Hotel Medici

You can't miss Brunelleschi's magnificent dome atop the rosy marble Cathedral. It's the obvious central meeting point and tourist hub of the city. Here, you're in the vicinity of practically everything: the Uffizi Museums, Palazzo della Signoria, the San Lorenzo Market and the Accademia.

The streets surrounding the Duomo cater to visitors, with generic, all-day dining (for a price) and exclusive shopping. The big guns in Italian fashion are located along Via Tornabuoni (technically closer to Santa Maria Novella), with several others on Via Calzaiuoli, Via del Corso. Borgo Albizi, which starts behind the Duomo is more of a boutique street, featuring handmade, original designs in clothing and accessories.

Sleeping in a hotel near the Duomo makes practical sense, as this is the center of Florence, making it simple to pop back to your hotel room at a moment's notice. Fortunately, several of our favorite budget hotels in the city are located in this neighborhood—some are surprisingly affordable given their location. (Also see this blog post about out favorite hotels near the Duomo for under €100.)