Santa Maria Novella is a lively neighborhood in the western part of the city. Central to this are is the basilica whose name it is carrying- Santa Maria Novella. The beautiful gothic church with marble façade was built by dominican monks and boasts beautiful artwork by Brunelleschi, Giotto and Ghiberti.

The Via de' Tornabuoni offers some of Florence's finest shopping with one luxury label after another. Antique shops and workshops of sculptors can also be found in this area, as well as many casual restaurants offering authentic italian food.