Hotel in Florence, centro storico near Bargello & Uffizi

Hotel Balcony, Florence

This hotel in Florence is right in the centre of the 'centro storico' or historic downtown, with all the most alluring monuments and galleries just a short walk away. Brunelleschi's spectacular Duomo, arguably the city's most beautiful landmark, can be admired from the Hotel Balcony's very own terrace. However, to fully appreciate the cathedral's painstakingly elaborate marble facade you will need to visit on foot. Inside, the stained-glass roundels, terracotta reliefs and original frescoes are not to be missed. Giotto's bell tower, the Campanile, stands just alongside the Duomo and offers impressive views over the city. It is also worth taking a look around the Baptistery, which boasts a spectacular mosaic floor and ceiling.

Florence is famed the world over for its outstanding collections of art, and the Uffizi Gallery is probably the best place to begin. Botticelli's Birth of Venus is its most famous exhibit, however there are many more familiar paintings on show by artists such as Da Vinci, Holbein and Goya. The Bargello has an incredible collection of sculpture, and if you want to see the original of Michelangelo's Davide, you must head for the Galleria dell'Accademia.

This Florence hotel is named after its spectacular balcony terrace, where you can take breakfast against the backdrop of the cathedral dome. The hotel interior is decorated in a modest and elegant style, with traditional Florentine furnishings such as terracotta flooring in the bedrooms. The rooms are all double-glazed to eliminate noise from the streets, and also come with air-conditioning, satellite TV, minibar, en-suite bathroom and hairdryer. A generous buffet breakfast comes included in the price of the rooms.

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Double room from €40

 

Score from 128 reviews: 8/10