Florence

Even though it’s the ultimate Renaissance city, Florence can offer you way more than just art and museums. The capital of Tuscany, situated in the centre of Italy, has something for everyone, whether you want to party all night long, sip espressos in hipster cafés or wander between the suggestive sculptures of Piazza della Signoria.

Hostels in Florence are perfect for any kind of budget and very close to the city centre. The best hostels in Florence have swimming pools, bars, free breakfast, and rooftops! They also organize all kind of events, from live music shows to parachute launches, you cannot get bored in these hostels.

If you’re visiting Florence for the art, your best bet is to stay in one of the many hostels close to the city centre, and, especially, to the church of Santa Maria Novella, where every day you can join free walking tours in English. You will be able to explore the Historic Centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can find all the best attractions, from Piazza del Duomo to the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. Art in Florence is not only from the Renaissance. In every corner of the hipster neighbourhood of the Oltrarno - literally beyond the Arno, which is the river that runs through Florence - you can find any kind of street art by artists like Clet and Bulb, and hostels that reflect the young vibe of the area. Here you will have the opportunity to drink coffee in an ex-prison and to dance all night.

Even if you’re on a budget, Florence has something for you. You can stay in beautiful hostels and do one of the many cheap things the city has to offer, like admiring the view from Piazzale Michelangelo or taking pictures in the stunning Rose Garden. Food is cheap too, and between the famous Fiorentina steak and the Ribollita, you will never be hungry in Florence. At the end of the day, you are there to look at Michelangelo’s David, not to look like it. Would you ever say that the home to some of the best Italian artists is now hosting one of the biggest electronic music festivals in Italy? We are talking about the Nextech festival, that has been going on since 2006. In Florence, you never know what to expect.

Florence is a relatively small city and all the best attractions are close to each other, so it is easy to explore by foot. If you want to take the lazy route, then you can move around by bus and, if you’re one for one stop shops, you can get the Florence+ card for 90 euros that will give you priority access to every museum for 72 hours and it includes public transport tickets. For more inspiration on what to do in this popular city, check out our guide on things to do in Florence for solo travellers.