Luxury holidays in San Marco

In the heart of historic Florence, San Marco is best known for its Michelozzo-designed convent, now an art museum home to the world’s largest collection of works by 15th-century painter Fra Angelico, a one-time local. The surrounding streets converge at the Piazza San Marco, a square watched over by a statue of General Manfredo Fanti, a leader in Italy's struggle for independence. After making your way around the Museo Nazionale di San Marco, decamp to the Giardino dei Semplici right behind it, a peaceful botanic garden that’s been offering Florentines medicinal relief since 1545.

When to go

Florence is bursting at the seams in summer, when it's also hot and humid; go in early spring or autumn if you can.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Florence airport is a 20-minute drive from the city centre; an official taxi into town should cost no more than €30. You can also fly into Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport, then hop on a train to Florence (the journey should take around an hour).

  • Trains

    The main rail station (Firenze SMN) is behind Piazza Santa Maria Novella, with high-speed connections to other cities in Italy and Europe.

  • Automobiles

    There’s little reason to have a car in Florence, not least because of the restricted central zone (ZTL), which can’t be entered during working hours. If booking a hire car, it's essential to send the vehicle details to the hotel (and give reception an estimated arrival time) so they can arrange a temporary permit for you.