Santa Maria Novella

Find culture galore in this part of the historic centre

Word to the wise: If you’re bringing a car to Florence, leave it in this quarter - just outside the restricted ZTL driving zone - before heading to the centre.
One quarter of Florence’s Centro Storico (historic centre), Santa Maria Novella takes its name from the beautiful Dominican basilica at its heart. But that’s not all you’ll find here. With the Duomo at one end and the Fortezza da Basso at the other, this popular district is home to several top daylight sights, from masterpiece mausoleum Medici Chapel to fashion boulevard Via Tornabuoni.

Pick up some foodie treats to enjoy in the tranquil garden Parco delle Cascine or after a long day sightseeing, head to one of the handful of fantastic trattorias, restaurants and bars scattered through the area. More practically, Santa Maria Novella is home to the city’s (eponymous) main train station too.