Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Talita

Florence, Italy, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, beckons travelers from around the globe. To truly savor all that Florence has to offer, timing is key.

In this guide you’ll discover the optimal seasons for a visit, essential tips for transportation, selecting the perfect neighborhood, and indulging in the city’s culinary delights and renowned art and architecture. 

By: Louisa Loring of EatingAroundItaly.com 

 

 

Best Time of Year To Visit Florence, Italy

Florence is not only one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations but because of its small size, it tends to feel overly crowded and packed when compared to other cities, making it difficult to enjoy in the height of summer. 

If possible, trips to Florence should be booked in the spring anywhere from mid-March through the end of May or in the fall from mid-September through mid-November.  Avoid June, July and August as these are the busiest months with the largest crowds, highest prices and extremely warm temperatures. 

 

How Many Days You Need in Florence

Florence is extremely rich in terms of culture, art, architecture, culinary traditions and activities, making it hard to see in less than three full days. These three days also allow you to spend most of your time walking Florence, instead of seeking out alternative forms of quicker transformation. 

If you choose to spend less time in Florence, you will have to pick and choose from the many activities and sites to see while also missing out on leisurely activities such as aperitivo life, rooftop bars, gelato stops and long meals. 

 

How to Get to Florence Italy

The most convenient and popular way to get to Florence is to fly into Peretola Airport (Amerigo Vespucci Airport) located 20 minutes outside of town via taxi or tram ride. This is the closest airport to the Historic District of Florence. Take either a taxi or the tram located just to the left of the airport exit to the main train station of Santa Maria Novella (this is also where you will catch trains if you are taking any day trips or visiting other cities via train). 

 

 

If, however, you are coming from another city and arriving by train, you will need to arrive at Santa Maria Novella where you can then take a bus, tram, taxi or walk to your accommodations. The Italian railway is very well organized, efficient, punctual and usually well priced, making it my top recommendation for travel between Florence and other cities in Italy. 

 

How to Get Around Florence Italy

Florence is a small city built that is best visited by foot. The major tourist attractions and sites are all within walking distance, no further than 45 minutes apart at the longest distance. Most, though, will be within a 20 minute walk from one another. 

How to Best Visit the Sites in Florence

Most museums and monuments require a ticket if you plan on visiting the inside (churches, museums, towers, etc.). Tickets are available for individual purchase but there are several combined ticket options to consider as well which are not only convenient but usually last more than one day. 

The absolute best ticket that Florence sells is the Firenze Card, a digital or paper pass valid for 72 hours upon activation, granting you access to many of Florence’s most popular tourist attractions. 

 

Where to Stay in Florence

When choosing where to stay in Florence, you should think about how much time you have and thus, where the most strategic location is for you. If you only have 2 days, you absolutely want to stay downtown in the Historic District. Alternatively, if you have five days, consider a quieter, more authentic neighborhood off the beaten track. 

 

Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Florence

Historic District (Centro Storico)
This Historic District is the oldest part of town, most central to the main tourist attractions like the Ponte Vecchio, The Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. 
Santo Spirito
Santo Spirito is a quiet residential neighborhood with great shops, restaurants, pizzerias, and cafes close to Palazzo Pitto and the Boboli gardens.

 

San Frediano
San Frediano is the coolest and most ‘hip’ residential area free of tourists yet full of artisans and unique shops Oltrarno. 
Santa Croce
Santa Croce is a residential neighborhood downtown and central yet away from large crowds with plenty of activities for kids such as parks, the market and piazzas to run freely in.

 

14 Best Things To Do In Florence

 

   1. Visit and Climb Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo & Baptistery of St. John

Florence’s largest and most famous cathedral is Santa Maria del Fiore, located right downtown in the Historic District. This cathedral is one of the largest in all of Europe, built and designed by Brunelleschi in elaborate stone, marble and other precious stones. 

Visit the outside and the inside of the Duomo at no cost but to visit the underground museum and baptistry (a separate entrance), you need a ticket (book in advance on their official website and purchase a variety of passes such as the Brunelleschi pass, Giotto Pass or the Ghiberti pass).

Don’t miss the reproduction of the bronze Gates of Paradise on the outside of the Baptistry (originals in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo), one of the city’s most famous pieces of artworks. 

You can also climb the 463 stairs to the top of the Duomo, known as the cupola for great views of the city from great heights with yet another ticket. 

   2. Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)

Giotto’s bell tower, designed by Giotto di Bondone in 1334, is located right next door to the Duomo facade. To climb the tower, you must pre-book your ticket and choose a time slot to enter and begin your climb. This climb is actually a lot easier than the Duomo as there are small spots to stop off and rest and the view is, from my experience, much more interesting than that of the Duomo. 

 

 

Consider the Giotto Pass if you don’t want to climb the Duomo, granting you access to the Baptistery, Opera del Duomo Museum, Santa Reparata Crypt and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

 

   3. Visit Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is where you will find all the famous artwork, original doors, and facade of the Duomo. 

Recently renewed and well organized, this museum is helpful in really helping visitors learn about the architectural history of the city, particularly the Duomo, Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower. 

 

   4. Visit the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi)

The Uffizi Gallery is the most important museum in Florence, housing some of the most famous and beloved artwork in all the world. Famous pieces include Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” , Leonardo Da Vinci ‘s “Annunciation”, Michelangelo’s “Doni Tondo” and Caravaggio’s “Medusa”, just to name a few. Plan on a full half day to spend at the museum. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to pre-book your tickets online and rest your legs at the cafe on the top floor of the museum, another great place for breathtaking views of the city. 

Keep in mind that the last Sunday of every month is free at the Uffizi which is great for people on a budget but it brings tons of unusual crowds, making it almost impossible to view the most famous pieces at the museum. 

 

   5. Walk Across Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s iconic bridge to walk over, making your way to the other side of the Arno river known as Oltrarno, home to the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. 

The Ponte Vecchio was constructed at the end of the Middle Ages, originally serving as a marketplace for trade and commerce. Today, it’s home to the most famous jewelry shops in Florence.

At the center of the bridge, there is a small lookout point for the best pictures, head to the bridges on either side of the Ponte Vecchio to capture it in the background. 

   6. Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is a large panoramic overlook offering the best sweeping view of the city skyline and Arno river. The square, decorated with replica statues, is full of various souvenir shops, small kiosks, street performers and cafes overlooking the city.

Walk along the Arno river towards the San Niccolò tower and start the hike up using the switchback paths and stairs starting at the base of the tower. If this isn’t for you, you can also take the bus 23 or 13 to the top or splurge for a taxi ride. 

 

   7. Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia

The Galleria dell’Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s original David statue, the city’s most beloved statue (a replica is also in Piazza della Signoria should you not have time to visit). 

Pre-book your entrance to the museum 8:15 am – 6:50 pm Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) before visiting to avoid hours in line. 

 

   8. Visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo (and Medici Chapels)

The Basilica of San Lorenzo is Florence’s oldest church, consecrated in 393 and later rebuilt by the Medici family in 1418, where they are now at rest in the chapels. 

 

 

The complex includes a total of five areas: the chapels where the Medicis were buried over the years, the library, cloister, the church and the Old Sacristy, all of which can be visited with various tickets. 

 

   9. Visit Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens

Palazzo Pitti, originally the Medici Family’s residence, is now a collection of museums, including a Modern Art museum, a classic art museum and staged apartments of the palace for viewing. 

Behind the palace are the Boboli gardens, designed and used privately by the Medici family but in the 18th century, they were publicly opened to visitors. Purchase the combined ticket to both the palace and gardens but if you are crunched for time, consider one or the other.

 

   10. Climb Palazzo Vecchio & Visit Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria, home to Palazzo Vecchio, the city’s town hall, is a must visit. Either pay the entrance fee and visit the famous Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred), an enormous room designed by Simone del Pollaiuolo and climb the tower or opt to enjoy the statue replicas (including Michelangelo’s David) over a coffee or other drink at one of the many famous cafes that line the square. 

 

   11. Visit Santa Maria Novella

Santa Maria Novella is one of the best examples of Gothic-style churches in the whole of Tuscany, making it a top tourist attraction in Florence for first time travelers.  

Keep your eyes out for artwork by Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, Giotto and Botticelli. No need to pre-book your tickets as this church is generally less crowded than others. 

 

   12. Visit Bargello National Museum

The Bargello Museum is where you want to visit for sculptures in Florence with some of the most important Renaissance artwork with famed pieces by Donatello, Verrocchio, Michelangelo and Cellini. 

 

   13. Visit Santa Croce Church

Santa Croce is another one of Florence’s most beautiful and imporant churches with a crypt (resting Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Rossini, and Machiavelli), 16 different chapels and a beautiful cloister.

The church’s interior is elaborately decorated with gold, detailed frescos and notable artworks and sculptures. Even in the height of the summer you shouldn’t have to wait too long to enter but if you are on a very tight schedule, I do suggest planning your visit. 

 

   14. Top Foods To Eat In Florence

Florence is home to some of the best food in Italy full of vegan, vegetarian and pregnant-friendly options for travelers in Italy. The culinary traditions of Florence reflect the historical and cultural events, bringing to light attention to local and seasonal products. 

Florentine food is based on la cucina povera, or the “poor man’s” cooking style, the idea of using seasonal, local, inexpensive food ingredients to create delicious, wholesome meals. Legumes, grains, pasta and seasonal vegetables are the base for Florentine dishes, which is why there is a large rotation on what is served and prepared in restaurants, bars and cafes.

 

Depending on the time of year you visit Florence, you should be able to try at least some of these iconic Florentine foods:

• Bistecca Fiorentina – t-bone steak 
• Pappardelle al cinghiale – wide egg noodles dressed in wild boar sauce
• Schiacciata – salty Italian flatbread from Tuscany
• Panzanella – bread and summer vegetable salad 
• Pappa al pomodoro – tomato and bread salad
• Ribollita – winter vegetable and bread soup
• Cantucci e Vin Santo – sweet wine and twice baked almond cookies
• Lampredotto – cow’s stomach sandwich served with green sauce
• Trippa – stewed cow’s stomach in tomato sauce, served with bread

 

In conclusion…

Florence stands as a timeless destination, offering a wealth of experiences for every traveler. By following the tips outlined in this guide, visitors can make the most of their time in this enchanting city, whether strolling through its historic streets, savoring its delectable cuisine, or marveling at its world-renowned art. With careful planning and a sense of adventure, Florence promises unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for Florence’s cultural treasures. Don’t forget your travel insurance to Italy!

 

 

Author Bio

This guide to visiting Florence is written by Louisa Loring. Louisa has been traveling to Italy since her teenage years when she first fell in love with the Italian way of life, leading her on a path to an Italian Language and Literature degree. She now resides in Tuscany where she has worked in tourism, as a content creator, creative writer and with food and wine for 10+ years, most recently for her online publication EatingAroundItaly.com, found also on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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