Tucked inside the thirteenth century boulevard that marks out the oldest part of Florence, this neighbourhood is on the western edge of Florence’s historic centre. The Piazza Santa Maria Novella, with its Gothic church and museum, is the centrepiece, and while the area immediately surrounding the train station is fairly gritty, it’s a convenient spot for those just passing through. Though Santa Maria Novella is not directly in the middle of Florence, the city’s historic centre is very concentrated and can be walked end-to-end in half an hour, so all of the main attractions are pretty easy to reach on foot. It also has some more historic parts of the neighbourhood that boast striking architecture and plenty of choice for shops and restaurants.