Florence – Hostels in Florence. Maps for Florence, Photos and Reviews for each hostel in Florence.

Completed way back in 1436, the Duomo’s spectacular exterior is a long way from the austere bare stone we’re used to from cathedrals. It’s a riot of white, green and pink, with marble cladding and paintings above its monumental doors. Its vast dome is an attraction in its own right. Right in the city centre, it’s walking distance from most hostels.

Website: http://www.ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it/

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze, Italy

District: Duomo

Another gallery? Well, you’re in Florence – it comes with the territory. And you could empty all the art out of the Uffizi and still have a pretty impressive attraction. Wander its stunningly elegancy corridors ticking off classics like Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Titian’s Venus of Urbino.

Website: http://www.uffizi.org/

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

District: Santa Croce

At this point, you’ve probably spent quite enough time indoors looking at exhibits. Cross the Arno to this classic formal Tuscan garden, full of water features, Renaissance sculpture and tree-lined walkways. For a more intimate garden with fabulous views over Florence, try the nearby Giardino Boboli – there’s a (fairly pricey) café on its spectacular terrace.

Website: https://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/musei/?m=boboli

Address: Piazza Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze, Italy

District: Palazzo Pitti

Florence’s world-famous art gallery has Renaissance treasures coming out of its ears, but there’s one thing everyone wants to see: Michelangelo’s David. Rightly so. It’s perfectly proportioned (stop sniggering at the back…) and uncannily lifelike – if ever there was a statue you have to see before you die, this is it.

Website: http://www.accademia.org/

Address: Via Ricasoli 58-60 (near Piazza San Marco)

District: Santissima Annunziata

The Renaissance wasn’t all art and sculpture – explore a scientific revolution at this museum dedicated to the pioneering astronomer and inventor. As well as a collection of globes and telescopes there are films and interactive exhibits.

Website: http://www.museogalileo.it/

Address: Piazza dei Giudici, 1, 50122 Firenze, Italy

District: Santa Croce

This once unloved neighbourhood on the south bank of the Arno is enjoying something of a – wait for it – Renaissance. New traffic restrictions and a concerted regeneration effort from the city council have seen its narrow streets and old buildings zhuzhed up with cafes, restaurants and boutique hotels. There are a few good youth hostels in the area too, and the Pitti Palace and Boboli gardens are on the doorstep.

Absolutely packed with hostels, San Lorenzo is also a top spot for Florentine markets. Within it you’ll find the bustling Mercato Centrale, Florence’s huge indoor food market, which is also ringed by street stalls selling clothing, bags, souvenirs and more. A few blocks south is the San Lorenzo indoor market, famous for art and leather goods as well as food.

The streets of Santa Croce can feel like an authentic bubble on the doorstep of the hectic, touristy centro storico. It may not be quite as pictureseque, but you’ll find some cheap hostels and local restaurants and bars around Via Pietrapiana and Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti – and you’ll pay less than you would a little further west.

Florence’s years used to begin on March 25, coinciding with the Annunciation. Today the official new year is January 1, but this older tradition continues, with street markets and a colourful procession focused around the church on PiazzaSS Annunziata.

Address: Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, Firenze, Italy

District: Santissima Annunziata

On September 7, the ‘Festival of the Paper Lanterns’ brings a touch of light and magic to those longer, darker evenings. Locals, tourists and backpackers alike celebrate the eve of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary with a colourful procession from Piazza Santa Croce to Piazza SS Annunziata.

Address: Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, Firenze, Italy

District: Santissima Annunziata

Four teams from local neighbourhoods don medieval garb for a brutal mix of rugby, football and wrestling in Piazza Santa Croce. It takes place on the feast day of St John the Baptist, which Florence celebrates with street parties, parades and fireworks – all in all, a fantastic time to be in a hostel here.

Address: Piazza Santa Croce, Firenze, Italy

District: Santa Croce

If your typical Easter Sunday involves packing a centuries-old wagon with fireworks, pulling it through the streets and then igniting it with a dove-shaped rocket fired from a church, you’ll be right at home in Florence. We’re not kidding. This happens. Head to Piazza del Duomo to watch the madness.

Address: Piazza del Duomo, Firenze, Italy

District: Duomo

This concert season has been welcoming folk and world music stars since 1979 – the menu ranges all across the globe, from Spain to Pakistan to Peru. Shows generally cost €10-15 and take place at the FLOG auditorium.

Website: http://www.flog.it/mus_pope.htm

Address: Via Michele Mercati, 24b, 50139 Firenze, Italy

District: Leopoldo - Rifredi

Backpacking is all about breaking boundaries, right? So dive into this programme of bold experimental music put together by the Tempo Reale centre. Expect challenging, mould-breaking stuff, with tickets priced €5-€10 a show.

Address: Various venues

If all that history is wearing you down a bit, book a ticket for this three-day feast of digital art and music. Gigs take place at Stazione Leopolda, close to Cascine Park – hostels in San Lorenzo make a good base.

Website: http://www.nextechfestival.com/

Address: Viale Fratelli Rosselli, 5, 50144 Firenze, Italy

This absurdly no-frills lunch spot is renowned for lampredotto, the tripe sandwich with herb and/or chilli sauce, all wrapped up in traditional Tuscan bread. Delicious street food with a price tag below €5. (Other sandwiches are available if you can’t hack tripe.)

Website: http://www.davinattieri.it/

Address: Via Santa Margherita 4r, 50100 Florence, Italy

District: Santa Croce

Don’t overthink it – if you’re looking for cheap, delicious, filling food in Italy, head out of the hostel and grab a pizza. This spot near Ponte Vecchio serves up the real deal, and a classic margherita will only cost you €6.50.

Website: http://www.pizzacchiere.com/

Address: Via San Miniato, 2/1, Firenze FI, Italy

District: San Niccolò

Fish and chips, but not as you know it. This no-nonsense friggitoria is a great place to fill up on monster portions of frito misto – a.k.a. mixed fried seafood. Delicious fresh-cut chips too.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/frittino

Address: Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti 43/r, Florence, Italy

District: Santa Croce

Phone: +39 055 050 1843

Technically an aperitivo is a buffet of light snacks laid out to enjoy over a pre-dinner drink; but at some places the buffet can be a full meal. Kitsch is one. Head to it early evening (before 8pm), order a drink and tuck in – the whole caboodle will cost €10. The food isn’t top-quality, but the prices are very backpacker-friendly.

Website: http://www.kitschfirenze.com/

Address: Via S.Gallo 22, Florence, Italy

District: Leon d'Oro

Though it isn’t open for dinner, this small spot in Mercato Centrale serves up filling fresh pasta, salads and top-notch panini for outrageous prices – you’re looking at €4-€7 a head.

Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 12-red, 50123 Firenze, Italy

District: Mercato Centrale

Archea isn’t crazy cheap, but if you’re missing craft beer it’s the place to come. You’ll find Italian microbrews as well as international fare, and the mixed crowd means it’s backpacker-friendly too.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/archea.brwry

Address: Via dei Serragli, 44, 50124 Firenze, Italy

District: San Frediano

Phone: 347 711 0239

If you’re in a hostel in Oltrarno, you’ll be within striking distance of this little enoteca. It has a good selection of Italian wines by the glass, with a focus on small, independent wineries. Decent prices too.

Website: http://www.levolpieluva.com/

Address: Le Volpi e l'Uva Piazza dei Rossi, 1, 50125 Firenze, Italy

District: Pitti

If you’re looking for serious clubbing, Tenax should do the trick – it’s Florence’s biggest techno and house venue, with international DJs playing to a local crowd.

Website: http://www.tenax.org/

Address: Via Pratese, 46, Florence 50145

District: Pistoiese

Come summer, this outdoor bar and music venue sets up around the lake in Giardini Fortezza da Basso. Kick back with a drink, tuck into the buffet and enjoy some live tunes in a relaxed atmosphere

Website: http://www.offbar.it/

Address: Viale Filippo Strozzi, 20, 50129 Firenze, Italy

District: Fortezza da Basso

Arty and relaxed, Volume is typical of the cool bars popping up in Oltrarno’s former workshops. Enjoy some live music over wine, cocktails and snacks, then check out the other funky spots around Piazza di Santo Spirito.

Website: http://www.volume.fi.it/

Address: Piazza Santo Spirito, 5/R, Firenze, Italy

District: Santo Spirito

Phone: 055 2381 460

The big one – everyone comes here, from elderly locals to backpackers stocking up for a picnic. Mercato Centrale is packed with the very best that Tuscany has to offer, alongside a few great-value little restaurants. A feast for the eyes as well as the belly.

Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale dell'Ariento, Via dell'Ariento, 50123 Firenze, Italy

District: Mercato Centrale

This charming little stores specialises in handmade stationery, including postcards, pencils and lovely leather-bound notebooks. Perfect for that travel journal you keep saying you’re going to start…

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ARTE.DEI.CIOMPI.FIRENZE

Address: Via Dè Cerretani, 18, 50123 Firenze, Italy

District: Duomo

Phone: 339 891 0460

Spend a quiet afternoon browsing stalls piled high with antiques and bric-a-brac on the pretty Piazza dei Ciompi. It runs all day Monday to Saturday, and turns into a sprawling mega-market on the last Sunday of the month.

Address: Piazza dei Ciompi, 50122 Firenze, Italy

District: Santa Croce

Florence is all about museums, and on the first Sunday of the month they’re all free. Get up and out of the dorm early, because they inevitably get busy.

The lampredotto is ubiquitous, thoroughly Florentine and very, very cheap. If you don’t get squeamish at the idea of cow stomach – come on, backpackers are supposed to be adventurous! – you can enjoy some great-value lunches on the go.

Look out for festivals that see grub laid on for the crowds – Festa di San Lorenzo, held in August, sees free lasagne and watermelon handed out on Piazza San Lorenzo. Also, stallholders at Mercato Centrale will usually be prepared to give you a sample… but don’t push your luck!