perhaps the most jaw-dropping element of this apartment, aside from its sheer size, is the beautiful, floor-to-ceiling murals in the living and dining areas. And the spacious bathrooms that give even some of the most luxurious hotels a run for their money.
It is centrally located, a short distance from the Duomo, making it the ideal stay for a large group of friends or family that all want to be under the same roof during their time in this beautiful city. I might need to convince my own family to make a future Florentine escape here!
No matter which neighborhood you choose or how many days you have to linger, finding a place that feels warm, beautiful, and distinctly Florentine has a way of deepening your entire experience of the city. Because in Florence, where mornings begin with church bells and evenings glow in shades of orange, bronze, and gold, coming “home” after a full day of wandering is part of the magic.
Whether you’re planning your very first visit or dreaming up a return (something Florence seems to insist upon in my own mind), I hope this collection helps you find a stay that invites you to slow down, settle in, and live — even briefly — like a local. After all, the best trips aren’t just about what you see, but how a place makes you feel long after you’ve left. And Florence has a habit of staying with you…
Plan a Trip to Florence
- Book These in Advance: The Uffizi Gallery and Accademia (home of Michelangelo’s David) sell out weeks ahead — don’t skip this step. Browse top Florence experiences and skip-the-line tickets on Viator.
- Prefer a boutique hotel? I have a full guide to where to stay in Florence, including my favorite boutique picks.
- More Italy: Planning a multi-city trip? See my favorite Airbnbs in Rome and my full 12-day Italian honeymoon itinerary, or take a peek at all of my Italy guides.
- Getting to Florence: Search flights to Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA). You might have to stop in Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP) first.
- Planning a trip or Italian honeymoon? I offer personalized itinerary planning for a small handful of clients — reach out here.
