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Florence Travel Guide

Last Updated: May 24, 2024

Florence is one of the most famous cities in Italy and a hotspot on the country’s tourist trail. Few people miss it, especially if they are visiting Italy for the first time.

With stunning Renaissance architecture, winding streets, and picturesque white buildings capped with red roofs, Florence is one of my favorite spots in Italy.

If you love art, the number of galleries here will keep you busy for weeks. There are also beautiful Renaissance churches to be explored and you could easily spend hours on foot wandering the manicured pathways at the Boboli Gardens.

The city is also a great jumping-off point for Tuscan winery and food tours. Moreover, Florence is a popular study abroad location so the city also boasts incredible nightlife.

This Florence travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this classic Italian city.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Florence

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Florence

1. Spend a day in the Galleria de Uffizi

The Uffizi holds the world’s most important collection of Renaissance art (including the The Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Botticelli, Bacchus by Caravaggio, and Doni Tondo by Michelangelo). Towards the end of the gallery, there’s also some portraits and Dutch landscape works that are beautiful too. It’s a must-see museum. Be sure to buy tickets in advance to avoid long lines. If you go later in the day, there are fewer crowds. Tickets start at 23 EUR (plus a 4 EUR online booking fee).

2. Climb Il Duomo

One of Florence’s most popular sites is the Duomo (the cathedral). This huge Gothic building was started in 1296 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers Florence’s historic center. Filippo Brunelleschi, known as the father of Renaissance architecture, engineered the famous dome, which is still the largest brick dome ever constructed. The real highlight is the view from the top where you get a panoramic look at Florence and its iconic red roofs. It’s absolutely beautiful. You’ll need to reserve a time in advance if you want to go on the roof. The cathedral itself is free to visit, but if you want to visit anything else in the complex (such as the dome, bell tower, or museum), you’ll need to purchase one of three passes, with prices ranging from 15-30 EUR. You can also get a skip-the-line ticket with exclusive access .

3. Walk along Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge built in 1345 as the city’s first bridge across the Arno River. Today, it’s the only surviving historic bridge in Florence, as all the others were destroyed in World War II. The bridge is lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry. The shops are all small and close together. The red-tiled roofs and yellow stucco mixed with old stonework gives the whole bridge a very medieval feel. It’s closed to vehicular traffic, making it a fun place to stroll around and window shop.

4. See David

Housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia, Michelangelo’s 16th-century David is one of the most impressive sculptures in the world. At 5.17 meters (17 feet) tall, it’s a lot bigger and more detailed than you think it would be. I was completely blown away by it. It truly is a masterful piece of art that is a must-see. Try to go early to avoid the lines. Admission is 16 EUR and skip-the-line tickets (with a guide) cost 77 EUR.

5. Wander the Giardino di Boboli

Commonly known as the Boboli Gardens, the Medicis (an Italian banking family and powerful dynasty; four popes were Medici family members) designed the landscape and architecture here in the Tuscan Renaissance style that later influenced aristocratic and royal gardens throughout Europe. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous, with ancient marble statues and large fountains everywhere, and the scent from the citrus trees completely flooding your senses. It costs 10 EUR to visit (there’s also a combined ticket for the gardens and Pitti Palace for 22 EUR).

Other Things to See and Do in Florence

1. take a walking tour.

Walking tours are a wonderful way to learn about Florence and there are a handful of excellent free tours in the city. They cover all the highlights and are the perfect introduction to the city. It only lasts a few hours. Florence Free Walking Tours runs daily free tours in English. Just be sure to tip!

If you’re looking for a high-quality and detailed tour focusing on the city’s art or history, try Walks of Italy . They’re my favorite walking tour company because their tours offer behind-the-scenes access and are led by informative guides. Tours start at 77 EUR.

2. Visit the baptistery

Consecrated in 1059, the baptistery of John the Baptist is one of Florence’s oldest buildings. The octagonal baptistery that you see today was rebuilt from an earlier building dating back to the 4th-5th century CE. It was here where famous Renaissance figures, including poet Dante Alighieri and members of the Medici family, were baptized. Standout features include the three sets of huge bronze doors and the interior of the dome, which is covered in golden mosaics. Admission is part of one of the Duomo passes, which range from 15-30 EUR depending on which group of monuments you want to see.

3. Visit the Piazzale Michelangelo

Head to the Piazzale Michelangelo on the south side of the Arno River for a great cityscape view. It’s one of my favorite viewpoints in the entire city! You can see the red-tiled dome of the Duomo and the towers rising over the city. It requires a good hike up a hill but it’s worth it and it’s a great way to see the stunning view of the city without paying to climb the Duomo. Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi designed the space in 1869 specifically to showcase Michaelangelo’s works. There’s a bronze cast of David here, along with bronze casts of some of the artist’s other works. If you aren’t able to or can’t walk up the hill, you can take city buses 12 or 13 to reach the top.

4. Lounge in Liberia Café la Cité

This is a combination bookstore, café, and cultural center. It’s a great spot for some in-depth conversation with locals and a prime atmosphere for getting some work done. They host a lot of weekly events too, such as readings and writing workshops. It’s open late (until midnight most days), when the atmosphere changes into a trendy, book-filled bar with great cocktails. It’s really cool and something more unique to experience than just more museums and old buildings.

5. Admire Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti was built in 1457 for the Pitti family and was later sold to the Medici family in 1549. As major patrons of the arts, this palace serves as a beautiful ode to the Medici family’s contribution to the cultural advancement of Florence. The exterior is impressive with the decorative arches and stonework columns on the façade. You really get a sense of how impressive this building was during the time period. It hosts an impressive collection of paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, including works by Filippo Lippi and Botticelli. Admission is 16 EUR (combined admission for Pitti and the Boboli Gardens is 22 EUR).

6. Explore the National Museum of Bargello

The museum, which originally dates to the 13th century, is home to original works by Bandinelli, Donatello, Antonio Rossellino, and other Renaissance masters. It has the largest Italian collection of Renaissance and Gothic sculptures in the country and is just a short walk from the Piazza della Signoria. The exterior is all traditional stonework with delicate arches and a 54-foot clock tower. The crenelated tops give it that medieval feel. The interior courtyard is made from the same red stone and tall archways let in all the natural light. Admission to the museum is 11 EUR. There’s a 4 EUR online booking fee if you book in advance.

7. Visit the Sant’Ambrogio Market

Sant’Ambrogio is one of the oldest districts in the city, and in fact is the oldest market in Florence, having been around since 1873. Although it’s just a 10-minute walk from the Duomo, the market here is completely off the radar. Most tourist just don’t go to it – which is why I like it. It’s not as famous as the Central Market and its atmosphere is much more laidback. While you’re here, try some traditional foods like lampredotto (made from cow’s stomach), cured meats like finocchiona (fennel salami), pecorino sheep’s cheese, and local wines. You’ll also find some excellent Tuscan food at the Trattoria Da Rocco restaurant. The market is open 7am-2pm from Monday-Saturday.

8. Hang out in Piazza Santo Spirito

Piazza Santo Spirito is a public square located in the quiet district of the Oltrarno. In the mornings, the place is bustling with market stalls. Once the sun goes down, locals flock to the bars and restaurants. There’s a nice church to admire at the center of it all as well. It’s a real local place to just hang out and chill with some gelato and people watch.

9. Visit the Stibbert Museum

This is one of Florence’s most interesting and unique museums, though it doesn’t get the same attention as the city’s other museums since it’s tucked away on the outskirts of town. This is the private collection of Frederick Stibbert, who also donated his villa and gardens to the city. There’s some fascinating stuff amongst the collection of 36,000 artifacts, including historic armor from the Middle East and a completely reconstructed army of medieval knights sitting on their horses in the great hall. The main attraction: Napoleon Bonaparte’s cloak from when he was coronated. Admission is 10 EUR.

10. SUP on the Arno River

If you want a unique way to see the Arno River, head out for a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) session with Toscana SUP. You’ll paddle your way underneath the Ponte Vecchio and then take a break for a glass of Chianti (you’re in Italy, after all!). Tours start from 70 EUR per person for two people and last two hours. If you have a group of three or more, it’s 65 EUR per person. If you want to go solo, it’s 100 EUR.

11. Check out the Biblioteca delle Oblate

This public library is housed in the former Convent of the Oblate and is a popular study spot for students. It’s an important cultural center too, with an entire section dedicated to local history on the first floor. There’s a lovely courtyard with a towering tree and green shrubs dotted around. There are benches so you can sit in the shade on a nice day. When you’re done browsing, go to the rooftop terrace for a coffee at the Caffetteria delle Oblate. There’s a great view of the Duomo from here and it’s never crowded with tourists.

12. Admire Santa Croce

Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tomb of Michelangelo (there are also funerary monuments to Dante and Leonardo da Vinci here too). The exterior is covered in green and white marble, along with decorative arches and mosaics around the entrance. The interior is stunning with stained glass windows, massive columns, and high ceilings. Surrounding the altar is a rich display of frescos and other impressive artistic pieces. It’s an interesting place to explore if you have already covered the highlights and have extra time in town. There are usually rotating exhibitions here as well. Admission is 8 EUR. Note: The Bardi Chapel is currently under restoration and not open to visitors.

13. Take a vineyard tour

Florence is surrounded by vineyards, many of which can be accessed via day tours. Most tours visit a couple of vineyards and include some samples. Expect to pay at least 50 EUR per person for a half-day trip. If you have your own vehicle, you can arrange your own tour (but you won’t be able to drink). Many vineyards also operate B&Bs or Airbnbs, which makes for a nice getaway if you want to splash out for a night. You can’t come to Tuscany without seeing the vineyards so make this a priority. There are a number of great tours like this one from that will take you through medieval villages and let you experience the wine country for yourself. For 90 EUR, it’s well worth it. If you don’t have a whole day to spend on visiting the wineries, there are options in the city that combine tasting local wines with walking through the gorgeous streets of Florence.

14. Take a food tour

To learn more about the history and culture behind Florence’s cuisine, take a food tour. It’s the best way to eat your way around the city sampling the best eats Florence has to offer while learning what makes the cuisine unique. Devour Tours runs in-depth food tours led by expert local guides that will introduce you to the food culture and its history. If you’re a foodie like me who wants to learn more about the history and culture behind each dish, these tours is for you! Tours from 80 EUR.

Florence Travel Costs

Hostel prices – In peak season, a bed in a hostel dorm with 4-6 beds start at 50-60 EUR per night, while a bed in a dorm with 8-10 beds start around 50 27-40 EUR. Private rooms cost 125-185 EUR per night during peak season.

In off-peak season, 4-6-bed dorms start around 38 EUR while 8-10-bed dorms start at 35 EUR. Prices for private rooms don’t change much in off-peak season.

Free Wi-Fi is standard and a couple of hostels also have self-catering facilities and offer free breakfast.

Budget hotel prices – The majority of hotels are located within a short walking distance of the city’s main attractions. Many hotels in Europe do not have elevators, so plan on climbing stairs if you’re not staying on the main floor. During peak season, budget two-star hotels start at 110 EUR per night for a single room. Double rooms start around 170 EUR. During off-peak season, single rooms start around 90 EUR and double rooms are around 140 EUR. Free Wi-Fi and free breakfast are usually included.

On Airbnb, you can find private rooms for as little as 55-80 EUR per night (though prices are usually double that). You can rent entire homes (usually studio apartments) for closer to 100-125 EUR per night if you book early.

Average cost of food – Italian cuisine is beloved around the world, though every region in Italy offers its own distinct flavor. Tomatoes, pasta, and olives and olive oil form the backbone of most meals, with meat and fish and various cheeses rounding out the menu. In Florence, popular dishes include bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak), lampredotto (tripe sandwich), tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo (pasta with mushrooms and truffles), and of course gelato.

While eating out in the city is expensive, the good thing about Italy is that you can get pizza and pasta for reasonable prices. For breakfast, there are plenty of cafes around the city where you can get coffee and pastries for less than 10 EUR. If you want something heartier, plan on spending 10-15 EUR. You can find a filling meal at a casual Italian restaurant for 15 EUR. You can get a small personal pizza for about 10 EUR or less.

A mid-range meal with drinks and an appetizer costs around 40 EUR per person at higher end place (think white tablecloths and fancier décor).

You can find cheap sandwich shops all over the city for 5-7 EUR. A fast-food combo (think McDonald’s) costs around 10 EUR. Chinese takeout is around 6-10 EUR for a noodle or rice dish while a meal at a Thai restaurant is around 11-16 EUR. Both are popular cheap eats in the city.

Beer is around 5-6 EUR while a latte/cappuccino costs 1.50 EUR. Bottled water is around 1.50 EUR.

If you plan on cooking your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 45-55 EUR. This gets you basic staples like pasta, seasonal produce, rice, and some meat.

Backpacking Florence Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Florence, my suggested budget is 85 EUR per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, taking public transportation to get around, and doing mostly free activities like walking tours and enjoying the parks and plazas. If you plan on drinking, add 5-10 EUR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 150 EUR per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, eat out for a few meals, enjoy a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting the museums and doing a vineyard tour.

On a “luxury” budget of 320 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car or take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Florence Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Florence is one of the most expensive cities in Italy. A visit here can really set you back, mainly due to all the museum tickets you’ll buy (as well as all the delicious food you’ll eat). Fortunately, there are some ways to save money in Florence. Here are my top tips for cutting your expenses:

• Eat cheap – Eating near Piazza della Signoria or in the square can be very expensive. If you move further away from the busy tourist hubs, you’ll find cheaper places to eat.
• Travel on foot – Public transportation in Florence isn’t quite as necessary as in other European cities because most attractions are within walking distance. Skip the bus and walk if you can. You’ll save a few euros.
• Get the Firenze Card – If you are going to do lots of sightseeing, this card provides free entry to the top museums, tours, and attractions. It costs 85 EUR and is good for three days. Just make sure you add up the cost of the attractions you want to see to make sure the pass is cheaper.
• Get a Duomo Pass – If you don’t want to get a Firenze Card but still want to visit the monuments of Piazza del Duomo, you’ll want to get one of the three passes: Brunelleschi, Giotto, or Ghiberti. These range in price from 15-30 EUR depending on which monuments you want to see and are valid for 3 days.
• Get the Uffizi Passport With the Uffizi Passport you get one admission to the Uffizi, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and the National Archeological Museum over a five-day period. The pass is 38 EUR which saves more than 10 EUR over paying for each entrance separately.
• Redeem hotel points – Make sure you sign up for hotel credit cards so you can use those points when you travel. Most cards come with at least 1-2 nights free via their welcome bonuses. This can save you a lot of money on your trip. Here’s an article to help you get started with the basics so you can start earning points today and have plenty for your trip.
• Pass on the bread – Some restaurants charge extra for bread or breadsticks set on the table — but they won’t tell you until the bill comes. Decline the bread to save money.
• Buy wine at the store – You can buy a great bottle of wine at the store for just a few euros. It’s a lot cheaper than drinking at the bar.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is expensive in Florence so use Couchsurfing to find free accommodation. It’s the best way to save money and connect with a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Take a free walking tour – This is a great way to learn the history of the city, see the main attractions, and fill in your day without spending a lot of money. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Florence

There are several budget-friendly hostels in Florence. You can use this article to see the best neighborhoods to stay during your visit. Some of my favorite places to stay in the city are:

• Plus Florence
• Archi Rossi Hostel
• Ostello Bello Firenze (15% off and a free welcome drink if you’re a member of HostelPass )
• YellowSquare Florence
• Villa Royal
• Hotel Giapponel
• Classic Hotel
• CHotel Nizza

How to Get Around Florence

Public transportation – Florence, especially the city center, is very walkable. You can get between all the top sights (like the Duomo and the Uffizi) in just a 5-10 minute walk. The furthest you will walk to see just about any attraction is 30 minutes.

That said, if you need public transportation to get around, Florence’s Autolinee Toscane bus system is efficient and reliable. A bus ticket that’s valid for 90 minutes costs 1.70 EUR (or 3 EUR if purchased on the bus, though drivers often run out of tickets). You can get tickets at just about any newsstand or kiosk. You can also buy ten 90-minute tickets for 15.50 EUR.

Bicycle – Florence is mostly flat and ideal for cycling. Rentals start around 15 EUR per day. E-bikes cost 30-45 EUR per day.

Taxi – Taxis aren’t cheap here, so I don’t recommend taking them. The base rate is 3.30 EUR, and then it’s an additional 0.10 EUR per kilometer with a minimum fare of 5 EUR. Skip the taxis if you’re on a budget!

When to Go to Florence

Florence is a year-round destination. The warmest months are July and August, which is also peak season. The average high throughout July and August is 31°C (88°F). Temperatures are slightly cooler in June and September, but these months are also very busy. Be sure to book your accommodations and activities in advance if you’ll be visiting during this time of year. You can also catch the Florence Dance Festival through most of July.

Winter is the coolest time of year, with an average high of 11°C (52°F). This is when you’ll encounter fewer crowds and prices will be at their lowest. If you’re there on January 6th, you can experience the celebration of Epiphany with the locals. It’s a celebration of the three kings arriving in Bethlehem and is the traditional gift giving day for Florence. There’s a parade and people dress up in costumes to reenact the nativity. During February, the city celebrates Carnival with parades, floats, costumes, and a huge puppet dragon.

My favorite months to visit are during the spring and fall when the weather is still nice but the crowds have thinned out. Prices will still be much cheaper than summer as well. From March-May and October-November, temperatures average 7-13°C (46-55°F). It gets a bit rainy during this time, especially in November. Make sure you have a few layers with you.

During the spring, the city celebrates Florentine New Year which falls on the feast of the Annunciation. The city also hosts a major celebration for Easter Sunday. The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a celebration of classical music and dance, happens in May.

The fall has plenty of events to enjoy as well. The Festival of Paper Lanterns happens in September and has been happening since the Renaissance. There’s a parade and crowds walk through the streets with their paper lanterns illuminated in the evening.

How to Stay Safe in Florence

Florence is a very safe place to backpack and travel – even if you’re traveling solo or even as a solo female traveler. While violent crime is rare, scams and pick-pocketing are common, especially at major tourist sites. Be vigilant around Piazza del Duomo and Ponte Vecchio and always keep your valuables secure and out of sight.

Don’t buy “skip-the-line” tickets from people on the street as they are usually scamming you and selling you fake tickets. To learn more about scams, you can read my post on common travel scams to avoid here.

It’s also a good idea to avoid wandering around the city alone at night, especially in Santa Maria Novella.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe, however, the standard precautions apply (when out at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink, avoid walking home alone at night if you’ve been drinking, etc.). There are many incredible solo female travel blogs on the web that can give you specific information about a place. They’ll give you tips and advice that I can’t.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Florence Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Take Walks – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Italy.
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Florence Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Italy and continue planning your trip:

The Best Walking Tours in Bologna

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

Where to Stay in Florence: The Best Neighborhoods For Your Visit

Where to Stay in Milan: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Milan

The Best Walking Tours in Florence

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Le Travel Style

by Courtney Delfino • a San Diego based travel + lifestyle blog inspiring you to travel in style

Europe , Italy , Travel Guides · Last Updated: May 23, 2023

A First Timer’s Travel Guide to Visiting Florence Italy

Florence travel guide: for a first-time visit.

Nothing screams romantic charm and historic culture more than roaming the streets of Florence Italy. Or as the Italians call it Firenze. Florence is one of the most historic cities in Italy. It birthed the Italian Renaissance which inspired artists such as Michaelangelo and many of his masterpieces are still there today. In this blog ” A First-Timers Travel Guide to Florence Italy” I cover when to visit Florence, the best places to see in Florence, the top hotels and restaurants, and so much more!

Florence is the capital of Italy and is best known for its art, culture, fine food, and charm. The city is renowned for its incredible art collections and museums. It is home to the Uffizi Gallery, which houses works by renowned artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. The Galleria dell’Accademia is famous for Michelangelo’s statue of David. The historic center of Florence has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, recognizing its exceptional artistic and architectural heritage.

Things to Know Before Visiting Florence, Italy

• Florence is best explored on foot. The center of the city is so compact that you can easily walk around for a couple of hours and see the majority of it.
• When shopping in Florence, local shops are closed from 1 pm-4 pm for siesta. That is how you’ll know if it’s an actual local shop or tourist spot.
• Pre-book your tickets to the museums. You can spend hours waiting in line for the Piazza del Duomo or Uffizi, it’s easy these days to pre-book your ticket. I typically book my excursions on Viator or Get Your Guide
• There is no Uber in Florence. This took us by surprise when arriving at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station. We decided to walk to our hotel which was on the Arno. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience being that our luggage was making the most noise on the cobblestone streets. In retrospect, we should have taken a taxi!

When to Visit Florence Italy

Florentine summers are hot and humid and most businesses are closed for the month of August. For the best time to visit consider late September or early October. Tourism is at the end of its peak season and the weather is beautiful and sunny!

Spring (April to June): Spring is a popular time to visit Florence, as the weather is generally mild and pleasant. The city comes alive with blooming flowers, and outdoor activities become more enjoyable. However, this is also a peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices.

Autumn (September to October): Autumn is another great time to visit Florence. The weather is mild, and the city experiences fewer tourists compared to the summer months. The foliage starts to change, creating a beautiful atmosphere. It’s a good time for sightseeing, exploring museums, and enjoying outdoor activities.

While all opinions are always my own, my content on this blog post may contain affiliate links for hotels I’ve traveled to, tours I’ve completed, and products I recommend. This means I get a small commission if you book a stay or purchase a product after clicking one of these links. As always, I am so thankful for your support and will continue to share the best properties, things to do, and items I love!

Best Things to Do in Florence

Visit the piazzale michaelangelo.

The high point of our trip. Literally. When visiting the Piazzale Michaelangelo, is situated on a hill called Monte Pincio, south of the Arno River, and offers panoramic views of the city’s skyline. At the center of Piazzale Michelangelo stands a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s renowned statue of David. While the original sculpture is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia, this replica serves as a tribute to the artist and his masterpiece. The statue is a popular photo spot for tourists.

It’s completely free to visit and the views at golden hour were spectacular. If you want the place to yourself, make sure to get there early. If you only have time to see one of these places in this Florence Travel Guide, you better pick this one!

Visit the Piazza del Duomo

The Piazza del Duomo is one of if not the most popular duomo in the world. The square’s centerpiece is the Florence Cathedral, officially known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. This magnificent Gothic-style cathedral is renowned for its striking dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Visitors can admire the intricate marble façade and climb to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city.

In order to climb to the top of the dome you’ll have to walk up 463 steps. But you’ll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful sights in Florence. You can pre-book your time slot. Plan to get here early in the morning for the best views and shorter wait times. Piazza del Duomo is not only a focal point for religious and historical landmarks but also a vibrant gathering place where visitors can appreciate the grandeur of Florence’s architectural masterpieces.

Visit the Uffizi Gallery  

A notable Italian Art Museum is located in the historic center of Florence. The gallery has been open since the 16th Century and the pieces of art were a gift after the Medici family lost its rule. Showcasing pieces from Michaelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci, and so many more artists. Uffizi Gallery’s most prominent piece is ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Sandro Botticelli. Finally, to make the most of your time in Florence, I highly recommend purchasing the “ skip the line tickets ” prior to visiting the Uffizi Gallery.

Florence Travel Guide: Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia

Another beautiful Italian Art museum is located in the center of Florence. It’s most famously known for housing Michaelangelo’s David sculpture. It also has many other Florentine artists’ pieces from 1300-1600.

Walk Along Ponte Vecchio and The Arno

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. The Italian translation of “old bridge” is literally Ponte Vecchio. When the bridge was in its prime, it was primarily meat vendors. However, the Medici family hated the smell so much, that they made it a law that only jewelry stores can be opened on the bridge. To this day this holds true and you’ll find countless jewelry shops on Ponte Vecchio. Finally, The Arno is the river that runs adjacent to Florence’s city center. If it’s a nice day, walk along The Arno to see what it’s like to live as a local in Florence.

Visit the Historic Piazza Della Signoria

Florence is filled with Piazzas (which is simply town square) however the most notable one has to be Piazza della Signoria. Here you’ll find a W-shaped square that is historic because it has always been the focal point of the Florentine Republic. The Palazzo Vecchio which is Florence’s Town Hall is located in this square. Finally, another popular square is the Piazza Santo Spirito so add that one to your list too!

Visit the Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens is a historical park that was opened to the public in 1766. Originally it was owned by the Medici family and it represents one of the first examples of an Italian garden.

Day Trip to Tuscany for Wine Tasting

Florence is also famous for its wine, particularly Chianti, which is produced in the surrounding vineyards. One of our favorite days of our Florence trip was taking a day trip to the Tuscan vineyards. We booked a Tuscany Wine tour through Viator. It included lunch, transportation to two wineries, and visiting two medieval towns. Each winery offered a guided tour where we learned a great deal about winemaking. The tour took about 6 hours total and was a definite highlight of this Florence Travel Guide!

Best Hotels in Florence Italy

Plaza Hotel Lucchesi : We personally stayed at the Plaza Lucchesi when visiting Florence and would highly recommend it. The hotel is located directly on the Arno River so it’s not exactly in Florence’s historic center but it’s super close walking distance to all the sights. The views from the rooftop are reason alone to stay here! And like most European hotels, breakfast was included. Book your stay here .

Villa Cora : a 19th-century mansion that is secluded in the hills next to the center of Florence. Not only is it a beautiful property, but it boasts a lot of charm and elegance. They have a garden pool and spacious rooms, and the service is unmatched! It’s a perfect spot if you want to be more secluded. Book your stay here.

Hotel Savoy : A Rocco Forte hotel located on the Piazza Repubblica, this hotel is luxurious and stylish all in one. It’s only steps away from the main fashion houses and super close to the main attractions in Florence. Book your stay here .

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze : who doesn’t love a stay at a four seasons hotel? This 5-star hotel is only steps away from the cultural center of Florence. Enjoy a private garden, a luxurious pool, and a delicious on-site restaurant. Book your stay here .

Best Restaurants in Florence

Buca Niccolini – When visiting Florence you absolutely must have the Bistecca alla Fiorentina aka Florentine steak. It’s the main dish of Florence dining. Buca Niccolini is known for having the best and it’s big enough to split with three people!

Trattoria Zsa Zsa – There is something about sitting in a glass cube that sparks joy in my life. The food at Trattoria Zsa Zsa was not only delicious but decently priced as well. Get the truffle ravioli and you will not be disappointed!

Gusta Pizza – Surprisingly, Italy is not really well-known for its pizza. But this spot has amazing pizza. It’s great for on-the-go slices when exploring the city.

Gelateria Dei Neri – The most delicious gelato I’ve ever had in all of Italy. The portions are amazing and it’s located right in the center of town.

For a full restaurant guide to Florence, check out the Best Restaurants in Florence article from Conde Nast traveler.

Best Bars in Florence

Empire Rooftop Bar ($$) – Located in the Hotel Lucchesi this rooftop bar has views of the Duomo. Great bar eats and drinks!

Atrium Bar ($$$) – Elegant and casual at the same time. Great food and an epic atmosphere.

Golden View Open Bar ($$) –Enjoy a glass of vino while looking over Ponte Vecchio. This came highly recommended by a Florence local.

How To Get Around Florence

Since Uber’s been banned in Florence, there are plenty of other ways to get around this cultural city…

Walk ($) – Florence is pretty small and very walkable. A lot of places are pedestrianized and most of the streets are so narrow that walking can get you around much faster than driving.

Bus ($) – The ATAF electric bus is a great way to cover a lot of ground. They are made to navigate the narrow streets and run frequently during the day/night. One-day fare is only 5 euros.

Bikes ($$) – We rented bikes for the day and covered so much ground. If you’re feeling adventurous you can bike up to the Piazzale Michelangelo. It’s all uphill and you have to be in some sort of shape to do so, but the beauty we witnessed was unbelievable!

Grazie for reading my “First-Timers Florence Travel Guide”. If you’re headed here soon it’s safe to say I’m incredibly envious of you. Have the best time and make sure to check out more of my Italy Guides .

You’ll Also Love

February 7, 2023 at 5:34 am

Thank you for this great post and all very useful tips! I will soon visit Florence for the first time. You have beautiful photos! Do you remember where the shop in the first photo is located?

March 30, 2023 at 10:13 am

This post is amazing! Thank you! We are traveling to Florence in May and looking for a wine tour to book in Tuscany. The link in your post does not work, do you know if it is still offered?

March 31, 2023 at 7:49 am

Hi Arielle! Thanks for your comment I just checked and clicked on it myself and it is still offered through Viator. Try clicking on it again 🙂 perhaps the date you are searching for is sold out?

August 19, 2023 at 11:44 pm

My fiance lives in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, I’m planning on going there possibly in October,cause my birthday is that month, my fiance wants me to stay with him while I am there. I am looking forward to visiting Florence, Tuscany, Italy soon! Thanks A soon to be visitor and possibly a new resident after I marry my fiance. Thanks Linda Milton Stockton, California

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Home » Europe » Italy » Florence

An Honest Guide to Florence, Italy – From a True Fan of the City

Florence is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy and for very good reasons: its Renaissance architecture, superlative art, and unwavering devotion to food have all made Florence an international sensation. People travel from all over the globe for a chance to experience Florentine culture, regardless of how much it may cost.

Yes, Florence can be pretty expensive these days, not to mention, very crowded. In the summer, the city is sometimes completely overrun by tourists and there are times where you’ll see more college students than actually Florentines.

BUT Florence is still worth visiting! You just have to know what to do, when to go, and what is really essential to the city.

This Florence travel guide is designed to help you get the most out of your trip and, at the same time, save a buck or two. We’ll cover an array of subjects from lodging to dining to what to see in Florence on any budget. It is my goal to show you a different side of this city and to give the means to really appreciate its splendor.

So let’s not waste time; this is the real way to experience Florence next time you visit!

How Much Does a Trip to Florence Cost? 

Backpacker accommodation in florence, what to do in florence, florence travel guide – a sample itinerary, florence travel guide – extra tips and tricks, eating and drinking in florence – the best food and restaurants, some final thoughts from this florence travel guide….

Visiting Florence on a budget is 100% possible. You just gotta know where to look for the best deals, how to spot a potential rip-off, and how to make your own pasta every now and then. Easy, right?

Florence, like the rest of Italy, can be expensive if you’re reckless with your money. Booking lavish hotel rooms, eating out every night, and buying expensive drinks at the bar will deplete your funds if you’re not careful enough.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

If you plan on visiting Florence on the cheap, you could probably do so for around $40-$60/day.  You will need to be a tough backpacker though. Here are some things to consider:

• Lodging : Lodging in Florence can be pretty expensive, especially when it’s located in the historical center. Even hostels in Florence can be more than than $20/night, at least for the decent ones. Hotels and apartments will obviously be more ($60-$100/night).
• Transportation : You can easily see Florence on foot so don’t worry much about transportation expenses. When you do use the bus, buy from a local tobacco shop instead of the driver – you’ll save a euro doing so.
• Food : If you eat in restaurants near the city center, you will get overcharged. If you stick to the cozy, hidden osteria and trattoria, dishes can be as low as 8-9 euros. Also, groceries and produce are cheap in Italy. 
• Drink : Beer, wine, and cocktails are about 5-8 euros when bought in the touristy neighborhoods of Florence. You can buy booze much cheaper in the local shops.
• Attractions : It’s never cheap to visit the museums in Florence. If you want to see David at the Accademia Gallery or the Birth of Venus at Uffizi, both cost you 20+ euros each.

Average Costs of a Trip to Florence

Here’s a breakdown of individual costs when formulating a daily budget in Florence:

Hostel Dormitory: $20-$30

Basic hotel room for two: $60-$100

AirBnB/temp apartment: $60-$100

Average cost of public transport: $1.50-$2.50

City-Airport transfer: $6.50-$9

Sandwich: $5-$7

Beer at a bar: $4-$6

Coffee: $1.50-$3

Bottle of wine from the market: $6-$8

Dinner for two: $40-$50

Florence Budget Travel Tips

• Buy cheap booze at the shops: Drinking in public is legal in Italy and everyone does it. You’ve never really been to Italy either until you’ve drank a Moretti on some church steps.
• When eating out in Florence: Stick to local osterie (taverns) and trattorie (informal restaurants) where prices are usually more reasonable. Avoid eating in the center of Florence at all costs.
• Find free walking tours in Florence : Or just make your own tour using this Florence travel guide!
• Cook your own food sometimes: Hostels and some apartments come with kitchens; use them. Your own special spaghetti will be way cheaper than that mediocre one in a restaurant. (Just don’t leave the pasta sitting on the table without the sauce; rookie mistake!)
• Buy a Firenze Pass : If you intend on visiting a lot of galleries and museums in Florence, you’re probably better off with one of these. It allows free entry to many of the best museums in Florence and you’ll save more money in the end. Note that you will still have to make reservations for the top sights in Florence, like Bruneleschi’s Dome.
• Stay outside the historical center : It may seem inconvenient walking the extra 5-10 minutes, but it may be worth the extra money saved on hotels in Florence. The city isn’t that big either so you shouldn’t be too far away from the main attractions.
• Take advantage of aperitivo: you can get some really good deals on wine and snacks with these. I myself have been known to make a dinner out of two or three.
• Have a water bottle: Don’t waste money on plastic, bottled waters; carry your own and refill it in the fountains and the tap.

Why You Should Travel to Florence with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

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Florence is not a big city. Most of the city’s top attractions are located within 15-minutes walk of one another. No matter which neighborhood in Florence you choose to stay in, you’ll never be too far away from the action. 

The central areas of Florence – San Marco, Duomo, and Santa Croce – are where the grand majority of tourists stay. Many of the best things to see in Florence are located in these districts as well. This means that prices will be highest in these areas. 

If you want to stay in Florence on a budget, try looking for accommodation in the outer districts. Santo Spirito, Santa Maria, Annuziato, and Sant’Ambrogio are all more affordable than staying in the centre. 

Hotels in Florence will obviously be the most expensive choice. I don’t much care for hotels but, that being said, there are still some hidden gems in the city. 

I prefer staying in a local Airbnbs over hotels – they usually have more character and nicer hosts. Just remember to check the terms of the apartment and to see if you have to pay extra city taxes.

The cheapest places to stay in Florence are still hostels. There are several good ones in the city although most are located on the edges of the city center.

If you want to spend even less money, you may find success by staying at one of the campgrounds outside of Florence. Some, like the glamping site at Firenze Camping in Town, are easily accessible thanks to nearby bus lines. Others may be in the middle of nowhere, which means you’ll probably need a car (or be good at hitchhiking).

Refer below for some suggested places to stay in the city. If you need more information, then head over to Florence accommodation guide for more information!

The Best Places to Stay in Florence

Are you wondering  which is the best part of Florence to stay in?  Well, let me give you a few suggestions.

Home to the epic dome at Santa Maria del Fiore, which is the tourist center of the city. Lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants surround this landmark.

A more residential area that is a bit farther away but is also cheaper. Still plenty of activities and restaurants around.

San Spirito/San Frediano

Located on the other side of the Arno River, this neighborhood is full of cool bars and local haunts. Students and locals love to come here and sit in the piazzas.

Santa Croce

A tucked-away area very close to the Duomo but equally as interesting. Packed with activities, bars, and restaurants. Also, closer to the Arno.

Santa Maria Novella

A well-connected part of the city that is close to all of Florence’s main attractions. Busy and bustling.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

1. Find a calcio fiorentino match and brace yourself

I guarantee that you will not see one of these on ANY casual sightseeing tours of Florence. Calcio Fiorentina is the original sport in Florence and is very rough to watch. The game, which is a cross between rugby and football, involves a lot of hard physical contact and there is almost always blood. For a real Florentine experience, try and visit one of these in the summer.

2. Have a sundowner at Piazzale Michelangelo

This is my – and probably a lot of other people’s – favorite way to end their day in Florence. The Piazzale Michelangelo has, unquestionably, the best view in the city as the Duomo is literally smack dab in front of your face. Sitting on the steps and drinking a beer with friends makes the experience truly worthwhile and really puts the icing on your trip.

3. Eat some more at the Mercato di San Lorenzo

The Mercato di San Lorenzo is the largest market in Florence and probably the coolest as well. Inside this cavernous space, you will find all kinds of local products from fresh prosciutto to fruit to leather goods and more. Conveniently, there is a large, modern bar located inside as well; take a break from shopping with a glass of wine whenever. 

4. Get in line early for All’antico Vinaio 

There are people that travel to Florence just for this establishment. The sandwiches at All’antico Vinaio are legendarily delicious. This place is so well-regarded that it was actually voted one of the most reviewed restaurants in the world . So it goes without saying that you’ll need to arrive early if want to eat here. 

5. See everything at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

No Florentine travel guide would be complete without mentioning the all-mighty Doors to Paradise and the cathedral attached to them. The Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore hosts probably the most iconic dome in the world and experiencing it is practically a rite of passage for those backpacking in Italy . It would be a tragedy to miss visiting this landmark.

6. Yes, you have to walk across the Ponte Vecchio

Among the most iconic sites in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio ranks up there near the top. It is a symbol of the city, which means that it is very popular and very touristy. Whilst it is a really cool bridge, the crowds here can be horrible and the local shopkeepers can be overly adament.  You should still visit the Ponte Vecchio, but do so once and then move along to other things.

7. Visit the Cappella Brancacci – one of the most underrated attractions in Florence

This chapel isn’t on most people’s must see in Florence, Italy list. Hell, I’m sure most people don’t even know what it is! The Cappella Brancacci is a hidden gem; one of the most underrated and unknown Renaissance masterpieces in the world. It’s half the price of most museums in Florence and attracts a fraction of the crowds. To me, both those qualities are winning. 

8. Have a drink in Santo Spirito 

By day, Spirito Santo is a calm area that is composed of little more than a church and a piazza. By night though, it’s a totally different scene. Santa Spirto is the place where all the locals go to drink late-night and is full of energy at this time. Even if I only have three days in Florence, I always make an effort to go here. 

9. Take a Medici tour

If you really want to understand Florence, then you need to understand its most important family: the Medici. As rulers of Renaissance Florence, the Medici were responsible for many of the city’s greatest achievements, including but not limited to Santa Maria de Fiore and the Palazzo Vecchio. See all the Medici sites in Florence and will become a master of the city yourself.

10. Visit at least one museum (just be careful of the prices)

Some of the most significant art in the Western World is housed in Florence. The Uffizi, Bargello, Palazzo Vecchio, San Marco, and Accademia all have excellent collections and all are worth visiting. But going to all of these institutions will also be expensive, especially for those backpacking in Florence.

I suggest doing some research and choosing one or two museums that you really want to see. For example, I find the Uffizi to be more worth the investment than the Accademia where the Statue of David is found. I figure that if I wanted to see a white dude with a small dick, I’ll just look in the mirror and save twenty euros. 

Editor’s Note: Yes, the author really did write this last part himself and, yes, I don’t think he gives a shit.

Day Trips from Florence 

One of the best parts about visiting Florence is the fact that you’re actually in Tuscany. Though it’s been the center of attention for a while and can seem overrun with wine snobs at times, Tuscany is totally worth the hype. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in Italy and is totally worth exploring.

Here a couple of ideas for day trips from Florence :

• Sienna: Former independent republic and everyone’s favorite Tuscan town. Sienna is most famous for its Paleo races in August, which put the Kentucky Derby to shame. If you visit during this time, get ready for a madhouse. You’ll also find plenty of Italian yoga retreats in this part of Italy.
• Pisa : Famous for the Leaning Tower (partake in selfies at your own risk) but Pisa is so much more. The Duomo de Pisa, located literally next to the tower, is way cooler. May favorite panineria in Italy, Il Porci Comodi, is also here. Finally, being a student town, the nightlife ain’t too shabby either. 
• Viareggio : If you’re visiting Florence in February, you HAVE to make a trip to Viareggio to see the local Carnival. The townsfolk make giant, intricately crafted floats for the festival and there is almost always a Donald Trump themed one.
• Val d’Orcia : This is the place that everyone imagines Tuscany to look like. Winding roads, rolling hills, rows of trees; Val d’Orcia is the poster child for the region. Montepulciano is lauded for its brunello wine while Bagni San Filipo as some awesome travertine hot springs.
• San Gimignano : Probably the prettiest village in Tuscany, thanks to its many delicate towers and crumbling medieval fortifications. San Gimignano also has its own local vernaccia grapes soooooo there’s a good excuse to get drunk at the wineries!

Need help deciding between Florence or Venice ? Check out our helpful guide.

Wondering how many days to spend in Florence? Three days should be more than enough! Refer below for our suggested itinerary on how to see this city in a reasonable amount of time.

Day 1: The First Things to See in Florence!

Most people will arrive in Florence around mid-day – either by train or by flight. This means that the mornings will be quick and that you’ll have to hit the ground running to see the top sights in Florence!

On the first day of this Florence travel guide, we’ll visit many important locations. Much of the day will be for wandering, which I believe is one of the best ways to see Florence!

Morning: Check into your accommodation and drop of your bags. Pack a daypack and then head to the nearest cafe for a jolt of energy. Buy a cafe, a snack, and get ready; today is the first of three awesome days in Florence! 

Early-Afternoon: Start off by visiting one of the city’s many museums. There are a lot to choose from and, unless you have a Firenze Pass, I suggest you stick to one or two. The Uffizi and Academmia are good choices – the former has the Birth of Venus and the latter has the Statue of David. Don’t forget to make reservations for these though!

Late-Afternoon: Take a break and grab some Florentine street food. The local favorite is lampredotto – a sandwich stuffed with tripe (it’s better than it sounds.)

Evening: Spend the early-evening wandering amongst Florence’s many piazze . Visiting the Piazza della Signoria is an absolute must do in Florence as you’ll see many of the most iconic locations in the city, like the Palazzo Vecchio and Loggia dei Lanzi. Finish with an aperitivo .

Night: Head to a local Tuscan osteria for dinner. Order something hearty, like a bistecca fiorentina , because you’ll need a fortified stomach for the evening. After dinner, head to Santo Spirito for drinks and the chance to immerse yourself in Florence’s best nightlife!

Day 2: The Best of Florence!

The second of our three days in Florence is focused on one place: the glorious Duomo and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. No trip to Florence is complete without seeing these religious and architectural wonders!

Morning: There are tours of the Duomo in Florence throughout the day. If you’re feeling a little haggard, wake up at your leisure and then head out when ready. Note that on Sundays the church is only open after 15:00.

Early-Afternoon: Spend the whole afternoon exploring the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Gawk at the gilded frescoes in the baptistry; climb to the top of Brunelesci’s Dome (there are over 450 steps!); see former Florentine remains in the crypt; spend as much time as you want here! All of these places are accessible with a Cumulative Ticket.

Late-Afternoon: Take a leisurely walk south towards the Arno River. On the way, be sure to drop by the Fontana del Porcellino, home to the bronze statue of the Porcellino Little Boar). Rub its snout for good luck! Once you reach the river, head across the iconic Ponte Vecchio and window shop along the way – the hawkers will be in full force here. 

Evening: Make for the Giardino delle Rose and Piazzale Michelangelo. The former is a lovely rose garden while the latter offers the best views in Florence. Having a beer and watching the sun go down at the Piazzale Michelangelo is a must do in Florence! Be sure to get there early to grab a seat.

Night: Relax, have a nice meal in a quiet spot, and don’t go crazy. Tomorrow is a long day so it may not be a good idea to go out to the bars in Florence tonight.

Day 3 in Florence: Let’s make a daytrip!

Florence is not such a big place; by day three, you may have seen most of its biggest attractions. Granted, there is always something to do in Florence but I think it may be a better use of your time to explore the surrounding area.

Tuscany is a gorgeous region and there are lots of cool places to visit here. We’ve already broken down some of our favorite day trips from Florence; in this section, we’re going to stick to just two: Siena and the Val d’Orcia.

Morning: Pick up a rental car in Florence and get ready for a road trip. Whilst some backpackers may hesitate to spend money on a car, having one is really the best way to appreciate the Tuscan countryside.

Early-Afternoon: Make a b-line for Siena, which is located about 90 minutes south of Florence by car. Once you arrive in the city, be sure to visit the Duomo of Siena and the Piazza del Campo – both are close to one another. Have some lunch at a local osteria or eat a packed one before leaving town.

Late-Afternoon: Depart from Siena and continue south for another hour to reach the Val d’Orcia. This is quintessential Tuscan scenery, which means lots of rolling hills, tree-lined country roads, vineyards, and tourists. Just drive around and find your favorite spot. Here are some tips for taking photos in Tuscany .

Evening: After sunset, make your back to Florence. If you have the time, make a detour into the Monti del Chianti region, which is famous for the eponymous chianti wine. Drop by a local winery for some samples and dinner though please remember not to drink too much. Drinking and driving is frowned upon in Italy.

Night: Return to Florence, pack your bags, and reflect upon an amazing trip!

This is only one of many possible routes; read about some more by checking out our Florentine itinerary post!

Learn more about what to expect when visiting Florence by reading the following sections!

Best Time of Year to Visit Florence

Florence has a very ideal climate, even by Itailian standards. Winters are short, summers are long, and spring and autumn are absolutely perfect. Rain comes and goes but is never around for too long. Those planning a trip to Florence will have a very large window to visit the city so don’t feel pressured!

Summer is the most popular time to visit Florence. Lots of people imagine Florence to be in top form during this time; with long days and balmy evenings, the mood in Florence should be heightened. In reality, summers in Florence are horrible. The crowds are massive, prices are high, and the temperature is sometimes unbearable. Florence is actually one of the hottest Italian cities and temperatures regularly go above 100 degree F in July and August. 

The absolute best time to visit Florence is in the spring . During this time, the temperature is mild and the city is bursting with bloomage. The hills of Tuscany are lush as well and during this time they take on their quintessential green color. Prices are also reasonable up until late-May. 

Autumn is also a great time to travel to Florence . September is the month of the harvest, which means there will be lots of wine and food festivals both in and outside the city. Temperatures are still mildly warm as well and stay so until around November.

Florence in the winter can also be fun! This is a great time to bury yourself in the local osterie and to keep yourself warm with a good glass of chianti or some porchetta . The museums will also be less crowded although they’re never really quiet in Florence.

For information on what to bring, be sure to refer to our Italian packing list guide.  

Want to Study Something in Florence?

Studying can be expensive, but with Global Work and Travel , you can pay in instalments and it’ll fit nicely into any itinerary. You can study either coffee making or cooking in Florence for a week or two weeks. Then, take this new skill home with you to impress the neighbours or woo your future spouse.

Getting In and Out of Florence

There are several ways to travel to Florence:

• By plane – Florence has one major airport (Peretola) located about 20 minutes outside of the city center. Regular buses connect the airport with the city. Note that not many people actually use Florence’s airport – most fly into more well-connected ones like Rome and Bologna and then transfer to Florence. As such, airline tickets for Florence may be more expensive than necessary.
• By train – Train travel is, hands-down, the best way to get around Italy. Florence’s primary train station is conveniently located close to the historical center as well so you can start exploring the city in no time. Just be sure to buy your train ticket ahead of time – prices go up quickly as the departure date approaches.
• By car – We’ll go into this in more detail in the next section, but if you’re driving to Florence then you’ll need to leave your car in the outer areas of town. Driving is restricted in the historical center so there’s no point in trying to park there. The best parking in Florence can be found near the outer metro stations, like Scandicci.
• By bus – Traveling to Florence by bus is cheaper than trains and is pretty similar in comfort. Italian buses are modern, comfortable, and convenient. Taking a bus to Florence is ultimately very convenient and highly recommended. Check out prices on Flixbus using the link below.

How to Get Around Florence

Much to its credit, Florence is one of the few European cities to ban motorized traffic in the city center. The no-car zone is called the ZTL Zone in Florence . In these areas ( refer to this Google map for more info) cars will either not be allowed to drive or will be fined heavily for doing so. For those drivers who think they can sneak by: there are cameras everywhere so don’t think you’re  not being watched. Touristy areas also mean more cops that can spot you. 

If you have a car and are wondering then where to park in Florence, you have two options:

• Stay closer to the city center but pay to park.
• On the outskirts of the city near the tram lines where parking is usually free.

The metro station at Scandicci has a large parking lot where you can leave your car overnight. If you’re spending three or so days in Florence, park your car here and then take the tram into the city. Trust me, you won’t need a car in Florence, ever.

Once you’ve actually made it to the center, the best way to see Florence is just by walking. The city center is pretty small and all of Florence’s must-see attractions are fairly close to one another. You could maybe even walk across the entire center if you make a b-line. 

The only kind of vehicles that are allowed in the heart of Florence are taxis and hotel transports. Most of the drivers have an annoying habit of sneaking up and then scaring the shit out of you with the horn. To avoid the ire of the dickish drivers, try not to stand in the middle of roads aimlessly while taking photos and just be aware of any subtle beeping sounds behind you.

Safety in Florence

Florence is not a dangerous city by any means. Violence rarely, if ever, happens here and if it does it’s completely removed from tourists. Not having to worry about traffic makes Florence doubly safe and frankly I can’t think of any situation where your life would be in danger (besides drunkenly jumping from the Ponte Vecchio). 

That being said, the pickpockets in Florence are particularly talented. A good thief will be able to open your backpack, grab your wallet, and get away without you even noticing. All of Italy suffers from this problem unfortunately so don’t feel like you’re putting yourself at any more risk than usual.

Pickpockets prey upon stupid and unsuspecting tourists. The key to beating them is to a) not look a victim and b) have a backup plan just in case. If you look confident and like you have your shit straight, a lot of thieves will leave you alone and look for easier targets. Some might still go for you, in which case having a money belt would be the ultimate deterrent. 

Not all cons come from crooks either – a lot of reputable businesses may also try to rob you and by that I mean overcharge for something as basic as a coffee or bread bowl. Shady taxi drivers, dickish restaurant owners, souvenir hawkers; not all of these people live to make sure you have the best trip in Florence. 

Not everyone in Florence is necessarily out to get you though! The grand majority are lovely! The key to avoiding the bad ones is simply doing a little online research and checking your bill before you pay.

Travel Insurance for Florence

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.

If there’s one insurance company I trust, it’s World Nomads.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Tips for Saving Money on Accommodation in Florence

Sometimes you need your own roof above your head – we know the feeling. Other times, you’re doing everything you can save a nickel and dime.

If you’re trying to the cut the costs of travel to Florence, then maybe it’s time to stay somewhere besides a hostel or apartment. If you need to save money, try one of these:

Couchsurf! – Couchsurfing is the best way to save on cash when it comes to accommodation since most of the time you’re crashing for free. Staying with a local host is also a great chance to experience a more authentic side of the city and to visit hidden Florence.

Problem is couchsurfing is really popular (duh, it’s free) and demand often outstrips supply. Hosts are picky as well so you’ll need to impress them with an eye-catching message. Definitely try couchsurfing but be ready to be rejected.

Tap into your backpacker network – You never know when you have a friend in a foreign city! If you’ve traveled a lot, you may have met someone from Florence or know someone who knows someone.

Reach out to people! Ask to stay with people for a night or two in exchange for cooking dinner or a bottle of wine. If you don’t know anyone in the city, ask your friends if they do – travelers understand the struggle and are usually more helpful than you think.

Camping – Urban camping is a growing trend in many cities. These campsites are comfortable, sociable, safe, and cheap. They are often located on the outskirts of town, which means they are quieter too. Research to see if Florence as any and be sure to bring your own tent too !

Some Extra Free Things to Do in Florence

If you intend on visiting Florence on a budget, you will need several tools at your disposal. Taking advantage of the many free activities around the city is one such method that will you help you save lots of cash. Here are some potential free things to do in Florence:

• Go on a free walking tour in Florence: Whilst technically you could do this yourself if armed with the proper guidebook or travel guide for Florence (nudge, nudge), reaching out to a local expert would also be good. The people at Florence Free Tour offer four walks per day in both English and Spanish.Go on a free walking tour in Florence: Whilst technically you could do this yourself if armed with the proper guidebook or travel guide for Florence (nudge, nudge), reaching out to a local expert would also be good. The people at Florence Free Tour offer four walks per day in both English and Spanish.
• First Sundays: Many museums have free entry on the first Sunday of every month between October and March. Check out the list here!
• Visit the original Last Supper(s) : Few people know that Da Vinci wasn’t the first to paint the legendary scene depicting Jesus and his acolytes. There were several Florentine painters who attempted this first. Refer to VisitFlorence’s page to see them all. (Kudos to them for bringing this to my attention.)
• See the chapel of Santa Maria de Firenze: Whilst many of the facilities at Santa Maria de Firenze require paid-entry, the main chapel is still free to enter. From the inside, you will be able to see the marvelous fresco of the dome still.
• Admire the statues at Loggia dei Lanzi: It’s not the Uffizi, but the selection of sculptures at the outdoor gallery of Loggia dei Lanzi is still impressive. The statues are reproductions but damn good ones at that.
• The sweet smells of Santa Maria Novella’s pharmacy: Pop in for a moment to get a whiff of the tonics and tinctures at the church’s private pharmacy. This place has been creating remedies for over 400 years!

Books to Read Before Visiting Florence

If you need a little extra info to supplement our Florence travel guide, try reading one of these books on the city!

• The Prince : The groundbreaking essay about socio-political dynamics as outlined by the original master manipulator, Niccolo Machiavelli. To this day, The Prince is still one of the most relevant pieces of literature concerning politics and how to take advantage of them. Machiavelli was born and died in Florence during the era of the Florentine Republic. 
• The Divine Comedy : One of the most important pieces of literature ever written in the Western World. The Divine Comedy was the first to ever describe in detail in the supposed levels of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. It’s author, Dante Alighieri, is perhaps the greatest Italian writer in history and lived in Florence most of his life.
• Under the Tuscan Sun: A travel novel that is partly responsible for Tuscany’s massive tourist appeal. Concerns a couple who spend a summer renovating a villa in the countryside.
• The History of the Renaissance World: Florence helped give birth to the period of the Italian Renaissance – a period of history that served as a pivot from the Medieval era to the Modern one. Though there are lots of books about the Renaissance, this one comes highly recommended. 
• The House of Medici : The Medici Family and the city of Florence are practically synonymous – you cannot understand one without knowing the other. This book does a good job explaining the Medici’s role in Renaissance Florence.

As the capital of Tuscany, Florence takes gastronomy very, very seriously. Pork is treated with the utmost respect and wine is as revered like a holy saint. Those looking to go on a food tour in Florence should have no problems finding their way. 

Breakfast in Florence usually starts with a caffe normale (espresso) and a cornetto (croissant). Most Italians eat and drink whilst standing at the bar and you should do the same – some cafes in Florence may charge extra if you sit down at a table and order there.

Lunch is usually heavy on the carbs e.g. pasta, bread, and other things that keep people’s energy up. Following a big meal though, many Italians will take a 1-hour sonnellino (nap/break), especially on a hot day. Be prepared for shops to remain closed until 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

Early evening is the time for the aperitivo . An aperitivo is a light snack usually accompanied by a glass of wine or spritz. Aperitivo prices are usually lower than normal; the best comparison I can make is that they are like the Italian version of happy hour. 

Dinner in Florence is late, usually around 9 in the evening. This is when you start to see many of the staples of Florentine cooking. Bistecca alla fiorentina , which is essentially a giant steak, is widely advertised on most menus in restaurants. Florence is also known for lampredotto or tripe. Though it may sound gross at first, it’s better than you think when served in a sandwich. 

Desert is, of course, the most important part of the meal for Italians and in Florence, it usually comes in the form of pastries or biscuits. Schiacciata fiorentina is a particularly beloved treat in Florence.

Nightlife in Florence

When I last visited Florence in summer, my girlfriend and I used to play a little game: every time we heard a foregin accent, we would pop into a cafe and take a shot. To this day, that is probably still the stupidest game we ever invented – within an hour we were wasted.

Now, that game was not much a testament to how many foreigners there are in Florence (there are a lot) but more to how easy it is to drink in Florence. There are little cafes and bars in every corner of the city; having a drinking is just a matter of popping into one for a moment! The fact that you can take your beer or negroni to-go in Florence is also really awesome.

The biggest nightlife in Florence is generally found in the city center. Much talked-about joints like Moyo, YAB , and The Blob are all found around Santa Croce and the Piazza del Republica. Whilst I personally don’t go for clubs myself, I can recommend visiting local-legend Lion’s Fountain . This is one of the most notorious college bars I’ve ever been to and is, for me, like a blast from my very hazily-remembered college past.

If you want to be with locals, then the best place to drink in Florence is Santo Spirito. During the day, this Florentine neighborhood is a quiet, unassuming area. At night though, the piazza erupts with natives and the mood becomes quite rowdy. Bars emerge from cracks in the walls and table magically appear in the square, although a lot of people choose to sit on the church steps instead. 

If you’ve reached this point and are still wondering whether or not Florence is worth visiting, then I can only say at this point: “GO!” Florence is totally worth the hype. Yes, it is crowded with tourists and, yes, almost every single corner of this city requires a ticket to see. That being said, none of these things should deter you. 

Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy. It is gorgeous, hopelessly romantic, and imbued with an energy that you can’t really find anywhere else. I often remark that the feeling I get from Florence is what I expected from Paris in that this is one of the most culturally unmatched cities in the world. 

It doesn’t matter how many days you plan to spend in Florence – one, two, seven, twenty, whatever – just make sure you visit at least once in your life. You won’t regret it.

Before signing off, I wanted to share some last bits of information regarding responsible travel in Florence and how to possibly stay here for longer periods of time. Take a moment to consider the following… 

Volunteering in Florence

Long term travel is awesome. Giving back is awesome too. For backpackers looking to travel long-term on a budget in  Florence whilst making a real impact on local communities look no further than  Worldpackers . Worldpackers is an excellent platform  connecting travelers with meaningful volunteer positions throughout the world .

In exchange for a few hours of work each day, your room and board are covered.

Backpackers can spend long periods of time volunteering in an awesome place without spending any money. Meaningful life and travel experiences are rooted in stepping out of your comfort zone and into the world of a purposeful project.

Worldpackers opens the doors for work opportunities in hostels, homestays, NGOs, and eco-projects around the world. We’ve tried and approved them ourselves – check out our Worldpackers in-depth review here.

If you’re ready to create a life-changing travel experience and give back to the community, join the Worldpacker community now. As a Broke Backpacker reader, you’ll get a special discount of $10. Just use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and your membership is discounted from $49 a year to only $39.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Make Money Online While Backpacking in Florence

Traveling in Italy long-term? Keen to make some cash when you are not exploring the country?

Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection.

Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills!

It’s a win-win! Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to start  teaching English online .

In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online,  TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on  teaching English abroad.

Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses with  MyTEFL (simply enter the code PACK50), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.

Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction.

Being a Responsible Traveler in Florence

Reduce your plastic footprint:  Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in landfill or in the ocean. Instead, pack a  tough travel water bottle .

Go and watch A Plastic Ocean on Netflix – it’ll change how you view the plastic problem in the world; you need to understand what we are up against. If you think it doesn’t matter, get off my fucking site.

Don’t pick up single use plastic bags, you’re a backpacker – take your daypack if you need to go to the shop or run errands.

Bear in mind, that many animal products in countries you travel through will not be ethically farmed and won’t be of the highest quality. I’m a carnivore but when I’m on the road, I only eat chicken. Mass-farming of cows etc leads to the rainforest being cut down – which is obviously a huge problem.

Need more guidance? – Check out our post on  how to be a responsible backpacker.

Visiting Florence, Italy will bring you ample opportunities to participate in debauchery, and it is very important to have fun, let loose, and get a bit wild at times. Most trips I have been on across the world have included at least a few mornings where I wake up knowing I went too far.

But there are some things that will put you in the category of a straight up jackass if you do them. Being super loud and obnoxious in a tiny hostel at 3 AM is a classic rookie mistake. Everyone in the hostel will hate you when you wake them up. Show your fellow travelers respect whilst traveling in Florence and anywhere else for that matter!

Florence is a beautiful place that has touched countless people, so let’s not mistreat it. It clearly inspired the makers of this video, which, not gonna lie, has made me cry (only) a few times.

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Journey of Doing

3 Days in Florence: A Complete First-Timer’s Guide

3 days in Florence is never enough, but if that’s all I (or you) can manage, I will take them every time.  As I’ve mentioned before, I studied abroad  in Florence, Italy so it holds a special place in my heart.  Like Georgette once said, it’s like Florence can feel your emotion, and I find that comforting.  I went abroad during a very difficult time in my life.  I was struggling with several issues – all of which were mostly resolved by the time I came home.  Florence is a city of healing for me.  It is where I learned photography, ignited my wanderlust, and became comfortable in my own skin.

In 2015, I got to share parts of that with my husband as we spent part of our honeymoon in Florence .  ( Like Aimee I apparently have an unwritten agreement that says my feet much touch Florentine soil at least once a year.  It’s worked out for me so far.  Florence cannot be all those things for everyone, but I do hope that people can experience parts of “my” Florence.  It will always be on my list of places you should go.

07/2021 Update:  Updated to include new hotel and tour recommendations!

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links for tours and products I love at no additional cost to you.  You can read my  full disclosure policy here.

Florence Itinerary Suggestions

It will be impossible to see everything in Florence in 3 days.  There are so many amazing landmarks in Florence to visit.  Make your peace with that. The city is walkable, but you’ll want to group attractions together by neighborhood to get the most out of your visit. In this particular case, I focused the 3 days in Florence around the Uffizi area, the Oltrarno, and the area around the Accademia.  If you only have 2 days in Florence, pick one of the museum days and couple it with a visit to the Oltrarno. If you’re looking for a great One Day in Florence Itinerary , Toti and Alessia have a great one on their blog!

I always recommend taking a break during the middle of the day.  This is when it is the hottest and the city is most crowded.  We like getting out to enjoy the city, taking a break in the mid-day, and going out again in the late afternoon/evening.

You will want to make sure you have dinner reservations in advance.  Your hotel can help with booking these.

Day One in Florence

• 9:30 – Start your day at Santa Croce (or Museo Galileo , if science is more your thing) when it opens.
• Head to Piazza della Signoria.  Check out the courtyard of the Palazzo Vecchio and enjoy the Loggia dei Lanzi .  If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, head to Orsanmichele for more religious art.
• 12:00 – Quick lunch at ‘Ino, Da’ Vinattieri, or I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti
• 1:30 – Uffizi Gallery tour
• Gelato o’clock at Gelateria dei Neri, Gelateria Santa Trinita or La Carraia
• Head back to your hotel for a little R&R.
• Watch the sunset over the Ponte Vecchio from one of the other other bridges in Florence.
• 7:30 (or later) – Enjoy a leisurely dinner at Sostanza, Buca dell’Orafo, Trattoria Nella, or Osteria Santo Spirito
• End  your night with a stroll through Florence’s most beautiful piazzas – Piazza della Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica, and Piazza della Signoria.  Enjoy the musicians.  Treat yourself to gelato from Edoardo (next to the Duomo).

Day Two in Florence

• Take the Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno before it gets too busy.  The gold shops won’t be open, but you’ll have the bridge all to yourself.
• 8:15am – Head to the Pitti Palace / Boboli Gardens or the Bardini Gardens and start your day outside.  Enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of Florence before it gets too hot.
• Wander the backstreets of the Oltrarno and check out the artisan workshops.  The shopping is more interesting on this side of the river, unless you’re looking for the designer names.  Make sure to visit Chiesa di Santa Felicita.
• Before grabbing an easy lunch at Raddi, Gusta Pizza, Gusta Panino,  Tamero, or Osteria Santo Spirito , visit the Santo Spirito Church .
• Finish off your lunch with gelato from Santa Trinita or La Carraia and walk back towards the Ponte Vecchio by way of the Arno.
• Head back to your hotel for a midday break.  If you aren’t a mid-day break kind of person, head back across the Arno to the DaVinci Museum .
• 4:00/4:30 – Head to the Duomo for one of the last entries of the day.
• Grab a cab or a bus to the Piazzale Michelangelo / San Minato al Monte for sunset.   You can take a bus, a cab, or walk.  (It’s easier to walk down than it is to walk up.)  If it’s supposed to be rainy, book a tour of the Palazzo Vecchio instead.
• Have a late dinner at the Golden View .  (Book a table overlooking the Ponte Vecchio in advance.)  If you’re too tired from the Piazza Michelangelo climb, you can have an easy dinner at i Bastioni di San Niccolo Pizzeria.

Day Three in Florence

• Head to the Accademia for your pre-booked early morning tour.  Enjoy seeing the David up, close, and personal with (fewer) crowds.  If you can’t do more art, head to the DaVinci Museum instead.
• Head to the Mercato Centrale / leather market for shopping and lunch.  (My favorite lunch in Florence is the 5 euro fresh pasta on the bottom floor of the Mercato Centrale.  You’ll have more options upstairs, but I prefer the fresh pasta.  Find the bakery that sells occhi di bue for a sweet treat.
• Take a mid-afternoon break while the crowds descend on Florence.
• If a break isn’t your thing, head to the DaVinci Museum, the Medici Chapel, or the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella .
• Have your final dinner in Florence with a view by making a reservation at La Reggia degli Etruschi in Fiesole.  Take the bus back to Florence.  You’ll get off in front of Santa Maria Novella, and you can spend your last evening wandering through the magical streets and piazzas of Florence.

Florence Tours – Getting Your Culture Fix in Florence

Florentine museum culture can be daunting for even the most fervent art lovers.  (I know; I’m friends with some of them.)  That being said, I don’t know that you can go to Florence without seeing the museums.  I mean, you can… but will you really understand how incredible the Renaissance is without that perspective?  Probably not.  The Firenze card is a great option if you only have 3 days in Florence, but you will still need/want a reservation for the museums and the Duomo’s cupola.  Even priority access lines can be long in Florence.

Here are a few things I highly recommend for people who want to get the most out of their visit to Florence (and not spend all their time in line).

Uffizi Gallery

BOOK THIS: Skip the Line Uffizi Walking Tour – Our guide, William, was incredible.  In fact, had we not waited so long in our trip to book this tour, we would have hired him for private tours.  The size of the Uffizi is absolutely daunting and we did not have any perspective for Renaissance art.  William walked us through various (read: popular) rooms of the Uffizi, helping us understand not only the art but also the political context in which the Renaissance was born.  Obviously, we saw the “big” works of art like The Birth of Venus, but William also taught us a lot about what makes Renaissance art different. He showed us how these artists were able to take flat paintings to new dimensions using color.

I found this to be a great introduction to the museum, the time period, and the art.  I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Uffizi for the first time.  William’s passion for the subject was contagious and he refused to be deterred by the somewhat sluggish enthusiasm by our group.

The only drawback of this tour is that it begins at 1:30; I recommend going on an empty stomach so as not to experience the post-lunch lag.  If you decide not to do a tour, buy your tickets in advance or have your concierge reserve them. Don’t spend all day in line.  Seriously.  Skip the line.  It’s totally a thing.

Da Vinci Museum

VISIT THIS : Museo Leonardo da Vinci – If you are travel with scientists, engineers, or children, this museum is for you!  It is small, but they have rebuilt some of da Vinci’s contraptions exactly as his drawings called for and it’s incredible to see how progressive he was for his time period.  When I visited the da Vinci Museum, I finally understood what it means to be a “Renaissance scholar.”  I know that we like to classify ourselves as “math people” and “non-math people”, but da Vinci proves that you can do both.  Art and science complement each other.

Bonus/fun fact:  It’s located on via dei Servi and right across the street from my apartment!

Gallery Accademia

BOOK THIS:  Timed Entry Ticket & Galleria dell Accademia Tour – Yet another amazing site that was a block from my apartment.  The original David is housed here, so again, you’ll want to buy tickets in advance. Book a skip the line ticket or have your concierge arrange your visit.  I’ve seen these lines snake for blocks down via Ricasoli during high season so save yourself the headache.  I’ve never not seen a line, regardless of the time of year.  This tour provided more insight on the other works in the museum and ended with the David.  Nothing truly prepared me for what it felt like to see this piece in person.  It’s truly not just another sculpture; it’s hard to imagine how Michelangelo was able to create it.  You need to see this, even if you don’t consider yourself a fan of sculpture.  It’s truly beautiful.

Galileo Museum

VISIT THIS:  Museo Galileo  wasn’t my favorite museum to visit, but I’ve recommended it to other scientist/engineer types and they LOVED it. You’ll have to decide for yourself.  There are some really cool things in here, but there wasn’t as much about Galileo has I had hoped.  It’s tucked away on the back side of the Uffizi and offers beautiful views overlooking the Arno.  I would go when it’s least likely to be crowded because it could feel pretty stuffy. We found after lunch to be a good time for our visit.

Palazzo Vecchio

The  Palazzo Vecchio sits in my favorite Piazza della Signoria, and I never thought about what was inside.  I think someone told me it was city offices, and that was that.  One evening, I saw that the doors were open and I found myself inside a beautiful courtyard.  When it came time to plan another trip to Florence, I booked a tour of the Palazzo Vecchio .  It’s a great tour to get an idea of the historical and political timelines of Florence.   You learn more about the Papal rule, the secret hiding places of the Palazzos, and see the huge rooms where political assemblies were held (and Inferno was filmed).  As you climb the stairs of the Palazzo, you will learn more about the rivalries between Florence, Siena, and Pisa.

At the end of the tour, you can make your way up the tower to watch the sunset.  It is beautiful.

BOOK THIS TOUR:   Palazzo Vecchio Tour

Florence with a View

What trip to Florence is complete if you don’t include a list of places where you can experience the same views of Florence that the Renaissance painters did?  Sunrises and sunsets in Florence are especially magical, but don’t forget to look the other way to see the reflection on the opposite side of the sky.  You can also see views of the Florentine countryside from the Duomo cupola or Giotto’s bell tower, but I prefer the views below with limited time in Florence.

Piazzale Michelangelo / San Miniato al Monte

Piazzale Michelangelo – I’ve talked about this place before. It remains one of my favorite places to watch the sunset.  You can take a bottle of wine, some snacks (hello Eataly  – you’re so affordable I can’t even be mad that you took over my favorite bookstore), and enjoy the experience along with a couple hundred of your closest friends (take that for what it’s worth). The sunrise can be particularly beautiful and less crowded, but it requires you to get moving pretty early. The Piazza Michelangelo allows you to experience the vibrant colors of sunset that inspired numerous artists from the Renaissance and beyond.

If crowds aren’t your thing, keep climbing to San Miniato al Monte .  It’s considerably less crowded and offers similar views.

Boboli Gardens (and Pitti Palace)

VISIT THIS:  Boboli Gardens / Pitti Palace – If you want to feel like you have this place to yourself, go when they open.  We arrived shortly after opening, and despite a few school groups, we managed to wander around the gardens for a few hours.  At some point, we emerged onto the terrace near the Porcelain Museum and found ourselves staring at the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside.  Absolutely breathtaking.  You don’t even realize how far above the city you get and, all of the sudden, you find a completely difference side of Florence.  One of my favorite experiences ever.  I still love to imagine what it must have been like to live there and have those gardens be your backyard.  (I’m quite intrigued by the idea of the Vasari Corridor that runs from the Uffizi but I’ve yet to explore it.)

Bardini Gardens

Andrea at the St. Regis suggested the Bardini gardens to us.  It’s definitely less busy than the Boboli Gardens, but the views are just as lovely.  In the spring, the wisteria blooms and smells absolutely divine.  Just watch out for the bees.  (I’m allergic; it is both beautiful and terrifying.)  We really enjoyed spending the morning strolling the grounds.

Golden View

EAT & DRINK:  The Golden View Restaurant and Bar – Again, maybe it’s the nostalgia factor (my friends took me here for my 22nd birthday) but there’s something magical about getting a table overlooking the Ponte Vecchio at night.  There’s an extensive menu (something for everyone), live music, energetic ambiance, and a view.  What’s not to love?  (I’ll own the fact that it might be considered a little touristy.  I definitely come for the view though.)

Under-Appreciated Churches of Florence

Santa croce.

VISIT THIS:  Basilica of St. Croce – Everyone comes to Florence to ooh and ahh over il Duomo and its dome (and rightly so) but keep walking and find St. Croce.  It looks quite a bit smaller than the Duomo, but the inside reveals that you can’t judge a basilica by its facade!  In the early morning light, it is positively enchanting.  You have to go inside.  I also love the artists that hang out in the piazza – they don’t get started until mid-morning, but I find their work to be more authentic than the more touristy areas of Florence.

Orsanmichele Church and Museum

You will pass this church multiple times and probably never notice it.  It boasts one of the most beautiful altar pieces I’ve ever seen.  It’s a beautiful place to sit and rest your feet while taking in the fact that it is a former grain storage facility and you can still see the remnants of that.  The stained glass is also particularly beautiful.  Everything you see in Orsanmichele feels life-like, as though you could insert yourself into the art.  It’s truly beautiful.  Make sure to walk around the entire church to see all the sculptures in their niches – they were novel for their time because they are actually outside of their niche, rather than inside of it.  These artists are truly marvels in their own rights.

VISIT THIS:  Orsanmichele Church and Museum

More Things to Do in Florence

Medici chapels and church of san lorenzo.

A few steps from the Mercato Centrale is the Medici Chapel complex.  If you know a lot about Florentine history or the Medici family, I think you can jump right into this museum.  If you don’t (and we didn’t), I would recommend taking this night tour of Florence and then visiting the Medici chapels.  Either way, I don’t recommend it as one of the first things you do in Florence.  I think the ceiling of the Chapel of the Princes is absolutely breathtaking and the sculpture in the New Sacristy is incredible to see.  I’ve never seen the lines be too long, but you can book a skip the line ticket in advance.

BOOK THIS:  Florence evening walking tour

SKIP THE LINE:  Medici Chapel and Church of San Lorenzo

Food Tour of Florence // Wine Tour of Florence

What is Florence without Chianti?  We love this sunset walking tour of Florence .  It crosses both sides of the Arno and introduces you to the different types of Tuscan wine.  It’s the perfect introduction to the Florentine aperitivo and you’ll get to try different crostini with your wines.  While we’ve certainly had better wine tasting experiences in Tuscany , it’s a great way to see more of Florence on foot.

There are also a number of delicious Florence food tours that are worth considering.  I recommend the sunset tour or the Oltrarno tour.  (Almost every single one of our tour guides raves about restaurants on the Oltrarno.  We are still trying to find all of our favorites, but we’ve had some delicious experiences.)

BOOK THIS:  Sunset wine tour of Florence

EAT & DRINK:  Florence food tour

Fiat 500 Tour of the Florence Countryside

If you’re feeling really adventurous or you can’t bear to not enjoy the rolling hills of Tuscany, skip the day trips and book this vintage Fiat 500 driving tour instead.  You need to be able to drive a standard; vintage Fiats have a double clutch system.  Bring your patience and don’t surprise your husband with this tour.  (I know from experience.  Tell him in advance so he can prepare.)  Nico is a great guide and the views are beautiful.  We enjoyed watching the sunset with wine, cheese, and prosciutto.  FYI:  You’ll want to take a cab to and from the location though.

BOOK THIS:  Sunset driving tour outside of Florence

Day Trips from Florence

I don’t think 3 days in Florence is enough to take a day trip.  There is so much to see and do in Florence.  Stay in Florence.  Tuscany is meant to be savored, and I truly believe it deserves its own trip.  There are several tour operators that offer day trips from Florence to San Gimignano, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and more – but those experiences are too rushed.  You want to explore the Italian hill towns at their best, not their worst.  The best day trip from Florence that I can truly recommend is Fiesole, which is a 20 minute bus ride from the city center.  If you really want to get out of the city center, book a dinner reservation at La Reggia degli Etruschi .

EAT & DRINK:   La Reggia degli Etruschi

Favorite Florence Restaurants

For years, I’ve struggled with putting together a list of my favorite restaurants in Florence .  While I favor authentic flavors, it can be difficult to tell people to get out of the city center completely, especially with only three days to do it.  I think you need to meet people where they are at, and often times, that’s going to be on the side of the river with all the tourist sights.  I’ve had more than a few “meh” meals, but I’ve also found some delicious meals as well.  I’ve also found some kind Florentines who are even kinder when we stumble through in Italian and appreciate their language.  (Seriously – try.)

For Bistecca Fiorentina

With only 3 days in Florence, you need to try bistecca Fiorentina.   Trattoria Sostanza  is my favorite.  The are two competing restaurants that show up on all the “best of” lists ( Buca Mario and Sostanza), but I’ve been coming to Sostanza for over 10 years and they win .  It’s not fancy, it’s not elaborate, it’s not big, and it can be impossible to get into without a reservation… but it’s worth camping out for before they open and begging for a table when they do.  (Just kidding – you don’t have to beg.  They are the nicest and quite friendly.)  If you want ambiance, Buca Mario is a solid option… but Sostanza edges them out for us.  If you’re not a red meat-eater, their petti di pollo al burro (butter chicken) is solid, too.  Many might argue it’s their better dish.

If you need an option to appease those who are not meat eaters, head to Buca dell’Orafo.  There’s more on them below, but they make a delicious bistecca.

EAT & DRINK:  Trattoria Sostanza

EAT & DRINK:  Ristorante Buca dell’Orafo

EAT & DRINK:  Ristorante Buca Mario

For Pasta in Florence

Aimee and I both agree that Trattoria Nella is worth a visit.  (She’s been coming to this restaurant longer than I have been.)  We were lucky enough to get the last table around 9:00pm one evening, and I am so glad we did.  As far as food, we ordered half a liter of wine (so.much.wine.), the misto Toscano (cheese, salami, etc.) as an appetizer, ravioli all noci (walnut ravioli), and penne Nella (penne with a tomato-herb cream sauce).  We really enjoyed our meal.  Service is friendly and leisurely, especially if  you attempt a little Italian.  The ambiance was warm and cozy.  This is a great place to end your day.

EAT & DRINK:  Trattoria Nella

Buca dell’Orafo Florence

We were huddled under umbrellas in the Piazza delle Signornia on our first night in Florence when we were trying to decide what to do about dinner.  We were at the point of calling it a night and heading back to our hotel.  I took us down a side alleyway and my husband stopped to look at the menu for Buca dell’Orafo .  It was busy and he decided to ask for a table.  They gave it to us.  It was the last one – many people after us were turned away.  (Notice a trend?)

I still dream of the primi pasta course – the penne alle carretteria.  It’s a penne pasta with a spicy tomato sauce.  We ordered it “ bis ” (to split), but we really should have ordered our own. It was so fresh and delicious.  Despite the fact that we thought we weren’t hungry, we opted to split the bistecca fiorentina and roasted potatoes.  It was probably one of the most delicious steaks I’ve ever had.  I was a little nervous because we forgot to tell them that we like our steak the way Italians like it (rare-medium rare), and most places will overcook steak for Americans.  Our fears were completely unfounded.  The steak was perfectly cooked and delicious with olive oil.  When we finally pushed our stomachs up the stairs, it had stopped raining and we headed back to our hotel for a good night’s rest.

For Quick, Cheap Eats in Florence

Florence street food.

You wouldn’t think that the panini shop facing the Duomo would be a good experience, but Panini Toscani  is incredible.  What makes this delicious?  Let’s start with the staff.  They kindly welcome you in and explain the different types of meats and cheese, letting you taste a bit of each one.  The different types of bread are also explained.  (The olive bread is my favorite.)  After you choose your meat and cheese, you can add toppings.  (I recommend the sun-dried tomatoes.)  They warm it up (if you choose) and wrap it to go.  There are a few tables inside and a few outside.  The wine is cheap and the sandwiches are delicious.  This will be my first stop on my next trip to Florence.

EAT & DRINK:  Panini Toscani

Located on a few small streets behind the Piazza delle Signoria is I’Girone de Ghiotti .  You’ll notice all the locals standing outside and push your way inside to order. They have a few popular items, but you can also make your own.  The olive pate is incredible (and the staff agreed that it was a very good choice).  Sun-dried tomatoes are succulent.  The salami had a delicious flavor.  Nothing we ate was bad.  There are stools behind the counter and a small sitting area upstairs.  Either way, you’l want to savor every bit of this fresh panini.  Y’all.  Subway sucks after eating all of these delicious sandwiches.

EAT & DRINK:  I’girone de Ghiotti

If you are feeling adventurous, you can head to the original window at Da’ Vinattieri and order the lamperodotto.  If you aren’t that brave, head to the tiny sandwich shop and make your own panini.  I think they have some of the best prosciutto of all the sandwich shops, and you can even add balsamic vinegar to your panini.  Next time I’ll be trying the truffle cream because it smelled absolutely delicious.

EAT & DRINK:  Da’ Vinattieri

‘Ino is a little intimidating, particularly if you arrive during the lunch rush.  It’s tucked behind the Uffizi gallery and offers delicious, fresh sandwiches on the traditional schiacciata bread.  The menu is actually on the wall facing the cash register.  Your basic Italian skills will be much appreciated.  Tom recommends the prosciutto and pecorino.  I recommend anything with the prosciutto.  We actually went to ‘Ino two days in a row because I liked it so much.  It was so busy that we took it to go and enjoyed it back in our room.  (Yet another benefit to staying at the Hotel Gallery Art.)

EAT & DRINK:  ‘Ino Firenze

One of our tour guides recommended I’Raddi as a great option for lunch.  This small restaurant in the Oltrarno has a takeaway counter, but it also has a small sitting area upstairs.  We opted for a table and a menu on a cold and rainy day.  We loved the Pomodoro e pappas (especially on a cold day).  My mom finally found the coccoli e straticella cheese that she had been pining over for 9 years, and I had a delicious spicy salami panini.  Tom tried to the lampredotto.  Service was very friendly, but you’ll want to practice your Italian.  There’s not a lot of English spoken here – but it’s worth it.  The food is delicious and perfect for lunch or apertivo.

EAT & DRINK:  I Raddi di Santo Spirito

Pizza in Florence

If you find yourself in the Oltarno, Gusta Pizza is a solid option for a hot meal in Florence that won’t break the bank.  Favorited by students (undoubtedly for its prices), there’s usually a line and you’ll have to fight for a shared table (or take it to go).  The pizza is served piping hot and always fresh.  Be prepared for a line though.  The Gusta “franchise” seems to be taking over, and we were disappointed that we didn’t have a chance to try Gusta Panino on our last trip.  (It’s right around the corner in Santo Spirito.)  If you are looking for a great late night option and you don’t want to wait in line, I think that  Munaciello or O’Scugnizzo are good for cheap pizza, as well as a place to sit.

EAT & DRINK:  Gusta Pizza

EAT & DRINK:  ‘O Munaciello

EAT & DRINK:  Pizzeria O’Scugnizzo

Mercato Centrale

I know I’ve said that I don’t trust any fresh pasta to go places in Italy, but there’s always an exception to the rule.  On the first floor of the Mercato Centrale , there’s a fresh pasta place.  ( Not the one on the second floor.  The first floor one.)  You can see them make the pasta on the side of the stall.  And, when you’re done ogling it, you can buy lunch for 5 euro.  This is the best 5 euro meal you will find in Florence.  I recommend anything with the tomato and olive sauce.  Tom recommends the olive oil and parmesan.  Skip the pesto.   We’ve been spoiled by the pesto of Cinque Terre and nothing ever measures up.  There’s a small counter that you eat at.  I could have eaten here for every meal but settled for two.

Bonus:  Go find the bakery that offers Occhi di bue.  It’s the most delicious cookie.  Apricot or Nutella?  Both win in my book.

Pro tip:  You can skip (most of) the crowds of the San Lorenzo market by entering through the back entrance.

EAT & DRINK:   La Primeria by FN Pasta Fresca (1st floor location!)

For a Social Meal

My husband really loves tours when we travel and I really love experiences.  Cooking classes are a great way to do both and bring a souvenir of sorts home.  I’ve taken both a  pizza and gelato class  and a fresh pasta class . Neither disappoint.  These classes are small and very hands on.  At the end of the class, you descend into the wine cellar to enjoy your creations with your new friends and wine.  It’s a great way to meet other people who are visiting Florence and learn new skills at the same time.

BOOK THIS:  Pizza and gelato cooking class in Florence

BOOK THIS:   Fresh pasta cooking class in Florence

Gelato in Florence

I can’t say that I’ve never met a gelato I didn’t love.  There is some seriously bad gelato out there.  Here are a few pro tips as you start your gelato quest though.  One, if it’s piled high and brightly colored, keep walking.  Gelato should be fresh and fresh gelato doesn’t pile high.  Two, expensive gelato is not a marker of good gelato.  Be wary of the places charging six euro for a single cone.  You’re getting ripped off if you pay that much. There’s a gelato place near Orsanmichele that takes the prices off the sign at night and we watched someone pay 14 euro for a cone to go.  FOURTEEN EURO.  No gelato is worth 14 euro.  (Their price during the day is 6 euro.  That’s still too high for a piccolo.

The most expensive gelato that I will tolerate is Edoardo , and he’s right in front of the Duomo.

Gelato is a personal adventure, and I take the journey very seriously.  I think you should try multiple places (and flavors) and see what works for you.  (There’s one place that is in all the travel guides that I think is terrible.)  Tom’s favorite flavors are bacio (hazelnut chocolate) and nocciola (hazelnut).  I love both of those, but I also love the fruit flavors.  I’ve yet to meet a fruity gelato I didn’t love.  I think Tom feels cheated every time I order fruit flavors.  That being said, here are a few of my favorite gelaterias in Florence.

Vivoli is a cult classic.  It’s near Santa Croce, and I’ve been coming here since 2004.  The service is gruff.  You pay before you order.  If you take too long to decide on your flavor combination, they move on.  Like many of my favorite Florentine memories, I come to Vivoli for my bacio e nocciola.  There’s a bench across the street where I will sit and watch the world go by.  I used to say that the beautiful of Florence is that nothing changes, but then the Turkish restaurant below my apartment closed and I was thrown off.  Vivoli is a reminder that the best parts of Florence don’t change.

EAT & DRINK:  Vivoli

Gelateria dei Neri

Near the end of all the cheap delicious eats on Via dei Neri is Gelateria dei Neri .  Like almost every other establishment on Via dei Neri, there is almost always a line at the gelateria.  Like Vivoli, I come here for my cult classic of bacio.  I think they have the best bacio in Florence.  I’m very happy to get un piccolo cono con bacio, solemente, per favore and make my way back to the Piazza delle Signoria or to Piazza Santa Croce.

EAT & DRINK:  Gelateria dei Neri

Gelateria Santa Trinita

Right across the Santa Trinita bridge (with the best views of the Ponte Vecchio) is the delicious Gelateria Santa Trinita .  This gelateria is the best value in Florence.  It’s also my personal favorite.  I particularly like the fruit flavors here.  Where it’s fragola (strawberry) e limon (lemon), mandarino (tangerine) e lampone (rasperry), or arancia (orange) and fruiti di bosco (mixed berries), I will mix and match fruits until my heart is content.  The bonus of Santa Trinita is that you can stand along the bridge and admire the Ponte Vecchio at any time of day, though sunset and evenings are my favorites.  (We also counted down the New Year on this bridge – magical.)

EAT & DRINK:  Gelateria Santa Trinita

A block away from Gelateria Santa Trinita and across the Ponte al Carraia is La Carraia , and it’s Tom’s favorite gelato.  La Carraia tends to have more exotic flavors, but they make a really delicious bacio.  I wanted to try their green apple, but sometimes you have to make the husband happy.  (Believe it or not, we share our gelato… because we eat so much of it in Florence.  I stopped counting but Tom gave me a count one day, and I was appalled.  Good thing we walk a lot.)  The best thing about La Carraia is that they are open until midnight, so whether we’re staying at the Hotel Gallery Art or the St. Regis, we can get a gelato fix.  (It’s equidistant from both.)

EAT & DRINK:  La Carraia Gelateria

If you find yourself deep in the Oltrarno, it’s worth finding Sbrino .  Sbrino does not open early because all the gelato is made fresh daily.  It stays open late and you can find it because of the lights outside (or the line).  It has the most imaginative flavors I’ve ever seen in Florence.  On our last trip, we tried a white chocolate hazelnut bit of goodness.  It was so good that Tom wanted to go back after dinner and get it again.  I also think that Sbrino has the friendliest staff of any of the gelaterias.

EAT & DRINK:  Sbrino Gelatifico Contadino

Where to Stay in Florence

St. regis florence.

After realizing that my Florence apartment will never again be my home, I have made the deliberate choice that the St. Regis Florence  could be my home away from home.  Every single room I have stayed in is beautiful.  No two rooms at the St. Regis Florence are the same.  The staff is, without question, the best in the business.  We always feel so welcome by everyone – from the doorman to the front office manager.  I love that the location is slightly removed from the crowds. I love being able to listen to the Arno rush by my room. On New Year’s Eve, we redeemed points and we had a room with a Duomo view.  I didn’t hate it either.  😉

Whenever I was sad or lonely during my study abroad semester , I would sit on the banks of the Arno. Sometimes I would write in my journal.  It would remind me that life is beautiful and there is so much yet to be explored.  I’ve always chosen the river view rooms at the St. Regis for that constant reminder.  There are plenty of posts that recap the rooms of the St. Regis, but it’s always the first place I check when I start planning a trip to Italy.

STAY:  St. Regis Florence

Gallery Hotel Art

This hotel might be the best kept secret in Florence hotels.  We stumbled upon it when the St. Regis was completely sold out for April and Tom wanted to stay somewhere more central because of my hip issues.  Despite its prime location, the room rates are incredibly reasonable.  The Gallery Hotel Art is set right off the Ponte Vecchio on a quiet square.  Our room (110) did not have any sort of a view, but it was quiet.  (I did miss the natural light in the afternoon though.)  You can read my entire review of the Gallery Hotel Art.   (If you are looking for more upscale options, check out my full review of the Hotel Lungarno and others owned by the same group!)

This hotel (and a few others) are owned by Salvatore Ferragamo and the design elements are on point.  My favorite part is the striped curtains (and the blackout shutters), but the large bathroom with dual sinks and the soaking tub are great, too.  The bath amenities smell incredible, and I certainly hoarded them to bring home and relieve my best vacation life.  It’s worth nothing that you receive spa privileges at the Continentale , and they literally called someone in when I asked for a massage and they didn’t have anyone available.  How’s that for five-star service?

While I’m loathe to admit it (because I love the St. Regis so much), this hotel is beautiful and convenient for sightseeing.  You’re less than a 5 minute walk from the Piazza della Signoria and the Piazza della Repubblica.  You can be in the Oltrarno in less than 10 minutes.  It was particularly nice, given my hip pain issues.  If you’re someone who likes being in the middle of everything, the Gallery Hotel Art is definitely worth checking out.

STAY:  Gallery Hotel Art

Arte Boutique Hotel

We stayed at the Arte Boutique Hotel in Florence in June 2021 when the St. Regis wasn’t open yet.  I chose this hotel because of its location.  The unique design of the rooms also appealed to me.  The art is absolutely amazing, and it works really well with the bright accents in the room.  The hotel is two blocks from the Duomo, two blocks from the Accademia, and two blocks from the apartment I lived in when I studied abroad.  It’s a great value, particularly given its premier location.

We booked a king deluxe room that included a sofa that could be converted to a bed.  (We were assigned room 8.)  While the room was on the smaller side for Florence, it was perfect for what we needed between the two of us.  (It would be tough to have 2 adults and an older child in this room.)  I found the linens to be nice and the bed to be pretty comfortable.  We had a large wardrobe with plenty of hanging and storage space.  The room offers a mini-fridge, tea service and a safe.  I didn’t have any trouble doing zoom calls with the wifi and the desk was nice for working.  Our room had a slight view of Giotto’s bell tower.  

The bathroom had a walk-in shower, a single sink and a heated towel rack.  Our shower offered a rain showerhead, as well as a hand shower.  (The water pressure with the hand shower was very good.)  It was separated from the room by a pocket door, which was really nice for maximizing space.        

The staff here is absolutely lovely.  They were so helpful and always eager to assist with anything we needed.  Our room rate did not include breakfast, but the breakfast room and small hotel bar have a nice interior courtyard with a view. Everything was very clean and very well maintained.  There is an elevator in the building and the rooms have AC.  

Valet parking was 25 euros per night.  They picked up the car from us after we checked in and delivered it quickly when we were ready to check out.

STAY HERE:   Arte Boutique Hotel           

Travel Tips for Getting To and Around Florence  

By plane or by train.

I have flown directly into FLR at 10:00pm and grabbed a cab to the city centre.  Easy enough.  You can also take the tram from the airport to the train station.  It’s very easy and the ride is quite smooth.  It takes about 20 minutes.

In 2010, I flew into Pisa and boarded the Terrevision bus to Florence Santa Maria Novella (the main train station).  We arrived around midnight, so we snagged a cab to our hotel.  There’s a taxi line outside the main entrance to SMN.  Just exit the platforms and keep walking straight ahead and out the main doors.  In 2015, 2016 and 2017, we arrived via train from Rome (easy trip), from Pisa (even easier trip), and from Siena (not-as-easy trip) and grabbed a cab to the St. Regis.

Arrival is basically the only time when I use cabs because cobblestones shred plastic wheels.  When I studied abroad, I walked to/from the train station to my apartment with my weekender bag.  It doesn’t take more than 10-15 minutes to get most places. Despite throngs of tourists, it’s manageable.  It’s even more manageable now that the city center is mostly a pedestrian zone.

In 2018 and 2019, we drove into Florence.  In spring 2018, we dropped off the car at the Hertz office right down the street from our hotel.  When we came for New Year’s Eve, we used the valet service at the St. Regis .  And, when we returned in 2019, we used the valet service at the Gallery Hotel Art .  In all cases it, was very easy.  They registered our car so we were not charged for being in the ZTL zones.  Getting out of Florence from the Gallery Hotel Art was more difficult, but that’s because Tom thought he knew more than the map.  We took a very scenic route through the city center.  😉

The best way to experience Florence is to walk. I love ducking down small streets to see where they lead, climbing through winding streets that lead to the Piazzale Michelangelo , and watching the world go by in large piazzas.  Florence does all of that extremely well. The city is a complex maze of one way streets. You’ll miss a lot of Florence’s charm if you don’t explore it thoroughly on foot. Wander. Explore. Get lost. You’ll never be far from home because Florence just isn’t that big.

The Best Florence Souvenir

One of my favorite things we’ve done in Florence is book a portrait session with Cristiano from Facibeni Fotographia .  We were not disappointed with the results.  He did a fantastic job capturing us at all my favorite places in my beautiful city.  These portrait sessions (we booked  L’amour de Paris  for our honeymoon and Ksenia in Venice for our 4th anniversary) are some of my favorite souvenirs.  It’s a fun way to get advice from a local on places to go, things to see, and what their favorite experiences are, too.  Cristiano is actually who convinced us to go to Budapest when we weren’t entirely sure about going (and I’m so glad he did)!

Download DIY tours of the most popular sites in Florence.  Rick Steves offers free audio walking tours of the Accademia, the Bargello Museum, the San Marco Museum, the Uffizi Gallery, and a city walking tour .  If you want to teach yourself a little Italian, I’ve been using the DK Eyewitness Phrase Book and CD since 2004.  I’m a believer.

Tom and I love a good travel guide for trip planning purposes.  I prefer pocket-sized books that fit easily into my day bag, my carry-on bag, or even Tom’s pocket.  Thus, Florence and Tuscany Day-by-Day and Top 10 Florence & Tuscany are my favorite guides.  My most recent purchase is the DK Florence and Tuscany Travel Guide .  Tom prefers the Rick Steves guide to Florence because of the history and walking tour maps.

There is no shortage of Florence content on this blog.  Feel free to click around to get more ideas on how to plan the perfect trip to Florence.

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Sara loves to help people use their vacation time more effectively by planning beautiful, memorable, and delicious trips. She spends several weeks every year exploring Italy and central Europe. In addition to her full-time job, she is constantly searching for beautiful places and spaces. She loves the direct flights between Dallas and Italy, France, and Germany but is always up for wherever a great deal on an airline ticket will take her. (Sara also really loves European Christmas markets and tries to visit at least one new one every holiday season.)

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22 comments.

Florence seems utterly gorgeous! If I ever get to visit, I’ll definitely stay at your “home”/hotel 😉 I totally love the pictures of it!

Ahh, that hotel is gorgeous! That canopy over the bed, is beautiful!

It’s all so amazing!!!!

OMG I think I might need to cancel our current hotel reservations for Florence and change hotels to Hotel California!! Stunning rooms!! #WednesdayWanderlust

Such a great guide to Florence. It’s always good to read about a place from someone who’s lived there and knows all its ins and outs. Florence is one of my favourite cities and I agree with you about the Santa Croce – the interior is amazing although the exterior of the Duomo always takes my breath away. Great tip about the guide for when you visit the Uffizi. #WanderfulWednesday

Florence looks gorgeous! The architecture of the buildings and churches are just so charming. I’d love to visit Palazzo Vecchio one day. Love that you arranged a photo shoot to capture the beauty of this place with you two in it.

Ok I’m officially hungry now! Can I just hop in your suitcase on your next fabulous trip across the pond?

Thanks so much for this great post.  We are headed to Florence soon so I was so excited to hear all of the recommendations that you gave.  I’ll be pinning it for future reference.  

Your photos are absolutely magical and made me want to go to Florence pronto! The views from both the Boboli and Bardini gardens are stunning. I realise that I still have so much to discover in Italy. 

Great tips! I used to live in Florence, so I really appreciate the gelato section. Such a magical city, and you go a great job of helping people get around.

Wow! The Bardini Gardens look beautiful. We missed out on them when we visited. I love that you’ve included so many gelato places. One of my favorite things about Italy!! 

I had a hard time finding good gelato spots in Florence without any prior research. Clearly I didn’t look hard enough as your recommendations look delicious! We liked Gusta pizza, but my favorite was O’Vesuvio. We went since it was the Jersey Shore place, but it was actually extremely good!

I love this comprehensive guide! I’ve been to Florence for 2 days and it definitely wasn’t enough time! I wish I could’ve also visited the Da Vinci Museum. It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing this. This guide will help me planning my second trip 🙂

Oh wow this is such a comprehensive guide! Firenze is on my bucket list! xoxo

the description given here is awesome. highly appreciated. thank you. keep smiling u both, forever

Such a great post!!! I visited many years ago, but have been dreaming of returning.

Grazie mille for this in-depth review. My wife is Turinese and I live there halftime. I agree with most everything you say, but I’d swap your third day suggestion of going to Rivoli with Veneria. Veneria is so cool, especially when the garden is in bloom. I’d say it is no more difficult to reach on the Veneria Express (from Palazzo Reale or Porta Susa), or the 11 or… I think the 72 (both with a walk at the end).

I was in Florence in Aug 2017 for some personal work. Although i did not visit many places but Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, The Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia. I was planning for Rome but due to lack time drop it. Hope to return soon.

You’ll need to stay in Florence for at least 3 days if you want to see everything the city has to offer. Four days in Florence will give you a little more time to see the city if you’d like to travel more slowly.

I was thoroughly impressed by your article. The way you approached the topic was refreshing, and I enjoyed the depth of analysis and research you put into it. Your writing style was engaging and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing your valuable insights, and I can’t wait to see what you write next.

Your information has been incredibly helpful to me, and I am so grateful for the time and effort you put into gathering and presenting it. Your expertise and knowledge on the subject are truly impressive, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from you. Thank you so much for your generosity and support.

Great post. It’s very well organized and quite informative. Keep it up.

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Florence Is Italy's Cultural Capital — Here's Where to Eat, Stay, and Visit, According to an Expert

This local's guide to compact, walkable Florence, Italy, shares the best restaurants, shops, and museums to visit on your trip.

Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015 and going freelance in 2016. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure , her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest , Surface Magazine , Brooklyn Magazine , T Magazine , The Wall Street Journal , Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country , Condé Nast Traveler , Robb Report , Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy"

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best shopping, best nightlife, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, neighborhoods to visit, how to get around.

Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

Capital of Tuscany, cradle of the Renaissance, and one of Italy’s most popular destinations, Florence needs little introduction. A World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame honoree , it consistently ranks as one of Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite cities thanks to its rich history, artistic treasures, and delicious food and wine, much of which comes from the nearby hills of Chianti and Montalcino. Florence is a must-visit destination for a rich cultural immersion in Italian art and history.

Though the historic center is relatively compact, it’s crammed with museums containing priceless works of art, churches that are architectural masterpieces, restaurants, bars, and shops selling everything from gastronomic specialties to handmade leather goods and jewelry. In fact, Florence has always been a haven for artisans practicing traditional crafts, and today, you can still find artisan-made goods if you know where to look. 

It would take years to see and do everything Florence has to offer, which is why we’ve enlisted the help of local expert Mary Gray , the editor-in-chief of Italy magazine who has lived in Florence for more than a decade. “The things that drew me here were the same things that draw all visitors and students here, but what’s kept me here has evolved over the years,” she says. “The city is gloriously walkable and compact while having many of the cultural offerings of a much larger and more metropolitan place.”

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• The Helvetia & Bristol Firenze is the city’s oldest luxury hotel, and after a top-to-bottom renovation, it’s more glamorous than ever.
• The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the greatest works of art ever created.
• La Scuola del Cuoio carries on Florence’s historic leather-making tradition and is the perfect place to buy a high-quality artisan bag.
• A sunset aperitivo at La Terrazza at the Hotel Continentale is the perfect segue into a lovely evening in Florence.
• When in Florence, you must try the bistecca alla Fiorentina; the best place to get it is Regina Bistecca.

The St. Regis Florence

Voted the number one hotel in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards , this opulent grand dame has pride of place along the Arno River. Contemporary art curated by Liquid Art System adds a touch of modernity to the otherwise classic decor. Don’t miss an aperitivo in the Winter Garden.  

Helvetia & Bristol Firenze

With a score of 94.75, Florence’s oldest luxury hotel closely follows the St. Regis in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. A major renovation in 2019 restored this member of the Leading Hotels of the World to its original glory, adding a soothing spa and outpost of Cibrèo restaurant and café. “I love to go to the spa at the Helvetia & Bristol when I’m in the mood to give myself the ‘staycation’ treatment,” Gray says.

Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel

The Rocco Forte Hotels group is known for impeccable design and service, and the Hotel Savoy certainly fulfills those promises, earning it a spot as the third-best hotel in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. Standout details include colorful textiles by Laudomia Pucci, menus designed by lauded chef Fulvio Pierangelini, and views of the Duomo.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Courtesy of Four Seasons

More like an urban resort than a city hotel, the Four Seasons Firenze occupies the historic Palazzo della Gherardesca and is home to Florence's most extensive private garden. Original frescoes and period furnishings immerse guests in Renaissance splendor, and a meal at the Michelin-starred Il Palagio is a feast for the senses. No wonder this hotel ranked the fourth best in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards.

Owned by the noble Ginori family, who once used the building as the headquarters of their world-famous ceramics production, Casa G. is a 15-room boutique hotel. A more affordable alternative to the city’s luxury five-star hotels, it offers style at prices that won’t break the bank. 

Admire incredible art at the Uffizi Gallery.

Florence is packed full of museums, but if you only go to one, make it the Uffizi Galleries , which contains a collection from the 13th to the 20th century. Must-see paintings include Botticelli’s Birth of Venus , Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch , and Caravaggio’s Bacchus . 

Learn about Brunelleschi’s masterpiece at the Opera del Duomo Museum.

The Duomo is Florence's most recognizable landmark with its symbolic red terracotta tiled roof and Gothic facade. However, many of the great artworks created for it now reside in the nearby Opera del Duomo Museum . “This is definitely one of the most spectacular museums in the city and maybe in all of Italy,” Gray says. “I always tell visitors that if they’re deciding between going inside the cathedral or going inside the museum, there’s no contest.”

Visit the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.

With a history that stretches back to 1221, this is considered the world’s oldest pharmacy , where Dominican friars produced medicinal tinctures and perfumes. It was the official perfumer of Catherine de’ Medici and officially opened its doors to the public in 1542. The brand now sells its perfumes worldwide, but the original shop was turned into a sort of museum worth a visit.

Stroll through the Boboli and Bardini Gardens.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Behind Palazzo Pitti, the Medicis’ royal palace, the Boboli Gardens are the archetype of the classic Renaissance Italian gardens, with fountains, grottoes, and statues. The same ticket will grant you access to the Gardens of the Villa Bardini, which has incredible views of Florence and, in the spring, wisteria-covered pergolas.

Explore Markets like the Mercato Centrale and the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio.

Though the stalls outside the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo mainly sell fake leather goods and cheap souvenirs, the actual market is worth visiting. On the ground floor, vendors sell produce, meat, cheeses, fish, and other groceries, while the upper floor has been turned into an upscale food hall. The Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is a “great convergence point in the city for visitors and residents,” according to Gray. There’s also a flea market nearby in Largo Annigoni.

 Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images

La Scuola del Cuoio

Established post-World War II as a way to help orphans learn a trade, the Scuola del Cuoio still teaches students the art of leather-making. You can tour the school, learn about the process, and then buy original bags, wallets, belts, and other leather items.

Scarpelli Mosaici

Scarpelli Mosaici is one of the few remaining workshops that still makes mosaics and inlaid marble items the traditional way. Head to the shop near the Duomo to watch the artisans at work and buy a unique piece. They also work on commissions to make inlaid marble tables and other beautiful objects.

Marina Calamai

“ I’ve always been super inspired by Marina Calamai , who I think of as a true contemporary Renaissance woman,” Gray says about this jeweler and artist. “Her hands are in a ton of different artistic initiatives and green projects around Florence and the greater metropolitan area, but window-shopping her jewelry and art studio on Via Santo Spirito is a regular part of my daily route; I always love seeing what she’s come up with.”

Alberto Cozzi Rilegatore

Gray recommends this family-run shop opened in 1908, specializing in bookbinding, paper marbling, and the restoration of antique books. Stop by one of their shops — located on Via del Parione and Via Sant’Agostino — to pick up some stationary, a leather-bound journal, or have a book repaired.

Pegna dal 1860

“ Pegna is where I go in a pinch when I need to pick up travel-friendly non-perishables to take back to the ‘foodies’ among my stateside family and friends,” Gray notes. “Though it’s a historic local grocery, I do love that there is a range of products sourced from all over Italy, like capers from Pantelleria and Krumiri Rossi from Piedmont.”

Peter Adams/Getty Images

La Terrazza at the Hotel Continentale

It should come as no surprise that one of the best rooftop bars in Florence is run by the Ferragamo family. Book in advance if you want a spot at this small al fresco bar overlooking the Arno River. It’s incredibly atmospheric for a sunset aperitivo. 

Companion Dolceamaro Bar at 25Hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino

Gray likes the 25Hours Hotel for its variety of nightlife options, which includes the lobby lounge, the courtyard, and the intimate Companion Dolceamaro Bar . It has a wide selection of bitters, vermouths, and cocktails, but the most popular option is the Negroni, which has several versions. 

Vineria Sonora

“In Florence in recent years, it’s felt like a lot of venues have tamped down their personalities or strayed from their niches to appeal to more people or just to become more Instagrammable,” Gay says. “I love that Vineria Sonora stubbornly embraces doing its own thing, focusing on fun music and offbeat wines from small, independent producers. It’s perfect for pre-dinner or nightcap, and I love that it draws such a mix of demographics and ages.”

Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

Alla Vecchia Bettola

“There’s definitely more to Florentine dining than steak, but when I’m craving one now and then, this is where I go,” Gray says about this no-frills trattoria with tables crammed together and stools instead of chairs. “I love sitting elbow-to-elbow and swilling back the house wine, but this admittedly isn’t the best place to go if you need to have a deep conversation over dinner —  you’re lucky if you can hear your seatmate over the ruckus!”

Regina Bistecca

For bistecca alla fiorentina and other Tuscan classics, including pillowy ricotta and spinach gnudi, in a more refined but still laid-back atmosphere, head to this lovely restaurant near the Duomo. The building used to be an antiquarian bookshop with soaring arches and the owners have kept the charming vintage vibes.

Borgo San Jacopo

For an unforgettable fine dining experience, book a table at this Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Lungarno Hotel, which is part of the Ferragamo family’s empire. The nautical-inspired interiors might make you feel like you’re on a yacht floating on the Arno as you savor one of Chef Claudio Mengoni’s exquisite tasting menus.

Trattoria Cammillo

“When one of my best friends who traded in Florence for London a few years ago comes back to town for visits we always love to make a splashy Saturday of it and have a special-occasion lunch at Cammillo . It’s a step up in price point from your average shabby-chic trattoria, but still has a soulful, neighborhood feel, which I love,” Gray says.

The Cibrèo family of restaurants encompasses five locations in Florence. There’s the restaurant, the trattoria, the café, the Tuscan-Oriental fusion spot, and a new outpost inside the Helvetia & Bristol Hotel. When Gray used to teach travel writing to university students, she sometimes brought them to Cibrèo Caffè. “This is still one of my favorite ways to spend a special morning out in Florence,” she maintains.

Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

The best time to visit Florence for fewer crowds is November through March. Summer is hot and crowded. Gray says, “A real ‘low season’ in Florence isn’t much of a thing anymore.” She loves January and February but posits that March is an excellent middle ground because the weather is good, the local event scene tends to pick up after a winter hiatus, and the crowds usually swell around Easter.

Easter is a significant celebration throughout Italy, and in Florence, the festivities include the Scoppio del Carro, in which a wooden cart pulled by flower-adorned oxen explodes directly in front of the Duomo. Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of Italy’s oldest music festivals. It typically starts mid-April and runs through mid-June, with classical music concerts, operas, and other performances. The city also celebrates its patron saint, St. John the Baptist, on June 24 with a game of Calcio Storico, a mix of rugby, soccer, and wrestling, with participants wearing 16th-century costumes. 

Florence is served by the Amerigo Vespucci Airport, which is about half an hour from the city center. It’s also easy to get to Florence by train from elsewhere in Italy. High-speed Frecciarossa trains run frequently from major cities like Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Venice. The Frecciarossa takes about 90 minutes from Rome, two hours from Milan, 40 minutes from Bologna, and a little more than two hours from Venice. The central train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

Duomo: Also known as San Giovanni, the part of the centro storico that covers the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria is the very heart of the city. This area is packed with sites, including the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Repubblica, and the banks of the Arno.

Evgeniya Vlasova /Travel + Leisure

Santa Croce: Just east of the Duomo, Santa Croce is known for the Basilica di Santa Croce, which contains incredible frescoes by Giotto and the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. The neighborhood is home to the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, which, according to Gray, is a hidden gem.  

Santa Maria Novella: Santa Maria Novella is the neighborhood where you’ll find the train station and basilica of the same name. The western part of the neighborhood beyond the train station is primarily residential, but the area around the basilica is home to some upscale hotels, restaurants, and bars.

San Lorenzo: The small area between the train station and the Duomo is San Lorenzo, the city’s central market district. Beware of the stalls selling fake leather or souvenirs made in China. On the other hand, you’ll find vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat on the ground floor. The upper floor houses a food hall selling local specialties like lampredotto (tripe sandwiches) and schiacciata (a Tuscan flatbread).

Oltrarno: Literally ‘across the Arno,’ Oltrarno is a more laid-back, slightly bohemian area. Gray, who has lived in Oltrarno for the entirety of her time in Florence, says, “I’ve watched it change a lot over the past decade-plus; artisan studios and workers’ neighborhood trattorie are being replaced by generic Aperol Spritz spots and run-of-the-mill shops, but if you know where to look (and hint: it’s not where the long lines are), you’ll find Florentine traditions and long-standing independent shops quietly humming on.”

The historic center of Florence is compact and very walkable. Much of it has been pedestrianized or is part of a limited traffic zone. A car is a hindrance rather than a help, but taxis, buses, and trams are available to transport you to or from the airport or train station. 

Autolinee Toscane: Autolinee Toscane runs the buses and trams that connect Florence with the greater metropolitan area. Tickets cost 1.70 euros if you buy them in advance at ticket offices or ticket machines or 3 euros if you buy them on board.

Taxi: There are two taxi companies in Florence: Taxi4242 and Taxi4390 . A trip to or from the airport costs a flat rate of 22 euros (plus possible surcharges for luggage), but usually, fares are calculated based on the time and distance traveled. Use the itTaxi app to hail a taxi.

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Florence travel blog — the fullest florence travel guide for a great budget trip for first-timers.

Florence is often hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a lot of valuable historical places to visit. Florence is also considered the birthplace of the Renaissance art and architecture in Europe between the 15th and 16th centuries. It still retains almost intact works of art, ancient beauty features from hundreds of years ago, notably the brown brick houses with its signature red tile roofs stretching many blocks. In 1982, Historic Centre of Florence was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. So, what to do and how to plan a budget perfect trip to Florence for the first-time? Let’s check out our Florence travel blog (Florence blog, Florence Italy blog, Florence Italy travel blog) with the fullest Florence travel guide (Florence Italy travel guide, Florence guide) from how to get, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

• A quick guide to Florence — Florence travel tips & what to do in Florence for first-timers
• Where to eat in Florence? — 13+ top restaurants & best places to eat in Florence
• What to eat in Florence? — 17+ must try food in Florence & best food to eat in Florence
• Visit Accademia Gallery Florence to admire 50 ‘shades’ of David
• Florence itinerary 1 day — How to spend a day in Florence perfectly?

Florence travel blog: Overview of Florence

Florence (Italian: Firenze) is the capital of the Tuscany region and is located in the central of Italy. The city of Florence is only 300km to the south from Milan and 280 km to the north from Rome.

Florence was founded in 50 BC when Emperor Julius Caesar’s soldiers started building barracks here. It was once the capital of the Kingdom of Italy in the period of 1865 – 1870. This more than two thousand years old city is famous not only for its many ancient architectural masterpieces but also for the home of the Renaissance movement in Europe covering the 15th and 16th centuries.

Since the 13th century, Florence was the living place and ruling of many powerful clans. Thanks to the protection and support of these clans, Florence has had the opportunity to develop its comprehensive range of cultural and artistic values. Many the world’s greatest geniuses in many fields have appeared here such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Sandro Botticelli, Donatello… They have revolutionized poetry, painting, sculpture and architecture.

This revolution of culture and art of the city that spread to many other Italian cities and then to other countries in Europe, creating a historical period in Europe that was called the Renaissance Period. Therefore, up to now, mankind still considers Florence the cradle of the Renaissance movement in Europe.

Florence travel blog: When to visit?

Florence has a clear differentiation in weather during the year. Summer is long, hot, sweltering, especially in July and August. Winter begins from December to March, although the temperature is not too cold but wet, causing the inconvenience for your trip.

The best time to go to Florence is in spring (March-May) and in autumn (September-October), the weather is cool, not too cold or too hot and avoid crowded with tourists.

Florence blog: Where to stay?

During my trip to Florence, I stayed at the Le Burella apartment , right in the heart of Florence. The room rate at €54/night for 3 people. The apartment has 2 bedrooms and the above price is for one room. It also has a toilet, a kitchen. I like this place most because of its very convenient location. Just a few hundred meters to Piazza del Duomo (Duomo Square), Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square)… The downside is probably the house is quite old, the floor is bad, and the bathroom is cramped. The quality of the house is worse than I thought. If you only need a place to sleep after a long day of sightseeing in Florence and do not have many requirements, you can stay here .

Also you can refer to a bugalow at Firenze Camping ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) for €39/2-3 people/room. Rooms here are very new, clean and also have an outdoor swimming pool. This place is about 20 minutes from the center of Florence, around there are many restaurants, supermarkets, bars. This is one of the accommodations that get the most reviews (with over 13,000 reviews on Booking.com ).

Another better option if you want to stay right near the center is Guest House Biffi Simone . The day I came, this place was out of room, so I couldn’t book. This accommodation also has a very convenient location, just 600 meters from Duomo square, it’s very modern and new. Price at €54/night for 2 people.

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Hotel Pendini , a top rated 3-star hotel with room rates from $141/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Hotel David , a top rated 3-star hotel with room rates from $191/night (Check rates on  Booking.com ).
• The Westin Excelsior Florence , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $350/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Hotel Lungarno , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $425/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Hotel Spadai , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $148/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Hotel Spadai , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $355/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Check out more best and top hotels in Florence on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Florence travel guide: How to get to Florence?

From other cities to florence.

Florence is located on the main railway of the country and connects to many other famous tourist cities of Italy such as Pisa (1 hour by train), Venice (2 hours), Rome (2.5 hours), Milan (2.5 hours), Siena, Bologna (1 hour). Therefore, the most convenient way to get to Florence from other cities is by train such as Italo train.

You can search the tickets at OMIO to buy tickets online if you have determined the exact travel time. If not, I still recommend you to buy tickets at tickets vending machines or ticket counters at train stations. Because with this way you can take the initiative on your travel schedule. However, the ticket price will be higher than online booking many days in advance. You can use code linhm0h7b4w6d to get a €10 discount when the booking value is over €40. You enter the above code in the Travel bonus form in the received an invite code section.

You can also take the Flixbus bus, which is cheaper and a little longer. If you can hunt for tickets early, the bus price is very cheap, sometimes only half the price of the train. Find tickets here .

If you choose to fly to Florence you can travel from the airport to central Florence by taking the VOLAINBUS bus with a ticket price of 6 EUR/way and 10 EUR/round trip.

However, you should not take domestic flights to get to Florence, although you can save time, but the fare for domestic flights in Italy is very high. There are 2 domestic airlines you can refer to: Alitalia and Meridiana .

Florence Italy travel guide: Getting around

In central Florence there are many means of transport such as taxis, buses, trams or Uber. However, to save the most money, you should rent a bike or on foot. With art cities such as Florence in particular and European cities in general, it is very suitable for slow walking to contemplate the ancient beauty here.

• Bus, tram: €1.2/single-ticket/trip, valid for 90 minutes
• Pack of 10 tickets: €10
• Hop on – hop off ticket: 1 day for €23, 2 days for 28 €
• By foot: If you rent a room in the center near Signoria square or Piazza del Duomo, you can completely walk to the tourist attractions of Florence. During my trip, I also walked and felt pretty good. The places to visit are not too far apart.

Florence travel blog: What to do and where to go?

Piazza del duomo (cathedral square, duomo square).

Giotto’s Bell Tower, Baptistery of St. John, as well as the Florence Cathedral are the three most prominent structures in Duomo Square. The Gothic facade of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) gives a strong impression with its colorful sophisticated design. This is the most prominent Florence tourist destination that often appears in video clips as well as souvenirs when referring to Florence.

• Duomo Monumental Complex Direct Access Ticket in Florence with Guided Visit

Admission fee: Adults: €18/Children from 6-11 years old: €3.

Tickets apply to all buildings in the square such as church, baptistery, bell tower, museum … tickets are valid within 72 hours from the first entrance to a building in the square. Online booking website here.

Note: When visiting the church, it is not allowed to wear skirts, sleeveless shirts, and shorts. If you want to climb to the top of the church, you should choose a time slot in advance because the number of visitors is limited for each visit.

Opening hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 10 am – 5 pm Thursday: 10 am – 3:30 pm (depends on the month) Saturday: 10 am – 4:45 pm Sunday and public holidays: 1:30 pm – 4:45 pm

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral, Duomo di Firenze)

• Florence Duomo Skip-the-Line Tour with Balcony & Dome Access

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore also known as Duomo is an Italian term meaning cathedral which has become the symbol of Florence that any Italian visitor will know. Prominent on this beautiful Florence skyline is the magnificent dome of the cathedral – one of the most important structures of the Renaissance Period. The inside of the cathedral is splendidly decorated with many stained-glass windows and famous frescoes.

Duomo was designed and built by many talented Italian architects at that time. Among them are architect Arnolfo di Cambio – who first sketched in 1294 and Filippo Brunelleschi – who designed the magnificent dome of the cathedral. With a diameter of 45.5 m, this is the largest brick and mortar dome in the world to this day. You can climb the 463 steps (no elevators) to reach the top of the dome to see a great panorama of the city.

• Small Guided Tour with Fast Track Entry to Duomo and the Secret Terraces

I honestly have never been to a European tourist destination that is as crowded as this cathedral. It is impossible to count the number of people lining up to enter the church. If you want to go inside to visit, you should go early to get in line.

Florence Duomo Direct Access and Guided Tour

The Baptistery of St. John

Facing the entrance to the Cathedral is The Baptistery of St. John, one of the oldest structures in Florence. This work was built between 1059 and 1128 and took nearly 70 years to complete.

Like the other buildings around Duomo Square, its exterior is covered with mosaic marble, along with delicate bronze doors and interior mosaics forming its main attractions. The famous octagonal structure with three sets of bronze doors at the entrance is the highlight of this building. The most famous one is the Gates of Paradise in the east.

Giotto’s Bell Tower (Giotto’s Campanile)

Giotto’s Bell Tower was built in the Gothic style of Florence according to the drawings of architect Giotto. It was built in 1334 in a vertical rectangle with 84.7m high. The tower has 5 stories and 7 bells. However, in 1337 Giotto died when only marble tiles were installed for the ground floor of the bell tower.

In 1443, Andrea Pisano, who is famous for the south door of the baptistery, went on to build the bell tower. While closely following Giotto’s design, Pisano just added his new construction ideas and completed two more floors of the bell tower.

In 1348, the plague epidemic across Europe halted the construction of the Giotto bell tower. Until 1459, the last three floors of the Giotto bell tower were completed by Francesco Talenti with a slight change from Giotto’s original design.

• Florence Duomo, Baptistery, and Museum Tour

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria Square was built in 1268. This is the largest and most important square of Florence with an L-shape located in front of the palace of the ruler of Florence, named palace “Palazzo della Signoria”, or ” Palazzo Vecchio ”. This beautiful neighborhood of Florence is home to many other famous buildings built in the 15th century such as the Palazzo Vecchio government building (the Town Hall), the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Palazzo Uguccioni (a Renaissance palace), Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali Palace. In addition, this place is also very close to other famous Florence tourist attractions such as Piazza del Duomo square, Ponte Vecchio bridge, Uffizi Gallery.

It used to be the place to display many famous statues of outstanding Italian sculptors including Michaelangelo’s statue of David. The original was later relocated to the Galleria dell’Accademia Museum and now only the replica remains in front of the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio city government building.

Palazzo Vecchio Palace is designed in a very unique palace architecture in Roman style. This is the architecture style of Central and Western Europe dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. Currently the city government is still working here. After the Piazza del Duomo square, tourists should not miss this spot when coming Florence.

Strozzi Palace (Palazzo Strozzi)

Strozzi Palace was built by the Strozzi clan, the construction started in 1489 and completed in 1538. Strozzi Palace is a cultural center and art gallery in Florence and is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance architecture.

This is the most impressive palace with its large size. The largest of the more than 100 palaces built in Florence in the 15th century. Filippo Strozzi had to buy a total of 15 properties to build the building as you see today.

Address: Piazza degli Strozzi, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Hours: 9AM–8PM

Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace)

This palace is located on the south side of the river Arno. This is the place to display the richest works of art collections. Featuring 7 galleries of the Medici family, along with some of the best art in Florence. The palace has an garden bearing bold Italian style. Here you also have a great view of the city. There is a small café in the courtyard where you can relax and take a break and admire the ancient beauty of this palace.

Florence Pitti Palace Tour

Address: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy Construction started: 1446

The Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important art galleries in Italy as well as in Europe today. This is the wealthiest and most valuable asset that the Medici family has left. Because this Medici family sponsored Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Donatello to create the world’s masterpieces as we see this day. For visitors who interested in learning about culture and history, the Uffizi gallery is the most ideal destination among the museums and galleries in Florence.

• Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour with Fast Track Entry

This entire Florence art gallery has more than 100.000 drawings and prints and numerous antiques, sculptures. It is divided into 46 galleries sorted by creative time and creative genre. I think it’s hard to admire all the works in this place in one day. Some outstanding works that you should not miss when visiting the Uffizi gallery include “Spring (La Primavera)” and “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli, “Adoration of the Magi” by Leonardo by Da Vinci, “Doni Tondo (Holy Family)” by Michelangelo,” “Venus of Urbino” by Titian.

Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket

The Uffizi gallery is located right next to Signoria Square and the River Arno. If you intend to visit, you should go early before 9am. This place is also as crowded as Duomo Square. Also near Uffizi are Pitti Palace and Bobolis garden. You can drop by if you want. Admission fee for each place is 3 euros. Uffizi is 29 €.

Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia are the only two museums in Florence that I recommend you to book tickets online in advance if you go in peak season. The number of visitors lining up to buy tickets at Uffizi is also not less at all, so save time by buying tickets online first.

Uffizi Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket in Florence

Click here to get the €5 discount code, then book skip the line tickets at Klook to save your waiting time.

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

The Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s oldest bridge, it was built in 996 but rebuilt in 1345. An impressive Ponte bridge image with three wide arches stretching refects itself on the river Arno especially at sunsets are unforgetable moments. According to history, this was the only bridge not ordered to be destroyed by Hitler when they withdrew their troops through Florence during World War II.

It takes only 5 minutes from the Uffizi gallery to walk along the river to this bridge. The architecture of the Ponte Vecchio bridge is not so majestic as Chain Bridge in Hungary but should not be missed if you come to Florence.

Address: Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo Square)

Michelangelo Square is a must-go place in Florence for any visitor. Maybe this is a not new tourist spot, but it has never disappointed tourists with a passionate desire to learn about history. Many people mistakenly think that the square was designed by Michelangelo. In fact, this place was only built in 1869 by a Florence architect named Giuseppe Poggi.

At first Poggi intended to display here Michelangelo’s masterpieces or at least his copies. The original works can be found elsewhere in this same city of Florence. The most typical works are the statue of a young man David and 4 sculptures representing 4 times of the day in the Medici Chapel. These are just duplicates, the originals of these 5 statues are being placed at the Art Museum Galleria dell’Accademia and San Lorenzo Cathedral.

Poggi had planned to built a hillside building with a dome in the square as a Michelangelo’s Museum. However, this building was not built as expected. Today, it is the Caffe & Ristorante La Loggia – a cafe with panoramic terrace.

Galleria dell’Accademia

Founded in 1784 by founders Leopold II and Holy Roman Emperor as an academy for artists, the Accademia gallery today holds an outstanding collection of works by many famous masters of at that time. Some of them can be mentioned:

Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519): An outstanding representative of the history of human civilization, the most famous painter, sculptor and scientist in history. His representative works include the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper. He is known as one of the three great masters in the Renaissance Period.

Michelangelo (1457-1564): One of the greatest representatives in world art history: A sculptor, painter, architect. He is the author of “David”, “The Painting of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling”, “The Last Judgment” and the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. He is also one of the three great masters of the Renaissance along with Raphael and Da Vinci. He was the first Western artist to have a biography published while he was still living. His contemporaries often called him Il Divino (superhuman) or “the divine one”.

Accademia Gallery Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket

Galleria dell’Accademia maintains Michelangelo’s original statue of David. This work makes the museum deserve more attention because although replicas of David are everywhere in the city, the original is only one. Statue of David is one of the most beautiful and perfect art masterpieces of all time.

• Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket in Florence

Today, the statue of David is always praised as one of the most beautiful statues in the world. Along with David, The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci and Sistine Madona by Raphael have became the epitome of Italian art during the Renaissance.

The Academia gallery is famous only after Uffizi. I see fewer people lined up here than the Uffizi. Alternatively, if you do not have enough time in line at Uffizi, you can come here to visit. Admission to Academia is €29 if you choose skip the line (over 18 years old). If you do not intend to visit, just skip this place. Because this gallery basically looks like a four-level house, it’s not as massive and grandiose as Uffizi or other museums.

Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Central Market (Mercato Centrale)

This central market is located in the San Lorenzo neighborhood in a 19th-century building. It sells everything from fresh food to restaurants, eateries with traditional local dishes. If you are looking for a place to experience Florence’s local culinary and lifestyle culture, then come here.

The food here is quite delicious but cheaper than the restaurants. Although it is only a market, it is highly rated on Tripadvisor. Along the road to the market, many leather products are displayed and sell. Perhaps the most typical is the handbag. Shopping lovers should not miss this place when traveling to Florence.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

It was the first church built in this city. It is also the church of the Dominican nuns. It is located on the opposite side of the largest station in Florence, which is named after the church called SM Novella.

The church facade is made of white marble with perfectly symmetrical architecture and colorful circular windows that give the inspiration to the design style of the post-Baroque and Gothic churches.

Address: P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Construction started: 1279

Val d’Orcia

This is the most beautiful land that many tourists want to visit when traveling to Florence. Val d’Orcia is the valley that stretches from the hills in the south of Siena. Green hills interspersed with old villages to create a very unique ancient character. The land of Val D’orcia is considered the inspiration for the Renaissance art.

• Val d’Orcia Tour from Florence

Val d’Orcia is a valley in the Northwest, its name derives the name of Orcia river, the river flows through this land before flowing into the great river. This valley area was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 2004. Just 2 hours drive from central Florence, Val d’Orcia is famous for its winding road and lush vineyards.

Val d’Orcia: Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza Full Day Private Tour

Florence travel blog: Florence travel itinerary for 3 days

My personal opinion is that traveling to Florence is very interesting and should not be miss this place if you plan to travel to Italy. To visit all the famous tourist attractions of Florence, it will take quite a lot of time. If you only intend to visit and take photos from the outside, I think 1-2 days here is enough. If you visit inside the Uffizi gallery or the works in Duomo square, you can only visit up to 2 tourist attractions every day. I recommend the 3-day trip itinerary as below for you refer to.

• Day 1: Duomo Square, Cathedral of Santa Maria Novella, Accademia Gallery, Central Market.
• Day 2: Signoria Square, Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Uffizi Gallery, Michenlango Square (Boboli Gardens and Pitti palace can be added)
• Day 3: Val d’Orcia.

If you have only 2 days, you have two options:

• Option 1: One is to combine all the tourist attractions of Florence in the first 2 days into one. “Look at the flowers while passing on horseback” and looking from outside, you will don’t have enough time to go inside to visit. The next day should take time to go to Val d’Orcia.
• Option 2: Follow the first 2 days itinerary as above and skip Val d’Orcia. This Florence itinerary will be suitable if you do not intend to rent a car or take a tour as there is no public transport to get to Val d’Orcia.

However, if you do not want to rent a car but still want to visit the Italian countryside, check out the day tours at Klook. I found some package tours to visit Tuscany, the vineyards, farms or go to Pisa, the tour price is only about 60 euros/person/day.

• Pisa Half Day Tour from Florence

Florence travel blog: What and where to eat in Florence?

Coming to Florence, you cannot miss Gelato Italian ice cream, one of the best Gelato ice cream shops in Florence is Gelateria dei Neri (Address: Via dei Neri, 9/11R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy) . In addition, you can enjoy the high-end Cappuccino and visit the Mercato Centrale to tasting local foods or in the lesser known market Mercato Sant’Ambrogio.

Florence Morning Food Tour

I was introduced to these 2 eateries by my Italian host and found quite ok. They received much good reviews, so I also want to try. Indeed, a lot of people lined up.

La fettunta (Address: Via Santa Marta, 19/a, 20123 Milano MI, Italy/Closed: Mondays) . The shop specialized in pasta, spaghetti, beefsteak, and grilled pork.

I tried 2 dishes of beefsteak and grilled pork. It feels pretty good. The pork has a taste a bit like wild boar in Vietnam. Price €8/part. Beefsteak has two types. One costs €18/part of 150-200 gr along with some potatoes and salad. Another type costs €35/1 kg. Yes, 1 kg :))). I recommend you to try the 1 kg portion because the €18 portion is too little to eat and accounts half the price. Other dishes such as pasta and spaghetti cost about 7-8 euros.

Florence Evening Food Tour

Another restaurant near the restaurant above called All’Antico Vinaio (Address: Via dei Neri, 76R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy) . This shop is more crowded than the one above. The shop only sells bread for €5/piece with all kinds of filling. The advantage is that the restaurant prepares quickly, so even if the queue is very long, you do not have to wait too long. In my opinion, it is not as delicious as Vietnamese bread, but it must be very popular, so tourists were so crowded. With its huge filling, so you only eat 1 is full. There are so many shops on this street, but only these 2 shops are the most popular.

In addition, I found that the price of dining or shopping is not very cheap compared to other cities like Pisa or Venice. I found ice cream and souvenirs are more expensive than other regions in Italy.

Regarding supermarkets are mainly lidl, Conad and Carrefour Express. Conad is quite popular but I think its price is not cheap at all. However, you should try pizza, pasta with frozen seafood from Conad, quite delicious. The pasta package is just over 3 euros, but it is very tasty. It was better than the restaurants I had eaten before in Milan or Venice. Very handy package that has been seasoned with seasoning and full of seafood. Just put in the cooking pot, very convenient. Pizza you should also buy at the Conad. I think this is the best “pizza packet” I have eaten before.

Florence blog: Shopping

Leather products at mercato nuovo.

Florence is famous for its leather products such as purses, beautiful handbags and because it is rumored that all are handmade, the price is quite expensive, not the no-name goods are cheap at all. However, the bag quality is very good.

So, if you are a fan of leather goods and want a lovely European-style bag, definitely not to miss shopping at Mercato Nuovo (New Market) – the famous leather goods market here.

The Mall Outlet

Chain of famous fashion stores in Florence, coming here you will be overwhelmed by the branded products from clothes, bags, eyewear, … of famous fashion brands in the world such as: Gucci, Prada, Dior, Armani, … the products here are always guaranteed to be 100% brand name but the price is much lower than the same product you buy from outside. At times of seasonal sales you can get a discount of up to 70%, this is the point make this shopping mall attracts a lot of tourists every year.

Both a famous tourist attraction but also a shopping place not to be missed when coming to Florence. The jewelry products sold in the stores along the bridge are things attract many tourists.

Florence travel blog: Trip cost

The mid-range trip cost for a 3 day travel itinerary in Florence for you refer to.

• Hotel: €55/2 nights
• Travel: €35/day for car rental to get to Val d’Orcia. Renting a motorbike is cheaper and has a lot of options.
• Meals: €30/day.
• Admission to Duomo Square, Uffizi Gallery: €22.

A total of €200 for 3 days for self-sufficient trip itinerary.

Florence travel blog: Some notes and useful tips before you go

• The natural scenery is very beautiful, many huge, spectacular historical and monumental cultural works.
• If you intend to visit churches or museums you should go before 9am. For famous attractions such as Florence Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Academia Gallery, I recommend you to buy tickets online in advance at home instead of waiting in line to buy tickets. This will save you more time.
• Florence is also a famous destination in Italy, so hotel rooms often run out very quickly. If you book late, you won’t get a good room. Like me, although I booked nearly 4 months in advance but the room is quite bad. So you should book as early as possible. Booking at Booking.com has free cancelation, so do not hesitate to book early.
• Because Florence is only 1 hour from Pisa by train and the famous countryside of Tuscany 1-2 hours by car, I recommend you to go to these two places. Having been to Florence without going to these two places is quite regret.
• There is a Firenze Card (costs EUR80) that can go to most museums in Florence for 72 hours, however I would not recommend buying it because this card cannot enter Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. However, you also shoud consider to buy it.
• In Italy and some other European countries, the pre-tip culture is very common. So, if you go to a restaurant or bar, please politely leave a small tip for the staff because of their excellent service quality! In addition, you can surely bargain or require discounts when shopping at the market or on the street in a reasonable and civilized way.
• IMPORTANT: Italy is one of the top 3 countries with pickpockets and theft in Europe so be careful.

Florence travel blog: Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Florence you can refer to

• Florence Bike Tour with Food Tasting Experience
• Florence City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (Open Top) and Leonardo da Vinci Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
• Tuscany Day Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting from Florence
• Rome to Florence Day Tour
• Chianti Afternoon Tour from Florence
• Excursion to Pisa through the Tuscan Countryside from Florence
• Florence Dome Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket + Free Souvenir Old Polaroid Photo
• Florence Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Ticket with Tour

Are you looking for more top things to do in Florence: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And Italy guide here .

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Best of Florence in One Day: Detailed Itinerary (+Map, Info & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 26, 2024

Florence ( Firenze ) is one of the famous Italian art cities with stunning architecture, a bustling atmosphere, and countless interesting sights. You could easily spend a week here and not get bored…

But what to see and do if you only have one day in Florence ? And how to plan your day so that you can make the most of your limited time?

In this article, we share a detailed 1-day Florence itinerary that covers the main sights and must-see places in Florence in the most efficient way. In addition to the main landmarks, we also include restaurant recommendations as well as some additional suggestions for a truly memorable day in Firenze!

To help you plan your day in Florence, we also created a map indicating all the places mentioned in this guide.

For each attraction, we also share practical info for the tickets/ tours that you better reserve in advance . Florence is a very popular destination and the only way to see the best of the city in a day is to have a good itinerary and book skip-the-line tickets/ tours where available. Find out!

TIP: If you get overwhelmed with all the tourist attractions and ticket options, or feel stressed about how to make it all fit time-wise, you can also opt for a guided city tour that covers a few of the main landmarks of Florence in half a day.

When looking for a tour, be sure that it includes the main sights such as Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery (David), and potentially a visit to the Duomo (although this one has so many different options that it’s often easier to do it separately).

One of the best tours to consider with a day in Florence is this 5-hr city walking tour that includes many of the attractions mentioned in our itinerary below in the most efficient way. However, this specific tour takes a limited number of people and might not always be available, especially if booking last minute. Alternatively, here you can find some of the best options available daily (except Mondays – that’s when both the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries are closed).

And if you rather do it all yourself, it’s perfectly possible too. See our suggestions and detailed Florence day trip itinerary below! In that case, you’ll need to pre-book the following tickets (timed entry and limited availability everywhere, so book ahead!):

• Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David).
• Uffizi Gallery .
• Duomo & Dome Climb .
• Palazzo Vecchio & Arnolfo Tower .
• Medici Chapel (optional).
• Bike tour at sunset (optional).

You can find more information about all these places below.

Good to know: If you happen to visit Florence on a Monday when two of the main museums are closed, you’ll have to adjust this itinerary. But don’t worry – there are plenty of other amazing places to see in Florence and you won’t get bored. To help you make the most of your visit to Florence no matter when you travel, we created an alternative itinerary that would work on Monday as well. You can find it at the end of this article.

Here’s what you can see and do in Florence in a day:

Michelangelo’s David at Accademia Gallery

9 – 10 AM.

We recommend starting your day in Florence with a visit to the Accademia Gallery . This small museum is best known for Michelangelo’s David .

No matter how many pictures you have seen, this marble sculpture will take your breath away. It’s a real Renaissance masterpiece that you have to see with your own eyes! In addition, you can see some of Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures that give an incredible insight into his working process.

The gallery also features several early-Renaissance paintings, and many other sculptures, including the plaster cast of the famous Giambologna’s ‘Rape of the Sabines’ (the original can be found on Piazza della Signoria, near Palazzo Vecchio). This sculpture is unique in the way it was carved and the first in its kind. When you walk around and see all the details, it’s difficult to believe it was carved from a single block of marble.

Practical info: Accademia Gallery is open daily except on Mondays, from 9 am. This is one of the places where you really should reserve your tickets in advance , especially if your time in the city is limited and you want to see as much of Florence in a day as possible. If you can, get the tickets for 9 am and visit here first thing in the morning.

Good to know: Accademia Gallery is not big and you can see the main highlights in about half an hour. If you want to learn more about all the stunning art at this museum, you could opt for a guided tour . However, with just a day in Florence and if you aren’t keen on doing too many tours, visit David on your own and take a tour of the Uffizi gallery in the afternoon – that museum is huge and overwhelming. There, it really pays to go with a guide. Or take a guided tour that visits both of these museums .

Duomo Complex

10 AM – NOON.

Next, head to the Duomo complex, which is just 5-6 minutes walk from Galleria dell’Accademia. Best known for the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), this site actually has a lot more to offer than it looks at first sight.

There is a lot to see and do at the Duomo complex. Some of the main highlights include a visit to the Cathedral itself, climbing Brunelleschi’s dome and/ or Giotto’s bell tower, and visiting the Baptistery of Saint John.

How much you can actually see and do here depends so much on when you visit and how busy it is. Each of the sites has a separate entrance and often long queues. You can either simply admire the beautiful buildings from the outside, visit one or two of them inside, or climb the dome or the bell tower.

With just a day in Florence, I think I’d opt for the dome climb (if you are physically capable) and potentially also visit the Baptistery and Santa Reparata.

Good to know: You can visit the Cathedral itself free of charge, but be prepared to queue for a while. In all honestly, apart for the dome, the interior is not that impressive on the inside and you may find that it’s not worth the time to queue just for that… But if you climb the dome , the entrance/exit is inside the cathedral, so you can see the interior at the same time. And since you have to book timed tickets for the dome, you don’t waste time and it’s much easier to plan your day.

Alternatively, you can choose to climb Giotto’s bell tower. It requires a ticket as well but is usually not as busy here as at the dome. From the top, you get an amazing view of the exterior Duomo.

And if you don’t want to do any climbing, visit the Baptistery of St. John and Santa Reparata archaeological site under the cathedral. The latter has a separate entrance and hardly any queue, so you get to see the interior of the Duomo at the same time as well. These two sites also require a ticket.

You can find more info about the cathedral-combi tickets on the official website .

TIP: The best option is this all-in ticket . This ticket is valid for 72 hours and includes Giotto’s Bell Tower, Opera del Duomo Museum, Santa Reparata, the Baptistery, and the timed entry for the Brunelleschi Dome climb.

Good to know: On Sundays, the Cathedral is closed for visits, and the dome climb is only possible in the afternoon. If you visit on a Sunday, you can either opt for Giotto’s Bell Tower and other sights indicated above or rearrange the itinerary and do the dome climb later. You can see all the opening times here .

Our experience: We visited Florence Duomo (including the climb) and Michelangelo’s David with this VIP tour . It offers something unique that other tours don’t – a visit to the terraces of the Duomo. While not a must, this definitely made our trip more special. In addition, we got a separate ticket for Giotto’s tower and the Baptistery, which was well worth it as well.

Lunch at San Lorenzo Market

NOON – 1 PM.

Just a short walk from the Duomo complex is the bustling neighborhood of San Lorenzo . Here, you’ll find Mercato Centrale (aka Mercato San Lorenzo) one of the biggest markets in Florence. The historic food market is located in a covered hall, but the surrounding streets are lined with market stands as well. These usually sell clothing and leather goods.

Make your way between all the market stands on the street and walk to the market itself. Here, you’ll find many small cafes and various places selling food. On the top floor, there’s also a food hall where you can try all kinds of Italian specialties from various regions.

I don’t think there’s a bad place to eat here. We had lunch at the market a few times and everything was delicious. One day we had Tuscan meat specialties at one of the enoteca ‘s (wine shops) on the ground floor, and another time – we ordered pasta at one of the places in the food court upstairs and the wine from another enoteca nearby. Everything was excellent.

A popular place for Tuscan food at Mercato Centrale is Da Nerbone. Their specialty is the traditional Florentine lampredotto sandwich (made with tripe/cow stomach), but if that’s not for you, you’ll find plenty of other good options as well.

TIP: Try to arrive at the market early, ideally just a bit before noon. Most Italians eat lunch at around 1-2 pm and the market gets really busy at that time.

Medici Chapel (optional)

AROUND NOON – EARLY AFTERNOON .

There are a few other interesting places to see in the San Lorenzo area, just near the market. One of them is the Basilica di San Lorenzo , and you’ll see it when passing by anyway. It’s nice to visit inside, but with just one day in Florence, I’d skip that.

However, there is another place just behind the church that is well worth a visit if you can squeeze it into your itinerary. That’s Cappelle Medicee , a small burial chapel of the Medici family. It’s one of the most impressive places to see in Florence!

Good to know: The good thing is that a visit here doesn’t require much time (15 minutes inside should be enough to quickly see the chapel). The problem is that the opening times are somewhat special and so it requires a bit more planning. On weekends, it’s open in the morning and on weekdays – in the afternoon. And some days it’s closed completely.

TIP: If you want to visit the chapel, see if you can get a timed-entrance ticket in advance. If it’s open in the morning, book a visit at noon, before you go for lunch. And if it’s open in the afternoon, book the first available visit (usually at around 2 pm). Alternatively, you can also just pass by here and see if it’s open (and if the queue is not too long) and decide at that moment.

In the afternoon, take some time to walk around the city center of Florence. You could also get gelato and enjoy it while you explore. Be sure to skip all those gelaterias that have ‘mountains’ of colorful ice cream – these are really not the best places for a good gelato. Instead, look for a more local, quality place.

And while you are at it, be sure to try the traditional Florentine ice cream flavor ‘buontalenti’ . It’s named after Bernardo Buontalenti, a 16th-century Florence designer and artist, who is often credited as an inventor of Italian ice cream, gelato .

One of the better gelaterias (recommended to us by locals) in the area where you’ll be passing by is ‘Perché no!’. We indicated it on our map below.

Fontana del Porcellino & Leather Market

EARLY AFTERNOON.

As you walk towards the river, be sure to stop by Fontana del Porcellino on Piazza del Mercato Nuovo.

This is an iconic bronze sculpture/ fountain of a boar. They say that rubbing its nose will bring you luck. And if you put some money into its mouth, it will guarantee that you will return to Florence one day…

At this same location, you can also find a small market – Mercato del Porcellino . Here, you can buy all kinds of things made of leather – colorful handbags, wallets, gloves, etc. It’s somewhat similar to what you see in the streets next to Mercato Centrale.

Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio

2.30 – 3.30 PM.

Just a short walk further, be sure to visit Piazza della Signoria , one of the most beautiful squares in Florence. Here, you can see Palazzo Vecchio and the Arnolfo Tower, the Fountain of Neptune, the incredible sculptures at Loggia dei Lanzi, and many other highlights. This square is like an open-air art gallery. Michelangelo’s David was originally supposed to stand here, and you can now see its replica.

If you plan your itinerary really well, you could pay a visit to Palazzo Vecchio and potentially also climb the Arnolfo Tower . With just one day in Florence, this is not an absolute must, but if you can, I find that a visit here is well worth it. Especially to the palace.

Keep in mind that the Palace closes in the afternoon on Thursdays, so if that’s when you visit, you may not be able to go inside unless you rearrange this itinerary.

Our experience: We climbed the tower and quickly visited the palace and it took us about 1 hour. But if you want to be sure you can visit without wasting time queueing, you have to book timed-entry tickets in advance. For this itinerary, you could potentially book a visit at +-2.30 pm.

Uffizi Gallery

4 – 6 PM.

In the late afternoon, visit the Uffizi Gallery , just next to Palazzo Vecchio. This is one of the most famous museums in Italy. Established in the 16th century, it’s also one of the oldest museums in the world. This ‘galleria’ gave name to all the art galleries in the world.

Here, you can see an incredible collection of ancient sculptures and paintings including some masterpieces by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raffaello, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other famous painters.

PRO TIP: Being one of the largest museums in the world, you can probably imagine that a visit here might get overwhelming. So if you want to be sure to see all the most important works of art in a limited time, we highly recommend visiting the Uffizi Gallery with a guide .

Our experience: There are so many tours that come here that the choice can get really overwhelming. After lots of research, we opted for this semi-private tour and it was absolutely excellent. Our group had 7 people and since we opted for a 4 pm tour, most tourists were leaving as we entered. This gave us a unique chance to visit the Uffizi Gallery without the biggest crowds. And our excellent guide made the visit very smooth and really interesting, pointing out all the most important works, telling stories behind them, etc.

Good to know: If you decide to go on your own, be sure to get timed entrance tickets ! Try to go somewhat later – after 3-4 pm. With a bit of luck, the (security) queues will not be too bad at this time of the day. An alternative would be to come here first thing in the morning, just as the museum opens.

Also, do some research about the main paintings in the gallery so that you don’t miss them. Some of the most important works can be found on the upper floor, so concentrate on that. On your way out, you can also see Caravaggio on the lower floor.

TIP: Uffizi Gallery has a nice café with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Palazzo Vecchio. It’s a good place to sit down for a drink and rest your legs after all the sightseeing.

Ponte Vecchio & Vasari Corridor

6 – 6.30 PM.

Ponte Vecchio is the most iconic bridge in Florence and one of the must-sees. It’s located just next to the Uffizi Gallery and connects the city center to the other side of the Arno River.

The colorful bridge is lined with gold and jewelry shops and is a bustling lively place. It’s just as interesting to see this bridge from the side – that way, you can better appreciate its unique structure.

When viewing the bridge from the eastern side, you’ll notice that there’s a covered corridor above all the shops. This is the Vasari Corridor ( Corridoio Vasariano ), one of the most intriguing places in Florence.

Built by the Medici family to give them easy and secure access between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery in the city center and the Pitti Palace on the other side of the Arno River, this passage has never been really open to the general public. Until now.

Corridoio Vasariano is said to be opening to the public soon (but this has been postponed time and again). When it reopens, visitors will be able to walk from the ground floor of the Uffizi, over Ponte Vecchio, all the way to Boboli Gardens. From what I understand, you’ll need a separate ticket for this (more info will be available here ).

With just a day in Florence, walking over this corridor might not be the best use of your time, but you can definitely see it from the outside. As a minimum, be sure to walk over and around Ponte Vecchio!

Sunset Views

End your day in Florence with some amazing views. There are quite a few options and – depending on the season – you might enjoy the city views around sunset. However, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the exact sunset times and just focus on the activity/ place you want to visit and make sure it fits your itinerary.

One of the nice options for great views is to go for a drink at one of Florence’s best rooftop bars . La Terrazza Rooftop Bar at Hotel Continentale is just next to Ponte Vecchio and would fit this itinerary very well. Alternatively – my personal favorite – check out SE·STO on Arno Rooftop Bar at The Westin Excelsior . Whichever you choose, be prepared to pay € 25+ for a cocktail. And you really should try to reserve a table in advance!

Another popular way to end a day in Florence is to watch a sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo . It’s a 20-30 min walk (uphill) from the city center, but totally worth it. You could also take a taxi to get there.

We went to this viewpoint for sunset as part of this e-bike tour . However, it starts at 6 pm, so keep this in mind if you would want to do it too. In that case, I’d skip the Palazzo Vecchio (inside) and visit the Uffizi Gallery at around 3 pm. This would make your day a bit more relaxing.

End your day in Florence with a nice dinner. I don’t recommend having dinner at hotel restaurants or rooftop bars; instead, opt for a simple traditional trattoria . The food is usually much better and the prices – much more affordable.

A very popular choice for a traditional Florentine steak ( Bistecca alla Fiorentina ) is Trattoria Dall’Oste . They have a few restaurants in town; the one close to the Duomo (see our map) is the most popular one. You absolutely have to reserve a table in advance if you want to dine here!

My personal favorite of all the restaurants we tried in Florence is La Buchetta , close to Ponte alle Grazie (on the way back from Piazzale Michelangelo to the center). This is a small trattoria with very friendly service and the best gnocchi I ever had. They also serve Bistecca alla Fiorentina (and many other traditional local dishes from the Tuscany region).

READ ALSO: Traditional Italian Food by Region

Florence 1 Day Itinerary & Map

Based on our suggestions above, here’s an overview of the recommended Florence sightseeing itinerary for one day:

• 9 am.  Michelangelo’s David ( book timed tickets  well in advance!).
• 10 am.  Duomo complex. We recommend climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome (get timed tickets for e.g. 10.25 am) – that way, you see the interior of the Cathedral as well. Alternatively, visit the Baptistery of St. John and Santa Reparata – that way, you see the interior of the church too. We recommend this all-in ticket that includes everything at the Duomo Complex.
• Morning alternative: Take this 3-hour guided tour as we did – it includes David and the best of Duomo. If you are not interested in the Duomo climb, this highly-rated half-day tour is a better option for you (it also includes a short visit to the most popular places mentioned further below).
• Noon.  Lunch at Mercato Centralle (aka San Lorenzo Market).
• Optional – before or after lunch – Capelle Medicee. See hours/tickets .
• Gelato (you should always make time for gelato when visiting Italy!).
• 2 pm.  Fontana del Porcellino, leather market, Piazza della Signoria. You could also visit Palazzo Vecchio and/or climb the Arnolfo Tower ( book timed-entry tickets in advance ).
• 4 pm.  Uffizi Gallery. Here, you really have to get the tickets in advance ! However, we highly recommend booking a skip-the-line guided tour and visiting with a guide. We took  this small-group tour  and highly recommend it.
• 6 pm. Ponte Vecchio & Vasari Corridor.
• 6.30 pm.  Have a drink at one of the rooftop bars. Alternatively, walk (or join a 6 pm bike tour ) to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset.
• 8.30 pm.  Dinner at a traditional trattoria. See our suggestions in the itinerary above.

Florence on Monday – Alternative Day Trip Itinerary

As mentioned before, the two main museums in Florence – Accademia Gallery and Uffizi Gallery – are both closed on Mondays. So if you visit the city on a Monday and have just that one day in Florence, you’ll need a somewhat different itinerary.

Here’s what your Monday in Florence could look like:

• 9 am. Duomo Complex. Climb the dome, visit the Cathedral, the Baptistery, etc. ( book your tickets in advance ).
• 11 am. Capelle Medicee ( reserve timed-entry tickets ).
• 11.30 am. Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
• Lunch at Mercato Centrale.
• Fontana del Porcellino, leather market.
• +- 2 pm. Piazza della Signoria and visit Palazzo Vecchio. Book the tickets for the Palace and the tower in advance!
• Ponte Vecchio.
• +- 4 pm. Visit Boboli Gardens (the adjacent Palazzo Pitti is also closed on Mondays, but the gardens are usually open on Mondays in the high season – see here for tickets and opening days). Alternatively, visit Basilica Santa Croce .
• 6 pm. E-bike tour of the city.
• 8.30 pm. Dinner.

Please note that these times are just indicated for your reference. You can easily switch things around, but be sure to double-check the opening hours. For the Duomo dome climb and potentially Capelle Medicee and Palazzo Vecchio/ Arnolfo Tower, you really should get timed tickets in advance.

READ ALSO: Best Places to See & Things to Do in Florence

Where to Stay

If Florence is one of the stops on your Italy trip itinerary and you want to see the highlights in a day, we recommend spending at least 2 nights in Florence. That way, you have one full day to enjoy the best that the city has to offer.

In that case, it’s probably easiest to stay next to the main railway station – Firenze Santa Maria Novella. This area is excellent for any stay in Florence – it’s convenient for everything including transportation, sightseeing, markets, restaurants, etc. It’s just a few minutes walk from most of the main landmarks.

Here are some recommended hotels within a short walking distance from the railway station:

• €€€€€+ Grand Hotel Minerva
• €€€ € € Santa Maria Novella – WTB
• €€ € € Hotel Croce di Malta (this is where we stayed on a recent trip)
• €€€ c-hotels Club
• €€ Hotel Nizza or Hotel Machiavelli Palace
• € Hotel Abaco

I also have to mention B&B Le Stanze del Duomo – one of the best-rated low-budget accommodations near the Duomo. It’s a bit further from the railway station, but still walkable and the location (close to the Duomo!) is excellent for sightseeing. It offers a great price-quality for Florence.

READ ALSO: Best ROOFTOP Bars & Hotels in Florence

So, this is our recommended itinerary for one day in Florence. The city has a lot more to offer than what you can possibly see in a day. But if you want to get a quick glimpse of the main landmarks and most famous places in Firenze, this itinerary should help you do just that.

Remember to book tickets for all the main attractions in advance . It’s the best way to be sure that you can visit all the places in the most efficient way without backtracking or having to waste time.

Also, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and keep in mind that all the churches have strict dress code which requires that your knees and shoulders be covered.

It’s also best not to carry any large bags/backpack s with you since they are not allowed in some places.

READ ALSO: Florence to Bologna: Travel Info & Itinerary & What to See & Do in Bologna

More travel inspiration for Italian cities:

• Best cities to see in Italy
• 1 day in Rome
• 2 days in Rome
• 4 days in Rome
• 1 day in Venice
• 3 days in Venice
• Milan in 1 day
• Naples in 1 day
• Top sights in Rome
• Hidden gems of Rome
• Top sights in Venice
• Best of Naples
• Best of Verona
• Best of Ravenna
• Best of Siena
• Best of Montepulciano

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Some of our favorite places in Italy:

• Best places to visit in Italy
• Capri Island
• Best day trips from Naples
• Best places in the Dolomites
• Lake Como travel tips
• Bellagio (Lake Como)
• Varenna (Lake Como)
• Best Things to Do in Lake Como
• Cinque Terre vs. Amalfi Coast
• Most Beautiful Coastal Towns of the Italian Riviera
• Tuscany Itinerary
• Amalfi Coast travel tips
• Montepulciano (Tuscany)
• For more inspiration, please see our Italy travel blog .

More 1-day itineraries for some of the nicest European cities:

• 1 Day in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• 1 Day in Barcelona (Spain)
• 1 Day in Edinburgh (UK)
• 1 Day in Glasgow (UK)
• 1 Day in Lisbon (Portugal)
• 1 Day in Madrid (Spain)
• 1 Day in Manchester (UK)
• 1 Day in Rome (Italy)
• 1 Day in Salzburg (Austria)
• 1 Day in Seville (Spain)

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Tuesday 4th of June 2024

I must be dumb, I can't find the map. :)

Wednesday 5th of June 2024

Hi Noel, the map is embedded right under the itinerary overview in the section called Florence 1 Day Itinerary & Map (and right before 'Florence on Monday' section). It's a Google Maps embed. If you still don't see it, then the only thing I can think of is that you might be using some script blockers on your browser.

Saturday 8th of July 2023

Hi Jurga, We're planning a trip to Florence in August and I can't seem to find skip the line tickets to Pallazo Vecchio on the date or time that we need. They're all sold out. My question is, if we were there at opening time which is 8am, would there still be a long queue at that time?

Monday 10th of July 2023

Hi Steve, did you also check the official website of the commune? Sometimes they have more time slots available, but it's also possible that it's a bit too early to book tickets for your travel dates at this moment. If you just want to visit the museum, you may be fine going at the opening time and just getting a ticket there, but for the tower, it's best to book.

Friday 31st of March 2023

Hi Jurga, your travel posts are thorough and so detailed with really helpful information—Thank you. I used them for planning a family trip to US National Parks two summers ago- so happy to have this resource for planning our trip to Italy!

Sunday 2nd of April 2023

Thank you for your kind feedback, Betsy. Have a great trip to Italy!

Howard Blount

Saturday 4th of March 2023

Hi Jurga! My name is Howard, and I am a travel blogger myself. I am currently planning a Tuscany road trip, and I discovered your website two days ago. Already, I am completely in love with it. Your posts offer so much valuable information in a well-organized and user-friendly way. I typically don't comment on blog posts, but I made an exception in your case so that you would know how much I appreciate your content. Thanks again! Howard

Monday 6th of March 2023

Thank you very much for your kind words, Howard. Appreciate it. Have a great time in Tuscany!

HI! I’M Georgette

Welcome to my personal blog by a curious American girl who has found herself permanently in Europe for over 15+ years after studying abroad here in 2005. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and somehow the city of Renaissance beckoned me to stay for over 15 years. 

This blog is primarily about my life in Florence, Italy and a personal journey through life, loss, motherhood, work, learning new languages, good food, travel and the difficulties of assimilating to a new culture again..and again. 

From me, you’re guaranteed to get honest and thoughtful articles as I love deep discussions and wading through the fluff we often see online about Italy. 

Together with my husband Nico, our toddler Annabelle and Ginger the beagle, we recently returned to Florence in September 2023 after three years in Switzerland and it has been quite an adventure reacclimating as a family to the city where we first met. 

Thanks for the support and enjoy the blog! 

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Are you dreaming of visiting or moving to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance? Do you want to discover the art, culture, fashion, and fantastic cuisine of this amazing city? If so, you are in the right place. Welcome to my Florence travel & lifestyle blog, where I share with you my tips, experiences, and recommendations for exploring Florence, Italy. Whether you are looking for the best museums, restaurants, hotels, or day trips, you will find everything you need here!

35+ Unforgettable Things to Do in Florence, Italy

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The city of Florence, Italy, will overwhelm you in so many ways. As the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance, there are so many things to do in Florence, from exploring the art and cuisine to taking in the gorgeous views and gardens.

An art history professor at my university once told me that 50% of the world’s artistic treasures are in Italy — and half of Italy’s artistic treasures are in Florence. Honestly…I’ve since googled this and I don’t think this is true. At all

That said, there is SO much art in Florence, it feels like it springs up from the pavement. Art is spellbinding and abundant here.

Planning your trip to Florence last minute?

Florence is one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe. It is essential to book your tours and accommodation as early as possible.

⚜️ Top Experiences and Tours in Florence:

• David + Duomo After Hours Tour (Two must-see experiences in one!)
• Skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery Tickets (Best art museum)
• Siena + San Gimignano Trip from Florence (I loved this day trip!)

🛌  Top-Rated Hotels in Florence:

• The St. Regis Florence (Best luxury hotel)
• Boutique Hotel del Corso (Perfect for a 1st visit to Florence)
• B&B Emozioni Fiorentine (Clean & cozy budget option)

🚗 Renting a car from Florence Airport? Find deals on car rental rates here.

I studied abroad in Florence in 2004, and that experience became a seismic event in my life . I am the travel writer I am today because of that semester in Florence. I probably wouldn’t have met my husband, a fellow Italophile whom I met in Italy, if it hadn’t been for that time in Florence!

Since then, I’ve returned to Florence several times — but recently I decided to return for a longer, more intense research trip, doing every activity and taking every photo so I can provide you with the most accurate information possible.

One thing to know: Florence is going to be incredibly crowded, regardless of what season you visit. I strongly recommend booking advance tickets whenever you can. This is most essential for visiting the Accademia (home to the statue of David ), the Uffizi Gallery, and climbing the Duomo — though I recommend booking ahead for literally everything you can.

From incredible art to dazzling cuisine and quirky neighborhoods, here are the most exciting and cultural things to do in Florence, Italy.

This post was published in May 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper.

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Florence, Italy

See michelangelo’s david at galleria dell’accademia.

If there’ any one piece of art in Florence that everyone knows, it’s Michelangelo’s David . Most Florence visitors make a beeline for the Accademia Gallery to see this legendary sculpture, which Michelangelo carved when he was only 26 years old.

Standing over 5 meters and bolstered by a plinth, David represents youth and beauty. It’s also emblematic of Florence and the Renaissance movement.

But that’s not all there is to see at the Accademia. Michelangelo’s Slaves , a moving quartet of statues emprisoned in marble, pave the way to David and are worth a closer look. Other rooms feature Renaissance paintings from Florentine artists, and there’s a brilliant gallery of plaster casts.

Advance reservations are essential at the Accademia — otherwise you’ll spend half your trip standing in line. Admission is 15 EUR ($16) or 10 EUR ($11) before 9:15 AM, and it’s closed on Mondays. 

This Accademia Gallery skip-the-line tour saves valuable time and has the added perk of an art guide.

Keep an eye out for the David replicas all over Florence — there’s one in Piazza della Signorina, one in Piazza Michelangelo, and a tiny one in Casa Buonarroti. The only real one is at the Accademia!

Tour Florence’s Epic Duomo — and Climb the Dome!

The Duomo di Firenze, Florence’s massive cathedral, is another absolute must-see in Florence. Brunelleschi’s mighty dome is the pièce de résistance of the cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower), Piazza del Duomo, and the city itself, and it’s on many visitors’ must lists.

There’s just one thing to keep in mind — when you climb the Duomo, you don’t SEE the Duomo. It’s like climbing the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building. The most famous building won’t be in your photos because you’re in it. (This is why I actually prefer climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower next door instead.)

While there are regular climbing tours, I recommend booking the after-hours Alone in the Duomo tour . You’ll just visit the cathedral with this tour and will be let in by the Key Master himself. The tour takes you to the north and south terraces and the top of the dome.

Want to hit up two of Florence’s best sites? VIP David & Duomo is a double-whammy of Michelangelo’s David and restricted terraces at the basilica. It’s timed to avoid peak hours and is fully guided. I highly advise a tour to gain from local experts and to support traditional tourism in Florence. 

Advance reservations are essential for climbing Brunelleschi’s dome — they sell out far ahead of time, especially in high season. On my recent March visit, there was nothing available for four days.

You can visit the cathedral nave and aisles for free, but be prepared to wait in a line that wraps around the Duomo. If you’re not on a tour, it costs 20-30 EUR ($22-33) to access the Duomo subject to which of the three official passes you buy.

The Duomo is closed on Sundays and public/religious holidays, so keep this in mind before you book your trip.

Visit the Baptistry of San Giovanni

Don’t overlook this chonky little building on the west side of the Duomo. The Baptistery of St. John is thought to have been built over a former Roman temple. It’s considered a minor basilica and is dedicated to Florence’s patron saint. 

The octagonal exterior is clad with the classically Florentine white marble (Carrara) and green marble (Prato). Inside, it features a glorious mosaic ceiling and the monumental tomb of Antipope John XXIII. A small number of children are still baptized here on the first Sunday of the month.

Entrance tickets are included with your Duomo pass . There are three main entrances to pore over, but do pay attention to the eastern door — where you’ll see the so-called Gates of Paradise. 

(2024 note: the Baptistery is currently under renovation. You can still visit, but it’s full of scaffolding and not the prettiest it’s ever been. But it’s free with your Duomo pass, so go anyway!)

Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower

Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) completes your Duomo experience. The bell tower is right next to the Duomo, and you can climb it as well. It’s 414 steps to the top!

Honestly, I prefer climbing here to climbing the Duomo. You get a beautiful view of the Duomo from the top, and there are three floors where you can stop along the way, catch your breath, and take photos.

The big drawback is that all viewpoints are covered with chicken wire, which isn’t good for shooting with professional DSLR cameras — but you can easily take good photos with your phone, fitting its tiny lens between the wires.

I also think climbing the bell tower is a smarter option if you have kids. The Duomo has no barriers at the top, which scared me a bit when I saw a five-year-old leaning over the edge, but the bell tower is wired in, and the three floors are good places to pause along the way.

Admission is again rolled in with the three cathedral passes . It’s open daily. 

Experience Renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is one of the best art museums on the planet, and easily one of the most beloved things to do in Florence. This is where you’ll find Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and La Primavera , which are the stars of the exhibition.

Giotto’s Bacchus , Titian’s Venus of Urbino , and Raphael’s Self-Portrait are also housed here. There are three works by Leonardo da Vinci, including Annunciation and the unfinished Baptism of Christ . Personally, I’m a big fan of artist Artemisia Gentileschi and her painting Judith and Holofernes .

Advance reservations are essential for visiting the Uffizi — they sell out far ahead of time, especially in high season. Admission costs 25 EUR ($27) when bought online. You can buy tickets here.

Even so, the Uffizi is tremendously crowded year-round, which I honestly find a bit tough to deal with. Just be prepared for crowds, and know that the downstairs galleries are much quieter than the busy upstairs.

This is another Florence attraction where a guided tour enhances your visit. This Uffizi and Accademia galleries small group tour is a great way to maximize your time and see both major museums.

Explore the Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, is one of the most charming sights in a city dripping with romance! Some historians believe this bridge was first constructed by the Romans and replaced during the 14th century.

Back in the day, the bridge was filled with butcher shops, who would throw their meaty remains into the river — then the city ordered that the butchers leave and jewelers set up shop instead. To this day, the bridge is filled with jewelry shops.

Florence is an excellent place to buy gold. Florentines gold must be at least 18k in order to be “real” gold. Prices on the Ponte Vecchio are a bit inflated over shops in other parts of the city, though honestly, I have a necklace that I bought on the Ponte Vecchio 20 years ago that is such a nice memory!

The Ponte Vecchio is so special that the Germans decided not to bomb it while retreating during World War II. They bombed the sides of it instead — look closely at the Oltrarno side and you can tell.

Visit early in the day (or when it rains!) for a quieter experience. The bridge is very busy with photographers at sunset.

Take in the views at the Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio is a beautiful stone building on Piazza della Signoria, its entrance flanked by a copy of the David statue, and featuring a tall tower called the Torre di Arnolfo.

Briefly used as a Medici family residence, the Old Palace has since reverted to its original purpose as a government building. It now serves as the town hall and an exhibition of the Medici’s art collection. 

I highly recommend climbing the Torre di Arnolfo. It has my vote for the best view of Florence, as it has a unique close-up sidelong view of the Duomo.

Just be careful booking tickets on their website — you book for either the museums or the Arnolfo Tower, not both! I booked the museums by accident when I meant to climb the Arnolfo Tower.

While this is not as essential to book ahead as climbing the Duomo, I strongly encourage you to book in advance if possible.

Seeing the courtyard is one of the top free things to do in Florence. Admission to the apartments is 10 EUR ($11). Small fees apply to visit other museums and it’s 12.50 EUR ($13.50 ) to climb the Arnolfo Tower.

Try traditional Tuscan cuisine

Of course, the food is one of the best reasons to visit Italy — but what makes Tuscan food special? Florence and Tuscany are home to some dishes that you won’t find anywhere else.

Two Tuscan dishes I love are ribollita and pappa al pomodoro : peasant soups thickened with day-old bread. Ribollita is a stew of vegetables and beans, while pappa al pomodoro is a thick tomato soup. Both are hearty enough for a meal, and are a great lesson in repurposing old ingredients!

If you’re a pasta fan, you’ll want to try tagliatelle cinghiale , a pasta made with wild boar.

If you’re a meat eater, you must try the bistecca alla fiorentina , an enormous steak! Just be aware that here it’s not customary to tell chefs how you’d like your steak done, and Florentine chefs serve steaks quite rare.

The typical dessert in Tuscany is cantucci , sometimes called cantuccini , with vin Santo , a dessert wine. These small cookies are yellow from egg yolks. Dip them in the vin santo longer than you think necessary — 10 seconds is good — and they’ll melt in your mouth! (Truth: I didn’t like these for years — until I realized I wasn’t soaking them for long enough!)

And if you’re an adventurous eater, you can tantalize your taste buds (or get Instagram clout?) by trying a lampredotto panino (a tripe sandwich)! Mercato Centrale is a great spot to try the sandwich, and you’ll often see lampredotto in different forms on Florentine menus.

Go on a food tour

If you’re wary of winding up in a tourist trap restaurant (I hate to say it, but there are a LOT of tourist traps in the centro these days), a Florence food tour will give you peace of mind.

Tastes & Traditions of Florence weaves around the main attractions and weeds out atmospheric wine bars and colorful markets in smaller neighborhoods. You’ll watch butchers prepare steak and share secrets behind this perennial favorite. 

I tried out the Oltrarno at Sunset tour on my latest Florence visit, as a comped tour from Walks, and it was so much fun! Just know that it’s not a hardcore culinary tour and more of a stroll, snack, and culture tour. You’ll visit five eateries sampling crostini, steak, and gelato, plus vino served through a wine window!

This walking food tour of Florence with tastings covers the best places to eat in Santa Croce and Oltrarno. You’ll cruise the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio and stop at hole-in-the-wall style joints learning how to order like a real Florentine.

Grab a bite at Mercato Centrale

Mercato Centrale is an enormous market close to the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Even two floors aren’t enough to contain this bounty of vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, herbs, and spices, as vendors spill out onto the surrounding streets.

These days, however, there are two sides to Mercato Centrale — the side serving locals fresh produce, and the side serving tourists meals (which are often overpriced for what you get). Still, it’s worth a lap or two for the experience, and you can splurge on a couple of boxes of biscotti to take home. 

Mercato Centrale is open every day from 9:00 AM-12:00 AM. There’s also the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, east of Santa Croce, for a calmer, more local experience.

Take a cooking class

Put your cooking skills to the test in a cooking class — one of the best things to do in Florence in all weather!

Experience Mercato Centrale through a local’s eyes in this cooking class and market tour . After selecting your best produce at the market, you’ll prepare bruschetta, homemade pasta, and tiramisu with the guidance of a professional chef from Tuscany.

In this private pasta making class , you’ll roll up your sleeves and make ravioli, tagliatelle, and tortelli from scratch while sipping organic wine. Another private option, this pasta and gnocchi workshop takes place in the chef’s 16th-century villa with spectacular views of Florence.  

And if you follow a gluten-free diet, this gluten-free cooking class is an absolute treat. You’ll learn just how easy it is to adapt pizza, pasta, gnocchi, and tiramisu. 

Catch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

The elevated Piazzale Michelangelo is the place to watch the sunset over Florence. It’s located on the south bank of the Arno River with a perfect panorama of the Florence skyline.

Indeed, you will be sharing this view with a few hundred of your new closest friends — but it’s worth it. It’s free to visit the piazza and you’ll see the Duomo, the bell tower, and the Palazzo Vecchio rising over the red rooftops as the sun sinks.

Street musicians often perform at the piazza, adding to the atmosphere, and there’s another replica of Michelangelo’s David up here to scratch off your list. 

Don’t miss the beautiful rose garden next door to the piazza. It’s another spot for the best views in Florence.

A short walk up the hill and up a staircase brings you to the Basilica San Miniato al Monte for a different perspective (and slightly fewer crowds). 

Explore the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) and the Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) were laid out in the 16th century for the Medici family. You can roam the royal apartments, galleries, and Palatine Chapel before taking in the gardens that inspired landscape architects for centuries to come. 

The estate is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8:15 AM-6:30 PM. There are a variety of tickets you can purchase, and combined entrance tickets to the museum and gardens cost 22 EUR (around $24).

If you buy a ticket including the Boboli Gardens, they also include entry to the Bardini Gardens (Giardini Bardini), a five-minute walk away. Both of these gardens have excellent views of the Duomo (the good view from the Boboli Gardens is in front of the green and white building).

For a deeper understanding of the art, artifacts, and Renaissance culture, you can join a tour. This Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and Palatina Gallery guided tour is capped at 12 participants for an intimate experience. 

Visit the Bargello

The Uffizi and the Accademia are the two most famous museums in Florence — but one of the true gems of the city, is the Bargello, set in a former jail.

The rooms are so beautifully decorated — I loved the halls that were painted like stars — and there’s an excellent collection of sculpture here. If you’re looking to collect all of the ninja turtles, here’s where you’ll find works by Donatello!

There’s also a nice display of weaponry. If you’re interested in military art and history, this place should be a priority for you.

And if you’d like to visit more lesser-known museums in Florence, the Museo Galileo and Casa Buonarroti , home to Michelangelo’s family, are other places worth visiting.

Try all the gelato

Florence is the true birthplace of gelato — despite Rome, Milan, and Naples shouting their contributions from the rooftops. Personally, I think one of the pleasures of visiting Italy is eating gelato every day!

As always, know that not all gelato is created equal. Ignore shops with neon piled-high gelato in plastic tubs. Instead, look for muted colors in metal containers. Banana should be grayish, not yellow; pistachio should be a brownish green.

Gelateria dei Ne ri has been my favorite spot for gelato in Florence for 20 years! This was my regular spot when I studied in Florence, and I’m so happy that they’re still as good as ever. The gelato is just fantastic, with lots of fun flavors. Know that they’re closed Tuesdays.

Vivoli is an old-school gelato shop in a traditional wood-paneled salon. It’s one of the oldest spots in the city, and while I don’t think they’re quite as good as Neri, their sorbetti are lovely. This is actually a good place to try an affogato — an espresso poured over gelato.

Festival del Gelato near the Piazza del Duomo has a colorful medley of fruity, creamy, chocolatey, and nutty flavors. While they don’t have the dozens of flavors that they used to, they’re still a solid spot for gelato in the heart of the city center.

Visit Florence’s Best Cocktail Bars

Did you know that Florence has some truly chic cocktail bars? On my most recent visit, I visited several of the top bars and was absolutely delighted by their refined atmosphere, and what a nice escape they were from the crowded streets.

Giacosa 1815 is where the Negroni was invented in 1919. I came here just to try a Negroni, and I ended up staying for hours after befriending a regular and enjoying conversation with the bartenders. Highly recommended, even if you’re not a Negroni fan (I wasn’t until that night!).

Manifattura is a cocktail bar with a cool concept — they are the first bar in Europe serving exclusively Italian spirits. No idea what to try? They have a list of signature cocktails and can make plenty of recommendations.

Procacci is a pint-sized cocktail bar set amongst the luxury shops on Via de’Tournabuoni. The cocktails are wonderful, but you know what’s even better? They serve small truffle sandwiches to enjoy with your drink! Some of the truffle sandwiches even contain foie gras!

Bulli e Balene is more casual than the previous three, but still a great spot for aperitivo in Santo Spirito — they serve cocktails and Venetian-style cicchetti, or little appetizers on pieces of bread.

American Bar at the Grand Baglioni Hotel has a unique viewpoint in Florence, with 360-degree views from the top of their rooftop bar. And the classic cocktails make nice pairings for enjoying a beautiful sunset.

View on Art is a popular rooftop cocktail bar with an unparalleled super-up-close view of the Duomo. However, the drinks are mid and the atmosphere is quite low-brow. I recommend going for a single drink and photos, then heading elsewhere.

Appreciate the other stunning churches

The Duomo isn’t the only church vying for your attention in this photogenic city. These are a few more to check out.

Basilica di Santa Croce — This Franciscan church is the burial place of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. There is so much intricate art that you could spend a few hours here. Open daily, general admission is 8 EUR ($8.50). 

Basilica di San Lorenzo — The Medici commissioned Brunelleschi to design this as their family mausoleum. Admission to the basilica complex is 9 EUR ($10) and it’s an extra 9 EUR to visit the Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee), one of my favorite spots in town, which are spectacularly colorful. The basilica is closed on Fridays; the chapels are closed on Tuesdays. 

Basilica di Santa Maria Novella — Dominican friars laid the foundations for this church and cloistered courtyard that predates the Duomo. It holds eight chapels and a sacristy. The frescoes of the Tornabuoni Chapel were painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio, Michelangelo’s mentor. Admission is 7.50 EUR ($8).

Basilica di Santo Spirito – Brunelleschi strikes again with this elegant 15th century church in the Oltrarno district, far from the crowds of the centro. Admission is free but you’ll pay 2 EUR ($2) to see Michelangelo’s crucifix. It’s closed on Wednesdays. 

Take a boat down the River Arno

The Ponte Vecchio is enchanting from all angles, but you can’t beat ogling it from the river. The Arno flows down from the Apennines and passes through Florence on its journey to the Ligurian Sea.

Celebrate the fact that there are no longer butcher shops chucking tripe into the river (could you imagine if they still did that today?!) by taking a Florence river cruise on a traditional Barchetto . This is similar to a gondola, and only four of them remain.

The morning tour includes breakfast, while evening and sunset rides are served with a sparkling wine aperitivo.

Explore the Oltrarno and Santo Spirito

The Oltrarno is the other side of the Arno River, and the tourist crowds taper off the deeper you go. This area is a lot like Trastevere in Rome — lots of great restaurants and bars, and a much more local feel.

On my latest trip to Florence, I joined the Oltrarno at Sunset tour, which was an absolute delight. Our guide, Lorenzo (what a gem of a human!) took us around his beloved neighborhood, stopping at a wine window, sampling all kinds of food, and finishing with some gelato.

The Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, and Bardini Gardens are all in the Oltrarno, so they pair well with an exploration of this part of the city!

People-watch at Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is one of Florence’s prettiest squares and the perfect place to do some people-watching. You’ll spy a fake David outside the Palazzo Vecchio, and the much-maligned Neptune fountain, which has suffered frequent vandalism since the 16th century. 

If you need a breather, I recommend heading to Rivoire and ordering a hot chocolate ( cioccolato caldo ). It comes thick, dark, and topped with a mountain of cream. You can enjoy it on the square, but I actually love the maximalist decor inside, with so many paintings on the walls!

You can also pass through the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air museum of Renaissance sculpture including Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa . This is a great spot to visit if you’re waiting for your timed visit to the Palazzo Vecchio or the Uffizi.

A more recent addition to the piazza is Gucci Garden and the Gucci Museum. The Gucci brand originated in Florence, and the museum is a cool place where you can learn about the history and see Gucci outfits worn by celebrities like Ryan Gosling and Lupita Nyong’o. Gucci Garden is a Gucci boutique with some exclusive items you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Explore Florence by Vespa or E-Bike

Who doesn’t dream of zooming around Italy on a Vespa? Vespas have been icons of Italian style since 1946, and driving one through the Tuscan hills is one of the very best things to do in Florence. 

You’ll have full control over the scooteron this Florence Vespa tour – they’re automatic and easy to drive. The guides provide a full briefing before leading you into the hills. Food is included, and you’ll have gorgeous views on which to feast your eyes.

Alternatively, you can rent an E-Bike in Florence . This isn’t a tour, but the operator provides a GPS that navigates you to a vineyard in the town of Fiesole. This Etruscan-founded village sits on a hilltop, so you’ll be glad for pedal assistance. 

Whether you rent a scooter or a bike, I recommend getting out of the city. Florence’s city center is full of crowds, narrow streets, and zooming cars, and you’ll have a much more peaceful experience in the countryside.

Shop for Leather and Gold

One of the best things to do in Florence is to shop for gold and leather goods. The quality is some of the very best you can find in Italy and Europe.

However, not all leather in Florence is equal. Ignore the street stands covered with jackets and bags — these are cheap imported leather.

Instead, buy leather items from proper boutiques. Florentine leather is the real deal, and the high prices reflect this. Jackets and footwear might be beyond your budget, but small leather goods like belts and wallets are more affordable.

There are jewelry shops all over Florence, and they sell gold that is 18k or better (anything less is something Florentines snub). The Ponte Vecchio is famous for its gold merchants, but know that you’re paying a slightly higher price for the location.

Take a day trip to Pisa

Did you know that Pisa is just down the road from Florence? You can go ahead and get that iconic photo propping up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and be back in time for dinner. 

It’s easy to visit Pisa independently, but there are plenty of tours you can take from Florence, too. There are dozens of tours. The Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli half-day tour with morning and afternoon departures and lets you choose between transportation only and a guided tour.

The Pisa afternoon tour works out a little cheaper and again lets you pick between a guided tour or free time.

If you prefer to go independently, the fastest trains take 50 minutes. You can check fares and timetables here. You can book a skip-the-line ticket at the Leaning Tower of Pisa here , and this is another tour that is smart to book ahead of time.

If you’re visiting Pisa independently, I highly recommend stopping in the city of Lucca on the way back. This is one of the true gems of Tuscany, a beautiful walled city that is touristed but not overcrowded, and right between Pisa and Florence.

Take a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano

Siena and San Gimignano are two of the most picturesque towns in Tuscany. Either of them would make a nice day trip from Florence, but I think they work best when paired together.

Siena is where the Palio horse race takes place around the main piazza, and Siena’s cathedral is probably my favorite church in Italy. It’s so colorful and detailed inside! Make sure you get the ticket that allows you to climb the tower, because the views are fantastic.

San Gimignano is a much smaller town, looking like a medieval Manhattan with so many stone towers! This is an extremely tourist-oriented place (I didn’t see a single business that was for locals), but it’s incredibly cute.

But hitting up both spots on a day trip is a great way to maximize your exploration of Tuscany.

On my latest trip to Florence, Walks invited me on a comped Tuscany Day Trip From Florence , which includes a morning visit to Siena, lunch at a winery in Chianti, and an afternoon visit to San Gimignano.

I love that this tour always has small groups, that you have both guided time and independent time to explore each city, and every guide I’ve had from Walks has been amazing. Getting to San Gimignano is a little hairy in terms of transit, and it was nice just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Siena is about an 80-minute bus ride from Florence; San Gimignano is about two hours by bus with a few changes.

Go wine tasting in Chianti

Chianti is the one Italian wine every foreigner has heard of — which is why I tell people NOT to drink only Chianti on their Italy trips . But if you’re actually in Chianti, this is the time to go all out!

The Chianti wine region is responsible for those sultry reds produced mainly from Sangiovese grapes in Tuscany. These ancient grapes have been used in Italian wine-making since the Etruscan age.

The best way to get the most sips out of your day is by booking a tour with a designated driver. The Chianti Wine Experience whisks you away to a family-run estate where you’ll tour the cellar and vineyard sampling five DOCG Chianti wines.

Take a day trip to Cinque Terre

Let the record reflect that I recommend spending several days in the Italian Riviera if at all possible, and Cinque Terre is just one of many wonderful destinations there. However, if all you have is one day to visit Cinque Terre, you can absolutely do that from Florence.

While you can do it independently if you really want to, I strongly recommend you choose a guided tour for this one, especially if visiting between late spring and early fall. Most of the area is off-limits to cars, so you’ll want to explore on foot or by train throughout the villages.

This Cinque Terre day trip from Florence includes transportation from the city, a guided tour, and lets you choose between riding the train or hiking between the cliffside villages. (Keep in mind hiking can be rough on hot summer days.)

Don’t miss the gorgeous towns of Vernazza and Riomaggiore, which I think are the prettiest in terms of the brightly colored buildings perched on hills!

How Much Time To Spend in Florence, Italy

There is SO much to see that I recommend a bare minimum of three days in Florence. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off in Florence as a fast-moving solo traveler, and barely managed to do almost everything in five full days.

With a fourth day, you can continue to explore the city or add a day trip somewhere else in Tuscany. If you have more time than that , you can easily fill your days with sights and day trips. Florence is a great place to base yourself in Tuscany. You can even travel down to Rome or up to Bologna if you’d like.

I often see travelers giving too little time to Florence. (Honestly, this is the case in most destinations in Europe.) However, Florence is a place where you may appreciate lingering a bit longer than you originally planned.

How To Get To Florence, Italy

Florence is served by the Florence Peretola Airport (FLR), formerly the Amerigo Vespucci Airport. A tram gets you to the city center in 20 minutes flat for less than 2 EUR ($2). 

If you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with kids, a private Florence Airport hotel transfer will save you a headache.

Pisa International Airport (PSA) is further away but has more connections and is better served by low-cost airlines in Europe. There is a shuttle train in the airport that will take you directly to the train station, and from there you can hop on one of the frequent trains to Florence (50 minutes).

Florence’s train station, Santa Maria Novella, is well-connected to destinations all over Italy, including the high-speed Frecciarossa trains. There is also a bus station next door.

Should you rent a car for your trip to Florence? Renting a car can be a great idea for Italy, particularly if you’re staying at an agriturismo and exploring the countryside, but driving in Florence is an absolute nightmare and I urge you to avoid it at all costs.

If you do have a rental car during your time in Florence, make sure your accommodation has a parking spot for you. Check out the best rates on rental cars here.

And don’t forget to read my guide to driving in Italy !

Where To Stay in Florence, Italy

Florence’s city center is on the smaller side, so most hotels are within walking distance of main attractions, decent restaurants, and the train station.

Here’s where to stay in Florence city center. 

Top-rated Luxury Hotel in Florence: If you’re looking for an incredibly luxe experience, The St. Regis Florence occupies a Brunelleschi-designed building on the riverside just west of the city center. Rooms are palatial and the views are outstanding.

Top-Rated Mid-Range Luxury Hotel in Florence: If you want a luxe experience but at a more attainable price, I stayed at the Grand Hotel Baglioni , who invited me for a comped stay, and I really loved it. The rooms are sumptuous and quiet, breakfast has a gorgeous view of the Duomo, and the rooftop bar actually has 360-degree city views, rare in Florence!

Top-rated Mid-range Hotel in Florence: Close to the Piazza della Repubblica and with terrace views of the Duomo, Boutique Hotel del Corso is a great choice for your first time in Florence. Rooms feature modern bathrooms and classic Italian decor. 

Top-rated Budget Hotel in Florence: Know that it’s tough to find affordable accommodation in this beautiful city but B&B Emozioni Fiorentine has rooms around the $250 mark — a deal by Florentine standards. It’s clean, cozy, and close to sights. 

Top-rated Hostel in Florence: Plus Florence features both private ensuite rooms as well as dorms. The two pools and sun deck make it an awesome pick during summer! Breakfast is available, and you can use the kitchen to prepare light meals.

Find deals on places to stay in Florence here.

Best Time To Visit Florence

You should be very careful about planning your time to visit Florence. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Europe, and it’s a small city that gets a disproportionately large number of tourists, making it feel even more crowded.

And because of that, there isn’t much of a shoulder season. I most recently visited in March and it was PACKED, despite it not even being spring on the calendar yet!

Summer is the busiest season and I strongly encourage you to avoiding visiting from late June through early September. And these days, summer extends from late May through late September. These are when crowds are at their worst, and accommodation prices tend to peak in June and September. Summer weather in Florence is blisteringly hot, too.

Spring and fall are my favorite seasons to visit Italy in general, though in Florence I would recommend visiting in early spring or late fall to have better crowds.

The closest thing Florence has to an off-season is the months of December and January, which have considerably fewer tourists than usual. I think this would be a wonderful time to visit Florence, when you have more peace in the museums and hearty Tuscan fare will keep you warm!

Is Florence Worth It?

Of course Florence is worth it! Florence is like a jewel-encrusted treasure, tucked among the hills of Tuscany.

Indeed, it’s very crowded, touristy, and expensive — but that’s for good reason. Florence is the kind of place you need to experience for yourself once in your life, especially if you’re an Italy fan.

I hope you trip to Florence is just as magical as my first trip was! Go have the time of your life!

Planning a Trip to Italy:

• What NOT to Do in Italy
• Solo Female Travel in Italy: Is it Safe?
• Ultimate Guide to Driving in Italy
• How to Stay at an Agriturismo in Italy
• 30 Stunning Mediterranean Islands To Visit In Your Lifetime

More   Cool Places in Northern Italy:

• Three Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
• Parma, Italy: A Colorful, Artsy, Delicious Town
• Where to Stay in Rome: Best Neighborhoods and Accommodation
• Three Days in the Dolomites: A South Tyrol Getaway
• Best Day Trips from Florence, Italy
• The Immaculate, Bursting Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy
• 25 Best Food Experiences in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• 23 Best Things to Do in Bologna, Italy

Best of Southern Italy:

• 28 Fabulous Things to Do in Naples, Italy
• 16 Fun Things to Do in Sorrento, Italy
• Tropea, Italy: A Spectacularly Situated Beach Town
• The Joys and Challenges of Traveling in Sicily
• 22 Beautiful Places to Visit in Sicily
• Where to Go in Eastern Sicily
• 23 Fun Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily
• Complete Guide to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily
• Aci Trezza: A Laid-Back Coastal Town in Sicily
• Visiting Sicily in the Winter: Worth it or not?
• 17 Fun Things to Do in Bari, Italy
• 17 Cool Things to Do in Matera, Italy
• The Stunning Trulli of Alberobello, Italy
• 16 Fab Things to Do in Lecce, Italy
• Experiencing the Carpino Folk Festival in Puglia, Italy

Have you been to Florence? Any tips to share?

One Day in Florence: How to See Florence in a Day

One day in Florence may not be enough time to master the city, but it is enough time to fall in love with it!

We would know: our first trip to Florence was for one day… and our second was for a month.

We’ve since returned to Florence enough times that we’re starting to lose count, and we love the city more and more with each visit. Looking back, it’s downright impressive that our obsession with the city started with a trip that included only one day in Florence.

Trying to see Florence in a day? We want to make sure you leave just as smitten with the city as we are–here’s what we recommend you do there.

Table of Contents

The Perfect One Day in Florence Itinerary

Tips for spending a day in florence, getting around during one day in florence, more time in florence, where to stay for one day in florence.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Start at the Galleria dell’Accademia.

As the city of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Da Vinci, and many others, it’s no surprise that the Cradle of the Renaissance has maintained a reputation for stellar art collections through the centuries.

Sadly, with only one day in Florence, a visit to the incredible Uffizi only makes sense for serious art buffs who are willing to forgo seeing much else of Florence–but for everyone else, you can still get a taste of Florence’s art scene at the Galleria dell’Accademia.

This is the home of Michelangelo’s famous David, and we can attest that this statue is utterly mind-blowing to see in person–pictures and replicas simply do not do it justice.

Since the Galleria dell’Accademia is fairly small–it was literally built to house David –it’ll be easy enough to work your way through the few other rooms quickly, get a taste of Florence’s art scene, and then head out to enjoy the rest of your one day in Florence.

Predictably, lines at the Galleria dell’Accademia can get extremely long, even in the low season, so we strongly recommend you purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid wasting any time during your one day in Florence.

Don’t worry about lines: book your tickets to see David now! Timed Entrance to David & the Galleria dell’Accademia

Stroll over to Mercato di San Lorenzo.

7-minute walk from the Galleria dell’Accademia.

As one of Florence’s oldest markets, the bustling Mercato di San Lorenzo is an excellent place to people-watch, purchase small souvenirs, and photograph all of the overflowing stalls that are bursting with leather goods.

Keep in mind that the Mercato di San Lorenzo of today is geared almost exclusively toward tourists, and as a result, the quality of the leather may not be the best–we wouldn’t recommend purchasing a pricey jacket or large bag here without doing lots of research on the maker (and doing lots of haggling).

Generally, if you want to purchase an item of that caliber while in Florence, it’s better to head to a reputable leather shop than a touristic market.

However, if you’re not looking for a lifetime purchase but merely a belt, small wallet, journal, etc. to commemorate your one day in Florence, this can be a fun place to browse.

Duck into Mercato Centrale.

Right next door to the Mercato di San Lorenzo sits the Mercato Centrale, one of my favorite places in the city!

This market is all about the food: whether you want to photograph the beautiful fruit stands, pick up some olive or truffle oil to ship home, buy a large block of cheese, or purchase a hot meal from one of the many stands selling pasta and other goods, Mercato Centrale has you covered.

If you’re hoping to pick up an edible souvenir during your one day in Florence, this is the place to do it–in addition to the oils mentioned above, vacuum-packed parmigiano-reggiano , cantucci cookies, and traditional balsamic vinegar are all excellent choices!

Head over to the Piazza del Duomo.

6-minute walk from Mercato Centrale.

Ah, the Piazza del Duomo: as the home of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (better known simply as the Duomo), this is the most iconic spot in Florence and one of the most iconic spots in all of Italy.

While in the Piazza del Duomo, be sure to enter the cathedral (it’s free to enter, but everything else on this list requires a ticket), tour the baptistery (especially be sure to take note of Botticelli’s incredible carved doors on the side that faces the cathedral!), and climb to the top of either Giotto’s Bell Tower or Brunelleschi’s Dome for amazing views.

The Piazza del Duomo is one place where prior planning for your one day in Florence will make or break what you get to do there: to climb to the top of the cupola, you’ll need to reserve your ticket at least several days in advance.

While that is a hassle, it will work to your advantage with limited time in Florence: while you don’t need to reserve in advance to climb the bell tower, the lines do get long and you may not have time to wait and still make it to everything else you hope to see in the city.

For that reason, we recommend booking your ticket to the attractions at the Piazza del Duomo in advance, including your timed cupola reservation.

If you’d prefer to climb the bell tower and the line is too long, you can consider trying to loop back around to the Piazza del Duomo near sunset–that’s what we did when we climbed it, and we were able to avoid the bulk of the line that way.

Keep in mind that both climbs require lots of stairs–463 for the dome and 414 for the bell tower–so be prepared to sweat a bit!

Don’t miss your chance to climb the dome: book your ticket to the Duomo Complex today! Florence Cathedral Ticket with Dome Reservation

Walk over to the Piazza della Repubblica.

3-minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo.

The Piazza della Repubblica marks the former site of the Roman Forum of Florence, and it was the center of the city in the time of the Roman Empire.

Today, it is a beautiful square that is home to a gorgeous carousel–be sure to stop by and snap some photos, and even jump on a horse if you like!

Stop by the Fontana del Porcellino & rub his nose.

3-minute walk from the Piazza della Repubblica.

Just down the road from the Piazza della Repubblica sits the Fontana del Porcellino–and this bronze pig has a couple of traditions attached.

Be sure to stick a coin in his mouth and make a wish as it drops into the grate–if the coin falls through the gate, your wish is said to come true.

More straightforward and important to travelers, however, is the tradition surrounding his nose: rub it, and you’re said to be guaranteed to return to Florence one day!

The leather market that is set up next to the Fontana del Porcellino is called the Mercato Nuovo. Like the Mercato di San Lorenzo from earlier in the day, the market is quite touristy–but if there’s something you had your eye on at the Mercato di San Lorenzo and regret not picking up, you can probably find another version of it here.

Wander over to the Piazza della Signoria.

2-minute walk from the Fontana del Porcellino.

Home to the Palazzo Vecchio (Florence’s active city hall since the Middle Ages!), a beautiful open-air museum showcasing some incredible statues, the beautiful Neptune’s Fountain, and the Uffizi Gallery, the Piazza della Signoria is one of the prettiest and most historically important piazzas in Florence.

Though you likely won’t have time to go inside the Uffizi with only one day in Florence, the open-air collection of statues is quite the consolation prize–some of Florence’s best-known statues are located here, including the horrifying but artistically masterful Rape of the Sabine Women.

Violence is a prevalent theme in this collection of statues–they are impressive, but also somewhat disturbing.

If you’re moving quickly through Florence and still have a bit of time, you may want to consider touring the Palazzo Vecchio while here–the building is impressive, and the view from the top is one of our favorite views of Florence!

Want to squeeze in a visit to the Palazzo Vecchio? Book your  ticket to the Palazzo Vecchio  today! Just can’t say no to the Uffizi? Save time & book your ticket in advance:  Timed Entrance to the Uffizi Gallery

Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.

4-minute walk from the Piazza della Signoria.

Spanning the Arno River at its narrowest point, the Ponte Vecchio is known for its distinct look of having buildings built along either side of it–and as the shops there today are glittering with jewels and gold from every angle, it’s quite the lovely place for a walk!

The pedestrian bridge can get quite crowded, but it is one of the most iconic features of Florence and offers beautiful views of the Arno River.

Of course, you can’t get the best view of the Ponte Vecchio while you are on it–for that, head to the nearby Ponte Santa Trinita.

Enjoy the sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo.

20-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio.

The Piazzale Michelangelo is one of Florence’s best-known viewpoints, and there’s no better place to watch the sunset on your one day in Florence.

Try to get there a bit before sunset, not only to grab a great spot to enjoy the view, but to have the opportunity to take some beautiful photos before the sun starts to go down.

From there, it’s time for one of two things: either a walk to the train station to bid Florence goodbye, or, if you’re spending the night in the city, out to dinner for a delicious Tuscan dinner!

Start early, and have breakfast Italian style.

The biggest key to making the most of one day in Florence is getting an early start: the Galleria dell’Accademia opens at 8:15am, and we recommend being there right as the doors open to get a great jump on exploring the city.

Before arriving, have a quick breakfast Italian-style: a cappuccino drunk standing up at the bar (aka coffeeshop), plus a sweet pastry if you’re hungry, is the perfect way to start an Italian morning.

And I’m serious about standing up–Italian bars charge extra for the luxury of drinking while seated! Embrace the tradition, save a few pennies, and drink standing–it’s more fun that way, anyway.

Save time & book your tickets in advance.

We’re big believers in planning ahead to avoid waiting in line, and when you’re working on an extra short timeline and have only one day in Florence, that becomes even more important.

We strongly recommend purchasing tickets for both the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Duomo before arriving in Florence–your whole day will go so much smoother for it!

Advance planning may even save you some money–you wouldn’t be the first travelers to show up at a popular sight, see the gigantic line, and immediately decide to pay the local ticket scalpers whatever they ask (we definitely ended up doing this ourselves at the Vatican once).

Purchase your tickets to the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Duomo today! Timed Entrance to David & the Galleria dell’Accademia Florence Cathedral Ticket with Dome Reservation

Pick out some food options ahead of time to avoid delays when exploring.

With only one day in Florence, you’ll want to avoid wasting any time worrying about where to eat!

Here are a few quick eats in Florence that we love and that are very closely located to the path marked on this one day in Florence itinerary–we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with any of them!

We’ve intentionally avoided any spots that will take a particularly long time or are far out of the way, instead focusing on delicious, fast meals to keep you going throughout your one day in Florence.

If you’re spending the night in Florence, you’ll want to head out after watching the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo for a gut-busting, multi-course, delicious Tuscan meal–for that, we can recommend Il Latini (a bit touristy but utterly fabulous). We hear excellent things about Osteria Santo Spirito as well–for both of these restaurants, you’ll want to make dinner reservations in advance.

Trattoria Marione — Via della Spada

We weren’t sure what to expect when we first ate at this trattoria–we picked it out on a whim–but their pesto is, hands down, the best we have ever had–we’ve been dreaming about it ever since!

Gusta Pizza — Via Maggio

Gusta Pizza is well-known, but that’s no reason not to stop by! True Napoli-style pizza is quite rare in Tuscany, but Gusta Pizza does an incredible job.

The pizza is delicious and prices are fair–but the crowds are no joke.

We recommend taking your pizza to go, and eating it while people-watching in front of the nearby Palazzo Pitti instead of battling the crowds inside the small restaurant.

Il Panino del Chianti — Via de Bardi

We love this panino shop!

The panini are so good, the shop is adorable, and the location is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat in between crossing the Ponte Vecchio and heading up to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Gelateria Edoardo — Piazza del Duomo

Conventional travel wisdom would suggest that a gelato shop located within sight of the Duomo would be overpriced and underwhelming–but there are exceptions to every rule, and Gelateria Edoardo is that exception.

Their gelato is delicious, and some of the flavors are so creative. I highly recommend their cinnamon gelato, and Jeremy swears by the traditional vanilla.

Don’t forget to enjoy the journey!

Half the fun of Florence is simply being there: wandering the streets, admiring the buildings, hearing the music from the buskers echoing across the squares, strolling around with a scoop of gelato in hand.

While this one day Florence itinerary does take you through many of the best sights of Florence, we intentionally structured it to allow plenty of time for ogling Florence on foot–which, after around half a dozen visits to Florence, is still one of our favorite things to do there.

Florence is quite small and assuming you don’t have any physical limitations, you likely won’t need anything other than your own feet to get around during your one day in Florence.

I’ve included the walking distance between each attraction above: as you can see, most of them are very close together!

There is no limit to how long you can stay in Florence and be entertained! If you have more than one day in Florence, be sure to stop by the beautiful Uffizi Gallery, to climb to the small church of San Miniato al Monte for amazing views over the city, to check out the Palazzo Pitti and nearby Boboli Gardens, to visit the Santa Croce Church where Galileo and many others are interred, and to visit the incredible Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy.

If you have more than a few days in Florence, be sure to also get out into the Tuscan countryside: whether you’re looking for a wine tour, a day trip to a nearby village (Pisa is popular, Lucca, Siena, and San Gimignano are better), a chance to ride a Vespa through the Tuscan hills, or a cooking class overlooking the countryside, Tuscany has you covered.

If you’re spending the night during your one day Florence visit, your main priority should be location: choose a hotel that is centrally located, within easy reach of some of Florence’s top attractions, and hopefully the Santa Maria Novella train station, and you’ll be golden.

Here are a few options that we recommend.

B&B Le Stanze del Duomo  — Though Florence hotels can be a bit pricey and stretch the definition of “budget”, B&B Le Stanze’s beautiful rooms and impeccable location in Florence will be sure to have you swooning!

Check rates & book your stay at B&B Le Stanze del Duomo!

Bargello Guest House  — Located in the heart of Florence, this property is only a short (read: less than 5-minute) walk away from some of Florence’s highlights like the Palazzo Vecchio. Staying here, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the best of what Florence has to offer.

Check rates & book your stay at Bargello Guest House!

Hotel Lungarno  — Nestled right against the Arno River and home to one of the best views of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence (not to mention some of the best views of the rest of Florence from their top deck), Hotel Lungarno is our personal “if we ever  really  want to splurge” hotel in Florence. You can’t go wrong using Hotel Lungarno as your base for one day in Florence!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Lungarno!

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

32 thoughts on “One Day in Florence: How to See Florence in a Day”

So beautifully written (not to mention the gorgeous pictures)! We are gonna be in Florence for a day, in a few days from now, and I could not have found a better itinerary to refer to (it pretty much covers everything I was eyeing at). The fact that you have mentioned the time taken to get to each of these stops makes it even more useful. Thanks and much love from India x

Thank you so much, Ashima! Hope that you enjoy your trip to beautiful Florence!

This is fantastic! I am perusing Gate 1 Travel for an independent European trip from London, to Paris, to Rome. I am 99% sure, I’m booking this 8 day trip to surprise my mother for Mother’s Day 2020. We would travel late May. My husband and I visited Rome as a port stop on a Mediterranean cruise in June 2017. Unfortunately, we were not able to enter Livorno because of the weather; therefore, we missed an opportunity to visit Florence. With the exception of entering the Vatican (which I will definitely do with my mother), I pretty much saw what I wanted while in Rome for 6 hours. I was thrilled to see Florence is only a 90 min train ride from Rome. And, was over the moon to read this blog! I will follow it to the “T” as we add a day in Florence to our itinerary! I look forward to posting following the trip!

Thank you, Naomi! Hope you have a fabulous trip. Late May is a wonderful time to be in Italy. 🙂

I would like to thank you for this guide! It was extremely helpful! We followed it during our day in Florence on 25/10/2019 and everything was great, especially the stops, their descriptions/meanings and the walking distance between them. Overall, our trip was amazing 🙂

Thank you so much, Angela! So glad you have a wonderful day in Florence!

Thank you for this guide. It’s really amazing! Very helpful. We’re gonna be in Florence for a day, in a few days from now so for us it’s really useful. You’ve taken amazing pictures. All the best for you, my friends! <3

That’s wonderful to hear Wioleta, thank you! Hope you have a fabulous trip to Florence!

Hello there, I am traveling to Europe in May 2020 for all of 12 days and hoping to cover London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Barcelona and Madrid… In your honest opinion do you really think this is doable or should I leave Florence out and just go straight to Rome from Paris?

Thank you so much

Hi Darlene! We personally wouldn’t recommend trying to cover five major cities in 12 days, especially ones requiring this much travel between them–it will be exhausting and you’ll end up spending a lot of time in transport.

We’d recommend cutting 1-2 cities–whichever your bottom choice (or even better, bottom two choices) are. If that’s Florence for you, as much as we adore it, I would recommend skipping.

Hi Kate! Thanks so much for this guide! We are traveling for our honeymoon in May 2021. We have booked a cruise from Venice through the Greek Islands for a week so the week before we thought we would do some land traveling through Italy. We will be flying into Barcelona (because it was near the top of our list) and after a few days there, we will be traveling to Rome for 2 days, Florence for 2 days, and then up to Venice. Gotta love the train! I feel that we can do most of Florence that we want to see in a day. I would like to take a day trip to Pisa and the countryside. I know this is a lot of travel (hence the week cruise after) but we are up for it and there isn’t too much travel time. What do you recommend in terms of taking a trip around the Tuscany countryside and Pisa. And 2nd, I am worried about traveling with all of our luggage. I know there is not much to do about that, but do you have any experience with this and any tips to follow? Thanks!

Hi Melissa! Sounds like an amazing trip you have planned.

You can definitely tour the Tuscan countryside for the day. Unless you really want to see Pisa specifically, I’d recommend focusing somewhere else. If you do want to see it, I’d go for half a day (it’s an easy 30-minute train from Florence), and then move on somewhere else–Pisa is easily paired with Lucca, for example.

If I were in your shoes, personally I’d book a tour of the Chianti countryside, San Gimignano, and maybe Siena. It’s the go-to choice for spending one day in the Tuscan countryside and is absolutely lovely. We have all the best day trips from Florence, including more details on that one, rounded up here: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/best-day-trips-from-florence-italy/

As for the luggage, it’s a hassle, but it’s not too bad. There’s generally plenty of spaces on the trains for it, and large train stations in Rome, Florence, Venice, etc, all have luggage storage options on-site if you need to drop it off and then explore for a few hours after.

Hope you guys have a fabulous trip!

Thank you so much for your one day itinerary. My Husband and I will be taking our first lift time trip to Europe this May 2020. We are flying into Paris for three days before we board our Italy Royal Cruise Vacation. I was thinking of adding one day to Florence. So is it best to fly into Florence from Paris and then take a train into Rome? or should we fly?

Yes, assuming your cruise leaves from Rome, I’d probably fly from Paris to Florence and then take the train from Florence to Rome.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Headed to Italy in April with my son. Taking a day or two in Florence and this is very helpful. Thanks!

So glad to hear it, Heather! Hope you guys have a great time in Florence!

Hi Kate! So happy that I stumbled again:) at your blog. I saw it first during our Venice trip in June and sent you few comments. This time I was desperate for some ideas for Florence, which I visited with five of my girlfriends many years ago and this time came with my husband and son. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! We have a day and a half left, have seen many things already including Boboli gardens and fantastic Jeff Koons Shine exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi and going to Uffizi today (not sure how would that go with my 10 year old son;)), but you convinced me to visit Accademia Galleria, as I thought it is also large and it would be too much to see it this time. I booked it for tomorrow morning before we leave for Croatia for few days and eventually home to Slovenia. We had few great dinners here and I can recommend La Spada restaurant. If you have a place to recommend for dinner especially on the other side of Arno or anywhere else in Florence for our last night here that would be great. Otherwise stay well, keep on writing, I will definitely have it in mind for our next Italy visit! With warm regards from Florence, Alex

Such high praise, thank you Aleksandra! I love hearing we were able to help people have a great trip. 🙂 Florence is so beautiful, I can’t wait to get back myself.

For dinner, I can highly recommend Osteria dell’Enoteca–I still remember my meal there like it was yesterday! It’s on the far side of the Arno, past the Palazzo Pitti, but not too far to walk.

Thank you for this guide! My wife and I are about to travel to Rome and we’re planning a day trip to Florence and this is super helpful! 🙂

So glad to hear that, Alicia! Enjoy Italy! 🙂

We totally followed your itinerary and so glad for that! Had a great time. The only thing I’d add is that for folks looking to get back to Rome at night, book the last possible train. The sunset is around 8:30 PM (May) – and the casual dancing/singing starts after.

Hello, great site and thankyou for all of the helpful information. How come when I go to book the tickets at the link for ‘Galleria dell’Accademia’ to see David, it will only allow timed entrance at 9:15 at not at the 8:15 opening time? Please help

I’m not sure, but generally speaking, if a tour/ticket time is sold out it won’t show. Different available times show on different days due to availability.

Kate, came across your site as I sought guidance for Florence-in-a-day–not that Florence isn’t worthy of more time. If only! Taking your advice, word-for-word, and very much looking forward to our visit there –high speed train from Rome–this week. Thank you!

That is fantastic to hear, Gail! Thank you for trusting us. 🙂

I hope your day in Florence is absolutely perfect!

We hit every place you recommended, plus the Boboli gardens and the hilltop church above piazzale michaelangelo. It was incredible! I really appreciated your guide, thank you!

Sounds like a wonderful and packed day!

So glad our guide was helpful, and thank you so much for coming back to tell us so! Makes my day. 🙂

Hello. June 28th, I will be doing majority of the 1-day agenda you kindly well detailed planned out in the above blog/ article. Thank You. I will be booking in advance.

Wanted to see if we could chat offline (email below). I love to travel and want to be able to work while traveling while living the life we should be living. Any way, I was hoping I could pick your brains on blogging / traveling. I know this is not those place to do so and I am sorry for the leaving this message here.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Hi Wallace,

So glad we could help!

We don’t offer consultations or anything of that sort (simply don’t have the time!), but we’re always happy to answer a few questions for readers who shoot us an email about their plans. 🙂

Amazing work! Thank you!

Hello I’m writing this with a big smile on my face after completing most of the things on the list during my 6 hours in Florence today. Thanks to your extremely detailed itinerary, we were easily able to navigate our way around! The sugar on the top was having an authentic gelato at Gelataria Edoardo as per your recommendation 😄 And of course, the best part of our day was our walk up to Piazza Michelangelo; what a sight it was!! Thank you for helping us make our few hours in Florence so memorable😄

Thank you for making my day, Swathi! Your comment sure put a big smile on MY face. 🙂 So glad you’re having a wonderful time in Italy and that we could be a small part of your trip.

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Top 25 Things to do in Florence, Italy for 2024

Sean Finelli Last Updated: May 3, 2024

Dreaming of a trip to Florence and want to get a head start on planning? We don’t blame you! The city is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in Europe with a huge amount to see and do. In this guide, discover the top things to do in Florence for a memorable.

Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Florence? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you need it. Check out our guide to Florence for more planning resources, our best Florence tours for a memorable trip, and how to see Florence in a day (with itinerary).

The Best Things To Do in Florence, Italy

The birthplace of the Renaissance has a lot to offer visitors, from magnificent artworks to impressive architecture, rich history, beautiful countryside, and delicious food and wine. Taking a guided tour is often the easiest way to experience a bit of everything in a city like Florence.

A good mix of fun activities will make your trip that much better. In this guide, discover the top things to do in Florence with links to other useful content that will not only further inspire you but also help you plan and reserve tickets for your visit.

1. See the Greatest Sculpture on Earth

Known officially as Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze , the Accademia is a small art museum with Michelangelo’s David as its focal point. Unlike its rival, the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia has a very small collection of works, which makes it unique.

Michelangelo sculpted David from a block of marble abandoned by other artists who described it as “unusable.” Michelangelo was not only able to work with it but sculpted what is arguably his masterpiece.

He famously described David as “trapped” in the marble. It is a humble way to describe sculpting. In Michelangelo’s mind, David always existed inside that block of marble and it was his mission to free him.

You can also see four unfinished statues by Michelangelo, which sort of frame the corridor that leads up to David . There are works by other great artists, including Sandro Botticelli, as well as many other top things to see at the Accademia .

Getting tickets can be difficult. We offer a guided tour of Florence that includes a stop at the Accademia to see the David , which also visits many of the main sites in the city led by a local English-speaking guide. You can also see our guide on how to visit the Accademia for more info.

Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60 | Hours: Tues – Sun, 8:15 am – 6:50 pm; Closed on Mondays | Admission: €12 (Regular Ticket) + €4 online booking fee; €2 (Reduced Ticket); Free for under-18s.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best Florence tours to take and why .

2. Explore Italy’s Most Famous Museum: Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is Florence’s premier art gallery and houses one of the greatest collections of Italian Renaissance artwork on Earth. It was built in the 16th century as an office building for the Medici. The name Uffizi translates to “offices,” which was its original purpose. The structure, designed by Giorgio Vasari, was completed in 1581.

Formally declared a museum open to the public in 1865, 0ver 4 million visitors enter the Uffizi each year, which makes it the most ticketed attraction in Florence. The Renaissance, by definition, gave birth to a new era of art, architecture, and culture. Florence was the epicenter of the period and it spread throughout Italy and Europe.

What makes this gallery so popular is the fact that Florence birthed the Renaissance, and much of that artwork is in the Uffizi Gallery. Today, you can see some of the world’s greatest artworks, including the Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Sandro Botticelli. This is an absolute must for visitors to Florence.

With so many top things to see in the Uffizi , we highly recommend a guided tour of the Uffizi to bring the museum and the artwork to life. If that’s not in the budget, check out our museum guide on how to visit the Uffizi Gallery with info on tickets, hours, and more.

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6 | Hours: Tues – Sun, 8:15 am – 6:30 pm; Closed on Mondays | Admission cost: €20 (regular ticket) + €4 online booking fee; €2 (reduced ticket).

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a guided Uffizi tour is worth it .

3. Explore Tuscany in a Vintage Fiat 500

We’ve all got that image of Italy, the quintessential Italy. Rolling green hills, a girl in dark sunglasses and a head scarf, a 1960’s Fiat 500 growling as it struggles up another hill. Well, we can provide the Fiat 500 and the rolling green hills, but you’ll have to bring your headscarf.

You have two options here. With the first, you’ll get to drive your own Fiat 500 as you follow a guide around Tuscany. This option is excellent for the gearheads who want the experience of driving one of these vintage vehicles on the very roads they were designed for.

With the second, you sit back and let the guide drive for you. I’ll be honest, on the roads themselves, it isn’t as fun. But when you stop for lunch, being the passenger has its advantages as you sip on a cold glass of wine with your traditional Tuscan lunch.

Both options lead to unforgettable experiences. But which one to take? Well, that’s up to you!

4. Walk Across Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is an excellent example of a medieval bridge, and what an impressive structure it is! The construction is completely from stone archways that support the weight of the bridge, its visitors, and the shops. Built on either side of the bridge, these shops add to its uniqueness.

What few people realize, though, is that there’s a secret passage the Medici built on top known as the Vasari Corridor. The Vasari Corridor is an incredible structure. The Medici, who practically ruled the Republic of Florence, built a hallway to connect their home, Palazzo Pitti, with the town hall, Palazzo Vecchio.

Today, the bridge is occupied by jewelers and generally overrun by visitors looking to purchase something from “on top of Ponte Vecchio in Florence,” which I admit is pretty cool to say. The jewelers are not there by chance, either.

This bridge used to be inhabited by farmers of all sorts, but the Medici spread the idea that these types of shops made the bridge and city look fit only for peasants. The farmers were forced out as a result, and eventually, a decree in 1595 excluded them. If you want to hear more about its fascinating history, our tour of the Accademia , also featured below, includes a visit to Ponte Vecchio.

Address: Ponte Vecchio

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Florence Guide for more info.

5. See the Duomo and Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome

The Florence Cathedral is a must-see attraction, and it’s very difficult to miss. It’s located in the center of town and is visible from much of the city. The cathedral’s name is the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore—the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower—which may refer to the Giglio or Red Lily/Iris, the flower and symbol of Florence.

The name Santa Maria del Fiore is seldom used in Italy, though, and most simply refer to it as Il Duomo. The Duomo is designed in a very Tuscan/Florentine style with its green and white marble that brings life to its facade and surfaces. It differs greatly from the Basilica of Rome in many ways. For example, it is completely detached from other buildings, so you can walk all the way around it.

The dome, its crowning jewel, was the first of its size since the Pantheon. Many thought it couldn’t possibly be done, but the Medici family pressed on, and Filippo Brunelleschi brought it to realization.

By far the most famous moment in this cathedral’s history was the murder of Giuliano dè Medici on Sunday, April 26, 1478, by the Pazzi family, who attempted to dethrone the Medici from power. The plan was to murder both Giuliano and Lorenzo the Great, but they failed to kill Lorenzo and were banished from Florence.

Address: Piazza del Duomo

Not ready to book a tour? Check out how to visit the Florence Cathedral for more info.

6. Stand Before the Gates of Paradise (Bronze Doors)

You’ll find the famous Baptistry Doors of Florence at the Baptistry of St. John in Florence, which is directly in front of the Florence Cathedral (Il Duomo). It’s so close to the Cathedral and has such a similar design that it appears to be the same structure; however, it is an independent church considered to be a minor Basilica.

The structure is one of the oldest in Florence, dating back to the late 11th century. The building is famous for its bronze doors designed and constructed by Lorenzo Ghiberti over 27 years.

Michelangelo described the doors as the Gates of Paradise, which is how the doors are known today. Vasari, one of Florence’s greatest artists and art critics, described them in his book “Lives of the Artists” as “undeniably perfect in every way and must rank as the finest masterpiece ever created.”

Why was everyone in such awe of them? Ghiberti innovated with new use of space that brought life and character to the doors. Today, they attract many visitors and are considered a masterpiece that helped define the Renaissance.

Address: Piazza San Giovanni

7. Dine at Mercato Centrale

Mercato Centrale, as you may have guessed, is the central market of Florence. It has a mishmash of things from panino places to butchers and even beeswax. The complex has two floors that are very different.

On the first floor, you’ll find traditional Italian-style Stahl vendors. You’ll be able to get all types of Italian produce and meats and even eat at Osteria-style restaurants . Head up the escalator and go from the 16th-century Medici part to the 21st century on the second floor.

Once on the second floor, you’ll find the types of places our current Italian youth enjoy—modern and cool. It’s filled with hyper-focused restaurants that serve particular types of food cafeteria-style. You grab food, sit down, eat, and clean up after yourself.

Surrounding Mercato Centrale, there are really touristy and cheap covered markets. While there are some decent items in these markets, I mostly look to avoid them. That said, if you’ve never been to a European outdoor market, it’s a cool experience you should check out. Just keep your wallet safe in every sense of the word.

Pro Tip: I would personally eat downstairs at Da Nerbone since it is a quintessential part of eating in Florence. Then, go upstairs to grab your coffee and consider it for lunch the next day if you’re in town.

Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento

8. Explore Florence by Bike

Florence is an extremely walkable city, which makes it perfect for a bike tour. Cruise across the cobblestone streets and see the small piazzas across the historical center of this mostly flat city and hit all the main outdoor attractions in the morning or afternoon.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best Florence tours to take and why .

9. Breathe in the Lilacs at Giardino Bardini (Bardini Gardens)

Oltrarno is the Florentine equivalent of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood, which is a sort of bohemian district. Admittedly, Oltrano is less bohemian than Trastevere but similarly quiet due to its location. The word Oltrarno means “the other side of the Arno river”, which keeps things quite literal!

It is home to some really cool viewpoints of Florence, including the Bardini Gardens. Very few people venture to see this Florence attraction, which makes it a real treasure. The gardens are part of a Renaissance villa of the Bardini family.

These curated gardens are home to phenomenal views of Florence and are famous for two main attractions. The first is a wisteria tunnel best viewed during the summer bloom starting in April and ending around October. The second is a long medieval staircase that carries you to one of the best views of the city.

Address: Costa San Giorgio 2 | Admission: €10 for adults, free for 17-year-olds and under

10. Hop on a Vespa in the Tuscan Countryside

The Vespa is as synonymous with Italy as pizza, Michelangelo, and gondolas, which means you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not riding one. There are two ways to achieve this. First, get picked up by an Italian player with a Vespa or join a Vespa tour. We recommend the Vespa tour!

Luckily, Florence is a really cool small town. You won’t realize it until you get there, but one second you are in the middle of what feels like a bustling town, and the next minute you’re surrounded by vineyards.

Take a super-memorable Vespa tour that not only allows you to cruise around quiet backroads but also stops at vineyards and small towns along the way. It’s a great way to have a typical Italian experience and see the Tuscan countryside.

11. Rub the Boar’s Nose (Il Porcellino)

Il Porcellino in Mercato Nuovo is a bronze copy of a bronze copy of a Roman marble copy of a Greek bronze statue of a wild boar. Hard to digest? Let me explain.

The Greeks liked creating statues out of bronze and were undoubtedly superior to the Romans when it came to creating art. The Romans were superior warriors, and when they conquered Greece, they underwent Hellenization, which basically means they started to act more like the sophisticated and artistic Greeks. They would make marble statue copies of the Greek bronze statues, often melting the bronze to make weapons.

The Medici Family procured the Roman marble copy in the 17th century, and they, or another family, commissioned Pietro Tacca to create a bronze copy of the statue and turn it into a fountain.

The fountain was very popular and, like many fountains, it has been surrounded by superstition. For such a small monument, it is hard to believe, but amongst locals, this is a top Florence attraction. I’ve read extensively online, and many writers cover the superstition incorrectly. Luckily, I am Italian and know the story well.

Rubbing the boar’s nose has very little to do with the tradition but is now almost obligatory to get the boar ready for what is next. You should put a coin in the boar’s mouth and let it roll off its tongue into the water below. There is a very fine grate over the water system, and if the coin falls through, it brings good fortune.

Address: Piazza del Mercato Nuovo

12. Plan a Trip To the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a beautiful structure that would likely be famous even if the foundation had been poured correctly, but the fact that it was built incorrectly makes it a must-see. The tower leans 5.5 degrees or about 15 feet, according to Britannica, and thanks to some restoration projects in 1999, it will hopefully never fall.

The tower takes its name after its hometown, Pisa, which is just over an hour from Florence by train and car. If you’re just going to the tower, the train is the best option, and you can take a taxi from the train station to the tower.

You’ll have to reserve tickets a few weeks in advance if you want to climb the tower, which is something I recommend doing. If you want to streamline the day, we have a great day trip from Florence to Pisa that includes transportation and tickets.

Pisa is only a 4-hour stop so our trip includes a visit to Vinci. Yes, the hometown of Leonardo da Vinci. Da means “from”, so you could call him Leonardo from Vinci if you want. The stop includes admission to the Da Vinci Museums and, finally, a stop in Piazzale Michelangelo for the best view of Florence.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Where to Stay in Pisa guide

13. Go To Cinque Terre for the Day (or Longer!)

Cinque Terre, one of Italy’s most celebrated and no longer hidden “hidden treasures,” is about a 2.5-hour journey from Florence. This makes it a great day-trip option, although we recommend spending a night or two there. Understandably, vacation time has its limits, and Italy has many things you’ll want to see.

If you are unfamiliar, Cinque Terre consists of five principal towns and a few other smaller towns that are connected by one road, a train, and lots of hiking trails. The area is quaint, colorful, and as all-natural as it gets. Italy has abundant laws protecting the area to preserve its original charm, which is why so many people want to come and visit. It’s a blast from the past.

You can stay here for a few days, in which case check out where to stay in Cinque Terre . If not, you can cruise out here for the day on our Florence to Cinque Terre day trip .

Not ready to book a tour? Check out Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

14. Eat and Hang Out in Santo Spirito

Santo Spirito is a lively district of Florence home to shops, restaurants, and some pretty cool places to have a drink or two. No trip to Florence is complete without visiting this area, especially since it is home to the famed palace of the Medici dynasty.

While this is definitely a bucket list item for Florence, visiting Santo Spirito is all about getting a meal and drinks while in the area. I highly recommend heading to Gurdulu Gastronomia for a meal if you want unique dishes and Osteria Cinghiale Bianco for the classics. I also would highly recommend making a reservation at La Loggia Rooftop Bar for some refreshing libations.

You can experience Florence’s Santo Spirito district like a local on our food tour , which will give you an authentic taste of Florence’s exquisite food and wine in this lively local neighborhood.

15. See Florence from the Arno

Venice is not the only city in Italy with its very own taxi-like boats! That’s right, Florence has a type of boat known as a barchetti . While they are not as common as Venice’s gondolas, they achieve the same purpose.

With a glass of wine and soft drinks included, this one-hour experience is a great way to see Florence from a different vantage point. On the Arno river, you’ll glide under the iconic Ponte Vecchio, which has spanned the Arno for over eight centuries.

16. Take in the Brancacci Chapel

While it is not a museum, the Brancacci Chapel is the kind of place you walk into and immediately understand you are somewhere important. The chapel is named for the silk merchant financially responsible for its creation, Felice Brancacci.

If the chapel was located inside the Vatican Museums, it would likely see millions of visitors per year as the Sistine Chapel does. It is actually referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the Early Renaissance.” While not a Florence museum, it is influential, important, and among the top of our list of recommendations.

While Brancacci is credited for the chapel’s existence, the artist responsible is known simply by the name Masaccio. He is not a painter who would be mentioned in conversation today; however, the likes of Michelangelo and Da Vinci would have mentioned him on a daily basis.

Masaccio started working on the chapel underneath Masolino da Panciale. Eventually, though, the student would become the teacher, and Masaccio is credited for most of the chapel.

Why is it special?

It is the first great work of art of the quattrocento (the 1400s). The chapel elaborated on a style Giotto started a hundred years prior with the Scrovegni Chapel and other works. Basically, artists began considering the perspective of the viewer and other Earthly elements, such as light coming in while painting. This was something the Romans were doing as early as the first century A.D. with the Arch of Titus but was lost in time when Europe went into darkness after the barbarians took over.

The chapel shows scenes from the Old and New Testaments in glorious color. Pay close attention to the faces and general energy each individual figure carries. Prior to this, figures acted as groups and, in Masaccio’s work, they feel and look like individuals. You may see one figure show signs of anger next to another with signs of grief, for example.

Address: Piazza del Carmine 14 | Hours: Fri, Sat, Mon, 10 am – 5 pm; Sun, 1 pm – 5 pm; Closed Tues, Wed, Thurs. | Admission cost: €4.50

17. Sip Wine from an Ancient Wine Door

Chances are you’ve heard of the famous wine doors in Florence. They’re a super unique thing that you’ll primarily only find here in Florence. Their history dates back to the 1500s when nobles were allowed to sell their wines directly to customers without having to pay taxes or own a store.

Their use exploded during the plague in the 1600s when people preferred to limit contact with each other. All you had to do was knock on the door, and a servant would refill your bottle or provide you a new one upon payment. Easy peasy.

As you wander the city, I recommend keeping an eye out for the many wine doors you can find here in Florence. Most are not in use but several are. And one of them even serves gelato from it instead of wine! I’ve included a few places that use their wine windows below.

Address: Babae | Vivoli (pastry/gelato shop) | Osteria Belle Donne

18. Splurge on a Tuscany Safari from Florence

While the price is a bit higher than your average tour, this experience is one-of-a-kind. Instead of a tour bus or even a luxury van, you’ll jump into an iconic Land Rover and traverse the Tuscany countryside. You’ll find yourself going from paved roads to vineyard trails in no time.

The Tuscany safari tour is a unique experience that will make your trip that much more memorable. The tour includes a pick-up in Florence, a stop at a vineyard with wine tasting, a wine-filled picnic, and various stops in Tuscan towns, including a medieval castle. It’s a great change of pace from exploring cities and getting out into the wine country beyond Florence.

19. Eat Pappardelle al Ragù di Cinghiale

Pappardelle are long thin noodles normally of an egg base. They are hearty and filling. A popular Florentine and Tuscan dish, Ragù di Cinghiale is made from wild boar (pork). Easily one of my favorite dishes in Italy, this is a hearty pasta dish that is full of the types of flavor that only wild game can bring.

But what is a ragù? Beef, pork, onion, carrot, celery, and tomato are the main ingredients of a ragù, which is a popular Italian recipe with different variations throughout the peninsula.

A ragù is not a jarred tomato sauce brand. In Italy, the only tomato sauce that comes from a jar is something called polpa or passata , which is basically tomatoes that are already broken down into their liquid form, ready to be cooked with other ingredients. However, no self-respecting Italian would purchase pre-made tomato sauce.

Pappardelle al Ragù di Cinghiale is a must-try dish while visiting Florence. If you’re keen to try other authentic Florentine dishes, check out all our local Florence food tours .

Where to get it: Osteria Cinghiale Bianco

20. Soak in the Sunset in Piazzale Michelangelo

Have you ever seen one of those incredible pictures of Florence and the Duomo and wondered where it was taken? The answer is Piazzale Michelangelo. Named after the famed Renaissance sculptor himself, with a replica of David in bronze at its center.

You can enjoy the view during the day, but the best time to go is in the evening. If the conditions are right, you’ll see one of the world’s best sunsets. If you’re up for it, go up a bit higher and see the amazing Abbey of San Miniato al Monte.

Address: Piazzale Michelangelo

21. Devour a Bistecca Fiorentina on a Food Tour

The bistecca Fiorentina is what it sounds like—a Florentine steak. The cut of meat can be veal or from a heifer (a cow that has not birthed a calf). Also, it must be taken from the Chianina breed of cattle that have origins in Siena. Before ordering this steak, you should know it is commonly served rare.

Like most Italian recipes, there is no fancy marinade to bring flavor to the dish. The flavor comes from the high-quality cut of meat and the salt, which brings the flavor forward. To be a “Fiorentina”, the steak must be grilled over hot coals with the bone-in, like the American T-bone. The authentic bistecca Fiorentina has four main ingredients: steak, salt, pepper, and EVOO.

Where to get it: Try the awesome Bistecca Fiorentina in our food tour in Florence —it’s an amazing experience. We make updates and changes to our food tours annually to make sure they are of the highest quality.

22. Try Vernaccia di San Gimignano at a Tuscan Vineyard

Vernaccia is named after the grape it is produced from. It has been grown and produced most commonly near San Gimignano in Tuscany since the Renaissance. Vernaccia is normally a strong wine with a bouquet of saffron, flower, and honey. It’s a powerful grape with a distinctive flavor that locals love.

Where to get it: Just about any restaurant in Florence, but we have a small group day trip to Chianti that goes to Siena, San Gimignano, and a vineyard in Chianti for lunch. Vernaccia is on the menu!

23. Check Out the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte

This is one of those sites that most people overlook when they visit Florence. It’s perched on one of the highest points of the city, so the views are amazing. If you are going to visit Piazzale Michelangelo for an awesome view, I highly recommend you go up a bit higher and see this amazing abbey.

The legend about San Miniato is pretty cool. Minas (later San Miniato) was an Armenian prince who served under Emperor Decius (Emperor 249-251). Once the Emperor heard Minas was a Christian, he had him executed by beheading, after which Minas supposedly picked up his head and walked to his hermitage—the location of the present-day church.

Address: Via delle Porte Sante, 34 (Cemetery of Porte Sante)

24. Walk Through the Garden of the Iris

If you happen to be in Florence from April 25th to May 20th, this is a must. The crest of Florence is known as the Giglio , which is inspired by the iris—an abundant flower in Florence.

This garden is magical and an extremely local thing to do in Florence. The iris are beautiful flowers that live cohesively with an olive grove. When you’re there, you’ll have a beautiful view of Florence and wonderful aromas. Also, you won’t find many tourists here!

Address: Viale Michelangiolo, 82

25. Try Lampredotto and Trippa

Do you consider yourself daring? If so, find a great Lampredotto stand and have a sandwich prepared from the fourth stomach of a cow. This dish likely came about by poorer families experimenting with the less desirable and cheaper parts of the animal.

The result is lampredotto. Today, it’s a local favorite street food commonly served as a sandwich. Some will say it’s delicious, while others cringe at the sight of it. You’ll only know if you try it!

Where to get it: Chiosco del Lampredotto .

26. Visit the Giardino delle Rose

The Rose Garden in Florence was created as part of a late 19th-century commission to develop the left bank of the Arno River, also referred to as Oltrarno. It was designed by an architect named Giuseppe Poggi in 1865 and is home to over 400 species of roses.

It is free to enter and features a wonderful view of Florence. You can easily walk through it on your way to or from Piazzale Michelangelo, a must-see viewpoint in Florence.

Address: Viale Giuseppe Poggi, 2

Where To Stay in Florence

Florence has a small historical center packed with iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the best neighborhoods in this beautiful city.

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About Sean Finelli

Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!

Reader Interactions

Comments (4).

July 15, 2021

The tour guy is radical

January 18, 2022

Can you re post the link for the Vespa tour in Florence, thank you.

Hi! Thanks for letting us know its broken. Here you go: https://thetourguy.com/tours/florence-tuscany/tuscany-by-vespa-from-florence

October 22, 2022

Absolutely fabulous! I will be using the information you have posted to plan our visit to Florence next year. Can’t wait to return yet again to the most beautiful city in Italy.

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Florence Travel Guide (Itinerary + Budget)

by thepinay solobackpacker | Sep 12, 2023 | Florence , ITALY , Itinerary , Travel Guide | 0 comments

From the rough-hewn brick balcony of Piazza Michelangelo, I looked out as the fog covering the mountains and the historic city of Florence that is crowned by the iconic Duomo, slowly revealed its splendor. Florence (Firenze), the capital of Tuscany, is one of the most beautiful and architecturally significant cities in Italy. It is crammed with orange-tiled roofs, age-old buildings, jewel-box churches, impressive piazzas, ornately-painted museums, and grandiose palaces. The tourist attractions in Florence are tightly packed within its historic core, connected by maze of narrow, cobbled streets that are perfect places for leisurely wanderings.

If you plan on visiting Florence, here’s my blog on Florence Travel Guide with Florence Itinerary and Budget.

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS

ABOUT FLORENCE, ITALY

Florentines, just like the rest of the people of Tuscany, are very proud of their roots that they trace back the Etruscans who moved to Italy roughly around 900 B.C. because of its minerals. The Etruscans produced jewelries, weapons, and armours that they traded with Greece . Eventually, their power was overshadowed by the Roman rule after their war.

But if there is a period ascribed to Florence, it’s the Renaissance. The city is believed to be the celebrated birthplace of Renaissance that eventually spread across Europe during the 14th to 17th century. Its influence is heavily exhibited in arts, music, literature, politics, philosophy, science, and religion. One of the reasons for the rise of this new cultural movement in Florence is the Medici dynasty that held power from 1434 until 1743. Cosimo il Vecchio (Cosimo de Medici) also called “The Elder”, son of the merchant banker Giovanni di Bicci who founded the Medici fortune, was the first member of the Medici family to rise to power. During the Medici clan rule, wealthy merchants and bankers invested in medieval palaces and Renaissance plazas. Their family was responsible for commissioning some of the legendary works of the Renaissance, a period that gave rise to Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Dante, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, etc.

FLORENCE ITALY PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Best Time to Visit Florence:  We visited Florence in January, during the winter season (November to March), and we loved it because of lesser crowd, cheaper hotels, and discounted shopping! We really enjoyed the massive sales in January, up to 70% off on several goods. Florence has two major sales period: January and July.

But if you don’t like traveling during winter, spring (April to May) is your best bet with temperature ranging from 45 – 65-degree F coupled with a bit of sunshine and rain showers.

Peak season is June to September, expect hotel prices to soar, so best to book in advance. September to October (autumn) has mild season. Summer (June to July) is beach season, and is packed with festivals.

Visa in Florence:  If you are a Philippine Passport Holder, you need a Schengen visa to visit Florence, Italy. We applied for our Schengen visa at the Greek Embassy in the Philippines. For more information, you can click the link below and read my blog.

ALSO READ: SCHENGEN VISA via GREECE EMBASSY

Documents You Need to Bring:

Passport with Schengen Visa – This is no brainer. Your travel itinerary Copy of return flight to the Philippines Hotel bookings Employee ID (if applicable) or copy of business permit We brought with us copy of the requirements we sent for our Schengen visa, just to make sure.

Language in Florence: People generally speak Italian, but staff of hotels, shops, restaurants, and tourist destinations can speak English. Many signs are also in English.

Florence Mode of Payment: Cash and credit cards are accepted, but make sure to call your bank and inform them that you will be traveling to Italy and provide your travel period so that your transactions will be allowed. My friend’s card was temporarily put on hold after one purchase because the bank thought it was a fraudulent transaction. To avoid such hassle, call the bank before leaving the Philippines.

Currency in Florence: Italy uses EURO, current exchange rate is 1 EURO = PHP 63 /USD 1.17/SGD 1.60/MYR 5.

Money Exchange in Florence: The best rate is still the bank’s rate, withdraw money from international ATMs scattered around the city. Avoid exchanging your money at money changers especially around touristy areas as they have terrible rates. I tried to exchange my Swiss francs left from our Switzerland trip but I ended up keeping them due to pretty low rate.

Florence, Italy Power Sockets: Italy generally uses Type F, E and C electrical sockets, 230 volts, 50 Hz.

Florence Pocket Wi-Fi: For security reasons, I always encourage people to have their own Wi-Fi when traveling, instead of using Airport Wi-Fi or free public Wi-Fi.

If you are coming from the Philippines, you can try Flytpack, they charge PHP 500 a day for Europe and a PHP 2,800 deposit.

If you are coming from any of the countries below, you can rent a pocket Wi-Fi for Europe through the link:

Hong Kong: RESERVE HERE  

Singapore:   RESERVE HERE  

Taipei:   RESERVE HERE

Bangkok: RESERVE HERE

Malaysia:   RESERVE HERE

Florence, Italy Simcard: If you plan on getting a local sim card in Florence or other parts of Europe, make sure that your phone is unlocked, and by unlocked it means you can insert other sim cards on your phone. So, if you are still tied to a Globe plan for example, then this might not work for you.

Florence has four major TELCOS: TIM, Vodaphone, Tre, and WIND. Charges usually start at EURO 30, good for 30 days at 2GB. If you are a heavy data user, make sure to top up so you will save yourself from the hassle of returning to the store to top up your balance. You can purchase sim at Florence or Pisa Airport or buy at a store in downtown Florence. Make sure you bring your passport with you and have the staff set up the sim card on your phone.

Drone in Italy: Drone is allowed in Italy; however, they have pretty strict rules, for example, you can’t fly your done higher than 230 feet or farther than 650 feet. You can only fly your drone during the day and good weather condition, but it must be far away from houses, railroads, buildings and people, and your drone must weigh less than 25 kg.

Florence, Italy Safety: Generally, Florence is safe for tourists, we felt safe walking its street, but as much as possible avoid side-streets, and take the well-lit roads instead.

Beware of purse-snatching and pickpockets especially inside the trains, train stations, touristy areas, and other crowded places in Florence and other parts of Italy.

Leave your passport in your hotel, just bring a photocopy copy of it. Best to scan or take photos of all your IDs and save the documents on your external hard drive, and your Google folder or Dropbox folder.

Don’t carry all your cards and cash with you. Put them in a safe in your hotel.

Put your cash in different sections of your purse or bag.

Keep a list of important phone numbers that you need to call in case your stuff gets stolen, like your bank’s phone number, your Embassy, etc. File a police report and keep a copy of it so you can file claims for your travel insurance.

There are many scams in Florence, but we only encountered the rose scam. Basically, a stranger usually offers couples with roses and if they accept it, they will be hounded for money, and the price isn’t cheap. We were mistaken as a couple while dining beside the Duomo, but we just declined firmly, and the guy didn’t bother us anymore.

HOW TO GET TO FLORENCE, ITALY

SINGAPORE/MANILA TO FLORENCE, ITALY

1.There are no direct flights from Singapore or Manila, Philippines to Florence, what we did was, fly from Manila to Athens, Greece via Scoot Airlines. Fare starts at PHP 10,000 one-way. Visit www.scootairlines.com .

2. From Athens, Greece, you can fly to Rome, Italy via budget airlines like Ryan Air.

3. From Florence Airport, take the airport bus to Florence, Italy.

4. See “Getting Around” section below.

ITALY TO FLORENCE

The best option to go to Florence is to transit via Rome, Venice or Milan. You can take a train, book tickets in advance. RESERVE TICKETS HERE

If you plan on traveling around different cities in Italy , you can avail of the Eurail Pass for Italy.

RESERVE EURAIL PASS HERE

OTHER EUROPEAN CITIES TO FLORENCE, ITALY

The fastest way to get to Florence, Italy is by flying. You’ll be surprised at how cheap the flights within Europe are. Try budget airlines such as Ryan Air.

Alternatively, you can also travel by train from other European cities. You can check the train fares HERE .

Otherwise, you can use the Firenze card.

If you plan on traveling around different cities in Europe , you can avail of the Eurail Pass.

FLORENCE AIRPORT TO FLORENCE CITY CENTER

For first-time tourists in Florence, the usual question is, how to get from Florence Airport to Florence city center? If you are flying to Florence, Italy and you need to go to the downtown centre where your hotel is most probably located, you have 2 options if you are commuting:

From Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci Airport), you can ride the Volain Bus to central Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train Station, just beside the Florence Old Town. The Volain Bus to Florence Airport leaves from SITA Station located beside the SMN train station.

Fare: EURO 6 /PHP 383 (one -way) / EURO 10/PHP 638 (roundtrip) Transit time: 20 minutes

Bus Availability and Frequency: (Daily) Florence Airport to City Center: 5:30 AM – 8:30 PM, every 30 minutes 8:30 PM – 11:45 PM, every 1 hour 1:00 AM – last trip

City Center to Florence Airport: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM, every 30 minutes 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM, every 1 hour 12:30 AM – last trip

Important:  You can pay the driver once you board the bus for the one-way ticket, prepare exact fare. But the roundtrip ticket, you need to purchase it at Bus Italia ticket booth.

Alternatively, you can also take a taxi, good for 3-4 passengers, fixed price is EURO 20 (PHP 1,242 – USD 23) to downtown Florence plus 1 Euro for each piece of luggage (maximum 5 Euros).

If you are riding the taxi on a Sunday, there is a EURO 2 (PHP 127) extra charge. And for night service from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, there is an additional EURO 3.20 (PHP 204) charge.

GETTING AROUND FLORENCE ITALY

BY WALKING: What I like about Florence is, most of the tourist attractions around the historical center are walking distance of each other. So, make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothes as you will most likely do a lot of walking. Check out my Florence itinerary below.

BY BUS: While we did mostly DIY walking tour around Florence, we also tried getting around by bus.

Almost all Florence buses begin and end at Piazza Stazione fronting Firenze SMN Station (Florence SMN Train Station). The bus that you will most likely use is the small yellow mini bus with 4 lines: C1, C2, C3 and D.

Now if you plan to go to the outlying centre, here are the buses that you will most likely use:

Bus # 12 or 13 – Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte

Bus # 7 – Fiesole

Florence Bus Fares:

Regular Ticket (90 minutes) :  EURO 1.20/PHP 74/USD 1.39/SGD 2/MYR 6

Double Ticket (90 minutes, good for 2 persons) :  EURO 2.40/PHP 148/USD 3/SGD 4/MYR 11

Quadruple Ticket (90 minutes , good for 4 persons) :  EURO 4.70/PHP 290/USD 5/SGD 7/MYR

24 Hour ticket :  EURO 5/ PHP 309/USD 6/SGD 7/MYR 22

3 Day ticket :   EURO 12/PHP 741/USD 14/SGD 11/MYR 23

7 Day ticket: EURO 18

Where to buy Florence bus tickets?  You can purchase bus tickets at newsstands, tobacco shops and cafes/bar/coffee shops. Look for a sign that says ‘ATAF-Linea’ (the name of the bus company) or just the T sign on a brown background.

If you buy your bus ticket onboard, it’ll cost EURO 2/PHP 123/USD 2.31/SGD 3/MYR 9.  You may also use your Firenze card museum entry pass.

How to use the Florence city bus: Once you hop on the bus, you have to stamp your ticket in the machine.  If you purchased the regular ticket, you have 90 minutes to use it, meaning, you can get on and off as many buse and routes.

BY TRAM: You can also go around Florence by using the tram. T1 tram runs from its own station on Via Alamanni near the SMN train station to Villa Costanza (Scandicci) from 5:30 AM to 12:00 AM daily. It stops at 14 different stops along the way and the whole trip would take about 25 minutes. Same with the bus tickets, you can purchase the tram tickets at SMN Station or authorised stores – coffee shops, newspaper stand and pharmacy with “ATAF” sticker. Take note that you can use the ATAF tickets too on the bus. Best to purchase tickets in advance to save a few bucks, if you buy the ticket onboard, it’ll cost more. See bus ticket price above, it’s the same price for the tram tickets.

BY HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS: Recently, I’ve become a fan of hop-on hop-off bus, because it makes my trips easier, hassle-free and saves me time because the bus zips from sight to sight, way faster than city buses. Unfortunately, during our trip to Florence, Italy, Klook doesn’t offer it yet, so we usually take a cab to get to our destination.  Thankfully, Florence Hop-on Hop-off bus is now available. Click the link below to book a ticket.

RESERVE TICKET HERE

BY GROUP TOUR

You can avail of guided tours in Florence for a reasonable price.

RESERVE TOUR HERE

FLORENCE ORIENTATION

Florence key tourist spots are concentrated in a compact area:

City Center East: This is where you’ll find the Duomo, the Campanile, and the Baptistry. Beside the them is the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo where the works removed from the Duomo, and Baptistry are displayed.  The Palazzo Nonfinito is also nearby which is currently the Anthropology and Ethnology section of the Museum of Natural History of Florence (Museo di Storia Naturale di Firenze). Piazza Della Signoria is also located in this area. Santa Croce that contains the tomb of many well-known Florentines is also here, well as Museo Casa di Dante (Dante’s House), a medieval house dedicated to Dante’s life and works.

City Center West: This area is where the main train station of Florence is located – the Florence Santa Maria Novella Station (SMN).  About a 5 minutes walk is the Santa Maria Novella Church. Piazza Della Republica as well as Piazza di Santa Trinita can also be found here. You can also walk to Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence that is crammed with shops.

City Center North: This area is dominated by the characters of Cosimo il Vecchio, the man who founded the Medici dynasty and one of the great visionaries of the Renaissance in Florence. He commissioned architects and artists to construct the churches of San Lorenzo and San Marco, both located in this area. The Medici family’s home is also situated here – the Palazzo Medici Riccardi. This is also where you’ll find Mercato Centrale.

Oltrarno: The location of Palazzo Pitti, and Boboli Gardens and also, Palazzo Guicciardini is just nearby.

FLORENCE TOURIST SPOTS

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Florence, perfect for first-timers.

Piazza del Duomo

The Cathedral de Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence Cathedral, which is popularly known as the Duomo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site flaunting Gothic architecture with pointed arches and angular vertical spaces. It was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296. After 124 years, Filippo Brunelleschi designed its iconic dome that remained a question for decades. Going inside the church is free, but its ground floor is quite bare, the Florence Cathedral’s highlight is the Dome. Tourists can climb the Dome, but there is an entrance fee. You can also book a guided tour to be able to appreciate the church’s history and get VIP access to some areas that are prohibited to tourists.

RESERVE DISCOUNTED TOUR HERE

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Church Open Hours :

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:45 PM

Sunday and public holiday: 1:30 PM – 4:45 PM

Dome Open Hours:  8:30 AM – 7:00 PM Mondays-Friday, Saturday – 8:30 AM –  5:40 PM

Entrance Fee: EURO 18/PHP 1,114 / USD 21/SGD 28/MYR 83 , includes entry to the Florence Cathedral, The Dome, The Baptistry, the Campanile di Giotto and the Museo dell ‘Opera del Duomo.

Dress Code: No sleeveless shirt, blouse, dress, etc. No excessive shorts.

Piazza Della Signoria

Walking distance from The Duomo is the busiest plaza in Florence – Piazza Della Signoria. This square was were the ruling body of Florence, known as Signoria used to work and reside, hence the name. Many executions took place here years ago.

Address: Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Entrance Fee: Free

How to get there:

1.Piazza della Signoria is about a 15 minute walk from Florence SMN Station (1.5km).

2.Ride the D line  small electrical bus at Piazza Stazione at the ‘Galleria’ stop (near big area for taxis) in Florence SMN train station. It stops at Ponte Vecchio. Bus fare is EURO 1.20/PHP 74/USD 1.39/SGD 2.18/MYR 6, good for 90 minutes use. From Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria can be reached by foot. Refer to Google Maps for directions.

3.If you are coming from Piazza del Duomo (The Dome), it’s a 5 minute walk to Piazza della Signoria. Head south toward Piazza di San Giovanni, 20m and then continue to Via dei Calzaiuoli, 340 m. Turn left to Piazza della Signoria.

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop: Line A –> Bus Stop 6 (Sta. Croce)

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Uffizi Gallery, Piazza del Duomo, Ponte Vicchio, Accademia Gallery

Ponte Vecchio

Currently the oldest bridge in Florence that stood the test of time, even the devastating World War II. Ponte Vecchio spans across the Arno River, originally surrounded by varied shops. Don’t miss the Vasari Corridor, a kilometre-long passageway that connects Uffizi Gallery with Palazzo Vecchio. It now houses collections of 16th to 17th century artworks from different artists.

Address:  Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Open Hours: 24/7

Entrance Fee: FREE

How to  get to Ponte Vecchio:

By Bus:  Take the D line  small electrical bus at Piazza Stazione at the ‘Galleria’ stop (near big area for taxis) in Florence SMN train station. It stops at Ponte Vecchio. Fare is EURO 1.20/PHP 74/USD 1.39/SGD 2.18/MYR 6, good for 90 minutes use.

Alternatively, from Stazione Orti Oricellari bus station near the Florence SMN Station, take bus C2 towards Piazza Beccaria. Fare is EURO 1.20/PHP 74/USD 1.39/SGD 2.18/MYR 6. Transit time is roughly 6 minutes. Alight at Orsanmichele. Then walk towards Ponte Vecchio. Refer tro Google Maps for directions.

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop: Line A –> Bus Stop 15 (Frescobaldi)

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Uffizi Gallery,Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Ragazzi Museum

Uffizi Gallery

Situated right next to Piazza Signoria is the beautiful Uffizi Gallery with frescoed ceiling. This gallery houses the world’s most important collections of Renaissance arts. This is the place to go if you want to see the masterpieces of Florentine artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Giotto and Botticelli.

Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour with Fast Track Entry (ticket included): RESERVE HERE

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:15 AM – 6:50 PM

Entrance Fee:

November 1  to February 28

Adult – EURO 12/PHP 744/USD 14/SGD 19/MYR 56

Children (European Union citizens only 18-25 y.o): EURO 6/PHP 372/USD 7/SGD 9/MYR 28

Children (European Union citizens only 18 years old below) : FREE

March 1 to October 31:

Adult – EURO 20/PHP 1,240/USD 23/SGD 32/MYR 93

Children – EURO 10/PHP 620/ USD 12/SGD 16/MYR 46

How to get to Uffizi Gallery

By Bus: Hop on the D line  small electrical bus at Piazza Stazione at the ‘Galleria’ stop (near big area for taxis) in Florence SMN train station. It stops at Ponte Vecchio. Bus fare is EURO 1.20/PHP 74/USD 1.39/SGD 2.18/MYR 6, good for 90 minutes use. From Ponte Vecchio, you can walk to Uffizi Gallery.

  Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop: Line A –> Bus Stop 15 (Frescobaldi)

Nearby Tourist Attractions:  Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Ragazzi Museum

TIP: If you are visiting Uffizi Gallery, you may also check out the famed Vasari Corridor, a kilometre-long elevated, enclosed passageway that connects Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi on the other side of the Arno River.

Accademia Gallery

If you want to see the original sculpture of David by Michelangelo, head to Accademia Gallery. You can also find other artworks by other great Florentine artists here, such as Ghirlandaio, Uccello, del Sarto, and Botticelli.

Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Open Hours:  Tuesday – Sunday 8:15 AM – 6:50 PM. Closed on Monday, January 1, May 1 and December 25

Entrance Fee: Full price EURO 6.50/USD/SGD/MYR , Reduced Price EURO 3.25/USD/SGD/MYR

How to get to Academia Gallery:

  By Foot:  It’s about 20 minutes by foot from Florence SMN train station. Refer to Google maps for direction.

  By Bus:  If coming from Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci Airport), you can take the Bus Italia SITA Nord “Vola in Bus” bus shuttle that runs between the airport and the Florence St. Maria Novella Train Station. Fare is roughly EURO 6/PHP 618/USD 10/SGD 9/MYR 28 one way.

Then at Florence Sta. Maria Novella Train Station, you can take Line 1B (Stazione Nazionale to Boccaccio) then alight at Piazza di San Marco stop (FM0084). Transit time is roughly 7 minutes. From there, you can walk to Accademia Gallery for about 5 minutes.

Alternatively, from Florence Sta. Maria Novella Train Station, you may also ride Line 1 A (Stazione Nazionale to Salviati FS) and get off at Piazza di San Marco stop. Then, head to Accademia Gallery by foot for approximately 5 minutes (refer to Google Maps for direction).

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop: Line A –> Bus Stop 3 (Donatello)

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Piazza del Doumo, Leonardo da Vinci Museum

Piazza Michelangelo

One of my favourite places in Florence is Piazza Michelangelo, you can go here by cab or taking bus # 12 or #13 from downtown Florence. Here, you can get a gorgeous panoramic view of Florence and its historical centre. Best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset. This plaza was built by Giuseppe Poggi in honour of Michelangelo. His artworks were supposed to be displayed here, but the plan never transpired. Today, you can see a statue of the great artist manning the square.

Address: Piazzale Michelangelo, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Open Hours: Daily 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

How to get to Piazza Michelangelo:

By Bus: Take bus #12 or 13 from Florence train station. Fare is around EURO 1.20/PHP 74 / USD 1.29/SGD 2/MYR 6.

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop: Line A –> Bus Stop 10, Line B –> Bus Stop 8

Nearby Tourist Attractions: San Miniato Monastery

TIP:  From Piazza Michelangelo, you can walk for about 5 minutes to the monastery of San Miniato al Monte which is standing on top of a hill. It is dubbed as one of the most beautiful Romanesque structures in Tuscany.

Pitti Palace

Another impressive design by Filippo Brunelleschi for the Pitti Family is the Pitti Palace. The structure was later on bought by the Medici Family, an influential political dynasty in Florence. The Pitti Palace is Florence’s biggest palace, housing several collections of 16th to 17th century paintings including the work of Raphael that is housed in the Palatine Gallery on the 1st floor.

Address: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Open Hours: 8:15 AM –  Tuesday to Sunday 4:30 PM/7:30 pm depending on the season. Closed every Monday, January 1 and December 25

  Entrance Fee:

March 1 to October 31 – (Full) EURO 16/PHP 989/USD 19/SGD 25/MYR 74, (Reduced) EURO 8/PHP 494/USD 9/SGD 13/MYR 37

November 1 to February 28/29 – (Full) EURO 10/PHP 618/USD 12/SGD 16/MYR 46, (Reduced) EURO 5/PHP 309/USD 6/SGD 8/MYR 23

Combined ticket for Palazzo Pitti + Boboli Garden + Uffizi Gallery (valid for 3 days and fast track entry) :

March 1 to October 31 – (Full) EURO 38/PHP 2,349/USD 44/SGD 60/MYR 176,

(Reduced) EURO 21/PHP 1,298/USD 24/SGD 33/MYR 97

November 1 – February 28/29 – (Full) EURO 18/PHP 1,112/USD 21/SGD 28/MYR 51,

(Reduced) EURO 11/PHP 680/USD 13/SGD 17/MYR 51

How to get to Pitti Palace:

By Foot: From Firenze Sta. Maria Novella Station (Florence SMN Station), it’s about a 15 minute walk.

By Bus: Ride the D line  small electrical bus at Piazza Stazione at the ‘Galleria’ stop (near big area for taxis) in Florence SMN train station. It stops at Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. We took this bus and fare is EURO 1.20/PHP 74/USD 1.39/SGD 2.18/MYR 6, good for 90 minutes use.

Alternatively, at  Florence SMN Station you can take Bus 36 to Cascine del Riccio and alight at  Pescaia di Santa Rosa. Walk for about 9 minutes (700 m) to Pitti Palace.

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop: Line A –>Bus Stop 14 (Pitti)

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Boboli Gardens, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery

Boboli Garden

Just right behind the Pitti Palace is the sprawling Boboli Garden littered with gardens, gigantic oak trees, sculptures, and fountains. It’s a good place to hang out in Florence. There’s also an area here where you can see The Duomo from afar. Best to visit this place during spring, or autumn. It was winter when we visited so there’s no flower in bloom.

Address: Piazza Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Open Hours: Daily 8:15 AM – 6:30 PM

November to March 1: (Full) EURO 6/PHP 376/USD 7/SGD 10/MYR 28,

(Reduced) EURO 3/PHP 188/USD 4/SGD 5/MYR 14

March 1 to October 31 – (Full) EURO 10/PHP 627/USD 12/SGD 16/MYR 47

(Reduced) EURO 5/PHP 313/USD 6/SGD 8/MYR 23

How to get to Boboli Gardens

By Foot: If you are coming from Ponte Vecchio, you can cross to Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace.

By Bus: Hop on the D line small electrical bus at Piazza Stazione at the ‘Galleria’ stop (near big area for taxis) in Florence SMN train station. It stops at Pitti Palace and Boboli Garden. Bus fare is EURO 1.20/PHP 74/USD 1.39/SGD 2.18/MYR 6, good for 90 minutes use.

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop: Line A –> Bus Stop 14 (Pitti)

Nearby Tourist Attractions: Pitti Palace,Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery

TIP: Don’t miss the view of Florence from the Forte Belvedere.

OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN FLORENCE

Sta. Maria Novella Church: If you are arriving at Florence Santa Maria Novella Station (SMN Station), you can make a side trip to Sta. Maria Novella Church, about a 5-minute walk. This church houses 2 main artworks: The Crucifix by Brunelleschi and the Holy Trinity by Masaccio. Also, make time to check out the 600-year-old perfume store here called Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.

Sta. Croche Church: The largest Franciscan Church in Italy housing the tomb of key Tuscans like Machiavelli, Galileo and Michelangelo. Check out another important work of Brunelleschi here – the Capella dei Pazzi.

Basilica di San Lorenzo: The last uncompleted work of Brunelleschi before his death is the burial palace of the Medici family. This is one of the largest churches in Florence.

Galileo Museum: Inside Palazzi Castellani is an important and different kind of museum – the Galileo Museum housing Medici’s astronomical and mathematical instruments of great Italians.

DAY TRIPS FROM FLORENCE

Like Florence, Pisa is also part of Tuscany Region. The main reason why tourists go there is because of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But unknown to many, Pisa is also home to many historic churches, beautiful bridges and age-old palaces.

Open Hours: 08:30 AM – 10:00 PM

1. From Florence, take the train to Pisa Centrale Station. If coming from Florence SMN Station to Pisa Centrale Station, fare is roughly EURO 11.

2. At Pisa Centrale Station, buy the roundtrip ticket to Leaning tower of Pisa. Fare is EURO 1.20 per person.

3. Ride the LAM Rossa (red) bus to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

4. Entrance fee to the Leaning of Tower Pisa and the Cathedral is free. But there’s a fee for EURO 18 per person if you want to climb up the tower.

The Roman Amphitheater dates back to the 1 st  century AD located outside the walls of Florence.  Unknown to many tourists, just a few minutes away from Florence is Fiesole – founded during the 5 th  century B.C in northern Etruria.  The Etruscans has long dominated central Italy before the Romans.  This place has existed long before Florence.  If you purchased a ticket to a Hop-on Hop off Bus in Florence, you can easily reach this by taking Line B and alight at Bus Stop 16. You can visit the Etruscan Temple inside the Archeological  Park as well as the complex of Terme, Roman baths and the Roman Amphitheater. There’s also a museum here displaying artifact from the site itself and surrounding areas.

Address: Via Portigiani 1, 50014 Fiesole

Open Hours:  April to September: 9:00 AM-7:00 PM, March and October: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, rest of year: 10:00 AM -3:00 PM except Tuesday.

How to get to Fiesole Roman Amphitheater:

By Bus: Take Bus #7 at Piazza San Marco in Florence. Travel time is about 20 minutes and fare is roughly EURO 2/PHP 125/USD 2/SGD 3/MYR 9.

By Taxi: If you take a cab, fare is roughly EURO  26/ PHP 1,631/ USD 30/SGD 41/MYR 142 one way.

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop:  Line B –> Bus Stop 16 (Fiesole)

Tuscany beckons tourists because of its history, arts, and gorgeous landscape. Immerse in traditional Tuscan farms sprinkled with olive groves, and vineyards with fields of barley and corn to feed the cattle and chickens. Adding up to its allure are the flame-shaped cypress trees often planted as windbreakers in farms along the road.

A typical Tuscany countryside tour includes a visit to Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, and Siena. We tried this tour and we really enjoyed it. You can book through the link below since it is affordable and hassle-free. I highly recommend it since you’ll be able to maximise your time in Tuscany.

  RESERVE DISCOUNTED TOUR HERE

We got to stroll around the cobbled streets of Siena fringed with age-old building and Gothic churches including its own version of Duomo.

San Gimignano

We also visited San Gimignano, a wall medieval town in Siena dubbed as “The Town of Fine Towers”. It’s pretty amazing to walk around its street fringed by medieval architecture. I fill like walking inside an ancient sprawling castle littered with churches and shops. The surrounding view of Tuscan farms is also one of the reasons why I love this place

Monteriggioni

Another medieval walled town in Tuscany is Monteriggioni that houses several piazzas. It is blissfully situated on top of a hill with its proud towers. The town is said to be fringed by coal that would be lit in case of attack. It was mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy. It’s quite small compared to San Gimignano. Here, you can visit the small yet charming Church of Sta. Maria Assunta. Meanwhile, the Armoury Museum showcases replicas of Renaissance and Medieval weapons and armours. You can even try the armours and have a souvenir photo taken.

When in Tuscany, don’t miss to taste the high-quality Tuscany wine and discover why is it the most famous of all in the Italian wine region. Visit Chianti, a hill region in Tuscany peppered with castes, churches and medieval villages and famous for its panoramas and wines. It can be done as a day tour from Florence, usually included in the typical Tuscany countryside tour.

CINQUE TERRE

The colourful villages of the remote Cinque Terre have been on the tourists radar in recent years. Often included in the list of most beautiful places in Italy, Cinque Terre is composed of 5 villages, namely: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso, all part of the Cinque Terre National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cinque Terre is hemmed in by ancient terraces constructed by the locals themselves on rugged and steep terrain of cliffs that plunges to the sea.

1.From Florence, take the train to La Spezia Station. Transit time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fare is roughly EURO 14 per person if coming from Florence SMN Station.

2.At La Spezia Station, purchase the Cinque Terre Card for EURO 16 for unlimited train rides and free entry within Cinque Terre.

3.At La Spezia Station, ride the Cinque Terre train. Train stops at the 5 villages: Riomaggiore (1st stop), Manarola (2nd stop), Corniglia (3rd stop), Vernazza (4th stop) and Monterosso (5th stop).

ASSISI + CORTONA

Tour around Assisi, a famed UNESCOI Heritage Site and discover the life of Saint Francis de Assisi. At the same time, you can also make a side trip to Cortona and marvel at the jaw-dropping Tuscan landscape.

WHERE TO STAY IN FLORENCE, ITALY

One of the things I like about Florence, Italy is, there’s a wealth of budget hotels peppered around the historic district, making it a practical base when exploring Italy especially Tuscany region.  If you are a budget-conscious traveler, here’s a list of top-rated budget hotels in Florence, Italy’s historical center.  To check the room rates, click the link below and change the date to your preferred dates and hit search.

• Hotel Ottaviani

Piazza degli Ottaviani 1, Historical Center, Florence, Italy,

CHECK ROOM RATES 

We stayed here during our trip to Florence, Italy, and it was our cheapest hotel during our Europe trip .  This hotel in the historical centre has seen better days. Staff are very helpful and friendly and they clean the room every day. Only downside is, the bathroom has see-through door, so we had to hang our blanket on the door. What I like about it is, it’s only a 5-minute walk from Florence SMN train station (and Sta. Maria Novella Church), very convenient.  The major tourist spots can also be reached on foot for about 15-20 minutes.  There’s also a bus stop right in front of the hotel and a grocery store. Restaurants and bar are within walking distance. Self-service laundry is also very near.  There’s also a taxi line nearby.

• Adre Majestic View

Via XXVII Aprile, 4 50129 Firenze. For Check-in at Hotel Veneto in via Santa Reparata, 31, Historical Center, Florence, Italy

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE Or RESERVE HERE

• Hotel Savonarola

  Viale Matteotti, 27, Historical Center, Florence, Italy

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE 

Hotel Veneto

33, Santa Reparata Street, Historical Center, Florence, Italy, 50129

CHECK ROOM RATES Or RESERVE HERE

WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT IN FLORENCE, ITALY

We only tried a few restaurants in Florence as most of the time we were outside the city center, exploring other destinations in Tuscany. We just dined in whatever we encountered near our spot since we no longer have time to look for the best places to eat in Florence.

MERCANTO CENTRALE

But if you want to eat authentic local food at reasonable prices, Mercato Centrale, just 2 blocks away from Florence SMN Station.  Here, you’ll find  delightful local produce and you can try the free taste of some meats, cheeses, etc. that are typical to the region. You can eat at some stalls here and sit elbow to elbow with the locals at the communal table.

Address:  50123 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM

How to get to Mercato Centrale: It’s about 5 minute(500 meters) walk from Florence SMN Station.

Nearest Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Stop:  Line A –>Bus Stop 1 (Florence SMN Station), Line B  –> Bus Stop 1 (Florence SMN Station)

Cafes and pasticcerie are also scattered around Florence where you can buy sandwiches, pastas and pizzas sold by weight.

We tried some restaurants near the historic center and tourist attractions. As a general rule in Florence and other countries in Europe, the nearer the restaurant is to a touristy place, the more expensive. We tried one right beside the Duomo. The strip of restaurants and cafes there are known for its hefty prices, but we found a really cheap one that sells, pizza, pasta, coffee, and wine, and we were able to grab a seat outside, just right beside the Duomo. Talk about perfect spot for photo op while dining! LOL But, really, there’s nothing special about their pizza. We also tried another restaurant just across the Pitti Palace, and it only cost us about EURO 20 (PHP 1,274) each and the food was quite good.

If you really want to stay on a budget, large supermarkets are your best bet, plus you can find anything that you need there. We were lucky enough that our hotel was right in front of a small convenience store where we bought a couple of snacks, food, water, drinks and even wine, all at reasonable prices! But then again, you’re in Florence, it’s a must to try the local dishes!

FLORENCE ITINERARY

Here’s a sample Florence itinerary with budget, good for a 5 day 4 night stay. This is quite similar to the itinerary that my friend Marcos and I followed. Feel free to make necessary adjustments.

If you want to do this by Hop-on Hop-off Bus, you can RESERVE TICKETS HERE .

FLORENCE, ITALY TRIP BUDGET

Here’s a sample Florence trip budget if you follow the Florence itinerary above. This assumes you will be staying at a EURO 20/PHP 1,265 per person hotel and your food budget is EURO 20 (PHP 1,265) per meal or less.

FLORENCE, ITALY TRAVEL TIPS + REMINDERS

• Every first Sunday of the month, all state museums in Florence have free entrance.
• Do not exchange money at money exchange shops especially in touristy areas, they have terrible rates. Withdraw from ATMs instead.
• Tipping is not customary in restaurants in Italy, you can just round off the bill.
• You can purchase a Firenze Card for about EURO 85 (PHP 5,417) per person, a 72-hour pass for Florence that allows access to roughly 30 museums as well as free use of the public transport system.Alternatively, you can also avail of the Florence City Pass for approximately EURO 59.90 (PHP 3,818) for 1 Day Pass, EURO 69.90 (PHP 4,555) for 2 Day Pass, and EURO 79.90 (PHP 5,092) for 3 Day Pass. This pass entitles the holder to free admission to the top sights and museums in Florence.
• Supermarkets charges a small fee if you will use a plastic bag for your groceries.
• If you go shopping in Florence or in other European cities for at least EURO 154.94  (PHP 9.872), ask the shop for a tax-free form and have it filled out. Now at the airport when you are about to fly back to your home country, have the form approved by Customs and claim your tax refund. You can do this at any European Airports even if you purchase the product in another European country.

THINGS TO DO IN FLORENCE AND HOW TO GET THERE

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Best things to do in Florence: itinerary ideas and city guide

This article may contain compensated links. See our full disclosure here

Whether you are planning your first Florence itinerary or your fifth, no doubt you have the same romantic notions about the Renaissance city that I have. Florence was the place I most wanted to visit in Italy and the city I yearn to return to time and again. 

Is it the city’s enchanting buildings, views and priceless works of art that draw me back? Or perhaps it’s the idea of wandering romantic cobbled streets in search of artisan made goods, stopping for a long lunch over a bottle of chianti.

Of course, it is all those things and so much more. Our guide to the best things to do in Florence uncovers the classic sights, the quirky shops and classic views of this fascinating city.

I hope it helps you to build your perfect itinerary for Florence.

What's in this article

Top 10 things to do in Florence

Florence beyond the main sights, suggested florence itineraries, when to visit florence, where to stay in florence, what and where to eat, best activities and tours of florence, best day trips from florence, the weather and what to pack for florence, florence with kids, let’s go to florence, italy travel resources.

Florence is a small city so it is easy to simply wander and enjoy roaming from one historic piazza to another. You literally walk the same paths as some of the most important people in history – Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo and Donatello. That being said there are some Florence highlights you should not miss.

Visit Florence Cathedral – Santa Maria del Fiore

One of the most enduring images of Florence is her magnificent cathedral or ‘Duomo’. Rising high above the city, its famous dome can be seen for miles.

You will be awestruck by the detail and craftsmanship of the exterior. Pink and green marble inlays and carvings are the hallmarks of the cathedral site. The interior is quite plain in comparison although you will be awestruck by architect Brunelleschi’s dome. 

There are three buildings in the cathedral complex – the Duomo itself, the octagonal Baptistery of San Giovanni and Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower). Each have fascinating histories and are well worth exploring. Make sure to enter the Baptistery through its ornate bronze doors. The mosaic inlaid golden interior is incredible.

ⓘ  Visitor information :  you can enter the Duomo for free but you need a combined ticket to climb the dome and visit the other buildings. Your access to the dome is at a set time and cannot be changed. Buy your advance tickets for Duomo on their sometimes confusing  website . An alternative is to use online English language ticket site Tiquets – click here for Duomo combined ticket .

Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio

The oldest, and for a long time, the only bridge in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio is one of the emblems of the city. The cobbled bridge is almost 700 years old and for most of that time there have been shops on either side.  In the 17th century that the butchers and bakers were moved on to make way for goldsmiths, many who remain to this day.

Your Florence itinerary must include a walk along the bridge to enjoy the atmosphere, making sure to take in the romantic views from either side.  

This is a view of the bridge taken from the Uffizi Gallery. You can see the covered passageway, known as the Vasari corridor, that allowed Florentine rulers the Medici family to move with ease from the Pitti Palace to the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio.

Unfortunately it is not possible to walk through there these days but you get the idea that the bridge has always been an important part of life in Florence.

Do you have questions about your upcoming trip to Italy? Join our  Italy Travel Planning Facebook Group  where you can ask questions about your travels – itinerary suggestions, accommodation and restaurant recommendations and more! 

Get your art fix at the Uffizi Gallery

One of the finest art destinations in the world, the Uffizi Gallery has masterpieces in every corner from the priceless collection amassed by the Medici.

The collection was bequeathed to the city by the last remaining descendant of the family,  Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici  who ensured it remained intact and is able to be enjoyed by so many people.

The museum is a must see attraction when you are in Florence but you need to be prepared for crowds and lines if you don’t prebook your tickets or a tour.

ⓘ  Uffizi Gallery tickets : we strongly recommend purchasing skip the line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery at most times of the year except mid winter. You can buy them using the museum site  (be warned it is not easy to use, especially with foreign cards). Or get your tickets via an English language officia l ticket partner . To book your Uffizi Gallery timed entry tickets click here

Highlights of the Uffizi Gallery

• The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
• Medusa by Caravaggio
• Doni Tondo by Michelangelo
• Venus of Urbino by Titian
• Filippo Lippi’s Madonna and Child
• Various works by Leonardo da Vinci

ⓘ  Uffizi Gallery tours :  having both explored the gallery on my own and with a tour, I highly recommend joining a tour. A guide helps you discover the meaning and context behind the art and navigate the different rooms so you don’t miss the key pieces. This 2 hour Uffizi Gallery tour starts before the main opening time so you miss the crowds. We use and recommend Get Your Guide for booking tickets and tours in Europe – read our full review here .

Visit David at the Accademia

Michelangelo’s masterpiece David is found at The Accademia Gallery  (Galleria dell’Accademia).

The statue  stands 17 feet high (over 5 meters) and was made from a single block of Carrara marble over 3 years. It depicts the Biblical hero David ‘the giant killer’ and is said to represent the city of Florence and its fight to protect its civil liberties from threats from Rome.

Apart from David, the Accademia has a large collection of priceless Renaissance art including more works by Michelangelo and paintings by Botticelli.

In my eyes David is breathtakingly beautiful and should be seen in person. However, if you are short on time or not a huge art fan, you can see a replica of the statue in Piazza della Signoria. This was David’s original location for 370 years before being moved to the Accedemia in 1873 for conservation and protection. 

ⓘ  Accademia Gallery tickets :  second only to the Uffizi in popularity, expect long lines to enter the gallery if you have not pre-booked tickets (except in winter). The gallery’s ticket site is here or you can book your timed entry with audio guide in English via official partner Get Your Guide – click for ticket prices

Admire the piazzas

Florence is home to some of the world’s most beautiful public spaces. Which piazza will be your favorite?

The Piazza della Signoria has a collection of statues that rivals most galleries.  You could spend hours admiring the art under the Loggia dei Lanzi. I like the triumphant bronze statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa.  Close by you will find the replica statue of David and gushing fountain of Neptune pictured above. 

In contrast, the  Piazza della Republicca  is lined with elegant buildings and historic cafes. Once the site of the Roman forum and old market, the piazza was remodeled in the 19th century. The large triumphal arch and porticos on its west side are particularly beautiful. As is the antique wooden carousel – a favorite with children.

Piazza Santa Maria Novella close to the train station is a wide open space where you can sit on a bench and admire the Renaissance facade of the basilica that dominates the square.

Explore the Palazzo Vecchio

You can’t miss the Palazzo Vecchio. The city’s imposing town hall and historic place of government was the scene of many an intrigue and mystery. The Medici family ruled the city from here during the Renaissance.

You can appreciate the building from outside in the Piazza della Signoria but, if you have time, take a tour of the interior.

After the Uffizi, the Palazzo Vecchio is one of my favorite places to visit in Florence. It is the place to go if you want to imagine how life was like when the city was at its peak.

From the moment you enter the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of 500) with its impressive panelled ceilings and frescoes there is no doubt that Florence was a wealthy and influential city.

Visit the hall of maps and the private rooms of the Medici family, all restored to their Renaissance glory. Don’t forget to look out over the city rooftops towards the Duomo from the upper floor windows and learn about the secret passageways within the palace.

ⓘ  Palazzo Vecchio tickets and tours :  you can easily buy tickets at the entrance or prebook on the museum website . We recommend taking a guided tour so you can appreciate the importance of the building and discover its secret passageways. You can even climb the tower for stunning views of Florence and Tuscany beyond – click here for tour information

Take in the views at Piazzale Michelangelo

It is a steep climb up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo but I promise you it is worth it. (In any case, there are always taxis!) From here you can take in the panoramic view of the city below pictured above. It’s simply breathtaking.

You will find an (overpriced) coffee bar and restaurant at the terrace below the piazza but we suggest taking a walk down the hill to the artistic San Niccolo neighbourhood.

This is the perfect spot to stop for lunch or do some shopping before you head back over the river via the Ponte alle Grazie. 

Another culture fix at the Pitti Palace 

The Medici family moved to Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the Arno once they had outgrown the Palazzo Vecchio. It is a magnificent Renaissance palace full of treasures that the family acquired over several centuries, and is an extension of the Uffizi Gallery. 

At the Pitti Palace you can tour the state rooms and private apartments and see masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Rubens and VanDijk. Each room is dripping with art and luxury the likes of which were only surpassed by the Palace of Versailles in France.

Include Palazzo Pitti in your itinerary if you are returning to Florence, are obsessed by art or have a week in the city. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance with minimal queuing.

More information about opening times and ticket prices on the Pitti Palace website

Wander the Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens of the Pitti Palace are a destination in themselves. Once the private estate of (yes you guessed it, the Medici!), the gardens feature formal and informal spaces, fountains, statues and even an amphitheater.

Sprawling over 111 acres, they are one of the largest green spaces in Florence and are a lovely place to stroll if you have art fatigue or just need some fresh air. From the higher points of the gardens you enjoy sweeping views of the city.

Within the gardens you can also visit the Buontalenti Grotto – an ornate cave that looks straight out of a fairytale. 

The main entry to the gardens is via the Pitti Palace. There you can buy your tickets for the garden or a combined ticket to enter the palace – click here for more information

Discover Santa Croce

The Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) is the final resting place of famous Florentines, Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. You can see their tombs inside the basilica which has 16 chapels, many adorned with frescoes by Giotto depicting the life of Saint Francis.

Outside in the piazza, a brooding statue of Dante keeps an eye on proceedings. Here local children play and people enjoy a coffee or aperitivo at the bars lining the square. This is a favorite spot of mine to visit at sunset as the Tuscan light bounces off the marble facade.

There is not usually a line to enter Santa Croce. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance on the left hand side of the church as you approach from the piazza – more information

Even if you are not an art fanatic, it’s hard not to be charmed by the slower, more refined pace of Florence.  It is a city for leisurely lunches, cocktails with swoon worthy views and browsing artisan boutiques.

Favorite neighborhoods

If wandering and stopping to soak up the atmosphere is your travel style, head out of the central historic district and stroll around these neighborhoods. 

• Santa Croce / Sant’Ambrogio – close to the basilica you will find a vibrant local market and fun restaurants
• San Niccolò – a restaurant and artisan shopping hub just under Piazzale Michelangelo
• Santo Spirito  – enjoy the local markets and cafes under the shady trees of the piazza Santo Spirito in the Oltrano district

Other noteworthy churches and sights

Florence is a city of curiosities and churches and museums full to the brim with art and history. If you have more than a couple of days in Florence, seek out these sights of the city.

• Il Porcellino statue [ Piazza del Mercato Nuovo] – this bronze statue of a boar brings good luck if you place a coin in its mouth
• Santa Maria Novella – one of the city’s oldest churches with a Renaissance facade and art by Botticelli
• Bardini Gardens [Costa San Giorgio, 2] – beautiful Italian Renaissance gardens with sweeping views of the city
• Santo Spirito  [Piazza Santo Spirito] – Brunelleschi’s basilica has a plain facade but there is incredible art inside by Michelangelo, Lippi and other Renaissance masters
• Basilica di San Lorenzo  [Piazza di San Lorenzo] – frescoed Medici family church where they are buried and a library designed by Michelangelo
• Ponte Santa Trinita  – a beautiful bridge with statues and views of the Ponte Vecchio
• San Marco [ Piazza San Marco] – holds the relic of a mummified saint
• Gucci Garden [Piazza della Signoria, 10] – museum space, cafe and store dedicated to the fashion house Gucci
• San Miniato al Monte [Via delle Porte Sante, 34] – fabulous views and interior from this Romanesque church just outside the city walls

Where to shop in Florence

Pop your head into a shop or two in Florence and you won’t believe your eyes. Some of these establishments have been trading or developing their craft for centuries.

From leather goods to stationery, food and beauty products, you will find unique and interesting gifts and souvenirs in Florence.

My shopping address book

At Alessandro Dari , [ Via di S. Niccolò, 115R] a jeweller,  they create intricate contemporary pieces inspired by the city’s Renaissance past. 

Visit Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella [ Via della Scala, 16 ] for historic elixirs, cures and perfume. Almost 800 years old, the pharmacy’s signature scent was made for the Queen of France – Catherine de’Medici

Scuola del Cuoio [Piazza Santa Croce, 16] keeps the Florentine artisan leather making tradition alive and produces pieces from the finest hides. Visiting the store in the monastery of Santa Croce is an adventure too. 

Il Papiro [Piazza del Duomo, 24r ] is famous for marbled papers, sealing wax and leather bound stationery. 

Sant’Ambrogio Market [   Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti] is the place to go for local produce – fresh cheeses, pasta, fruit and vegetables. The market is a short walk from Santa Croce. Vendors will vacuum pack cheeses for you to transport home.

Madova  [Via de ‘Guicciardini, 1] makes fine leather gloves 

Cocktails with views

One of my favorite things to do in Italy is enjoy aperitivo (pre dinner drinks and snacks). And it is even better with a view of beautiful Florence. Here are some spots you might enjoy

• La Rinascente terrazza  [Piazza della Repubblica, 4] – the rooftop bar of this elegant department store has uninterrupted Duomo views
•   La Terrazza Lounge bar at Continentale [Vicolo dell’Oro, 6] – the place to go for views of the Arno and Ponte Vecchio

Ideally you would spend 3 days in Florence, but we know that can sometimes be hard to fit into schedules and budgets.

Here are some Florence itinerary ideas to help you include all the activities and that you want to see in the time you have available. 

1 day in Florence – art highlights and views

If you only have one day in Florence we suggest picking one gallery to visit and spend the rest of the time exploring the Ponte Vecchio, romantic piazzas and Duomo. There is time to experience Tuscan cuisine and wine so you get a taste of the Renaissance city too.

• Morning – Uffizi Gallery (make sure to prebook tickets here), Ponte Vecchio
• Lunch – suggestion –  Tuscan dishes at Trattoria Ponte Vecchio  [Lungarno degli Archibusieri, 8] or wine tasting and snacks  Le Volpi e L’Uva  (Piazza dei Rossi)
• Afternoon – Piazza della Signoria, Piazza della Repubblica, Duomo – prebook tickets
• Gelato stop – suggestion – La Strega Nocciola (Via Ricasoli, 16r) 
• Dinner – Mercato Centrale 

ⓘ TOUR SUGGESTION: See Florence in a day on a small group tour with an expert from the fun team at Liv Tours. Their 7 hour highlights of Florence tour visits the Duomo, David statue, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, the Bronze Boar, Ponte Vecchio. Use code ‘ UNTOLDITALY ‘ to claim a 5% discount on Liv Tours in Florence and Italy – for more info click here

2 day Florence itinerary – a classic tour

Day One – Duomo, Accademia and views

• Morning – Duomo ( prebook tickets ) 
• Lunch –  Enoteca Coquinarius  [via delle oche 11, Firenze] – casual pasta and wine
• Afternoon – Piazza della Signoria, Piazza della Repubblica, Accademia – David statue ( buy tickets here )
• Gelato stop  – La Strega Nocciola (Via Ricasoli, 16r) 
• Drinks with a view  –  La Terrazza Lounge bar at Continentale [Vicolo dell’Oro, 6]
• Dinner  –  Restaurante Santa Elisabetta   great value fine dining 

Day Two – Uffizi Gallery, Pponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo

• Morning – Uffizi Gallery (make sure to prebook tickets here) and stroll over Ponte Vecchio
• Lunch –  suggestion –  Tuscan dishes at Trattoria Ponte Vecchio  (Lungarno degli Archibusieri, 8) or wine tasting and snacks  Le Volpi e L’Uva  (Piazza dei Rossi)
• Afternoon – Boboli Gardens and/or Pitti Palace followed by Piazzale Michelangelo
• Gelato stop –  Il Gelato di filo  [Via S. Miniato, 5]
• Evening drinks – Piazza Santa Croce, if you have time visit the church
• Dinner  –  Caffè Cibreo  [ Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 5R]

3 days in Florence – the grand tour

Day One – Duomo, Accademia and views

• Morning – Duomo –  prebook tickets  

Day Two – Uffizi Gallery, Pponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo

• Evening drinks – Piazza Santa Croce

Day Three – take a day trip or explore the neighborhoods

• Morning – Santa Croce district – visit the church, Sant’Ambrogio market and leather school
• Lunch –   Boccadarno  [Via di S. Niccolò, 56r] 
• Afternoon – San Niccolo and Oltrano districts, Santo Spirito and shopping 
• Gelato stop –  Perche’ No   [Via dei Tavolini, 19R] 
• Evening drinks –  La Rinascente terrazza  [Piazza della Repubblica, 4] – uninterrupted Duomo views
• Dinner  –  L’Osteria Di Giovanni  [via del Moro, 22] – steak florentine

Florence, like most of Italy, has a peak season from May to October. During this time the small city is packed full of visitors and lines for the main attractions are long. Accommodation prices also increase then so it is wise to book well in advance if possible.

The table below has information to help you decide the best time to visit for your travel preferences and plans.

We enjoy the cooler months of May and October in Florence. At this time the crowds are manageable and temperatures are cooler and perfect for sightseeing.

Florence is a small city that welcomes over 10 million tourists each year. Make sure to book early – at least 6 months in advance if you can – to secure rooms at the best hotels. Browse our guide on where to stay in Florence  or check out our top picks below:

Luxury – Hotel Savoy

Boutique – continentale, family – san firenze suites.

Value – Hotel del Corso

READ: Our full guide on accommodation in Florence

Florence is a foodie paradise so you definitely won’t be hungry. From local pasta dishes to pizza and hearty stews with polenta, Tuscan cuisine is famous around the world for good reason.

Make sure you try Steak Florentine.  Bistecca alla Fiorentina is steak cooked rare over a wood fire then sprinkled with salt. That’s it! The key to the dish is the specific cut of meat from the local Chianina breed of cow.

Mercato Centrale

The central market in Florence sprawls out onto the street and is a raggle taggle of tourist tat and leather goods imported from elsewhere. If you only make it this far you’ll be quite disappointed.

But, if you persevere and head up the escalators to the first floor food court, you’ll find a whole other foodie world that I promise you is worth the effort. Here you find over 25 restaurants and bars serving fast, fresh and modern Italian dishes.

On our last trip to Florence we did a wonderful market tour and cooking class with a local food writer.  She told us that the pizza at La Pizzeria Sud at Mercato Centrale was among the best she had tasted, ever. And it was in fact chewy, with just the right amount of tomato, topping and cheese.

Caffe Cibreo

Close to Sant’Ambrogio Market, the menu at Caffè Cibreo is full of interesting dishes with a spin on traditional Tuscan cuisine.  Enjoy a coffee and pastry for breakfast while salads, flatbreads and a moreish Tuscan Club Sandwich made with beef are typical lunchtime fare.

Famous Florentine chef Fabio Picchi experiments with seasonal ingredients at this fun cafe. Our pick are the aperitivo bites and tasting menus featuring the house signature dish – thinly sliced roast beef. 

The cafe is open from breakfast until late at  Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 5R 

Recommended addresses

• Restaurante Santa Elisabetta   – a great value fine dining option in central Florence
• Enoteca Coquinarius  [via delle oche 11, Firenze] here you can eat a delicious pasta lunch with wine for around €20.
• Boccadarno  [Via di S. Niccolò, 56r] I’m still thinking about the lobster pasta we had here. Very friendly neighborhood restaurant
• Trattoria Giovanni   [Via Sant’Agostino, 38] casual lunch option near the Pitti Palace
• Carduccio  [Sdrucciolo de ‘Pitti, 10] for light lunches, juices, smoothies and snacks
• Eataly Florence  [Via de ‘Martelli, 22] – cafe, bar and food store near the Duomo
• Trattoria Ponte Vecchio  [Lungarno degli Archibusieri, 8]
• Del Fagioli  [Corso dei Tintori, 47-r]  and L’Osteria Di Giovanni  [via del Moro, 22]– delicious steak Florentine

Best Gelato stops in Florence

• La Strega Nocciola  [Duomo –  Via Ricasoli, 16r] artisan gelato at 3 locations across the city featuring traditional and modern flavors 
• Il Gelato di filo  [Via S. Miniato, 5] – creamy and smooth gelato close to Piazzale Michelangelo
• Perche’ No   [Via dei Tavolini, 19R] – try their Tuscan rose and pistachio flavors – worth the wait in line

You can discover all our favorite gelaterie in Florence in this article

How to get around

Florence is a walkable city. All the main attractions are within easy walking distance of around 30 minutes.

If you have mobility issues or are just tired from walking then your best bet is a taxi. They are white and you can get them at the taxi stands around the city or use the AppTaxi app.

The more I travel, the more I love doing tours. I think it’s the best way to learn about a city and its history and culture without studying books for hours (I like that too!). The trick is to choose tours that are for as small a group as possible, and on a topic that you enjoy.

We love food tours and classes, art and history so narrowing the choice in Florence was quite difficult. But here are three specific tours you might enjoy

• Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio combined tour – if you want to learn (more) about the Renaissance in Florence and the explosion of art and culture in that era, this is the tour for you. I studied Renaissance history and loved every second of this 3 hour tour > click for details
• Pizza and gelato making class – there’s nothing like bringing a skill home from vacation with you to ensure your trip is memorable. This fun class includes lots of tastings and wine > more information
• Night walking tour – this 1.5 hour walking tour takes you on a journey through Florence at night. Visit the city’s well known landmarks and hear ghost stories and intrigues > click for details

ⓘ  Liv Tours : Our friends at Liv Tours offer daily highlights tours of Florence. Always in small groups of six people or less, you are sure to uncover the secrets of the Renaissance city with their fun guides. Use code ‘ UNTOLDITALY ‘ to claim a 5% discount on all Liv Tours across Italy – for more info on their tours in Florence click here

Florence is a popular base for those wanting to explore Tuscany. You can reach many popular destinations easily by train, tour or renting a car.

To read our full guide to the best day trips from Florence with DIY instructions and tour options click here

Here are some favorites:

• Lucca – a charming city where you can walk or cycle the city walls – more information
• Pienza and the Val D’Orcia – this picturesque region in southern Tuscany is famous for hilltop towns, wineries and classic views. You’ll need a full day to explore this area from Florence and it’s best to join a tour > more information
• Chianti region – famous for towns such as Siena and San Gimignano, here the best thing to do is join a wine tour, relax and take in the rolling Tuscan hills > click for details

READ: Our Guide to the Best Day Trips from Florence

The seasons in Florence vary dramatically so it’s wise to check the forecast before you start packing. Snow is rare in the city but winter temperatures are cold averaging between 3 and 11 degrees celsius. Summers can be long and hot with daytime temperatures soaring over 30 degrees celsius.

Once you know what the weather is doing then you can plan your outfits and gear. Italians are stylish dressers so if you want to look the part leave the yoga pants and flip flops at home. And if you want to enter churches remember that your shoulders and knees should be covered.

A hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and light scarf are musts for any summer trip. In winter you will need a coat, scarf and gloves. Whatever the season, bring your sunglasses! 

Italy travel essentials

Apart from your clothes,  your should also pack these essential items:

• battery pack for recharging your phone – we like this one
• universal adaptor so you can plug in your devices – this one is useful 
• collapsible water bottle – stay hydrated and use less plastic – click to see our favorite

READ: Our full Guide to Packing for Italy

How to get to Florence

Most visitors to Florence arrive by train from Rome or other cities in Italy or by plane.

Florence Peretola airport is small and very few flights land there. They also tend to be quite expensive. An alternative, that we use, is to fly into Pisa and catch the train, bus or airport transfer from there.

ITALY FLIGHT DEALS: Click here to check for flight deals to Florence and Pisa

Note that the last train from Pisa departs from Florence at 21.30pm so if you are flying in from outside the EU you will need to land by 20.00 to ensure you can catch this train.

If you arrive later or just want to relax as you make your way to Florence, you can book a transfer service from Pisa airport.

We use online booking site Suntransfers to search, compare and book our transfer service.  They have private cars, vans and minibuses to choose from.

We are keen family travelers and love taking our kids to cities and cultural experiences. But I would not recommend a more than a day in Florence for families with young children. I would even think hard about taking teenagers unless they had a particular interest in art. 

Florence is a small but busy city with narrow cobbled streets and very few pedestrian only areas. Green spaces and parks are difficult to find and the main attractions are indoor, quiet activities not suited to most children.

Instead, base yourself in family friendly Lucca , Siena or the Tuscan countryside where you can do a day trip into Florence. That way you can enjoy the major sites and retreat to a place where your children can run around safely.

Top tips for a family trip to Florence

Here are some tips and things to do in Florence with kids that will help you make the most of your visit. 

If your kids are small take a baby carrier instead of a stroller to help make moving around easier.

Know where to get gelato – it’s the ultimate bribe for good behaviour. See our favorites above

Book family friendly tours of the main attractions to help engage your children in the sites, art and history. If you have not tried a tour like this you can expect your guide to provide fun activities like treasure hunts, stops for snacks and to be sensitive to tired feet. We recommend:

• Florence tour for kids – 2.5 hours with an experienced family tour guide visiting the major sites of the city > click for details
• Florence family treasure hunt – 1.5 hour walking tour discovering the treasures of the Renaissance city > click here for more info

If you need a break from walking and sightseeing, there is a gorgeous vintage carousel in the Piazza della Republicca

Teenagers might enjoy touring the city on a segway. This is a fun way to get around the major sites, learn about the history and save their legs. Suitable for over 14 years, height and weight restrictions apply >  click here for more information

The Leonardo da Vinci Museum has interactive exhibits exploring da Vinci’s inventions is worth a visit. Museo Leonardo da Vinci – Via dei Servi, 66 – more information

Take a taxi to the Piazzale Michelangelo for the best views of Florence, and then walk down the very steep hill through the rose garden to  Il Gelato di filo  [Via S. Miniato, 5] for ice cream. 

I hope you now have a great plan for exploring Florence, the incredible Renaissance city. If you found our guide useful we would love you to share it using the buttons below

Italy is our favorite country to visit. We produce city and region guides, itineraries and useful practical information for your trip. Visit our Italy page to access these resources.

Our top 3 guides

• 10 day Italy itinerary – a day by day plan on how to see Rome, Florence, Venice and more in 10 days
• Italy packing guide   – a complete guide on what to pack for your trip to Italy
• Driving guide for Italy   – everything you need to know about renting a car and driving in Italy

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The creator, writer and photographer behind Untold Morsels , Katy has been travelling and tasting the world since she was a teenager.

Now the proud mum of twins, she hopes they grow up to share her passions of great food, wine and travel. Favourite destination: Italy

16 Florence travel tips & hacks | First-timer’s in Florence

Things to do in Florence Florence Travel Guide Florence Travel Tips

Widely known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, the mesmerizing art and breathtaking architecture of the capital of Tuscany is a dreamy holiday destination! Visit Florence and experience the vibrancy and splendor of this majestic city with its soulful traditions, rich culture, delicious cuisine, and divine wine. A city brimming with cathedrals, museums, art galleries, and cobbled stone pathways; Florence has enough to keep you busy for weeks on end. Before taking a step back to the Renaissance era, here are a few travel tips that could come handy during your Florence escapade. Read on!

Florence Essentials

Starting with the essentials, here's what you must know before getting to Florence.

Language Italian

Time zone GMT+2

Country Code +39

Socket Type C, F, L

Currency Euros €

Best Time To Visit Florence

Spring (april to june) and autumn (september to october).

Most tourists prefer visiting the Tuscan capital of Florence in Spring or Autumn as the weather is quite pleasant during this time. The summer sun can be a bit harsh, and winter can be really cold if you’re not used to it. Spring and autumn also see relatively fewer tourists than other months with cheaper flight fares and hefty discounts on hotels. Having said this, the beauty of the city does not diminish a wee bit even with scores of tourists milling about. Rest assured, you’re in for a delight whenever you choose to visit

Read more about the best time to visit Florence .

Florence Travel Tips 101 - A First Timer's Holy Grail

Below are the tips and hacks you're here for. Read on and thank us later!

#1 Watchout for Streetside Art

You don't necessarily need to step into the museums and galleries in Florence to witness art. The city in itself is a work of art and you're likely to find streetside art in every other corner of the city. While visiting the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery are highly recommended, take a breather from indoor art and admire the many artists working their magic on the streets. Among the many gardens, squares, churches, and fountains, and you'll be surprised to see many remarkable and familiar art pieces!

#2 Always Carry Cash!

In the Tuscan region, ATMs usually charge a high fee on Visa and Mastercard. If possible, save up on this commission fee by bringing in a good stash of Euros from your home country. The exchange rates are bound to be far more reasonable than in Florence! Tipping is also customary in Florence, hence carrying some spare change will come handy.

#3 Spot the Right Gelato

Gelato is supremely popular in Italy, and if you're looking for an authentic Gelato that's rich and fruity, avoid shops that pile high brightly colored mountains of gelato. A good scoop of Gelato has a melt-in-the-mouth softness with zero preservatives, so they'll have to be stored in refrigerated tubs, and are usually pale in colour like the fruit used to prepare it! Check out the best gelato shops in Florence .

#4 Pre-book Your Skip The Line Tickets Online

A good chunk of the world's most iconic paintings and sculptures are housed in the many galleries and museums of Florence. Naturally, it gets really really crowded (especially during summers) and your trip down the Renaissance art movement is likely to have a 2 hour long wait in queues. Grab skip-the-line tickets online and save yourself the trouble of standing under the scorching Tuscan sun which does nothing but dampen your spirits. Buy your skip-the-line tickets months in advance and score a few additional discounts even!

#5 Be vigilant about your belongings

Florence has a high rate of petty crimes - purse snatching and pickpocketing being the most common. Stash your passports and cash or ATM cards in a tiny pouch that you strap onto your belt and tuck it under your clothes. Be especially vigilant near crowded tourist attractions like the Florence Duomo , Uffizi Gallery; while waiting in queues and indoors as well.

#6 Get Out of the Historic Center

If you're vying for a Florence that's quaint, lined with charming bakeries and flower pots, walk away from Duomo or Palazzo Vecchio and explore areas such as Santo Spirito or San Niccolo. Here, beside flower-potted houses, tiny gardens, colourful mopeds and cobbled roads, you'll come across hidden surprises like family run art galleries, small piazzas centered around tiny fountains, and hilltop olive groves!

#7 Wi-Fi spots abound

Florence has plenty of open Wi-Fi networks, as the Italians are quite tech-savvy. Get access to one hour of free internet (only if you're using an Italian phone) in the city center! Many restaurants and cafes also encourage the use of Wi-Fi, and if you're a digital nomad, you can unwind with your gadgets in these spots. If you don't see a sign, feel free to ask the receptionist or waiters for the password and you won't be turned down.

#8 Explore the Tuscan Countryside

Get out of Florence and explore the lush heart of Tuscany with its old vineyards and olive groves dotted with medieval villages. Choose any city you'd like - from the rolling verdant hills of Chianti to the World Heritage sites of San Gimignano, Pisa, and Siena; a day trip from Florence promises a refreshing break from the crowded piazzas.

Top 5 Gorgeous Day Trips From Florence

#9 climb the duomo cupola.

While the sound of climbing 500-odd crammed steps atop the Duomo may sound taxing, it is worth every drop of sweat once you set eyes on the view from there. Book your tickets for the Cupola Climb online as they sell out weeks in advance and make your way up around dusk and brace yourselves for one of the best sunsets ever.

Recommended Experiences For Climbing The Duomo Cupola

#10 watch out for stendhal syndrome.

You may have heard of the age-old adage, 'Too much of anything can be a bad thing,' well, this holds good for your trip to Florence as well. As per Wikipedia , Stendhal syndrome, nicknamed Florence syndrome is a psychosomatic condition involving rapid heartbeat, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations, allegedly occurring when individuals become exposed to objects or phenomena of great beauty. Stay hydrated and keep traveling to your heart's content, and you'll be just fine!

#11 Sign up for a Food Tour in Florence

Art in Florence is not limited to paint and stone, but in the city's culinary thoroughfare as well. Sign up for a food tour and experience a culinary bonanza as you leisurely eat your way from one location to the next. If you're not interested in a food tour per se, visit the Mercado Central - a local food market on the bottom floor and artisan food court on top where here you’ll find all of Florence’s culinary specialities under one roof.

Here are the top rated food tours in Florence

#12 Catch the Sunrise Over River Arno

Ponte Vecchio is a stone closed arch bridge built over the Arno River that's famous for several jewelry shops that operate out of the small sheds which were earlier meant for butchers. Wake up early and make your way here for a golden sunrise. The vintage background makes for a great photo-op as well!

#13 Be Street Savvy when it comes to Shopping

Florence is the Italian hub for leather shopping, so indulge in bags, belts, wallets and jackets while you're here. While most shops are open to haggling, they only take cash. Also, most shops in Florence are generally shut from 1 PM to 4 PM on account of their afternoon siesta, so plan your day accordingly. Skip the shops next to landmark destinations and watch out for small neighborhood shops for better variety and prices.

#14 Italians Dine Late

In Italy, dinner is not served before 8:00 PM and most restaurants don't even open until 7:30 PM! Before dinner, locals are known to go for an aperitivo to a bar or enoteca (wine bar) for a happy hour + light snack. If you're used to an an early dinner, hop into a neighbourhood bar and gorge on the complimentary snack buffet with cured meats and cheeses with your cocktail until dinner is served.

#15 Visit the Lesser Known Boboli Gardens & Pitti Palace

While most tourists in Florence flock towards the Uffizi Gallery, Florence Duomo and Accademia Gallery; there are two lesser known gems in the city that deserve a visit. Step into the 111-acre Boboli Gardens and explore its terraced gardens, umpteen hidden fountains cradled by lanes of wisteria, 6-meter high obelisk from the time of Ramses II - a real treat for art and nature lovers. Though the gardens are set on a steep hill, walk all the way to the top and be rewarded with remarkable views of the city and a sunny lawn to rest your legs.

Located right next door the Boboli Gardens is Palazzo Pitti, the extravagant residence of the former grand dukes and monarchs of Florence. Wander through the Royal Apartments of the Palace and saunter through the many galleries of artistic and historical exhibits here.

If you're looking to taste a flavour of Renaissance art but steer clear of the tourist hordes; Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens promise you a great dose!

Tips For Saving Money On Transportation In Florence

• Avoid Flying into Florence Directly Whether you’re traveling to Florence from the USA, Asia or Europe, flight tickets into Florence are far more expensive than other Italian cities. It’s a good idea to take a flight to Rome, Pisa or Milan and then hitch a train ride into Florence! Not only do you avoid intense jet lag, but also get the time to soak in the natural beauty of countryside Italy!
• Walk, Walk, and Walk! The birthplace of the Renaissance is best explored on foot because you can get from one end of the city to the other in thirty minutes, while having plenty of time to amble about and discover the little things which make Florence special - the quaint narrow inner roads, the festive marketplace, stunning medieval architecture, and churches with beautiful frescoes by the roadside.
• Don’t Hail Taxis, Call for Them! In Florence, it’s routine to call the Taxi operators and request for cabs instead of hailing it off the street. As always, taxi prices are steep, so be prudent and use them as a last resort. A lot of taxi services often have a lot of discounts and offers running, so check with the company in advance.
• Get Your Bus Ticket Before Boarding! While Florence is a compact city that can be explored easily on foot, you can also take buses to save on time. Just remember to buy the tickets at authorized coffee shops or newsagents. You can also buy it from the driver on the bus, but these are charged at premium rates. Note, bus tickets in Florence are valid for 90 minutes after purchase.

Tips For Saving Money On Eating In Florence

Florence’s tryst with art and architecture is represented in its love for its food.

• Find eateries where locals abound Avoid those restaurants in the city center, which are teeming with tourists. To sample the most traditional Italian cuisine enjoyed by the locals, you’ll have to move to areas away from the historical center. Why, it’s a great idea to befriend some locals and get their suggestions too! A good glass of wine with a sumptuous meal is absolute solace to the stomach!
• Indulge in Streetside Food Local specialties of Florence, such as tripe, pizza, and lampredotto are some of the must-have dishes when you’re in the Tuscan capital. Small local joints serve these dishes, barring dine-in options - opt for a takeaway and enjoy a good meal at the roadside or in a park.
• Have Your Coffee at the Bar! In Florence, don’t be surprised to see bars thronging with huge crowds early on in the day because here, even the coffee shops are called 'bar' here. If you plan on drinking coffee, head to the nearest bar and gulp your coffee while standing at the bar counter unless you want to be charged a premium for sitting in the service area. As a general rule, Italians drink a whole lot of coffee in the daytime while standing at the counters because service on the table can cost you almost doubly more!
• Buy Wine by the Bottles! The Renaissance city boasts of fantastic wine at reasonable rates. Can you believe that the locals actually visit wine shops or supermarkets with empty bottles and just fill up wine by the bulk - Alla Spina (on the tap!) Do as the locals do, and relish these high-quality red and white wines in abundance!

More Tips To Save Money In Florence

• Be Smart in Selecting Areas for Accommodation If you've got a limited time in Florence, it makes sense to find a good hotel or dormitory within the city center. However, if you're looking for budget accommodation, head out of the historic center into residential locations. Areas on the other side of River Arno are easy on the pocket and also give you a taste of the Florentine way of life!
• Prep for Picnics! There are several walled, picturesque gardens in Florence with intriguing art installments. If you have some time to spare, embark on a leisurely stroll around these gardens and make a picnic out of it. Visit the San Lorenzo market for fresh produce like cheese, bread and pick up wine or fresh fruit juices along the way for a breezy evening outdoors.
• Don't miss out on free attractions! There's lots to do for free in Florence. Walk around the Santa Croce Basilica, watch leather artists displaying their craftsmanship around every corner, or take a trip down memory lane and feel like a suave Knight at the only remaining medieval bridge in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio!
• Mondays are Holidays for the Museum Most museums are closed on Mondays, making the weekends super crowded. We'd recommend opting for less conventional things to do on Saturdays and Sundays to avoid the milling weekend crowd. Head out to the neighboring district of Piazza Della Signoria or Ponte Vecchio Bridge for a breather!
• Free Entry to State Museums If your itinerary permits, choose to be in Florence on the first Sunday of every month between March to October. The State Museums don't charge a dime on these days, although you may have to battle a crowd inside. Some of the free attractions include Uffizi Garden, The Medici Chapels, Accademia Gallery, and The Pitti Palace.
• Opt for Day Trips from Florence If you find yourself with a few free days while in Florence, it's a great idea to embark on day trips - without the hassle of new hotel bookings, you're bound to save a lot of money while exploring a new place. You can choose from exotic destinations such as Chianti to know the nuances of wine tasting, or acquaint yourself with the world's wonder: The Leaning Tower of Pisa . Another exciting locale for a day trip is the Cinque Terra region - which is a world heritage site in itself!
• Maximize Online Bookings Whether it's your airline or hotel bookings or entrance tickets to major attractions in Florence, you'll save a whole lot if you make your reservations online, for there are plenty of cashback and discount vouchers to choose from! Plus, you'll be saving up on time that could be spent relaxing atop chaise lounges instead of long queues.

Top Things To Do In Florence

Here are our top 10 favourites in Rome. If any of these are missing from your itinerary, make sure you squeeze them in! There are a few recommended tours for each attraction, so if you haven't grabbed tickets as yet, now would be a great time.

1 Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Museum, situated in the artistic center of Europe, is best recognized for its world-class art and a diverse selection of priceless renaissance pieces. Apart from being the world's largest, an estimated two million tourists visit Uffizi Gallery every year, making it the most popular gallery in the world.

2 Accademia Gallery

It should not come as a surprise, then, that one of the world's most renowned art museum and gallery is located in Florence at the epicenter. The Accademia Gallery of Florence (or Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze) is home to some of the most famous paintings on Earth, making it Italy's second most visited museum.

3 Florence Duomo

The Duomo is a beautiful cathedral in the city of Florence, Italy, and it has a lot of history and is one of the most popular and well-respected sights in all of Italy. The Duomo is as emblematic of Florence as the Eiffel Tower is for Paris, so a visit to this lovely city must be included in your trip.

4 Getaway from Florence

Florence is a wonderful base from which to explore the rest of Italy. Within three hours' drive from Florence, you may enjoy rolling hills, charming coastal hamlets, and honey-stoned towns. Here are our top recommendations for the most beautiful, hassle-free day trips from Florence.

5 Palazzo Piti and Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are a must-see for visitors to Florence. This exquisite garden is spread out over 11 acres and serves as a back yard for the illustrious Pitti Palace.

Ready to explore Florence?

Here are a few more guides that should help you plan your visit.

How long should I stay in Florence to make the best of my visit?

With two or three days, you'll be able to visit more of the city's iconic churches and Michelangelo's David. Having more time also means you can cross the river into the Oltrarno District, which provides a somewhat less touristy experience of Florence.

What are the things I should avoid doing in Florence?

Don't dine within view of the Duomo. Don't wait in line. Don't bring your flip-flops. Don't wear high heels. Don't order the most expensive bottle of wine.

Is Florence Italy expensive to visit?

While the accommodation prices aren't the lowest, food can surely be affordable if you avoid typical tourist traps such as eating next to Piazza del Duomo or Ponte Vecchio. Most things to do in Florence are actually free too, or costs between 6 to 10 Euros.

What do you need to travel to Florence?

You'll need a valid passport with at least two blank pages to travel to Italy from the United States. In Italy, U.S. citizens have to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay, but you can stay in Italy for up to 90 days without a visa.

What is the best time of year to visit Florence?

The best time to visit Florence is between May and September when warm weather ushers in art festivals, open-air dining and the kind of Italian sunshine that inspired the Renaissance painters. Unfortunately, it also brings sweltering weather, tourist swarms and high hotel rates.

Is Florence safe at night?

There are no reports of mugging and kidnapping in Florence, but tourists should be vigilant as in any other major city and avoid wandering the streets at night, especially in dangerous areas.

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Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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Cradle of the Renaissance, romantic, enchanting and utterly irresistible, Florence (Firenze) is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, attractions, must-see attractions.

Galleria degli Uffizi

Duomo & Piazza della Signoria

Home to the world's greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art, Florence's premier gallery occupies the vast U-shaped Palazzo degli Uffizi (1560–80),…

Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Santa Maria Novella

The striking green-and-white marble facade of 13th- to 15th-century Basilica di Santa Maria Novella fronts an entire monastical complex, comprising…

Palazzo Vecchio

This fortress palace, with its crenellations and 94m-high tower, was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1298 and 1314 for the signoria (city government…

Museo di San Marco

San Lorenzo & San Marco

At the heart of Florence's university area sits Chiesa di San Marco and an adjoining 15th-century Dominican monastery where both gifted painter Fra'…

Florence's duomo is the city's most iconic landmark. Capped by Filippo Brunelleschi's red-tiled cupola, it's a staggering construction whose breathtaking…

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

This awe-inspiring story of how the duomo and its cupola came to life is told in this well-executed museum. Among its sacred and liturgical treasures are…

Cupola del Brunelleschi

A Renaissance masterpiece, the duomo's cupola – 91m high and 45.5m wide – was built between 1420 and 1436. Filippo Brunelleschi, taking inspiration from…

Galleria dell'Accademia

A queue marks the door to this gallery, built to house one of the Renaissance's most iconic masterpieces, Michelangelo's David. But the world's most…

Top picks from our travel experts

The best things to do to really experience florence.

Giardino Torrigiani

Astonishing. Behind the unassuming facades of Via de' Serragli lies a vast, secret garden – Europe’s largest privately owned green space...

Museo Marino Marini

Deconsecrated in the 19th century, Chiesa di San Pancrazio is home to this small art museum displaying sculptures by Pistoia-born sculptor Marino Marini …

Basilica di San Lorenzo

Considered one of Florence's most harmonious examples of Renaissance architecture, this unfinished basilica was the Medici parish church and mausoleum. It…

Street Levels Gallery

Take a break from Renaissance art with this pioneering urban street-art gallery. Exhibitions showcase the work of local street artists, including street…

All'Antico Vinaio

Santa Croce

The crowd spills out the door of this noisy Florentine thoroughbred, pride and joy of the Mazzanti family since 1991. Push your way to the tables at the…

Museo di Storia Naturale – Zoologia La Specola

Boboli & San Miniato al Monte

One of several sections of Florence's natural history museum dating from 1775, La Specola showcases 5000-odd animals (out of an unbelievable depository of…

Villa e Giardino Bardini

This 17th-century villa and garden was named after 19th-century antiquarian art collector Stefano Bardini (1836–1922), who bought it in 1913 and restored…

Palazzo Medici-Riccardi

Cosimo the Elder entrusted Michelozzo with the design of the family's town house in 1444. The result was this palace, a blueprint that influenced the…

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio

Indoor and outdoor food market with an intimate, local flavour.

Il Porcellino

Tucked beneath the stone arches, on the southern side of the loggia sheltering the city's 16th-century Mercato Nuovo (literally 'New Market'), today a…

Basilica di Santo Spirito

The facade of this Brunelleschi church, smart on Florence's most shabby-chic piazza, makes a striking backdrop to open-air concerts in summer. Inside, the…

Fondazione Casa Buonarroti

Though Michelangelo never lived in Casa Buonarroti, his heirs devoted some of the artist’s hard-earned wealth to the construction of this 17th-century…

Museo delle Cappelle Medicee

Nowhere is Medici conceit expressed so explicitly as in the Medici Chapels. Adorned with granite, marble, semiprecious stones and some of Michelangelo's…

Palazzo Strozzi

This 15th-century Renaissance mansion was built for wealthy merchant Filippo Strozzi, one of the Medici's major political and commercial rivals. Today it…

Museo del Bargello

It was behind the stark walls of Palazzo del Bargello, Florence's earliest public building, that the podestà (governing magistrate) meted out justice from…

Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana

Beyond the Basilica di San Lorenzo ticket office lie peaceful cloisters framing a garden with orange trees. Stairs lead up the loggia to the Biblioteca…

Giardino di Boboli

Behind Palazzo Pitti, the fountain- and sculpture-adorned Boboli Gardens – slowly but surely being restored to their former pristine glory thanks to a €2…

Should you notice something gone awry with street signs in Oltrarno – on a No Entry sign, a tiny black figure stealthily sneaking away with the white bar…

Mercato Centrale

Wander the maze of stalls crammed with fresh produce at Florence's oldest and largest food market, on the ground floor of an iron-and-glass structure…

Museo Galileo

On the Arno river next to the Uffizi in 12th-century Palazzo Castellani – look for the sundial telling the time on the pavement outside – is this state-of…

Palazzo Pitti

Commissioned by banker Luca Pitti in 1458, this Renaissance palace was later bought by the Medici family. Over the centuries, it was a residence of the…

Museo Novecento

Don't allow the Renaissance to distract you from Florence's fantastic modern art museum, at home in a 13th-century pilgrim shelter, hospital and school. A…

17 free things to do in Florence

Museo degli Innocenti

Shortly after its founding in 1421, Brunelleschi designed the loggia for Florence's Ospedale degli Innocenti, a foundling hospital and Europe's first…

Ponte Santa Trinità

Composed of three elliptical arches of the utmost elegance – the first of their kind ever used in bridge construction – Ponte Santa Trinità was designed…

Piazzale Michelangelo

Turn your back on the bevy of ticky-tacky souvenir stalls flogging David statues and boxer shorts and take in the spectacular city panorama from this vast…

Loggia dei Lanzi

What makes Piazza della Signoria so utterly gorgeous is its wealth of fountains and statues, climaxing with this 14th-century loggia where works such as…

Chiesa d'Ognissanti

Stroll along Borgo d'Ognissanti from Piazza Carlo Goldoni towards ancient city gate Porta al Prato, past antiques shops and designer boutiques, to reach…

Cenacolo di Sant’Apollonia

Once part of a sprawling Benedictine monastery, this cenacolo (refectory) harbours arguably the city’s most remarkable Last Supper scene. Painted by…

Museo Archeologico

Set a little bit back off Piazza della Santissima Annunziata is Florence's archaeology museum. Its rich collection of finds, including most of the Medici…

Torre San Niccolò

Built in 1324, the best preserved of the city’s medieval gates stands sentinel on the banks of the Arno. In summer, with a guide you can scale the steep…

Ponte Vecchio

Dating from 1345, iconic Ponte Vecchio was the only Florentine bridge to survive destruction at the hands of retreating German forces in 1944. Above…

Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata

Established in 1250 by the founders of the Servite order and rebuilt by Michelozzo and others in the mid-15th century, this Renaissance church is most…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

Careful advance planning is the key to getting the most out of your visit to the Tuscan capital. Here’s all you need to know before your trip to Florence.

Best Neighborhoods

Whether you want to be in the heart of the city, close to good bars and food, or quieter districts, we share the best neighborhoods to stay in in Florence.

Florence is a captivating city, but if you can tear yourself away, there are many great day trips to the wider region and beyond.

Money and Costs

These budget travel tips can help your euros go further in Florence.

Transportation

Here are our top tips for finding your way around in Florence.

Free Things to Do

Visiting the opulent, art-filled capital of Tuscany doesn't have to cost a fortune. Here are 17 treasures in Florence that you can visit for free.

From the Romanelli family's studio to the contemporary designs of Bottega Pendolare, Florence balances its rich history with vibrant, contemporary design.

Plan with a local

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Latest stories from Florence

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• Cruise Ships
• Carnival Firenze

Carnival Firenze ™

• Dining & Activities
• Sails From:

Long Beach is fun, but it isn't known as a hotspot of Italian culture… yet! In spring 2024, Carnival Firenze will debut, setting sail from this homeport towards south-of-the-border fun along Mexico's Pacific coast! So, Long Beach, you're wondering what to expect from Fun Italian Style ™ ? Grab your movie star sunglasses and throw on a scarf — just for style — as you make your entrance at Piazza Duomo , named for Florence's iconic domed cathedral. To get a taste for onboard flavor and flair, check out spots like the elegant three-course Michelangelo and Medici Restaurants , traditional Italian foods, cocktails and more at Il Viaggio , plus Italian street food spot La Strada Grill ™ . You're even going to find an Italian market, Il Mercato , featuring faves like sauced-up meatballs, sandwiches with inspiration from Italy and beyond, plus sausages and salads. And since we're always authentic… most of the time, you can enjoy the fusion-y goodness of Mexican-Italian Tomodoro ™ plus Guy's Burger Joint , which now features classics and burgers with Italian twists. For refreshment served up in a glass, look to cocktail bar Amari ™ , frozen drinks with a bit of attitude at Rococó ™ , Frizzante ™ with its three specialties (bubbly drinks, snacks and coffee!), plus classic Italian cocktails and martinis with surprising and fashionable twists (and live music too!) at Moda Bar and Lounge ™ . Even more spots for entertainment include the classic-theater vibe of Teatro Rosso featuring Playlist Productions shows, and Tuscan Lounge paying tribute to Florence's iconic home region. Let's not forget Terrazza staterooms — we could never! — which give you a stylish, comfy place to unwind from all the fun… near a private deck featuring exclusive amenities like all-day lounging at Terrazza Moda home to great views, drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more. While we're excited about the Italian side of this ship, it's not the whole story. Carnival has some true fan-favorites we knew folks would be asking for. ( ) That's why Carnival Firenze also includes familiar flavors like Bonsai Teppanyaki ™ and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse ™ . Places to celebrate absolutely anything (or just nothing!) include Piano Bar 88 and Serenity Bar , while you can seriously kick back at Cloud 9 Spa ™ and Serenity Adult-Only Retreat ™ . Kids are going to love Camp Ocean ™ , Circle “C” ® and Club O2 ® — each one is perfectly designed for a different age group. And if active/splashy fun is your thing, that's honestly a great thing and we can tell you're going to be spending time at WaterWorks ™ and SportSquare ™ , home to a ropes course, jogging track, mini golf course and outdoor fitness center. Long Beach! Carnival Firenze is sailing now from your sweet shores. Andiamo!

• 135,156 Gross Tonnage
• 4,126 Guest Capacity
• 1,061 Length In Feet
• 1,425 Onboard Crew

INSIDE THIS SHIP

Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.

YOUR STATEROOM

Terrazza interior.

A cozy, classic stateroom decked out with Italian flair… plus amenities like exclusive access to a private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more.  (All Terrazza stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Amenities exclusive to Terrazza staterooms:

• Access to private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools, and more
• Daily continental breakfast at the nearby lounge
• Sailaway event featuring live music
• Comfy Terrazza-branded robes and towels for your use

Plus, every room includes:

• Dedicated stateroom attendant
• Soft, cozy linens
• Plenty of closet and drawer space
• In-room safe for valuables
• Stateroom climate control

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Every room includes:

Interior with Portholes

Interior upper/lower with portholes, interior upper/lower, deluxe ocean view.

Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are a great choice for families who want to let the sun shine in as they sail. Rooms of this type feature great views, a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom.

Deluxe Ocean View (Obstructed View)

Terrazza premium vista balcony.

If you’re all about living the Terrazza life while you cruise… we like your style, and have just the room for you. There’s tons of Italian flair on the inside, but what’s outside counts too! And in this case it’s an incredible wraparound balcony for luxurious private lounging with a sea breeze. But don’t spend all your time here: you also have exclusive access to a private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more.  (All Terrazza stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

• Access to private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more

Terrazza Premium Balcony

When you want the most sea breeze and the amazing views — but you also want Italian style to match — a Terrazza Premium Balcony might be just the thing. An extra-wide balcony is just one of the perks… but don’t forget exclusive access to a private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more.  (All Terrazza stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Terrazza Aft-View Extended Balcony

A balcony made for watching the ship’s calm wake as we sail along, plus an interior with Italian style on the inside. That’s your Terrazza Aft-View Extended Balcony! Well, that and exclusive access to a private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more.  (All Terrazza stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Terrazza Cabana

A Terrazza Cabana stateroom gets you real estate on one of the most desirable addresses on the ship: your very own lounging patio complete with deck chairs. Plus, you'll have easy access to the exclusive private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more.  (All Terrazza stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Premium Balcony

We designed balcony staterooms for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, and this stateroom features a balcony that's even wider than our standard balcony for extra outdoor space.

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space... not to even mention some of the best views. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon the ship's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Cove Balcony

Cove Balcony staterooms get you close to the waterline, and feature balconies that let you make the most of your location, for one amazing up-close view of the wake and sea foam as the ship cruises along.

Ocean Suite

An Ocean Suite lets you experience a private, spacious relaxation... more space for stretching out indoors, including a walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors.

Amenities exclusive to suites:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
• Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 AM
• Access to private deck featuring all-day lounging with great drinks, entertainment, whirlpools and more (guests 12 or older only)
• Two large bottles of water
• Pillow-top mattress

Ocean Suite (Obstructed View)

Onboard activities, onboard dining, which way to mexico.

Carnival Firenze gives you options for exploring Mexico’s beautiful Pacific coast, sailing from Long Beach.

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

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• Accessibility
• Community Involvement
• Move Seattle
• News Releases
• Pedestrians
• Vision Zero
• Traffic and Construction
• Trees and Vegetation
• Winter Weather

Travel tips for June 5-17: planned construction, sports & community events

Blog stats: 1,100 words | 6-minute read

At-a-glance:

• June is already here and we want you to stay in-the-know about our upcoming construction activities, professional sports games, and community celebrations taking place in the Seattle area, so you can travel with confidence in the weeks ahead.

SDOT construction, street closures, and travel impacts

Regional transportation agency work, major league sports home games.

• Community celebrations
• We also encourage you to follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @seattledot and @SDOTTraffic , and visit the websites of our regional partner agencies, including WSDOT , King County Metro , and Sound Transit .
• You can also visit our Project and Construction Coordination Map for a map of various construction projects taking place throughout the city.
• We’ll continue to publish these blogs throughout the summer to help you plan ahead and know what to expect when you travel.

Please note: our construction projects take place throughout Seattle. To stay informed about projects near you, subscribe to our email updates . You can select from a list of projects and subscribe to the ones you’re most interested in.

• McGraw Street Bridge is closed from 2nd Ave N to Nob Hill Ave N through fall 2024.
• East Marginal Way S is closed between S Spokane St and S Atlantic St to general purpose traffic into 2026. People walking, biking, or rolling and Port of Seattle-bound vehicles may still use East Marginal Way S.
• 11th and 12th Aves NE – Intermittent lane closures between NE 43rd and NE 67th streets into 2025. One travel lane is maintained during construction.
• 23rd Ave E/24th Ave E – Intermittent lane closures at E McGraw St, Boyer Ave E, E Republican St, and S Grand St. One travel lane in each direction is maintained during construction.
• N 130th St – Intermittent lane closures between Meridian Ave N and Corliss Ave N. One travel lane in each direction is maintained during construction.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

WSDOT will complete work updating an attenuator along the southbound I-5 off-ramp to James Street later this week, which will involve nighttime lane and ramp closures in downtown Seattle.

From 10 PM Thursday, June 6, to 4 AM Friday, June 7, crews will close:

• The right two lanes of southbound I-5 from Yale Avenue to the James Street off-ramp.
• The southbound I-5 off-ramp to Union Street.
• The Yale Avenue/Howell Street on-ramp to southbound I-5.
• The left lane of the James Street off-ramp.

Seattle Mariners

Upcoming games at T-Mobile Park

• Monday, June 10 at 6:40 PM: Chicago White Sox
• Tuesday, June 11 at 6:40 PM: Chicago White Sox
• Wednesday, June 12 at 6:40 PM: Chicago White Sox
• Thursday, June 13 at 6:40 PM: Chicago White Sox
• Friday, June 14 at 7:10 PM: Texas Rangers
• Saturday, June 15 at 4:15 PM: Texas Rangers
• Sunday, June 16 at 1:10 PM: Texas Rangers

To learn more:

• https://www.mlb.com/mariners/schedule

If you’re riding the Link light rail, get off at the Stadium Station and walk a short two blocks over to the ballpark. If taking rideshare, there is a designated rideshare lot southeast of the stadium. If driving, the Mariners Garage opens 3 hours before game time. Biking, scooting, walking, or rolling to the game may also be great options, depending on your trip specifics. Find more information on navigating to T-Mobile Park here .

Seattle Storm

Upcoming games at Climate Pledge Arena

• Tuesday, June 11 at 7 PM: Los Angeles Sparks
• https://storm.wnba.com/schedule/

For all major ticketed events, guests receive a free public transit pass alongside their ticket. If driving to the arena, there are three parking garages available nearby. Find more information on navigating to the arena here .

Seattle Sounders FC

Upcoming games at Lumen Field

• Saturday, June 15 at 7:30 PM: Minnesota United FC
• https://www.soundersfc.com/schedule/

Seattle Reign FC

• Sunday, June 16 at 1:00 PM: Portland Thorns FC
• https://www.reignfc.com/schedule

Community events

Please note: We’ve highlighted several upcoming community celebrations below – but this is not intended as a comprehensive list of every event in the city. We hope you enjoy taking part!

June 8: Indigenous People Festival – Seattle Center Armory and Mural Amphitheatre

This festival is part of Seattle Center Festál , a program that’s been taking place for 27 years and holds a space for community members to connect and learn about the diverse ethnic communities of the Pacific Northwest. The event hosts a wide variety of cultural performers, delicious cuisine, and craft vendors. Find more information about the festival here .

Seattle Center can be reached by King County Metro bus or by taking the Seattle Center Monorail from Westlake. You can find a range of travel options to get to Seattle Center here .

June 6 and June 13: Spotlight on the Waterfront – Waterfront Park

Every Thursday from 6-8 PM from June to September, experience local music, art, and cultural performances at Waterfront Park, right here along Seattle’s central waterfront. Find more information about the event here .

Waterfront Park can be reached by King County Metro bus or Sound Transit light rail (the University Street Station is closest). You can also find a handful of nearby parking garages .

June 15: Columbia City Night Market – Columbia City

On the third Saturday of each month from 6-10 PM, the Columbia City Night Market features local vendors, artists, and food trucks accompanied with live music and a 21+ beer garden. The event is hosted at 7th Ave S, between S Hudson and S Edmonds streets.

The Columbia City Night Market can be reached by King County Metro bus or Sound Transit light rail (the Columbia City Station is closest). Or, depending on your trip, walking, biking, or rolling might be great ways for you to get to the market.

We hope this post provided you with useful tips and tools to help you travel throughout Seattle as these construction and community events all take place. Stay tuned for more blog posts like this throughout the summer. Thank you!

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Carnival Firenze cruise ship review: A guide to Carnival's second 'Italian Style' vessel

Editor's note: TPG's Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip to sail on Carnival Firenze for the ship's naming ceremony and inaugural cruise. The views expressed below are entirely hers and were not subject to review by the cruise line.

When Carnival Cruise Line first announced it was adopting ships from sister cruise line Costa Cruises for a product it now calls " Fun Italian Style ," I wondered, given Carnival's usual vibe, if it was possible for the ships to feel even a little bit authentic. Would they be fun or refined? Luxurious or tacky? Carnival Firenze is all of those things — and that's exactly how Carnival passengers like it.

When you step on board, you're welcomed into what feels like an Italian theme park. It's an alternate universe's version of Italy, where you're likely to hear "That's Amore" in some form daily, take part in a street festival that features a gelato-eating contest and watch as waiters in ruffle-sleeved costumes perform in the dining room to Justin Bieber songs while a giant fig leaf-clad version of Michelangelo's David holds court over the whole scene, awash in colored strobe lights.

It's chaotic and a lot to take in, but somehow it works. Passengers can have their photos taken with a Vespa-style scooter and grab Italian-themed burgers and meatball sandwiches at new iterations of some of Carnival's most popular eateries. A giant replica of Donatello's Marzocco towers above the Piazza del Duomo atrium that serves as the location of Carnival Firenze's massive welcome party. During the event, officers and crew scatter around the atrium's three-deck balcony and wave signs that say "Ciao" and "Benvenuti." The high-energy party starts a sailing off on the right foot.

For more cruise guides, news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Juxtapose the over-the-top Italian elements with elegant design choices — such as a pool deck that features charming bar facades designed to evoke Italian architecture, well-designed cabins and service that's off-the-charts friendly — and you've got Carnival Firenze.

Want to learn more about what to expect during a sailing on this new-to-Carnival ship? Here's my review of Carnival Firenze with everything you need to know.

Carnival Firenze overview

Carnival Firenze debuted as Costa Firenze, the second ship in Costa Cruises' Venezia Class (similar to Carnival's Vista Class) , in 2021. The 4,126-passenger, 135,156-ton ship was originally designed for the Chinese cruise market, meaning it houses more casino and retail space than the average North American cruise ship. Plus, its pools are smaller than most, with tons of shaded areas around them — a nice touch for anyone who doesn't want to bake in the sun.

In early 2024, the ship transferred to the Carnival fleet and underwent a two-month refurbishment to tweak some of the public spaces and add Carnival's trademark blue wave paint scheme on the hull. Notably, the ship is keeping its yellow Costa smokestack, which is emblazoned with a giant letter "C," and won't be outfitted with Carnival's signature red, white and blue whale tail funnel.

On board, a large number of your fellow passengers will be West Coasters who often drive to the departure port in Long Beach, California. You'll also find Carnival stalwarts who don't mind making the trip from farther afield to sail on the new ship.

Unfortunately, the vessel often seemed crowded, with 4,200 passengers on my sailing — about 1,000 people fewer than maximum capacity. I can't imagine how it would have felt if my sailing were full.

As is the case on other Carnival vessels, the food provides excellent value for money, with the number of included options far exceeding the number of specialty restaurants that charge extra. Cuisines run the gamut from Italian and Asian to seafood and steak, and despite some longer-than-average wait times in the dining room, the service is friendly and generally efficient.

Cabins are furnished in neutral colors and laid out in ways that make sense, with comfortable convertible beds; closets that feature several layouts with drawers, hanging bars and collapsible shelving; bathrooms with plenty of storage space; and a plethora of electrical outlets for charging.

Carnival Firenze is full of activities, including trivia, movies and games. The spa, salon and fitness center offer ways to care for your mind and body, and top-deck waterslides and a ropes course provide opportunities for adventuresome travelers to find their adrenaline fix.

The Italian vibe carries through everything you do on board. It will either make you smile or roll your eyes. Regardless, it's a lot of fun.

What I love about Carnival Firenze

The design elements.

I wasn't sure what to expect on Carnival Firenze, but what I found immediately upon boarding was a grand three-deck atrium, Piazza del Duomo, that's both over the top and beautiful. In the center is a bar, from the middle of which rises a faux marble pillar with a replica of Donatello's Marzocco golden lion statue on the top. Your eyes can't help but follow it up toward the ceiling, which is painted to look like a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

As you move between decks, you'll spy Italian-style art in the stairwells and elevator banks. Walls in the cabin hallways are printed with snippets from photos of famous Italian statues; photos of Florentine landmarks like the Duomo serve as headboards in non-suite cabins.

But the most impressive element of the ship's design is the Lido Pool area, which is set up to resemble a courtyard with the pool in the center and several Italian building facades overlooking it. Those facades, which are equipped with wrought-iron balconies, house everything from bars and board game areas to a deli, Guy's Burger Joint (with an Italian twist) and a combination Mexican-Italian burrito and taco bar, as well as the ship's JavaBlue Cafe . It's the first time I've ever visited a cruise pool area and not felt like I was on a ship.

The artwork

During my first night on Carnival Firenze, as I was walking from my cabin down to dinner, I stopped in my tracks and burst out laughing. The aft stairwells on the ship are bedecked with floor-to-ceiling prints that seem innocuous at first, but as you look more closely, you can pick out some exceptionally odd characters. In this particular case, it was two young women who clearly tested the limits of their drink package.

Throughout the rest of my sailing, I made sure to study each print carefully, turning up a creepy crone who needs dental work and some pasties, a woman pulling a centaur's hair, another woman choking on plants and a sad dog standing on top of the table in a chaotic version of "The Last Supper" as Jesus nonchalantly looks on.

Similarly amusing art was positioned on several walls in the ship's two main dining rooms. At Rococo, the bar that serves the Lido Pool, you'll find the walls plastered with late Baroque-style art featuring subjects that have been embellished with modern twists like sunglasses and pithy text. Women in frilly dresses are overlaid with exclamations like "Don't rush me," "Dogs before dudes" and "Swag."

I wasn't a fan of some of the cheesiness on board (see below), but it's clear that both passengers and crew were excited to be there. From the second we were welcomed aboard with a raucous atrium party, the crew was smiling and friendly, and my fellow cruisers were always ready to strike up a conversation.

Every waiter asked how my day was, and my room steward greeted me by name whenever he saw me in the hall. The crew at JavaBlue went out of their way to make sure my coffee order was right each morning, and the genuine cheerfulness didn't go unnoticed.

What I don't love about Carnival Firenze

Flow can be a problem on Carnival Firenze, with galley placement cutting off access from one end of Deck 3 to the other. Passengers traversing the lower decks often have to walk up a deck, over and back down to get where they're going.

The Lido Marketplace buffet is also a problem at peak dining times. The main walkways through the venue feel narrow, making it difficult for two-way traffic to flow through the space, especially for people using wheelchairs, scooters or walkers.

In some spots, the layout was simply confusing. For example, the Tuscan Lounge has two entrances — a primary one that allows traffic to naturally flow from one venue to the next and a hidden secondary one that most people only find by accident, usually after taking a wrong turn.

The fig leaf

Although I'm a fan of much of the art on Carnival Firenze, one piece in particular disappoints me. In the Michelangelo Restaurant, one of the two main dining rooms on board, a giant copy of Michelangelo's David stands on the landing of the grand staircase that connects the restaurant's two decks.

Previously housed on Carnival Pride, the statue was relocated to Carnival Firenze. It still dons a carefully fashioned fig leaf that was made and attached to cover its groin area after a bunch of pearl-clutching Karens complained about having to see — gasp! — a piece of art that's been around for more than five centuries.

Festa Italiana

Festa Italiana is a big, loud, cheesy Italian-themed street festival-type celebration that's held one night during each Carnival Firenze voyage. The Lido Pool area is strung with red, white and green flags, and the event, which lasts more than two hours, kicks off with a talented violin trio.

Following that, the cruise director moves into what the line calls a "traditional" opening ceremony, involving members of the Playlist Productions cast in cartoonish-looking versions of Italian dress parading around the deck. They perform several times throughout the night, alternating with activities like gelato-eating contests, Italian lessons (where the audience learns a couple of phrases that they scream back and forth at one another) and competitions where participants have to maneuver, blindfolded, around terra cotta pots.

The night ends with a DJ, who plays music (think: interesting mashups like "Funiculi Funicula" and Lady Gaga's "Rain on Me") while servers walk around with trays of Italian sausage sandwiches and bites of salami and cheese pastry.

Parts of it are fun, but overall, it feels like an amalgamation of stereotypes instead of an ode to one of the world's most beautiful countries.

Carnival Firenze cabins and suites

Carnival Firenze cabins range from insides with no natural light and outsides with a window to balcony accommodations and suites, including those in La Terrazza, a special zone that offers private cabana, bar and sun deck access.

One odd cabin type to note is the ship's inside cabins with windows and portholes. Normally, they'd be considered outside cabins, but because the views are partially obstructed, the line sells them as insides. Book one of these cabins, and you can snag a room with natural light for less money.

The ship offers no solo cabins, but it does have 44 accessible accommodations sprinkled throughout all basic categories. The rooms are a mix of fully accessible (access to both sides of the bed), fully accessible single-side approach (access to one side of the bed) and ambulatory accessible (for people who can walk with assistive devices like walkers or canes).

Fully accessible rooms are stair-free, flat-threshold cabins, which offer wider (32-inch) doorways, turning space and bathrooms equipped with grab bars and shower seats.

Even the most basic of cabins offers a queen bed that converts to two twins and two nightstands with cabinet storage and reading lamps. Some also sleep up to four people with either a sofa bed or a mix of a sofa bed and a pull-down bunk.

Each room offers a vanity with a mirror, a desk, a stool or chair, a phone, a minifridge, a hair dryer and plenty of outlets. Rooms also come with ample closet space that includes shelving, drawers and bars for hanging clothes of various lengths. Inside each closet is a code-operated safe for which you can program a four-digit pin. (On the first couple of days of my voyage, I had trouble with my in-room safe. After a quick phone call to my room steward, someone arrived at my cabin within minutes to fix it.)

Bathrooms at the basic level are shower only, and they're made of cheap-looking white plastic. Each shower has a fiberglass door instead of a curtain and a single dispenser for all-in-one shower gel and shampoo. They're also equipped with a toilet, a sink, fluffy white towels and plenty of shelving for storing personal grooming items.

As cabins increase in category, they also increase in size and amenities.

Suites come with additional perks, such as priority check-in, boarding and disembarkation; preferred dinner times in the main dining room; pillow-top mattresses; two large bottles of water and bathrobes; upgraded bathroom toiletries; and extra square footage, some of which is dedicated to larger balconies and even walk-in closets.

Some bathrooms at the suite level include bathtubs in addition to shower facilities. Additionally, passengers booked in Ocean suites and La Terrazza cabins (Carnival Firenze's version of Havana Cabana cabins) have access to the exclusive Terrazza Moda sun deck with loungers, hot tubs and a bar, as well as private waiter-served breakfast each morning in the adjoining, indoor Moda Bar and Lounge.

When I sailed on Carnival Firenze, I sailed alone and stayed in a balcony cabin outfitted with a double sleeper sofa and a balcony with two metal and mesh chairs and a small drinks table. Its size was more than enough for me and another person, but it would have been tight quarters sailing with the room's maximum occupancy of four passengers.

I was particularly impressed by how comfortable the bed was and the number of outlets available for charging devices. (The only minor issue is that only one side of the bed has USB ports for phone charging at night.) One thoughtful touch was the motion-activated nightlight that turns on when it senses movement in a dark room. It's a lifesaver if you find yourself needing to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

I also enjoyed the decor, which is less over the top than on some of the older, more colorful ships in Carnival's fleet but less bland than some of its newest ships. It's a happy medium of neutral whites, light browns and beiges with soothing blue hues and floor-to-ceiling prints of some of Italy's famed landmarks.

Dislikes for me included a shower door that leaked, soaking the floor each time I turned on the water, plus "Snoozin'" door hangers that often got caught in my door when I closed it. For the latter, I would've preferred a "Do not disturb" button like many other new ships have.

Carnival Firenze's cabins require you to put something in the slot near the door in order to turn on the lights. (I used my room steward's business card.)

Speaking of room stewards, mine was fantastic, and he came once a day to clean my room between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. He always did a wonderful job, and he was quick to help when I had clothing to send out for pressing.

Carnival Firenze restaurants and bars

Carnival firenze food.

The food on Carnival Firenze is largely tasty, with lots of options, including no-fee dishes and fancy choices that cost extra.

In keeping with the ship's Italian theming, Carnival has added a twist to other vessels' favorite eateries, such as Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina, which appears as Mexican-Italian hybrid Tomodoro. The standard Carnival deli outpost has also been given an Italian spin.

Additionally, Cucina del Capitano, the added-fee Italian restaurant on several other Carnival ships, has been replaced on Carnival Firenze with Il Viaggio, an absolutely phenomenal take on modern, upscale Italian food.

Overall, the food offerings on the ship are a great blend of old favorites — like the Lido Marketplace buffet, Pizzeria del Capitano, the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki — and these new takes on existing restaurants.

Plus, the ship has so many places to sit outside for an alfresco bite. Check out Deck 5, near Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, for example. You can enjoy a meal with sea views to boot.

Note: Hours for most restaurants vary based on whether it's a sea day or a port day. Check the daily schedule or Carnival's Hub app for details.

Carnival Firenze has two main dining rooms: Medici Restaurant (Deck 3, mid) and Michelangelo Restaurant (decks 3 and 4, aft).

Michelangelo Restaurant is dedicated to passengers who select Your Time Dining, which lets you eat anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. (The dedicated YTD restaurant can vary by sailing, depending on how many people choose that option.) Medici Restaurant is used for set seating, with two dining times: one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 7:45 p.m.

Both serve the same menu for dinner, but only the larger Michelangelo Restaurant is open for Sea Day Brunch on sea days and breakfast (but not lunch) on port days. It also serves afternoon tea on sea days. Meanwhile, the Medici Restaurant serves a pasta bar for lunch on select sea days.

I had YTD, and I dined three times in the Michelangelo Restaurant. The first time was for brunch, where I had a vegetable omelet with a side of chef Emeril Lagasse's signature beignets. The second time was for a dinner of a simple but lovely Caprese salad and an Indian vegetarian sampler, which included spiced paneer dumplings, chana madra, peas pulao and rice. (Indian dishes are a little-known Carnival specialty.) The final time was disembarkation morning, when I enjoyed delectable vanilla French toast with maple butter and caramelized bananas.

The service was friendly but slow; I had to wait longer than expected between courses at dinner. Both breakfast and brunch were served at a perfect pace, though, with items appearing quickly and looking and tasting fresh.

Lido Marketplace is the ship's complimentary Deck 10 midship buffet that is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks like cookies and other finger foods. For breakfast, you can expect cereal, an omelet station, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, cold cuts and cheeses. Lunch offers a salad bar, various hot entrees and sides, plus a selection of desserts. Dinner is similar, with salads, a carving station and hot items that might include things like Cornish game hen, rice, roasted potatoes, green beans, egg rolls, fried shrimp and Asian noodles.

Although the buffet is fine for a meal on the go, I largely avoided it due to crowds. It's a shame, too, because it's one of the prettiest buffets I've ever seen, adorned with faux vegetation lining the walkways and tables set up indoors with umbrellas and lanterns hanging over them, mimicking the feel of an outdoor bistro.

I did pop in once in a while to enjoy a cone of soft serve ice cream from the two Swirls locations, which are small alcoves with machines that also serve frozen yogurt. At one point, both sets of Swirls machines were broken, and it was a comical scene as several officers and engineers stood around them looking confused.

Elsewhere on Deck 10, near the Lido Pool, you'll find two complimentary venues, Tomodoro and Guy's Burger Joint, both with an Italian spin. Tomodoro serves as the Mexican-Italian stand-in for Carnival's popular BlueIguana Cantina. Both walk-up counters are open for lunch and dinner.

I tried both of the Italian burger options from Guy's — one with mozzarella, balsamic, tomatoes, basil and Donkey Sauce and another with pepperoni, marinara sauce, Donkey Sauce, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. Both were just OK, and I was sad to see that my favorite burger, the Pig Patty, was absent from the menu on this ship.

At Tomodoro, the menu lists tacos and burritos, as well as Italian meatball heroes, Sicilian chicken wraps and tortas de Milanese. The burritos were fantastic, as always, but my hot take on the changes made to both BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Venture aft and you'll run into Pizzeria del Capitano , which is open 19 hours a day and makes some of the best pies at sea . (Seriously.) I often waited 20 minutes on sea days, but it was well worth it. (If you don't want to stand in line, you can order pizza to be delivered to your cabin via room service for a $6 fee.) You can choose from Margherita, pepperoni, four cheese, mushroom and prosciutto. You can also order a couple of extra-fee specialty pies, such as teriyaki chicken and Korean steak barbecue.

I was pleasantly surprised by Il Mercato, Carnival's take on an Italian deli that is open from lunchtime until late. Usually, the deli is located inside Lido Marketplace, but it was moved to a quieter and less crowded area on Deck 11, just above the Lido Pool, to make room in the buffet for an added-fee chicken wing stand.

Il Mercato looks like a bit of an afterthought, given its portable-looking booth area, but the alfresco atmosphere and the food are great. The menu consists of meatball sandwiches, hot dogs and Italian sausage sandwiches. Eight options for both hot and cold sandwiches include grilled ham and cheese, a Reuben, cheese steak, tomato and mozzarella with arugula on focaccia, chicken salad, and turkey and Swiss. I tried the cheese steak with peppers and onions; despite its rather sad appearance, it was delicious and could rival just about anything found in Philadelphia.

Carnival has also done something interesting with Seafood Shack on this ship. Instead of only serving seafood, this Deck 10 venue starts as the Breakfast Shack in the morning and then turns into the Chicken Shack for lunch. Both are complimentary and serve up a variety of chicken sandwiches with fries, pasta salads and other sides. (Carnival Firenze doesn't have Shaq's Big Chicken like some of the other vessels in the fleet, so this was a nice way to utilize the space and offer a similar dining experience to passengers.)

Although I wasn't staying in a suite, I was able to try the private breakfast for La Terrazza and Ocean Suite passengers offered daily in Deck 5's Moda Bar and Lounge. If you're staying in one of those cabins and have access, trust me when I say you won't want to miss the quiche or avocado toast.

Other free food options include La Strada Grill (Deck 5 midship), Fresh Creations salad bar (Deck 15 forward on the adults-only Serenity sun deck) and room service (free continental breakfast). I didn't try any of these because La Strada is only open from noon to 2:30 p.m. on sea days, Fresh Creations was way too crowded when I stopped by and I didn't eat in my room for breakfast.

Of these three options, the most compelling menu is La Strada's. It lists a Sicilian chicken hero, roast beef on a roll, Italian sausage, smoked pulled pork and macaroni and cheese, with a choice of salads and sides.

Extra-cost food

On many of its ships, Carnival already has an Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano , which offers a homey ambience and family-favorite recipes from the Italian captains across the line's fleet. Oddly, the restaurant appears on neither Carnival Firenze nor sister ship Carnival Venezia (another vessel that offers the "Fun Italian Style" experience).

Instead, it has been replaced by one of my new favorites: Il Viaggio, an upscale Italian eatery with a $42 per-person cover charge, nearly double what most ships with Cucina del Capitano charge passengers to dine. Il Viaggio's decor is elegant but understated, and it opens for dinner only. It doesn't drip with red, white and green or stereotypical Italian adornments, offering a refreshing escape from other areas of the vessel where the theming is intense.

The menu, which is billed as "a culinary voyage through Italy's diverse regions — one plate at a time," includes some of the best food I've ever had on a ship. I thoroughly enjoyed the house-made burrata; the pollo parmigiana pizza, which has a crust made of chicken; the gnocchi with goat cheese and truffle oil; and the mile-high gelato pie.

For anyone looking for a decent steak dinner that won't break the bank, Fahrenheit 555 on Deck 5 is it. Not only is it one of the most consistently superb oceangoing steakhouses from ship to ship, but its cover charge of $49 per person is nominal compared to what you'd pay at a steakhouse ashore.

I ate an incredible filet mignon with onion rings, broccoli and chimichurri sauce, and it was absolutely worth the price.

Interestingly, the steakhouse was added after the ship left China. It's in what used to be a hot pot restaurant, so the vibe is decidedly Asian, featuring black counters and tables with deep red carpeting and chairs. Black latticework in part of the space adds to the ambience.

Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, positioned near one another midship on Deck 5, are both open for lunch (on sea days only) and dinner.

I had a light dinner of sushi during one night of my voyage, and it set me back just $11 ($3 for an order of edamame and $8 for a California roll).

On a different night, I opted for the teppanyaki experience, which involved a chef cracking jokes, singing songs and making flaming onion volcanoes and snakes out of rice as he cooked. Thankfully, we didn't have to try to catch flying food in our mouths. For the $42 flat-fee cover charge, each passenger receives white shrimp, pork belly yakitori, spicy tuna and a choice of either miso soup or kabuki salad to start.

From there, you choose from entrees like lobster tail, shrimp, spiced grilled chicken, grilled tofu, black cod and filet mignon or a combination of them. I chose the filet and was pleased with my decision. The meat and accompanying rice and vegetables were exceptionally flavorful.

Bonsai Teppanyaki is also open for lunch with a similar menu for $38 per person.

JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 10, just off of the Lido Pool courtyard, is one of my favorite places on any Carnival ship. In the warm Mexican weather, I wasn't always a fan of its alfresco location on Carnival Firenze — most JavaBlue locations are indoors — but I was able to grab my daily pick-me-up just the way I like it.

Although coffees at JavaBlue come with an extra charge, the price is nominal compared to Starbucks. Plus, if you ask for a punch card, you'll earn yourself a free coffee after you buy six, which isn't hard to do on a weeklong sailing.

JavaBlue also sells cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts and other pastries for a fee.

Room service is offered for a per-item fee (except for continental breakfast, which is free each morning). Door hangers are no longer offered, so you'll have to order via your cabin phone or the Hub app. The menu on the app for Carnival Firenze seemed smaller than it does on other ships, listing items like pizza and sandwiches. On a particularly busy sea day when I didn't want to wait in line at Pizzeria del Capitano, I ordered a pie to my cabin. For $6, it arrived hot, fresh and fast, and it tasted wonderful.

The places I didn't try were All Things Wings and Seafood Shack. Carnival Firenze has a new walk-up counter in the Lido Marketplace buffet that sells wings, with prices ranging from six pieces for $5 to 24 pieces for $18. You can choose from several flavors like barbecue, Parmesan garlic, chipotle honey, hot barbecue and buffalo, which increase in heat respectively. All orders come with bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Seafood Shack, found on Deck 10 aft, opens at 3:30 p.m. and stays open late at the same walk-up counter where Breakfast Shack and Chicken Shack are located earlier in the day. It sells for-fee seafood bites, such as lobster rolls and crabcakes, for a la carte prices.

A small empanada counter is hidden away in the back of the Tuscan Lounge. I never saw it open, but several passengers told me it only operated at night, selling added-fee options that include shrimp sofrito, chipotle chicken with cheese, beef picadillo, and spinach and mushroom with cheese. Sweet empanadas are also available, including chocolate, banana and coconut; dulce de leche cheesecake; guava and cream cheese; and Nutella and hazelnut varieties.

Carnival Firenze bars

Unlike the version of the Heroes Tribute Bar that's tucked away in a corner on Carnival's Excel Class ships, the version on Carnival Firenze is much brighter and more centrally located on the main promenade area along Deck 5 mid. Designed to honor service men and women who sail, it has a relaxed vibe and a sports bar ambience. The seating at the bar counter is the perfect spot to watch the big games on multiple TVs.

I was a regular at the Tuscan Lounge, also centrally located on Deck 5 aft, mainly because it's where the ship's daily trivia games take place. The space features a lounge area with tables, a dance floor and a projection screen. Across the walkway that runs through the space is a bar set up with stools and nearby tables with black and white striped umbrellas.

Frizzante is one of my absolute favorite bars. There, you'll find various spritz-style drinks. I enjoyed a Frizzante Spritz (made with dry vermouth, moscato wine, triple sec and club soda) on my second night on board and kept heading back to the bar to try more cocktails. It's a terrific place to grab a pre-dinner drink if you have a reservation at neighboring Il Viaggio.

I admit that I misjudged the Amari Bar at first. Found smack in the middle of Deck 5's main thoroughfare, it serves cocktails made with, as the name suggests, amari — herbal Italian liqueurs.

For days, I didn't see it crowded, but perhaps I was merely passing by at the wrong times. By day four or five of my seven-night sailing, it was packed. I was also initially upset to learn that Amari replaced the Alchemy Bar on Carnival Firenze, but I found out later that you can still order some of the most popular Alchemy drinks, such as The Remedy and the Cucumber Sunrise, there.

I was fortunate to sit in on a mixology class at the Amari Bar and was fascinated to learn some of the finer points of mixing drinks with an eye — or a tastebud — toward balancing the flavors of each ingredient. For $30 per person, the head bartender, Drazen, will impart some of that knowledge as you belly up to the bar to try samples of what he concocts.

Rococo is a fun, partially enclosed pool bar area by the courtyard around the Lido Pool on Deck 10. In addition to the fun art mentioned previously, it also has palate-pleasing beverage selections, including fruity libations with an Italian bent like bellinis, as well as pistachio and limoncello cocktails.

Other onboard bars include the centrally located one on Deck 3 in the Piazza del Duomo. The Moda Bar and Lounge on Deck 5 evokes a high-fashion mood with an entryway that feels like a model's catwalk as stylish seating areas flank the sides; it's often the home base for karaoke. Meanwhile, the shockingly red, white and black Piano Bar 88, also on Deck 5, plays host to live piano music daily.

Heading up a few decks, the Versilia Pool Bar serves fruity, beachy drinks near the aft Versilia Pool on Deck 10. Finally, the Pergola Bar, found adjacent to Il Mercato and overlooking the opposite side of the Lido Pool, feels like a complete afterthought. It's so sterile and nondescript it's almost not worth mentioning, but I'm putting it in here because the seating area around it is lovely, featuring fake topiary-style pillars and lots of seating that makes for a great place to read.

Carnival Firenze entertainment

Carnival firenze activities.

Carnival Firenze offers a large number of daily activities on each voyage.

Passengers might choose to head to the casino (or the smoke-free casino, both on Deck 5), enjoy an alcohol tasting, participate in a sports tournament, mingle at a deck party, play miniature golf, take a dance class or attend a spa, jewelry or shopping seminar.

The Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 12 forward is equipped to perform a menu of services, including massages and facials. The connected fitness center is on the small side but features for-fee personal training and organized fitness classes, as well as equipment that's free for passengers to use. Carnival Firenze does not have a thermal suite.

The Cloud 9 Salon, found in a different area of the ship on Deck 5 mid, offers manicures, pedicures and hairstyling, haircuts and color. Be warned that you'll pay huge markups for services on board versus on land.

Looking to find a group of like-minded travelers on your sailing? Check out meetups for solo travelers, singles, people in recovery, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community listed in the daily program.

If you're interested in spending time outdoors working on your tan, you can do so at one of two onboard pools: the Lido Pool on Deck 10 midship and the Versilia Pool on Deck 10 aft. Both are ridiculously small for the number of people on board but have more shade than most cruise ship pools.

If you're looking for loungers in the sun and don't mind being a bit farther from the pools themselves, head up two decks to 12, where loungers are so plentiful they block part of the jogging track. (Four laps equal 1 mile.)

Oddly, the Lido Pool has no hot tubs. If you want to soak, you'll have to go to the Versilia Pool, which has two of them. The adults-only (21 and older) Solarium area on Deck 15 forward also has two hot tubs, and the La Terrazza exclusive outdoor area also has two. Neither Serenity nor La Terrazza has a pool.

Pool lifts accommodating up to 300 pounds are available for passengers with limited mobility. Lifeguards are on duty, and children's life vests are available near the Lido Pool.

If you're looking for some wholesome fun, head to Deck 11 mid, where a portable cabinet serves as both the book and board game library. The open-air space offers plenty of tables where you can set up that chess or Scrabble board. In nearby alcoves, you'll also find pingpong and foosball tables. Or, simply grab a snack or drink from the Pergola Bar or Il Mercato and take in a movie on the poolside screen.

If you're a water baby who loves thrills, head to WaterWorks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids on Deck 12 (the slide entrance is on Deck 15). Kids and adults who aren't afraid of heights will also enjoy the top-deck ropes course on Deck 15 mid. Just beneath it is the ship's miniature golf course.

Additional activities for youngsters take place on Deck 11 in Camp Ocean, Carnival's kids club . The kids club splits children into four groups: Turtles (up to 2 years old), Penguins (2 to 5), Stingrays (6 to 8) and Sharks (9 to 11). The camp facility connects to an enclosed outdoor playground area that's used on days when the weather is nice.

Fun pursuits on the daily schedule might include arts and crafts, themed parties, science experiments, games and story time, depending on the age group. Group babysitting is available as part of Camp Ocean's Night Owls program, which runs until 1 a.m. at a cost of $9 per child, per hour. (Daytime Camp Ocean activities are free.)

The ship also has Carnival's Dr. Seuss tie-in, featuring Bookville — a reading room inside Camp Ocean that hosts story time — and the Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday Brunch, which is offered at least once per voyage for an extra fee.

Tweens and teens have their own dedicated hangout spaces, too: Circle C and Club O2, both found on Deck 3 forward. Activities there are less structured, and participants can come and go as they please. An onboard arcade offers video games for a fee.

Carnival Firenze shows

The entertainment on Carnival Firenze is squarely OK. I was hoping for something new, but instead, I found shows like "Color My World" and "Dear Future Husband," both of which are already on other vessels in the fleet. Cruise ship standards, such as the "Love and Marriage Show" and adult scavenger hunt "The Quest," are fun the first time you experience them, but I was hoping for something new for Carnival's loyal and repeat guests. The titles on Firenze's proverbial marquee felt tired to me, despite the abilities of the immensely talented entertainment staff.

"Dear Future Husband" is at least relatively new. It debuted on Carnival Jubilee in late 2023 and is rolling out to more vessels. It's based on a couple who decides to have their wedding on a cruise ship, and they bring along several of their friends. They sing and dance to pop songs as they board, dress for the festivities and go through the ceremony. Afterward, a "reception" with the cast is held in an onboard lounge. (On my sailing, it was in the Tuscan Lounge.)

An out-of-this-world violin trio performed one night in the theater, but otherwise, shows were limited to a lot of comedy, usually held in the perpetually freezing Limelight Lounge. Everything, including the walls, is decked out in crushed blue velvet, and you're greeted by a creepy clown statue that still gives me nightmares.

On a positive note, I found plenty of terrific live music throughout the ship each night. Carnival has also stepped up its game lately in the magic department. On my last two Carnival sailings, a roving magician wandered from table to table during dinner to impress us with tricks that had me questioning reality.

Carnival Firenze itineraries and pricing

Carnival Firenze is offering three- to seven-night voyages from Long Beach, near Los Angeles, along the Mexican Riviera. Itineraries include such ports as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

At the time of publication, the least expensive price for a sailing was $214 per person ($54 per person, per night) for a four-night cruise departing in November 2025.

Note: Prices are subject to change without notice and do not include crew gratuities, taxes or port fees.

What to know before you sail on Carnival Firenze

Required documents.

If you're a citizen of the U.S. on a cruise that starts and ends in the same U.S. port, you'll need a current passport, a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification along with a birth certificate to sail. Some other forms of identification, such as a passport card, are also acceptable. However, other cruises, including ones that begin in the U.S. and end in a different U.S. port, require a passport or passport card.

Passports must be valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note: It's crucial that the name on your booking is exactly as printed on your passport or other proof of nationality. We suggest visiting Carnival's website before sailing to view the latest requirements.

Related: Which documents do you need for a cruise? From passports to printouts, here's what to take

Carnival Firenze passengers will automatically have $16 per person, per day added to their onboard accounts as service charges. Cruisers staying in suites will pay $18 per person, per day. (Children younger than 2 are exempt from gratuities.) An 18% gratuity is also added to bar and cafe purchases, spa services and the Chef's Table.

Related: Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

Carnival Wi-Fi is generally fast and reliable. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself repeatedly and automatically disconnected, which is annoying.

Packages have increased significantly in price in recent years, and each plan is only for one device. (You can log out of one and into another with the same account, but you can't connect more than one at the same time unless you buy additional plans.)

Three package tiers are available:

• Social : Access to most social media, airline websites and apps for $18 per day ($126 for a weeklong cruise)
• Value : Same as Social, plus access to financial and news websites and apps for $23 per day ($161 for a week)
• Premium : Everything from the Social and Value packages, plus Skype access and video calling for $25 per day ($175 for a week)

Passengers can also choose 24 hours of Premium access for $35.

Carnival claims that its packages don't allow FaceTime, iMessage or streaming from popular apps like Netflix and Hulu. However, TPG writers have had success using all of those services with the Premium package.

Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

Carry-on drinks policy

Passengers can carry on one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (21 years and older), which will incur a $15 corkage fee for consumption in public areas. Each person can also bring up to 12 standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren't allowed.

Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarettes and vapes) is allowed but only in designated outdoor areas on Deck 11 on the starboard side. Smoking is also allowed in the main casino, but it's for cigarettes only. (For passengers who don't light up, a separate nonsmoking casino is available but is much smaller.) All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. A $500 fine will be assessed for cruisers who break the rules of the smoking policy.

Related: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide

Carnival Firenze does not have self-service laundry rooms or pressing rooms. Instead, passengers can send out their clothing for washing, pressing and dry cleaning for a per-item fee.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

Carnival Firenze has a mix of 110-volt North American outlets, 220-volt European outlets and 220-volt Chinese/Australian outlets in its cabins, as well as plenty of USB ports. In my balcony room, I had two North American outlets, one European outlet, one Chinese/Australian outlet and two USB ports at the vanity, plus two additional USB ports under one of the bedside reading lamps. If you bring a couple of universal adapters, you'll have more than enough spots to charge all your electronics.

The currency on Carnival Firenze is the dollar. The ship also operates without cash. Passengers link credit cards to their onboard accounts or put up a set amount of cash to charge against, using their keycards as a means of making purchases. However, you might want to have some bills handy to tip your bartender, room steward, shore excursion guide, luggage porters or room service delivery folks.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol on Carnival Firenze.

Carnival Firenze does not have a specific daytime dress code, and people dress casually. Mexico is largely a warm-weather destination, so looking like you're going to the beach is perfectly acceptable. Pack T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside on sea days or back on board on port days).

During the evenings, the official dress code is only loosely enforced. Most nights are "cruise casual," which generally involves khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Ultra casual items like cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts are supposedly not permitted, but I saw plenty of them in the dining rooms during dinnertime on Carnival Firenze.

A weeklong cruise will generally schedule two formal nights — known as "elegant nights." If you're bound for the dining rooms or specialty restaurants, men should turn up in dress slacks and a dress shirt; Carnival recommends a sports coat, and a suit would not be out of place. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you want to avoid dressing up, seek out the casual eateries, including the Lido Marketplace, or order room service to your cabin.

Related: What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes

Bottom line

Despite some overly stereotypical moments that made the ship feel like a floating caricature of Italy, I had an amazing time on board this new-to-Carnival ship.

The food was excellent, the decor was gorgeous and the crew worked hard to make sure passengers had the best vacations possible.

Is Carnival Firenze gaudy and, at times, maybe even a little cringey? Yes, but I found myself taking limoncello shots and stuffing my face with pizza alongside everyone else. Embrace "Fun Italian Style" for what it is, and you're sure to have a great time on board.

Planning a Carnival cruise? Start with these stories:

• The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
• 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea
• Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style
• Carnival cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise, Fun Ship style
• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly

Copilot for Telegram

Meet your new everyday AI companion: Copilot, powered by GPT, now on Telegram. Engage in seamless conversations, access information, and enjoy a smarter chat experience, all within Telegram.

Tips and tricks

Gaming Glory

Ready to level up? Ask Copilot for the latest game releases, cheat codes, and walkthroughs. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, let’s play and conquer the gaming world! 🎮👾 

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Movie buff or series binger? Let Copilot be your guide to the latest blockbusters, timeless classics, and must-watch TV shows. Grab your popcorn and let the show begin!🎶🎬 

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Dive into the dating scene with confidence! Copilot brings you savvy advice on making connections, sparking conversations, and creating lasting impressions. Just type ‘Dating Tips’ for your cupid’s guide!” 💡❤️ 

Food for Thought

Craving something delicious? Let Copilot be your culinary sidekick! From exploring new recipes to healthy eating habits, we’ve got the scoop. let’s get munching! 🍽️🥗 

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Get fit, feel great! Let Copilot be your personal trainer. From home workouts to gym routines, we’re here to pump you up. let’s get moving! 💪🏋️‍♀️ 

Frequently asked questions

Copilot is a personal generative AI assistant powered by GPT model and Bing Search, available within Telegram. Copilot for Telegram uses natural language to provide responses on a range of topics, from seeking knowledge to travel tips to sports updates to movie recommendations. Let Copilot enhance your Telegram experience with its quick-witted assistance and endless curiosity. 

* Please note that Telegram is not a Microsoft product.  

You can use Copilot on Telegram desktop & mobile app or on Telegram web. 

If you already have Telegram app on your device or are already signed into Telegram web on your browser, click on this link to start interacting with Copilot. You can download & sign into Telegram app or sign into your Telegram web account and then click on this link to start interacting with Copilot. 

Alternatively, you can search for Copilot by typing @CopilotOfficialBot in the search bar within Telegram. 

Yes, Copilot for Telegram is currently in beta and free for all users.  

Copilot for Telegram is designed to work within the Telegram app available on various platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. If you have the Telegram app installed on your device, you should be able to use Copilot on any of these operating systems. You can use the web browser on your device to interact with Copilot on Telegram web.  

Copilot enhances your Telegram experience by unlocking the power of internet and AI. Here are some examples: 

• Information Search: Ask Copilot, to get comprehensive answers on quick facts or detailed research powered by Bing Search. 
• Travel Planning: Dreaming of your next vacation? Copilot can suggest destinations and even help plan your itinerary. 
• Fitness Guidance: Want to start a new workout routine? Copilot can provide fitness tips and exercise plans. 
• Entertainment Updates: Curious about the latest movies or music? Copilot keeps you in the loop with entertainment news and recommendations. 
• Leisure & Laughs: Need a quick chuckle or a way to relax? Copilot can tell you a joke, share a funny gif, or suggest a casual game to unwind. 
• Copilot beta for Telegram currently supports only text chat requests. 

Simply type in your question, instruction or thought like you would do in any 1-1 chat, and let Copilot provide you with answers, suggestions, and more. 

Copilot generates content based on language patterns it has found throughout the internet. Sometimes its results will be very similar to existing internet content or Copilot might generate the same or very similar content for multiple people who are prompting Copilot in the same way. 

For example, everyone who instructs Copilot to create a "recipe for apple pie" is likely to wind up with identical or nearly identical content. 

Copilot on Telegram relies on the same safety infrastructure as the Microsoft Copilot experience, which was developed in accordance with Microsoft’s AI Principles, Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standard, and in partnership with responsible AI experts across the company. 

Responsible Artificial Intelligence (Responsible AI) is an approach to developing, assessing, and deploying AI systems in a safe, trustworthy, and ethical way. AI systems are the product of many decisions made by those who develop and deploy them. From system purpose to how people interact with AI systems, Responsible AI can help proactively guide these decisions toward more beneficial and equitable outcomes. That means keeping people and their goals at the center of system design decisions and respecting enduring values like fairness, reliability, and transparency. 

Microsoft developed a Responsible AI Standard . It's a framework for building AI systems according to six principles: fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability. For Microsoft, these principles are the cornerstone of a responsible and trustworthy approach to AI, especially as intelligent technology becomes more prevalent in products and services that people use every day. 

For more information visit our Responsible AI site . 

Copilot is built on Microsoft's comprehensive approach to security, compliance, and privacy. For more information about privacy, please visit: Privacy Statement . 

Copilot is like having a research assistant, personal planner, and creative partner at your side whenever you search the web. With this set of AI-powered features, you can: 

• Ask your actual question. When you ask complex questions, Bing gives you detailed replies.  
• Get an actual answer. Copilot looks at search results across the web to offer you a summarized answer and links to its sources.  
• Be creative. When you need inspiration, Copilot can help you write poems or stories.  

With the Copilot experience, you can also ask follow-up questions such as, “can you explain that in simpler terms,” or, “give me more options” to get different and even more detailed answers in your search. However, in Copilot, each conversation will have a limited number of interactions, to keep the interactions grounded in search. 

Copilot builds on the existing Bing experience to provide you with a new type of search.   

• Beyond generating a list of relevant links, Copilot consolidates reliable sources across the web to give you a single, summarized answer.   
• Search in a way that feels natural to how you talk, text, and think. Copilot takes your complex searches and shares back a detailed response.   
• In the Copilot experience, you can chat naturally and ask follow-up questions to your initial search to get detailed replies.  

Copilot can be used as a creative tool. It can help you write poems, stories, or even share ideas for a project. 

While Copilot works to avoid sharing unexpected offensive content in search results and has taken steps to prevent its Copilot features from engaging on potentially harmful topics, you may still see unexpected results. We’re constantly working to improve our technology in preventing harmful content.   

If you encounter harmful or inappropriate content, please provide feedback, or report a concern by sending /feedback in the chat window of Copilot on Telegram. You can also report your concern here: https://www.microsoft.com/concern/bing   

We will continue working with user feedback to provide a safe experience for all. 

Copilot aims to base all its responses on reliable sources - but AI can make mistakes, and third-party content on the internet may not always be accurate or reliable. Copilot will sometimes misrepresent the information it finds, and you may see responses that sound convincing but are incomplete, inaccurate, or inappropriate. Use your own judgment and double check the facts before making decisions or taking action based on Copilot’s responses. 

To share your feedback or report a concern, refer to the previous FAQ. 

• * Feature availability and functionality may vary by device type, market, and browser version.

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Travel through data from space in new 3d instagram experiences.

A new project provides special 3D “experiences” on Instagram using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes through augmented reality (AR), allowing users to travel virtually through objects in space. These new experiences of astronomical objects – including the debris fields of exploded stars – are being released to help celebrate the 25 th anniversary of operations from Chandra, NASA’s flagship X-ray telescope.  

In recent years, Instagram experiences (previously referred to as filters) of NASA mission control, the International Space Station, and the Perseverance Rover on Mars have allowed participants to virtually explore what NASA does. This new set of Chandra Instagram filters joins this space-themed collection.

“We are excited to bring data from the universe down to earth in this way,” said Kimberly Arcand, visualization and emerging technology scientist at the Chandra X-ray Center. “By enabling people to access cosmic data on their phones and through AR, it brings Chandra’s amazing discoveries literally right to your fingertips.”

The new Instagram experiences are created from 3D models based on data collected by Chandra and other telescopes along with mathematical models. Traditionally, it has been very difficult to gather 3D data of objects in our galaxy due to their two-dimensional projection on the sky. New instruments and techniques, however, have helped allowed astronomers in recent years to construct more data-driven models of what these distant objects look like in three dimensions.

These advancements in astronomy have paralleled the explosion of opportunities in virtual, extended, and augmented reality. Such technologies provide virtual digital experiences, which now extend beyond Earth and into the cosmos. This new set of Chandra Instagram experiences was made possible by a collaboration including NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, and students and researchers at Brown University.

These Instagram experiences also include data sonifications of the celestial objects. Sonification is the process of translating data into sounds and notes so users can hear representations of the data, an accessibility project the Chandra team has led for the past four years.

“These Chandra Instagram experiences are another way to share these cosmic data with the public,” said Arcand. “We are hoping this helps reach new audiences, especially those who like to get their information through social media.”

The objects in the new Chandra Instagram experience collection include the Tycho supernova remnant, the Vela Pulsar, the Helix Nebula, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, and the Chandra spacecraft. The 3D models of the first three objects were done in conjunction with Sal Orlando, an astrophysicist at Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) in Palmero. The Cat’s Eye Nebula was created with data from Ryan Clairmont, physics researcher and undergraduate at Stanford University. Arcand worked with Brown’s Tom Sgouros and his team, research assistant Alexander Dupuis and undergraduate Healey Koch, on the Chandra Instagram filters.

The experiences include text that explains what users are looking at. The effects are free and available on Instagram on mobile devices for at least six months, and some will remain viewable in perpetuity on the Smithsonian’s Voyager 3D website.

“There is a lot of rich and beautiful data associated with these models that Healey and I looked to bring in, which we did by creating the textures on the models as well as programming visual effects for displaying them in AR,” said Dupuis.

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science from Cambridge Massachusetts and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts. The Chandra X-ray Center is headquartered at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which is part of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.

Read more from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.

For more Chandra images, multimedia and related materials, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission/chandra-x-ray-observatory/

News Media Contact

Megan Watzke Chandra X-ray Center Cambridge, Mass. 617-496-7998

Jonathan Deal Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Ala. 256-544-0034

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Apply now for spring 2025 programs! Application deadline is October 1, 2024

Applications now open for spring 2025 programs

Students can now begin applying for spring 2025 study abroad programs through  Syracuse Abroad . With over 60 program options in dozens of countries around the world, there is a study abroad opportunity for each and every Syracuse University student.

In alignment with the Academic Strategic Plan, Syracuse University is committed to encouraging and enabling every undergraduate student the opportunity to participate in a study abroad or study away experience before they graduate.

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Computex 2024: Acer reveals latest Swift, TravelMate and Aspire C series

• Athima Chansanchai, Writer

At Computex, Acer announced select series models in its upcoming lineup of laptops – such as the Swift 14 AI – and will include new generation AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors and a free update to Copilot+ PC experiences when available.

Stacked with more CPU and GPU cores made available in this class of AMD-powered PCs, and equipped with an ultra-efficient  NPU, the AMD processors deliver speed and performance on Acer’s new wave of AI PC offerings.

Copilot+ PCs are the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built. Powered by silicon running at over 40 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second), they arrive ready to accelerate your productivity and creativity with the latest AI tools. There’s Recall, which you can use to find anything you’ve seen on your PC instantly. There’s Cocreator, which enables you to create artwork from text prompts. And there’s Live Captions, which can provide subtitles for any spoken audio in real-time, translated into English from more than 40 languages. It’s a whole new way to use a PC, and it comes equipped with all-day battery life and the highest standard of Windows security available to help you work and play longer and safer.

AI-enhanced TravelMate business laptops also shared the spotlight at the event, with the P6 14 leading the charge with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processors with Intel vPro Enterprise. Built-in Intel Graphics and Intel AI Boost unlock new AI experiences, performance and power efficiency.

These new business laptops come with Copilot in Windows accessible through a dedicated hotkey.

The Acer TravelMate P4 series laptops include the 2-in-1 Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 , as well as 14- and 16-inch clamshell models , all with new performance, security and device management features to support professionals and IT technicians.

The TravelMate P4 Series PCs are designed to withstand the rigors of daily wear and tear without impeding performance, thanks to military-grade durability compliance. Acer Dust Defender helps minimize dust buildup internally, while privacy shutters and fingerprint readers for secured logins extend device protection.

Acer also announced the Aspire C Series desktops , powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. These PCs include AI-supported features such as Copilot in Windows – which leverages the power of AI to boost productivity and unlock creativity – and Windows Studio effects. Another addition: the Swift series models with new AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors .

Head over to Acer’s Media Center and the Acer Press Room to find out more on these and other announcements the company made at Computex.