Florence has been at the top of my travel bucket list for years, and this summer I finally crossed it off. It’s since made its way to the top of another list of mine—my ranking of favorite cities. The food, the architecture, the rich history, and, of course, the gelato make it a city like no other. What I loved most about Florence was how surprisingly small it is—every restaurant, museum, and tourist attraction I hoped to visit was in walking distance of one another, which made seeing everything I possibly could see during my three-day stay doable. Hoping for an accommodation that was a little more homey and spacious than a hotel, my partner and I booked a gorgeous Airbnb with a private terrace in the heart of Florence.
As if the pictures on the Florence Airbnb listing weren’t reason enough to book this luxe apartment, the near-perfect rating of 4.95 stars and hundreds of glowing reviews made it hard to resist. What really sold me was the location: It’s a 10-minute walk from the central train station, steps to designer shops like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, and a short walk to must-see attractions like the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. When I arrived, the host greeted me with keys, a quick tour of the apartment, and a list of the best local restaurants and gelato shops. And I didn’t have to worry about lugging my very large (and overfilled) suitcase up the stairs—the elevator was much appreciated. The pictures on Airbnb are beautiful, but this place is even more special in person.
I first noticed how spacious it is, and how the living room is flooded with natural light. The sleek glass staircase situated against the wall was one feature that first attracted me to this place when scrolling through the pictures online—and it did not disappoint. The unique staircase makes the space feel luxurious and modern, yet details like the high ceilings with original beams and large cathedral windows bring in the city’s historic charm. The first floor also features one of two bathrooms and a kitchen with stainless steel appliances (not that I needed to cook when authentic Italian pizza and Florentine steak awaited me).
The primary bedroom features a large walk-in closet and access to the private terrace. This is where I sat and drank espresso each morning—the area is so peaceful and romantic, and it’s a plant lover’s dream. While this one-bedroom home is ideal for a couple, it fits up to four people, thanks to the sofa bed on the second level. More amenities I loved: the large TV, Wi-Fi, a washing machine, and air conditioning—a huge perk on hot days in Italy.
At the end of each long day clocking up to 20,000 steps while wandering around the city, I was grateful to have such a relaxing place to unwind. I’d recommend this Florence Airbnb to any solo traveler, couple, or family with one or two young kids. It’s bright and airy, and quickly feels like home. Florence exceeded all of my expectations, as did this Airbnb. I’ll be dreaming about mornings spent on this terrace, the summer sandwich from All’Antico Vinaio, and evening strolls along the city’s famous bridges until further notice.
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