Where to Stay Near Florence: Why Choose Mugello

Florence is one of the most beautiful and most visited cities in Italy. But visiting Florence does not necessarily mean having to stay in the city centre.

If your trip lasts several days, if you are travelling by car, or if you simply want to combine art and museums with nature and tranquillity, it may be worth looking just outside Florence.

North of the city, beyond the hills that separate Florence from the Apennines, lies Mugello: a valley of small villages, countryside, forests, historic churches and Medici villas, still relatively untouched by the large tourist crowds found in other parts of Tuscany.

Here, you can find more space, greater tranquillity and often more affordable accommodation than in Florence, especially for families and groups looking for an entire house or apartment.

Florence remains close enough to visit for one or more days during your holiday. For anyone wondering where to stay near Florence, Mugello can therefore be an interesting alternative: not simply a cheaper place to sleep, but a different way to experience a trip to Tuscany.

Staying in Florence or outside the city?

It mainly depends on the type of trip you are planning.

If you only have two days and want to spend most of your time visiting the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and the other attractions in the historic centre, staying in Florence is probably the most convenient option.

But if you have four, five or more days available, the possibilities change.

Staying outside Florence allows you to create a more varied itinerary: a day in the city, a small village the following day, a few hours by the lake, lunch at a local trattoria, or simply an afternoon in the garden without necessarily having somewhere to visit.

It is an especially appealing option for those travelling by car, families with children, people travelling with a dog, or anyone who would rather return to a peaceful place after a day among the crowded streets of Florence.

Mugello offers exactly this possibility: visiting Florence without turning the entire holiday into a city break.

Where is Mugello in relation to Florence?

Mugello lies north of Florence, between the city and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.

It is a fairly large area, so travel times and distances vary depending on the location you choose. Its main towns include Barberino di Mugello, Scarperia e San Piero, Borgo San Lorenzo and Vicchio.

The central part of the valley is connected to Florence both by road and rail.

From Vicchio, for example, Florence can generally be reached by train in about one hour, depending on the service.

This means you can leave your car behind, take the train in the morning, spend the day in Florence and return to the countryside in the evening.

Mugello is therefore not a suburb of Florence. It is a destination in its own right, with an identity very different from the city, yet close enough to make it easy to combine both experiences.

Often lower costs and more space

There is also a very practical consideration: staying outside Florence can be more affordable, especially when looking for accommodation for several people or for a stay of several days.

Of course, there is no absolute rule. Prices vary depending on the season, the dates and the chosen property, and Mugello also has high-end accommodation.

However, the comparison should not be limited to the price of a single night.

In central Florence, a family or group may need several rooms or a sufficiently large apartment. Parking, outdoor areas and a garden are also difficult to find in the city centre, or can add significantly to the overall cost of the stay.

By staying in Mugello, it becomes easier to find independent houses, spacious apartments, agriturismi and properties with gardens and parking.

The most useful question is therefore not necessarily:

“Where can I spend less?”

but rather:

“What can I get for the same budget?”

For a family, for example, the difference could be between several rooms in the city and an entire house in the countryside, with a kitchen, garden and space for children to play.

Those arriving by car should also consider other factors: parking, traffic and restricted-traffic zones become far less important in the day-to-day organisation of the holiday.

The advantage of Mugello, therefore, is not simply that it offers a cheaper alternative to Florence. It is the opportunity to enjoy more space and tranquillity, often at a lower cost, without giving up the chance to visit Florence.

A different side of Tuscany, just outside Florence

When people imagine the countryside around Florence, their thoughts often turn southwards: Chianti, vineyards, cypress trees and rolling hills.

The landscape of Mugello is different.

Here, Tuscany gradually meets the Apennines. The countryside gives way to forests, hills, small towns, villas and historic churches scattered throughout the valley.

It may be a less immediately recognisable side of Tuscany than the postcard landscapes of Chianti, but that is precisely what makes it so interesting.

You do not need to travel far to move from the city into the countryside. Once you arrive, the pace of life changes quickly.

After a day in central Florence, returning to Mugello means finding quieter roads, small towns and a much greener landscape.

This contrast is one of the reasons why Mugello can work so well as a base for a holiday near Florence.

An area with a life of its own

One of the most appealing aspects of Mugello is that much of the valley does not depend exclusively on tourism.

There are, of course, agriturismi, holiday homes, restaurants and places popular with visitors, but the towns maintain a daily life that exists independently of tourism.

In Borgo San Lorenzo, people go to the market and do their shopping. In Vicchio, they meet in the cafés around the main square. In local trattorias, traditional dishes continue to play a central role.

This makes the experience different from that of some of Tuscany’s more famous destinations.

You will not necessarily find a tourist attraction around every corner.

And perhaps that is exactly the appeal.

For anyone looking for countryside near Florence that still retains an authentic, everyday character, Mugello is an alternative worth considering.

A convenient stop when travelling through Italy

Mugello occupies a strategic position between Florence and Bologna, close to the A1, the main motorway connecting northern and southern Italy.

From Casa nel Bosco, the Barberino di Mugello motorway exit can generally be reached in about 25 minutes. The area can therefore also be a convenient option for travellers making a long journey through Italy who would like to break up the trip for one night or a few days.

Instead of stopping at accommodation beside the motorway, you can rest in the peaceful countryside, visit a small town or enjoy dinner in a local trattoria before continuing your journey the following day.

Its position between Florence and Bologna makes Mugello particularly suitable for people travelling between northern Italy and the centre or south of the country, especially families, small groups and anyone who prefers to divide a long journey into more relaxing stages.

Florence by train, without worrying about the car

For visitors staying in the parts of Mugello served by the railway, travelling by train is an option well worth considering.

Towns such as Borgo San Lorenzo and Vicchio are connected to Florence, making it possible to organise a day in the city without worrying about traffic, parking or restricted-traffic zones.

From Vicchio, the journey to Florence generally takes about one hour.

You can leave in the morning, spend the day exploring museums, squares and monuments, and return in the evening.

It is also an enjoyable way to divide your holiday: Florence remains one of the highlights of the trip without necessarily being the place where you spend every day.

Before planning your day, it is always advisable to check the latest train timetables.

What about the days when you do not visit Florence?

This is where Mugello stops being simply somewhere to stay and becomes part of the journey.

There is no need to travel far: the part of the valley most easily reached from Florence offers historic towns, places of cultural interest, a large lake and one of Italy’s best-known motor-racing circuits.

Vicchio, the birthplace of Giotto and Fra Angelico

Vicchio is one of the valley’s small historic towns and is particularly associated with the artists Giotto and Fra Angelico.

The town is best explored at a relaxed pace, while the surrounding countryside offers a landscape very different from Florence, yet remains close enough to make it easy to combine both destinations during the same stay.

Nearby, you can also discover places connected with Giotto’s life and numerous quiet roads winding through the Mugello countryside.

Barbiana and Don Lorenzo Milani

Barbiana lies in the hills above Vicchio and is inseparably linked to Don Lorenzo Milani and his pioneering educational work.

The small school and the church of Barbiana tell an important chapter in twentieth-century Italian history.

Visiting Barbiana also offers the opportunity to discover yet another side of the area, travelling from the towns of the valley into the hills and forests surrounding Vicchio.

Borgo San Lorenzo

Borgo San Lorenzo is the main town in Mugello.

Rather than a destination built around tourism, it is a lively town with shops, cafés, restaurants and a local market.

In the town centre and surrounding area, you can also discover examples of the artistic work of the Chini family, one of Mugello’s most interesting artistic stories from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Borgo San Lorenzo is an easy stop to include during your stay: for a walk, some shopping or a meal before continuing to explore the valley.

Scarperia

Scarperia is probably one of the best-known historic villages in Mugello.

Its historic centre is home to the Palazzo dei Vicari and preserves a long tradition of craftsmanship associated with knife-making.

It is a compact village that is easy to explore and can be combined on the same day with a visit to Mugello Circuit or Lake Bilancino.

Mugello Circuit

A few kilometres from Scarperia lies Mugello Circuit, also known as the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello and familiar to motorsport enthusiasts around the world.

Throughout the year, the circuit hosts motorcycle and car races, historic competitions, testing sessions and events that attract visitors from Italy and abroad.

For those travelling to attend an event, staying in Mugello naturally makes it easy to reach the circuit. However, Mugello Circuit can also become one stop within a longer holiday, combining motorsport, historic villages, countryside and a few days in Florence.

The area around Vicchio, for example, allows visitors to remain relatively close to the circuit without staying in its immediate surroundings, where traffic and visitor numbers can increase considerably during major events.

Lake Bilancino

In the western part of Mugello, near Barberino, lies Lake Bilancino.

During the warmer months, it is one of the area’s most popular destinations, offering beaches, places to relax and opportunities for water-based activities.

It is particularly appealing to families and anyone visiting Tuscany during the warmer months: after a day exploring the museums and monuments of Florence, the following day can be spent outdoors by the lake.

Its proximity to the Barberino motorway exit also makes Lake Bilancino one of the most easily accessible parts of Mugello for visitors arriving from Florence.

Vicchio, Borgo San Lorenzo, Scarperia, Mugello Circuit and Lake Bilancino clearly show why choosing Mugello does not simply mean staying outside Florence.

It means adding something to your journey that would be more difficult to experience if you stayed exclusively in the city.

Eating in Mugello

The local cuisine is another good reason not to think of Mugello simply as somewhere to stay.

One of the area’s signature dishes is tortelli di patate: fresh pasta filled with potatoes and traditionally served with meat ragù or other sauces.

The local cuisine reflects Mugello’s position between Tuscany and the Apennines. Fresh pasta, meat, mushrooms and chestnuts continue to play an important role in its culinary traditions.

Autumn also brings the season of the Marrone del Mugello IGP, a prized local chestnut celebrated in recipes, markets and traditional events.

Dinner in a village trattoria after a day at the Uffizi Gallery is a very different experience from dining in the historic centre of Florence.

Not necessarily better or worse—simply another side of Tuscany.

And it is precisely this variety that can make the stay so interesting.

Who should consider staying in Mugello?

Choosing Mugello as your base makes particular sense if you are spending at least a few days in Tuscany and would like to see something beyond Florence.

It is an especially appealing option for:

• families with children;

• couples looking for peace and quiet;

• small groups;

• people travelling by car;

• those travelling with a dog;

• anyone looking for a house with a garden or more space;

• visitors who want to combine Florence with the countryside;

• those who prefer small towns and less touristy places;

• anyone visiting Mugello for an event at the circuit.

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If, however, you only have one or two days and your sole aim is to visit Florence, staying directly in the city will probably be more practical.

The point is not to present Mugello as a substitute for Florence.

It is a way to add something more to your journey.

Where to stay in Mugello

Mugello offers agriturismi, B&Bs, small hotels, apartments and holiday homes.

The best location mainly depends on the type of trip you are planning.

Those who would like to reach Florence by train can consider towns served by the railway, such as Borgo San Lorenzo or Vicchio. Travellers arriving by car have greater freedom to choose accommodation in the surrounding countryside.

Casa nel Bosco is located in the countryside near Vicchio, at the edge of the forest and just a few minutes by car from the town and railway station.

It is an independent house with a private garden, designed especially for visitors who want to combine days exploring Mugello, time outdoors and occasional trips to Florence.

From Vicchio, Florence can be reached by train in about one hour, while Mugello Circuit is approximately 15–20 minutes away by car.

This is exactly the kind of journey we describe in this blog: not choosing between Florence and the countryside, but experiencing both.

Florence or Mugello? Why not both?

Visiting Florence and staying in the Tuscan countryside do not have to be two alternative choices.

With a few days available, they can become two parts of the same journey.

Florence offers art, architecture and an extraordinary concentration of history. Mugello offers small historic towns, green landscapes, local cuisine, space and a completely different pace of life.

It can also often mean spending less on accommodation or, with the same budget, enjoying a larger property and more outdoor space.

The distance makes it possible to move between the two without having to choose just one.

In the morning, you can be standing in front of Florence Cathedral.

By evening, you can be back in the countryside, having dinner in the garden.

And perhaps this contrast is one of the best reasons to look just outside Florence when deciding where to stay in Tuscany.