When street-side dining returns and locals break out their trusty fans to combat the sweltering heat, tourists flock to Florence’s maze-like streets, many in search of affordable accommodation. With most of Florence’s hostels centrally located, some mere minutes from Brunelleschi’s Renaissance masterpiece, lodging in one seems like a no-brainer. However, seasoned hostel-goers know that location, cleanliness, safety and atmosphere can make or break a stay. That’s why we have scoped out the city’s best hostels for solo travellers and budget-conscious tourists.
Sociable + central
With a stellar rating of 9.5 on Hostelworld, Ostello Bello stands as the top-rated hostel in Florence, and for good reason. It’s a stone’s throw from the main Santa Maria Novella train station and foodie central Mercato Centrale, boasting prime real estate with an idyllic view of the Duomo from the rooftop terrace. Guests appreciate the hostel for its thoughtful amenities, including a complimentary drink token on arrival and a late checkout time of 11am. The shared kitchen is stocked with free vegetables, pasta and canned ingredients, encouraging guests to help themselves. For solo travellers seeking camaraderie, Ostello Bello runs a weekly rotation of social events, from free pasta nights and a sunset aperitivo at piazzale Michelangelo to lively karaoke and bingo evenings.
Design-driven
Fully renovated design hostel YellowSquare Florence embodies its motto of “go with the Flowrence” by helping guests to flow through the day with wine tastings, homemade pasta making and yoga classes. Whether you’re looking to relax or socialize, there are tranquil communal spaces and social hives like the rooftop pool, where guests gather with a spritz and soak in skyline vistas. The hostel vaunts a dancehall in an underground club that hosts music events. While YellowSquare is about a 20-minute walk from the Duomo in the residential neighbourhood of San Jacopino, it’s well connected by trams and surrounded by some of the city’s best local restaurants and affordable eateries.
Luxury
Setting the standard for budget accommodation, PLUS Florence blends luxury hostelling with convenience, offering an on-site cafe, bar and restaurant, along with a flatscreen TV in every room. Hosting up to 400 guests across two buildings, the hostel blends the atmosphere of a university dorm and an all-inclusive resort with its outdoor pool and bar, panoramic terrace and sauna. The rooms are sleek and spacious, and each bed has its own storage locker, a standout feature for guests. The all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is expansive, making the 10 euro well worth it. In the evening, the bar features a dancefloor and a DJ, beckoning guests with happy hour drinks.
In the hills
A former 13th-century monastery, Antico Spedale del Bigallo has entered a new era as a hostel. Ostello del Bigallo offers a taste of life under the Tuscan sun eight kilometres from Florence. Local craftspeople designed the décor inspired by Renaissance beds depicted in paintings from the time. Guests can opt for a dorm with alcoves. Although there’s no communal kitchen, the hostel serves free breakfast and provides a pasta and wine dinner for eight euro. The journey to the hostel offers a glimpse of the Tuscan countryside (take the number 23B bus from piazza Indipendenza to the end of the line, Croce a Varliano) and ends with a 20-minute walk uphill.
A quieter stay
For over 15 years, receptionist Marco has been warmly greeting guests at Archi Rossi Hostel, a family-run hostel in via Faenza known for its green spaces, dreamy terraces, artistic flair and central location for Florence’s architectural masterpieces. Having been a former monastery, the place retains character, particularly in the open-air terrace dotted with terracotta pot plants and the quaint restaurant that opens onto a charming courtyard adorned with water fountains and sprawling greenery. While the hostel offers a communal area equipped with books and games, it’s better suited for travellers who prefer a quieter, less social atmosphere.
For busy travellers
As the name suggests, Leonardo House resembles more of a house than a hostel with its warm hospitality and apartment-looking rooms. While the hostel is more humble in appearance, the stand-out feature is undoubtedly the top-tier location. The Duomo is just down the street, while the train station, Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery are all within a five-minute walk. Despite being situated in the beating heart of Florence, Leonardo House is tucked away on the quiet backstreet of via del Trebbio, providing a retreat from the city’s lively chaos. With no common room to facilitate group bonding, the hostel is ideal for travellers with a packed sightseeing agenda.