The capital of Italy’s Tuscan region, Florence, is a charming city and an amazing place to witness the beauty of Renaissance art and world-class museums. From the jaw dropping architecture of cathedral Duomo to the panoramic city views atop the terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo, you’ll be mesmerized at every turn.
Best Time To Visit:
You can enjoy the beauty of Florence year-round. Because Florence is best explored on foot, try to plan your trip around the shoulder months of April-June or September-November for optimal weather. As with many other European cities, crowds do peak during summer months and temperatures begin to spike! The spring and fall season in Florence are usually mild. Temperatures average around 68°F – 72°F, the perfect weather for sightseeing.
Currency: Euro (€)
Most businesses accept credit cards. I do suggest carrying a small amount of cash for smaller shops, cafes, and food stands.
Language: Italian
English is spoken in all tourist areas.
Traveling To Florence:
There are two main airports: Pisa International Airport and Florence Airport, Pertola. You will have several transportation options at both airports to reach Florence’s city center.
From Pisa Airport to Florence city center:
Taxi: A one hour private taxi is the most convenient, but can cost up to €150 for the trip.
Train: Take the Pisa Mover shuttle train from Pisa Airport to Pisa Central Station. At Pisa Central Station you can catch the regular train to Florence Santa Maria Novella station. The total cost is around €15 and will take around 1.5 hours.
Bus: For €19, Sky Bus Lines Caronna has a shuttle bus service which averages around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Confirm the shuttle time here.
From Florence Airport to Florence city center:
Taxi: A private taxi will cost around €25-€30 for a 15 minute trip downtown.
Tram: The Tramway Line T2 is located just outside the arrivals terminal to Santa Maria Novella train station. The journey takes about 20 minutes and tickets are only €1.50. Without knowing any Italian, my husband and I were able to navigate to our hotel without any issues.
Bus: For just €6.00, the Vola in bus runs every 30 minutes during the day and every hour at night. The journey takes 20 minutes.
Helpful Tip: Florence is compact and all main attractions are within walkable distance. You won’t need a car within the city. However, if you want to explore the rest of the Tuscan region, I suggest getting a rental car on your way out of town.
Where To Stay:
District 1, known as Centro Storico, is the place where all the action is happening. The neighborhoods of Santa Croce, San Lorenzo and San Marco are within this district, have great food options, and are within walking distance to main attractions. Here are some of my favorite hotels:
chic hotel with terrace and rooftop pool overlooking the beautiful Santa Maria Novella
boutique hotel with an amazing rooftop terrace in the heart of downtown
NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa
5-star hotel steps away from Florence’s biggest attractions
located in front of the Pazzi Chapel in Santa Croce’s square
Where To Eat:
Food in Italy is arguably the best in the world – it definitely has my vote! Make sure get a bite of Florentine steak, as it is the city’s most famous local dish. Also, in the late autumn and early winter, Tuscan forests have an abundance of truffles. During that time you’ll find many authentic restaurants serving tagliolini pasta tossed in butter and topped with shaved white truffle.
You can not go wrong with a reservation at any of these places:
rustic flower shop, restaurant, bistro, and coffeeshop serving all-day delicious dishes; downstairs bar with live music nights
romantic ambiance with candle-lit tables
simple, friendly atmosphere serving traditional Tuscan dishes
casual rustic osteria and deli with farm-to-table dishes
well-known for the best paninis in Florence
What To Do:
Florence is small and you won’t need much time here. In fact, two or three days is plenty. These are some of the most popular attractions:
Cathedral Duomo
(Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
One of the most fascinating sites in Italy. Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site to view its intricate, Gothic details. Take a tour inside and climb hundreds of stairs to the top to enjoy one of Florence’s best views.
Osteria All’antico Vinaio
You must devour a panini at this legendary sandwich shop. You almost can’t miss its location because there is an extremely long line wrapped around the block all day and night! Snag your spot in line and have a friend bring back a spritz to enjoy while you wait.
Uffizi Gallery
This world famous museum located in Piazza della Signoria features outstanding artwork from the Middle Ages to the Modern period.
Galleria dell’Accademia
This museum is best known for Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David.
Ponte di Vecchio
The city’s first bridge was built over the Arno River in 1345. It’s the only surviving original bridge in Florence, as all the others were destroyed by the fleeing Germans during World War II. Take a stroll along it and you’ll find plenty of shops selling gold and silver jewelry.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Cross the Arno River and climb the steps of the Terrace of the Piazzale Michelangelo which provides the best view of the city of Florence. You’ll find local venders and occasional live entertainment. It’s a great spot to bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the sunset. It can get very crowded so give yourself some extra time to find a seat along the steps!
Mercato Centrale
Stop by this marketplace to enjoy a bustling food scene filled with vendors serving a variety of Italian dishes. This place can become overwhelmingly crowded with tourists. Although it’s a great place to visit, I don’t think it has the best food.
Tours & Day Trips:
Florence is amazing, but in my opinion the real magic of Tuscany is in its countryside. I highly suggest spending more time exploring some of the smaller cities and towns. On my trip, I spent three nights in Cinigiano and visited the medieval town of Montalcino and the historic city of Sienna. Check out my five day Tuscany Itinerary here for more information.
Helpful Tip: The highways in Italy are pristine and traffic moves expeditiously. In fact, some of the best views you’ll see in Tuscany are along the road. Just watch out for speed cameras!
If you’re on a tight budget or strapped for time, consider booking a day tour from Florence to visit some of the Tuscan wineries. The tours alleviate the hassle of public transportation or renting a car… and you can actually enjoy multiple glasses of wine without having to worry about driving. I absolutely loved this small-group wine tasting experience in the Chianti wine region.
Check out these fun ways to spend your day in Florence:
Arrivederci Firenze
Check out more about Italy here!
