Florence Hostels
As the home of the Renaissance, Florence may be considered the center of all things high art. But high art needn’t necessarily mean high cost: for travelers on a budget, a hostel in Florence can make the Tuscan city a remarkably affordable proposition.
Luna Rossa Hostel
Located conveniently within close proximity of the San Lorenzo Central Market and Central Station, this friendly hostel is renowned for its welcoming staff willing to offer advice on the best sights for travelers.
The Market offers art, craft and souvenir stalls and shops interspersed among bars and cafes in which backpackers can recoup spent energy with some cheap food and drink before setting off once again – an excellent place to start or begin any day.
Luna Rossa itself offers as much as one could expect from any Florence hostel, with free internet, ping pong table, gym and satellite offering English-speaking channels and films.
Florence Youth Hostel
Exceptionally cheap and high-quality accommodation can also be found at the Florence Youth Hostel, located only moments away from the city's famous monuments.
Its close proximity to the Galleria degli Uffizi is likely to appeal to artisans keen on catching a glimpse of some of the city's renowned Renaissance artworks. Classic works include Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, as well as Da Vinci's The Annunciation.
The Ponte Vecchio is also nearby, a medieval bridge that crosses the Arno River. The bridge is particularly popular amongst couples, evidenced in the thousands of padlocks attached to it, symbolizing the endless union of lovers who have thrown their keys into the river.
Ostello Gallo d'Oro
Centrally located, the Ostello Gallo d'Oro is located only minutes away from the Florence Cathedral that was initially constructed in the mid-15th century. Its awe-inspiring facade and towering Giotto's Bell Tower that encompasses all the grandeur of Florence's superbly preserved historical architecture.
In terms of services the Ostello Gallo d'Oro leaves little to be desired, with 24-hour reception area and hot showers as well as no curfew for entry and a designated travels and tours desk.
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Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany and has a population of approximately 370,000. The city lies on the Arno River and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1982.