The Best Airbnbs in Florence: For Slow Mornings, Golden Light & Rooftop Views
Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
Florence has a way of disarming you almost immediately, which is saying a lot from someone who has never considered herself a city person and tenses up a little in busy places. I gravitate toward coastal towns, countryside escapes, and anywhere life moves slower. And yet Florence holds a permanent spot on my list of favorite places in the world.
Maybe it’s the golden light bouncing off every terracotta rooftop at sunset, the soft hum of early mornings before the streets wake up, or the feeling that art and history are simply part of everyday life here. Whatever the magic is, Florence invites you to settle in rather than rush through, and where you stay becomes part of the experience.
I’ve been to Florence twice, in 2019 with my family and in June 2025 on our honeymoon, and both times we stayed in hotels. But while planning the honeymoon, I spent far too many happy hours researching vacation rentals, and these are the apartments that felt less like rentals and more like beautiful Florentine homes. I haven’t stayed in them; each one was hand-picked for its design, location, amenities, and glowing guest reviews.
Best for Couples
the Penthouse
Best for Groups
the Palazzo
Best for a Local Feel
Oltrarno Nest
The short answer: the best Airbnb in Florence for couples is the Penthouse in the Heart of Florence on Piazza Santa Trinita, with a private terrace and hot tub. For a group of up to eight, the Frescoed Renaissance Palazzo near the Duomo. For a neighborhood feel, the New Oltrarno Nest near Santo Spirito.
Prefer a Hotel?
The Boutique Hotels We Loved in Florence
Including Stella d’Italia, where we stayed on our honeymoon, rooftop and all.
Penthouse in the Heart of Florence – Piazza Santa Trinita
2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
Three things caught my eye when I found this penthouse during our honeymoon research: the golden light pouring through the big windows into nearly every inch of the space; the decor, all deep brown couches, warm accents, and a bed with that boutique-hotel-meets-home feel I’m always looking for; and the private terrace with a hot tub, made for winding down after long days of wandering.
It’s right on Piazza Santa Trinita, steps from Ponte Santa Trinita (ideal for a sunset spritz with a view), a short stroll to Il Santino in Santo Spirito, and very close to Stella d’Italia, the boutique hotel we chose for our honeymoon. A dream for couples who want something warm, homey, and beautifully Florentine.
Elegant Apartment With Frescoes 209 – Near the Duomo
2 guests · Studio · 1 bed · 1 bath
Just down a side street from the Duomo, this is the one for couples who want to feel genuinely close to Florence’s most iconic landmark: not just near it, but in it. Tall ceilings, frescoed walls, and a sliver of a Duomo view from a side window. Starting and ending your days surrounded by all that is something I think about for a future return. It’s firmly on my personal list.
Palazzina Maresa – Porta Romana
2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
For a design-centered stay for two, Palazzina Maresa is one of the most considered rentals I’ve found in Florence. It was created by a young, renowned local designer and blends contemporary design with historic Florentine detail, plus a private terrace and garden made for slow espresso mornings and late evenings with a bottle of wine.
It’s in Porta Romana, a little beyond the buzz of the center but very walkable: close to the Boboli Gardens and minutes on foot from the Ponte Vecchio. Bus and taxi stops are close by, too, a help for guests with limited mobility.
New Oltrarno Nest With Court – Santo Spirito
2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
Close to Il Santino and BABAE‘s beloved wine window, this colorful apartment is minutes from Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno: far enough from the center to feel like a retreat, close enough to reach everything quickly. The kitchen is well-equipped for cooking in, and there’s a washer and dryer, which is invaluable if Florence is a later stop on a longer Italian trip and the suitcase needs a refresh.
Dream Loft Next to the Basilica of Santa Croce – Santa Croce
3 guests · 1 bedroom · 3 beds · 1 bath
If a collected, eclectic look is what you’re after, this loft will stop you mid-scroll. It sits on the third floor of an 18th-century building above the Basilica di Santa Croce, still central but a step removed from the crowds around the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. It’s bright and light, with a full kitchen, a dining area, a fireplace, and a bathroom that’s actually spacious by city-center standards.
The views of the Basilica and Florence’s rooftops already look otherworldly in photos; I can only imagine them in person. One practical note: there’s no elevator, and 50 stairs stand between you and the front door, so pack light.
La Dimoretta – Historical Residence on the Arno
4 guests · 2 bedrooms · 2 beds · 2 baths
A historic home with windows that pour in natural light, La Dimoretta is set up beautifully for four: a true two-bedroom, two-bath home away from home. Frescoes and tiles meet thoughtful modern updates. It sits along the Arno, steps from the Ponte Vecchio, so you can head toward the Duomo, along the river, or across to Santo Spirito and the Oltrarno with equal ease. Ideal for two couples, a group of friends, or a small family.
Apartment in Renaissance Palace – Near Santa Maria Novella
4 guests · 2 bedrooms · 4 beds · 1.5 baths
A quick walk from Santa Maria Novella station and minutes from the Duomo, this updated apartment is an ideal base for four in the historic center, with modern amenities and simple, tasteful decor.
The layout is a little unusual at first glance: a bed in the living space, studio-style, and two single beds up in the loft. That makes it a great fit for a group of friends (girls’ trip?) or a family of four. It also has in-unit laundry.
Destra Terrace 4th Floor – Sant’Ambrogio
4 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1.5 baths
There’s something undeniably romantic about a rental that makes you feel like you’ve moved to a city, even for a few days. This fourth-floor apartment does exactly that: warm, clean, homey, and serene, with a rooftop terrace that makes every morning espresso feel cinematic, the cathedral in view. It’s a short walk from the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. Two things to know: it sleeps four but works best for two (or a group happy with a sofa bed), and there’s no elevator.
Frescoed Renaissance Palazzo – Near the Duomo
8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 4 beds · 4 baths
Possibly the most impressive rental I’ve found for larger groups in Florence: four bedrooms, four bathrooms, room for eight, near the Duomo, and floor-to-ceiling murals in the living and dining rooms that give some of the city’s most luxurious hotels a real run for their money. The bathrooms alone deserve a second mention.
This is the kind of place that turns a multi-family trip or a big friends’ getaway into a genuine occasion, and I’m already plotting how to convince my own family to make a Florentine escape here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you still rent an Airbnb in Florence?
Yes. Florence froze new short-term rental registrations in its UNESCO-protected historic center in 2025, and in 2026 the city moved to extend the freeze to more residential neighborhoods, but rentals already registered can keep operating. That means fewer new listings, so book early, especially for spring and summer.
Which neighborhood is best for an Airbnb in Florence?
For first-timers, near the Duomo or Santa Maria Novella, where everything is walkable. For a more local feel, the Oltrarno and Santo Spirito, across the river. For a calmer base still close to the center, Santa Croce or Sant’Ambrogio.
Is it better to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb in Florence?
An apartment gives you a kitchen, laundry, and space for groups. A hotel gives you service, a rooftop, and someone to book dinner. We stayed at a boutique hotel on our honeymoon and loved it; here are the best boutique hotels in Florence if you’re weighing both.
Do Florence apartments have elevators?
Many don’t, especially in historic buildings. Two on this list, the Dream Loft and Destra Terrace, have no elevator. If stairs are a concern, filter for an elevator before you book, and pack a carry-on you can actually lift; here are the bags I travel with.
In Florence, coming home after a full day of wandering is part of the magic.
No matter which neighborhood you choose or how long you linger, a place that feels warm, beautiful, and distinctly Florentine deepens the whole experience of the city. Mornings begin with church bells; evenings glow orange, bronze, and gold. Whether it’s your first visit or a return (something Florence seems to insist on), I hope one of these invites you to slow down, settle in, and live like a local, even briefly. Florence has a habit of staying with you.
Plan Your Trip to Florence
Plan a Trip to Florence
Book these in advance: The Uffizi and the Accademia (home of Michelangelo’s David) sell out weeks ahead. Reserve a skip-the-line Uffizi tour and Accademia tickets.
Prefer a hotel? My guide to the best boutique hotels in Florence has my favorite picks, including our honeymoon stay.
Where to eat: My guide to the best restaurants in Florence, from a lunch spot worth wandering into to the rooftop dinner you’ll talk about for years.
Getting there: Fly into Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA), often via Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP), then take the train. My guide to train travel in Italy covers it.
More Italy: see my favorite Airbnbs in Rome, our 12-day Italian honeymoon itinerary, or all my Italy guides.