A recent analysis by Private Upgrades, a company that aggregates high-end travel data, has ranked Florence as the fifth “poshest” city in Europe based on access to five-star hotels, Michelin-listed restaurants and golf courses. The study reviewed 94 urban areas in 30 countries.
According to the researchers, Florence records one of the highest concentrations of Michelin Guide restaurants on the continent (about 44 per 100 km²) and leads the ranking for the density of five-star hotels, with more than 27 luxury properties per 100 km². The city is also listed with 1.38 golf courses per 100,000 residents.
Florence’s results place it behind Geneva, Nice, Amsterdam and Zurich, and ahead of other major destinations such as Porto, Palma de Mallorca and London.
High-end hospitality in a compact historic city
Florence’s position reflects a long tradition of hospitality linked to its artistic heritage and compact urban structure. The city’s limited surface area naturally increases the density of accommodation and restaurants compared to larger European capitals. In 2024, local authorities estimated more than 16 million tourist presences in Florence, indicating steady growth in international arrivals.
How the ranking works
The “poshness index” used in the study combines three indicators:
• number of 5-star hotels (using Booking API data),
• number of restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide,
• number of golf courses per 100,000 residents.
Geneva tops the list with an index score of 98.3, followed by Nice (93.1), Amsterdam (84.6), Zurich (83.2) and Florence (82.7).
Private Upgrades states that the full methodology and complete rankings are available upon request, the final index is a combination of the hotel, restaurant, and golf course indexes weighted equally.
(Photo by GianCarlo Devita Films via Unsplash)
❤️ Support Florence Daily News
If you liked this article, please consider supporting Florence Daily News.
We are an independent news site, free from paywalls and intrusive ads, committed to providing clear and reliable reporting on Florence and Tuscany for everyone.
Your support — whether a one-time gift or a regular contribution — helps us stay independent and keep telling the stories that matter.
Donate securely via Stripe below.
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyDiscover more from Florence Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.