The city of love: holiday homes along Florence's youthful, creative south bank are more affordable than in the well-established north

Florence is a city of five-star beauty. There’s intense Italian style in its narrow streets and austere stone buildings, from the aromatic 600-year-old Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella perfumery to the food shops piled high with Parmesan cheese and olive oil, to the perfect displays of Renaissance art and architecture.

Visitors come not only to see the work of Michelangelo, Donatello, Brunelleschi and Botticelli, but also to indulge their own creative passions, says Amy Redfern of Knight Frank.

“Florence is a great place to do a painting, cookery or writing course, learn a language or study a craft,” she says. “The world-famous Florentine School of Leather has leather making, language and culture courses in its ancient courtyard behind the Basilica di Santa Croce for six months or a year.

“It’s a walkable city with scores of restaurants and you can live there at a relatively low cost. It has its own international airport, easy access to Tuscan countryside, skiing within two hours, or the fabulous Ligurian coast within 90 minutes.”

Florence also offers a long and reliable rental season.

“The market for lock-and-leave to four-bedroom apartments in the centre of Florence is fairly strong, a reflection perhaps of the popularity of Airbnb-style rentals,” adds Redfern. “Owners can use their apartments for a month themselves and still get a good rental return.”

WHERE TO BUY

International buyers focus on the prime city centre around elegant Via Tornabuoni or more affordable Santo Spirito south of the River Arno. Florence’s most decorative and important street, Via Tornabuoni is full of top-end designer shops and not surprisingly, property prices here are steep.

Cross the Ponte Vecchio, the “Old Bridge”, to the Arno’s southern bank, and the atmosphere is youthful and property more affordable.

Santo Spirito is in the creative Oltrarno neighbourhood, traditionally home to artisans and still buzzing with studios and workshops.

Buildings tend to be quirkier, smaller and narrower and there are plenty of intimate bars and restaurants. Yet in such a compact city, the centre is a short stroll away.

Expect to pay from £445,000 for a top-quality two-bedroom flat in Spirito Santo or for a one-bedroom flat near Via Tornabuoni.

A new two-bedroom flat with locally crafted carpentry in a modern building on the southern bank of the Arno is £667,000 through Knight Frank.

Italian property specialist Casa Travella has a well-renovated two-bedroom flat close to the Ponte Vecchio for £365,000, while a 1,022sq ft three-bedroom flat close to the Boboli Gardens is £355,000 with Gate-away.com.

Across the Arno close to the Uffizi Gallery in the heart of historic Florence, beautiful 15th-century Palazzo Bardi, with a courtyard designed by Brunelleschi, the architect of the Duomo, has been divided into 18 apartments.

A one-bedroom home here of 645sq ft is for sale priced £490,000 and a two-bedroom loft on the fourth floor, with lift, is £2 million, both through Knight Frank.

“Finding homes finished to the best international standard is not always easy and they tend to sell quickly when they come to the market,” says Knight Frank’s Amy Redfern.

“In general British buyers do not want the hassle of doing renovations themselves — although our Tuscany team do help with many mainly larger villas on the outskirts of Florence.”

A PLACE TO STAY: FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE

Packed with intriguing boutiques and workshops, Florence is one of Europe’s most walkable cities. But when the crowds of photo-hungry tourists become too much, the chance to retreat to the tranquillity of a private city garden is especially welcome.

One of Florence’s very finest — certainly the largest — is at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, a brisk 15-minute walk north from the historic centre.

The 500-year-old palazzo is magnificent, with Carrara marble, exquisite frescoes and a wondrous Renaissance art collection, but the 11-acre walled garden, the Giardino della Gherardesca, is a magical retreat with tall trees, tiny wildflowers, rare plants, statues, fountains and temples.

The Four Seasons Firenze has 116 generously sized rooms and suites, all indulgently layered up with silk and velvet. The spa is Florence’s biggest and most relaxing, while service and food — including a Michelin-star restaurant — hit Four Seasons’ legendary levels.

Prices at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze start from £310 a night based on two people sharing a Premier Room, excluding breakfast and VAT.