Renaissance Tuscany
The Ponte Vecchio from your window, the Uffizi around the corner, and dinner across the river in the Oltrarno.
Florence is the Renaissance in one walkable city — Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David, the Ponte Vecchio — and the best way to live it is from your own apartment in the centro storico, with the city at the door.
Our Florence rentals are hand-picked palazzo apartments: piano nobile residences on the Arno, frescoed flats near Santa Croce, a penthouse with a rooftop terrace, apartments that look straight at the Ponte Vecchio. Most are a few minutes' walk from the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio.
Every one is personally vetted, and every booking is handled by a US-based travel advisor — from the right neighbourhood for your group to the restaurant reservations and the private guide for the Uffizi.
Where to Stay
The historic centre is compact, and every one of our Florence apartments is within a short walk of the Duomo and the Uffizi — so the choice is about atmosphere. On the north bank, the streets around the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce put the great museums on your doorstep, with Piazza Santa Croce itself a lively evening square. San Lorenzo and Santa Maria Novella, to the north and west, are handy for the train station and the Mercato Centrale.
Across the river, the Oltrarno — Santo Spirito, San Frediano and the streets around Palazzo Pitti — is Florence's artisan quarter and its best neighbourhood for eating: quieter at night, full of wine bars and trattorias, and still only a few minutes over the bridge to the Uffizi. Riverfront apartments on either bank give you the Arno and its bridges from the windows.
Best Villas
Florence
2 Beds·2 Baths·4 Guests
From €2,975 / week
Florence
2 Beds·2 Baths·4 Guests
From €2,975 / week
Florence
2 Beds·2 Baths·4 Guests
From €2,975 / week
Florence
2 Beds·2 Baths·5 Guests
From €2,975 / week
Florence
2 Beds·2 Baths·4 Guests
From €4,375 / week
Florence
3 Beds·3 Baths·5 Guests
From €4,375 / week
Florence
3 Beds·3 Baths·6 Guests
From €3,675 / week
Florence
4 Beds·4 Baths·8 Guests
From €4,375 / week
Florence
4 Beds·4 Baths·8 Guests
From €4,375 / week
Florence
5 Beds·5 Baths·10 Guests
From €6,475 / week
Florence
6 Beds·7 Baths·11 Guests
From €15,600 / week
Experiences
Before the crowds: Botticelli, Leonardo, Caravaggio and the Vasari Corridor with an art historian.
Timed entry and a guide who makes the Prisoners and the David come alive — 30 minutes that stay with you for years.
463 steps between the inner and outer shells to the lantern, and the whole city at your feet.
Bookbinders, goldsmiths, leather and paper-marbling studios on a morning walk through Santo Spirito and San Frediano.
Shop Sant'Ambrogio or the Mercato Centrale with a chef, then cook and lunch on fresh pasta and Tuscan classics.
The postcard view over the domes and bridges — then down to San Niccolò for dinner.
Travel Advisor
From the right villa to private chefs, boat charters, and bespoke experiences, we take care of every detail.
Beyond the Villa
Twenty to forty minutes south: Greve, Panzano and Castellina, with long lunches at wine estates.
About an hour by car or bus: the Campo, the Duomo and the Torre del Mangia.
Around an hour: medieval towers, Vernaccia wine, and Volterra's alabaster workshops.
About an hour west: cycle Lucca's Renaissance walls, then the Leaning Tower and the Field of Miracles.
Twenty minutes up the hill: Roman theatre, monastery gardens and the view back over Florence.
About ninety minutes south: Pienza, Montalcino's Brunello and the cypress-lined roads.
Climate
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50°F | 54°F | 60°F | 66°F | 75°F | 83°F | 89°F | 89°F | 80°F | 70°F | 58°F | 51°F |
Source: long-term monthly averages for the region. Sea temperatures stay comfortable for swimming May through October.
Where it is
Travelers Ask
Florence packs more great art per square mile than anywhere on earth. The Uffizi holds Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera; the Accademia holds David; the Bargello, the Medici Chapels, San Marco's Fra Angelicos, the Brancacci Chapel and the Duomo's museum would each be the pride of another city. Brunelleschi's dome still dominates the skyline six centuries after it was raised.
But the Florence people fall for is the everyday one: the morning cappuccino at the bar, the Sant'Ambrogio market, the artisan workshops of the Oltrarno, a bistecca alla fiorentina at a crowded trattoria, the passeggiata along the Arno at sunset. Staying in an apartment rather than a hotel lets you live that rhythm.
Florence is also the natural gateway to Tuscany. Chianti's vineyards begin twenty minutes south; Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca and Pisa are easy day trips by car or train — and the city pairs beautifully with a week in a countryside villa.
For first-time visitors, the historic centre around the Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce puts the great museums at your door. The Oltrarno, across the river, is quieter at night and the best area for food and artisan workshops. Every Florence apartment we offer is within a short walk of the Duomo and the Uffizi.
Our hand-picked Florence apartments start at around €3,000 per week for two-bedroom residences and around €4,400–6,500 per week for larger apartments sleeping eight to twelve. Final cleaning, a damage deposit and the city tourist tax are paid locally.
For families, groups and longer stays, an apartment gives you more space, a kitchen, living rooms and often a view — and the chance to live like a Florentine, shopping the markets and coming home to your own palazzo. Many of ours have an elevator, air conditioning and a concierge who can arrange tours and a private chef.
No. The historic centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL) and entirely walkable, and cars are more trouble than help. For day trips to Chianti, Siena or Lucca, we can arrange a private driver, or you can take the train or collect a rental car on your way out of town.
Chianti (20–40 minutes), Siena (about an hour), San Gimignano and Volterra, Lucca and Pisa (about an hour west), Fiesole (20 minutes) and the Val d'Orcia (about 90 minutes).
April to early June and mid-September to October, for warm weather and lighter crowds. Winter is quiet and ideal for museums.
Yes — it's one of our favourite itineraries. Spend a few days in a Florence apartment for the museums and restaurants, then a week in a villa in Chianti or the hills just outside the city.
Explore
Each region is hand-picked, walked, and slept in by us first. See which one is calling.
“A fabulous experience in every way. Thank you for all your help in working with us to choose the perfect villa and for all the recommendations. A trip to remember.”Doorways Client · Villa Larianella
“Our experience with Doorways was exceptional — La Casetta and The Farmhouse were impeccable, and the owners’ hospitality was off the charts. Two of the most magical properties in all of Umbria. Can’t wait to return!”Doorways Client · Sogno Casetta & Farmhouse
“My longtime dream of renting a villa with friends in Tuscany became a reality thanks to Susan and Doorways. Villa Laura was the perfect property — and Susan is trustworthy, professional, and passionate about her stunning properties.”Doorways Client · Villa Laura
“Awesome! Great central location and splendid views. A great, great place. This was my second time with Doorways and it was even better than the first!”Doorways Client · Poggio delle Rose
“We absolutely loved the villa on Lake Como. The local concierge devised a fabulous itinerary, and each of the services — provisions, chefs, tours on the lake — was exceptional. Our first time renting a villa, and we would highly recommend.”Doorways Client · Lake Como
“Phenomenal. The villa was a restful, beautiful place to stay, with spectacular views in Tuscany. Fresh herbs outside the door, a wood fire, more amazing views, and a quick dip in the pool. The four of us loved it — go, enjoy!”Doorways Client · Tuscany
“We couldn't have been better-taken care of! This was a very special experience — one that will be etched in our hearts forever.”Doorways Client · Villa Plaisir
“Three-sixty views over golden wheat fields and sunflower crops, a beautifully kept pool, an olive grove and fruit trees. And Mariela the housekeeper — what a wonderful person. The grounds, the views and the pool: magnificent.”Doorways Client · Villa Molinazzo
“I cannot speak highly enough of Doorways! Susan planned our stay and our wedding at Villa Laura in Cortona, and it was beyond our wildest dreams. Sophie the house manager gave us the best week of all our lives.”Doorways Client · Villa Laura · Wedding
“From arrival to departure, the week was filled with incredible hospitality, warmth and beauty. The description and photos did not do the experience justice. Xenia has created something truly special, and the Chianti hills were idyllic. Belissimo!”Doorways Client · Il Casolare
“Villa Mida is a delightful surprise — amazing water views, a unique indoor spa, attentive staff. After full days exploring the Amalfi Coast it was wonderful to return to a soothing setting to recharge. We can’t wait to return!”Doorways Client · Villa Mida
“This villa was amazing — everywhere you looked was a “wow” moment. Pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, king-size beds with double shower heads. Bocce, foosball, ping pong. Thanks Susan for recommending this property for the four couples.”Doorways Client · A Tuscan Villa
“The villa was spectacular. The service from the property manager and maid was first class, and the modern amenities were much appreciated. A five-star luxury experience.”Doorways Client · Villa Brezzablu
“10/10 would highly recommend. Susan is the utmost professional, full of knowledge, and she really gets to know you. Her trip planning and the details she provides are very valuable. A must if you want a unique and tailored experience!”Doorways Client · Doorways Client
“We had the absolute best experience working with Susan. We stayed at CasaCau in Roma — wonderful accommodations, delicious breakfast every morning, and the location was absolutely amazing — just down the road from the Fontana di Trevi. A real gem!”Doorways Client · CasaCau
“La Poggiolaia is a beautiful property with an amazing pool — and the sunsets are stunning.”Doorways Client · La Poggiolaia
“Comfortable in every way — and the chef was outstanding. Walking, eating, exploring… just entering into the beauty and culture of Italy.”Doorways Client · Casa del Fattore
