When you start planning a trip to Italy, Tuscany may come in second place after Rome. Maybe it should be considered a top destination while visiting Italy. Tuscany does not mean only Firence (or Florence the american naming) but it has to include Sienna, San Giaminio and of course the magnificent countryside of Tuscany! Excellent B&bs Florence are usually get fully booked very fast (at least in high season) and it’s better to book it in time.
During my trip to Rome in Italy this spring I have decided to visit other parts of Italy as I have been in Rome too many times and visited most of the sightseeings. I was looking for a place to visit quite close to Rome (in terms of transportation and price) as my wife being pregnant at that time I could not travel long distance.
Florence was the winner in our case. You have booked a bus from Rome to Firenze via Flixbus (buying it in time can get a price of under 10$/way) and we were set off to Tuscany!
The Flixbus and Bus Station in Florence is located outside the city. The best part is that it has good transportation connection with the city center due to the Tram Line (T2). In 30 minutes and with only 1,5 Euro we are already in downtown.
The Tram Line construction in Florence began in 2010 and it was finished in 2014. Now there are active 2 lines as follows:
T1 – Villa Costanza – if your are coming by bus this is the terminal point and have 26 station till downton
T2 – Peretola Aeroporto – this line was opened back in 2019 and it best used if you are traveling to and from the Firenze Airport.
Best Area to Stay in Florence
Of course depends of your budget and your needs. After visiting Florence I have to consider this 3 main areas of Firenze.
- Along T1 Tram Line
It’s important to know that the both tram lines in Firenze to stop at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station and there is no tram line inside the historical center of Firenze.
Choosing this accommodation option would be much cheaper than staying in downtown and if you don’t have a car it’s the perfect way to explore the downtown on foot with easy and fast access (no car traffic).
Suggested accommodation & B&bs Florence along T1 Tram Line: B&B Al Consolato, Dimora Bandinelli, Garden in Florence.
- 2. Along T2 Tram Line
If you are coming to Florence by flight this option is the best for you; if carrying many luggages and no need to change the tram line. Plus you don’t need to wake up very early in the morning to catch your flight!
Suggested hotels & B&bs Florence along T2 Tram Line: Alloggi Palmini, La Rosa Di Firenze B&B or Guest house Residenza Anton Doni.
- 3. Historical Central of Firenze
Please keep in mind that there are no trams passing in downtown of Firenze. We would probably come by car and some streets can be blocked by different transportation cars/food trucks and pedestrians. And some hotels are located on pedestrian streets only so it would be difficult to accommodate if you are traveling with many luggages.
Location: Viale Belfiore, 58, 50144 Firenze FI, Italy.
Antiche Armonie is a Bed & Breakfast situated in the centre of Florence, 500 meters from the central station (Santa Maria Novella) and just a few steps from all the major monuments and museums (piazza Santa Maria Novella, the Cathedral (Duomo), Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, San Lorenzo Basilica, Santa Croce, Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo’s David).
30 meters away from the Belfiore Tram Station (T2 coming and going to the Firenze Airport). Even if I came by bus I was easy to get and change the to T2 tram from T2 at Firenze Santa Maria Novella.
Being a Florence B&bs it does not have 24h reception. Since we arrived earlier than the normal check in the room was not ready and decided to go for a small brunch and walk in downtown Florence.
The B&B was great, very clean, the cleaning lady cleaned it all through and made order in our room every day even not asked for. The stuff was very friendly and welcoming. Wonderful value for money.
For the people to find it – it’s in a building on 4th floor together with other B&Bs and establishments, a little difficult to realize, where to find it, but it has a small sign on the buzz. The problem we had was that we did not find the opening buzz till the last day (it’s not located close to the door but close to the second door of the main entrance!
The B&B is situated about a 10 minute walk from the main train station (once you know your route) and although it is situated next to a busy road, traffic noise didn’t seem to be an issue for us.
The room was spotless (we booked the “Double Room), the bathroom was excellent (great shower!). Our room had no balcony and the window sided the road but it was never noisy from outside.
The addition of A/C was a big bonus even if you traveled in late March it was a bit hot late in the evening.
Decent sized wardrobe for a short visit (we stayed for 3 nights) and a safe/lock-box is included. There are also tea & coffee facilities but we didn’t use them and a mini-bar fridge which was handy to keep other drinks cool.
There isn’t a constant presence at reception, but they are contactable at any time via Whatsapp!
The bathroom was small enough but had plenty of hot water and functional. The towels were a bit too old and not very soft. Lighting was decent could have added more powerful light bulbs.
Breakfast @ B&bs Florence Antiche Armonie
Breakfast is served 8.30 – 10.00, so we only made it a couple of days (only on 1st day) as second day we had a day trip to Tuscany and the last day we had a morning bus to Rome. We were made breakfast boxes on the days we were not able to have in stop. The lady was very nice and breakfast was giving one day in advance in our room.
There was pastries (both fresh and some in bags), cereal, juices, yogurt, etc.
There was also a sweet lady who would make you fresh cappuccino or whatever coffees you desired. No complaints from us!
Against:
Lack of sleepers – well this was the issue in all the hotels we stayed this time in Italy (Rome and Florence). Since most of them do have marble on the floor it’s quite cold to walk and coming from the shower room.
Bed – mattress was OK but not the best we have slept in our trip to Italy.
Mind your Gap sign – we stayed in the last room and before entering the room there is a gap of 10 cm which is not marked well. If no light you can easily miss it and fell a bit. I missed in the first day and had a back pain for 3 days.
Price and Booking @ B&bs Florence Antiche Armonie
We have paid 199$ for 3 nights with breakfast included (65 USD/night). If we do have day tours from Florence or your flight or bus is an early one, go without breakfast. There are not too many coffee shops around (maybe around 500 m away in the non-touristic and residential area)
Distances to the main sightseeings of Firenze from Antiche Armonie in Firenze
- 700 meters Central Station Santa Maria Novella (reachable by foot or tram)
- 800 meters Centro Storico Firenze (reachable by foot or tram)
- 200 meters Fortezza da Basso (Pitti Uomo, Pitti Bimbo, Pitti Filati, Danza in Fiera, Fiera Artigianato, Fiera Tattoo)
- 500 meters Stazione Leopolda (Heads, Political events and other exhibitions)
- 200 meters Piazzale Montelungo Hub for suburban lines
- 100 meters tram stop T2 Belfiore (connects Santa Maria Novella Station to Florence Peretola Airport)
- 5Km Peretola Airport (reachable in 15 minutes by tram T2 at the cost of 1.50 euros; or by taxi)200 meters Parking Fortezza (about 1000 places, public parking at a cost of 20.00 euro per day)
- 6km Parking Villa Costanza (T1 tram terminus and exchange car park for Flixbus and private cars on highway A1)
Verdict: Would I stay again at this B&B in Florence? 90% yes – depends on the price and availability.
