Florence is a city like no other. Cradle of the Renaissance and compact enough to explore easily on foot, Florence dazzles with world-class art, marble-clad churches and golden Arno sunsets. Come for Botticelli and Michelangelo, stay for its trattorias and mellow Tuscan wine. From here, beautiful Tuscany opens up: Chianti, Siena and the Val d’Orcia are within easy reach.
Simply put, Florence is always worth a trip.
Top Highlights of Florence
Travel Itinerary
Quick Look at What to Do
The offers a picturesque spectacle at sunset when the city glows in warm red tones. Take also time to savor the delicious Tuscan cuisine in cozy trattorias and sample regional delicacies at markets like the , which will tantalize your senses.
Travel Essentials
How many days do you need for Florence?
With three to four days you’ll have time for more museums at an easy pace, Oltrarno workshops, and a side trip into the hills. The city’s abundance can feel overwhelming, though. We suggest coming back more than once and letting its secrets reveal themselves over time.
Florence is ideal for a long weekend, as a base for day trips into Tuscany, or as the starting point for a classic Tuscany itinerary. From here, gorgeous Tuscany—with Chianti, Siena, and the Val d’Orcia—is within easy reach.
Best time to visit Florence
April to June and September to October are best, with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists.
Spring (March–June)
With mild temperatures of 15–25 °C, the city’s attractions and museums are wonderful to explore. Avoid Easter and Pentecost if you can.
Events:
- Scoppio del Carro on Easter Sunday with a historic procession and a shower of sparks in front of the Duomo
- Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in late spring with opera, concerts, and dance in the city’s major venues
- Calcio Storico in June, with neighborhood teams playing on Piazza Santa Croce
Summer (July–Aug)
Summer is peak season with temperatures of 25–35 °C. Be prepared for large crowds, as Florence is one of the top travel destinations. Reserve popular attractions well in advance.
Autumn (Sept–Oct)
Pleasant temperatures, crisp air, and a calmer city rhythm. Vineyards in the surrounding countryside turn color—day trips are especially rewarding now.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Cool, often sunny days at 5–15 °C and a relaxed vibe. Some terraces close, but there’s more space in the galleries and little to no waiting in line. A great winter destination for a quick escape.
Getting Around
The historic center is best explored on foot. Tram lines and buses cover longer stretches, for instance to Palazzo Pitti or the Fortezza. Bicycles and e-bikes are available from local rental shops.
Fancy a roadtrip?
Be inspired by our hand-picked road trips.
Getting There
Florence sits centrally in the Arno valley and is exceptionally well connected.
Airport
- Florence Amerigo Vespucci, with tram T2 to the city center in about 25 minutes (Unità stop)
- Pisa Galileo Galilei, with the PisaMover to the station and onward by regional train to Florence
By train
High-speed trains link Rome Termini and Milan Centrale with Florence Santa Maria Novella, typically in about one to one and a half hours.
Regional trains reach Pisa, Siena, Arezzo, and Lucca directly or with an easy change.
Driving & parking
The historic center is a ZTL with camera enforcement. It’s best to park in a garage outside the core or near the station, then walk the rest or take the tram.
Parking in Florence
Parking spaces are available throughout the city for a fee. Florence is a major tourist destination and this is reflected in the high parking prices. We highly recommend to park your car in one of the centrally located parking garages.
Also, when driving to your chosen parking area, check the traffic signs vigilantly. Your navigation system will not take the ZTL's zones into account.
- Garage Medici: Convenient underground parking near the historic center.
- Garage Santa Croce: Covered and monitored parking garage close to the Basilica di Santa Croce (20min walk to Ponte Vecchio). For Florence, relatively good price.
- Florence Station Garage: Underground garage next to the train station.
- Interparking Garage Europa Firenze: monitored garage outside the ZTL zone and close to the train station (10min walk).
Day Trips from Florence
Tuscany has so much to offer. If you can, we recommend a road trip (see above). If you only have one or two additional days to spare, these classics work smoothly by train or bus:
Pisa
UNESCO-listed Piazza dei Miracoli packs the Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Baptistery and Camposanto into one dazzling square. is perfect for a half day.
Trains run frequently from Firenze S.M.N. to Pisa Centrale. Walking time to the square is ~20–25 minutes or a short bus hop. If you’ve got more time, pair Pisa with Lucca on the same rail line.
Medieval lanes spiral to Piazza del Campo and the striped, awe-inspiring Gothic Duomo. Siena is a relaxed beautiful town and our personal favourite.
The 131R Rapido bus departs from the bus station and is usually fastest (75min) and drops you conveniently near the historic center (Piazza Gramsci).
The regional train takes 90min and is also convenient. It arrives below the walls with a 20-30min uphill walk.
Circle the Renaissance walls, then wander the streets of this lively town and visit its Romanesque churches. pace is delightfully mellow. Regular trains connect Firenze S.M.N. and Lucca (often direct or with one change). Easy, low-stress day out.
Famous for its medieval towers and richly frescoed churches, San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Tuscany’s most beloved hilltowns.
A car is the quickest and most convenient way to reach San Gimignano. Without a car, take the train to Poggibonsi (60min) and continue by local bus (25min) up to the town gates. Alternatively, there’s a direct bus from Florence’s bus station to Poggibonsi, where you can connect to the same local service.
Slip into Umbria for lakeside promenades in Castiglione del Lago, ferries to the Isola Maggiore, and lazy lunches by the water.
Regional trains from Firenze S.M.N. reach Passignano sul Trasimeno or Castiglione del Lago within about two hours. Ideal for a slow day.
An underrated gem with a beautiful Romanesque cathedral square, lively market streets, and fewer crowds than Florence or Lucca. Trains are fast and frequent, making this a super-easy half-day escape.
Come for Piero della Francesca’s fresco cycle in San Francesco, then browse antiques shops and the monthly Fiera Antiquaria (if dates align).
Direct Regionale or Frecciarossa services run often; check for fast options (30–35 min)
Regional Specialties
Local Wines
Wine is part of life in Italy.
- Chianti Classico with its hallmark cherry notes and gentle spice
- Brunello di Montalcino, a bold red for special evenings
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a fresh white from the Tuscan hills
- Vin Santo: A sweet dessert wine, often paired with cantucci (almond biscotti).
Aperitifs
Negroni: A Florentine classic since 1919; made with gin, vermouth and Campari.
Amaro Santoni
Classic Italian aperitif, created by Gabriello Santoni in 1961.
The bottle pays homage to Florence, shaped like the cathedral’s dome. Refreshing and ruby-red, Santoni tastes bittersweet with herbal and citrusy notes. The recipe remains secret to this day, but we do know it contains over thirty botanicals, including olive leaf and rhubarb.
Signature Dishes
Experience Florence through its delectable cuisine. As a culinary hub, the city offers a variety of dishes:
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina is the city’s most famous specialty: Chianina beef from the grill, juicy inside and crisp outside
It resembles a T-bone steak but is actually closer to a porterhouse (the tenderloin is larger than on a T-bone). The steak must be cut thick and is never served medium or — heaven forbid — well done. - (Panini di) Lampredotto is a true street food classic
Legend has it it’s as old as the Palazzo Vecchio. Lampredotto (the cow’s 4th stomach) is a hearty stew and is served in a sandwich all over the city. - Ribollita with beans, cavolo nero and bread
- Pappa al pomodoro as a velvety tomato-and-bread soup
- Stracotto alla Fiorentina is traditional Florentine beef stew; made with beef, onions, tomatoes, carrots, pancetta, celery, red wine. It’s simmered for 2 hours until tender.
- Cantucci with Vin Santo to end on a sweet note
Restaurant Recommendations
A Must Visit: the sandwich shop All’Antico Vinaio for tasty, affordable panini. Don’t be put off by the long lines - it moves fairly quickly :)
Gelateria La Carraia for some of the city’s best gelato. Near Ponte alla Carraia.
Dinner: Avoid tourist traps at the obvious hot spots. Instead, try Trattoria San Pierino or Ristorante Brandolino, among others.
Rooftop Bars
Looking for great views with a drink? Enjoy 360° panoramas at the Angel Roofbar at Hotel Calimala. Alternatively, opt for the more budget-friendly Sky Bar at The Student Hotel—both offer a chic setting.
Near the Duomo, good options include B&B La Terrazza Sul Duomo, La Terrazza, or Robiglio.
Shopping
For a luxurious shopping experience, visit Via Tornabuoni, Florence's luxury shopping street and home to high-end Italian and international fashion brands.
Fun Facts
Florence is full of fun and interesting facts. Here are just a few of them:
- Known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence was the playground for legendary artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Throughout the ages the city has inspired countless artists, writers, and thinkers, including Dante Alighieri, author of The Divine Comedy.
- In fact, the beauty of Florence can truly overwhelm. The city is known for the Stendhal Syndrome, a phenomenon where visitors are so moved by the art and beauty around them that they experience dizziness and even fainting — a testament to the city's unparalleled cultural impact.
- The Tongue of Italy: The elegant Italian language that we know today took shape from the Florentine dialect during the Renaissance. Esteemed literati like Dante Alighieri championed its use in literature, effectively setting the linguistic standard for the entire country.
- Ever seen a tree resurrected by the touch of saintly relics? Visit St. John’s Baptistry for a peek at the white marble column and bronze elm tree, a living testament to miraculous regrowth.
- Florence also strikes a high note in musical history as the birthplace of opera and, not to skip a beat, also where the piano was invented. Talk about setting the tone!
- Pinocchio, the beloved wooden boy who dreamed of becoming real, sprang from the imagination of Florentine writer Carlo Collodi. His timeless story began right here.
- A Museum of the Macabre: Among Florence's eclectic collection of museums is the lesser-known La Specola, part of the Museum of Natural History of Florence, which boasts one of the largest taxidermy collections in Europe. It offers a uniquely haunting glance into the past.
History
Foundation
Florence, or Florentia, was founded by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers to control the Italian peninsula’s north.
Innovation
Forward Thinking: Florence was ahead of its time, becoming the first city in Europe to pave its streets back in 1339 and also the first to say "no thanks" to the death penalty in 1786.
Florence claims to have invented the gelato, by Bernardo Buontalenti. It's no wonder Florentines seem so chill.
Capital of Italy
From 1865 to 1871 Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.
Ponte Vecchio's Narrow Escape
During World War II, while all other bridges in Florence were destroyed, Ponte Vecchio miraculously survived. Legend has it that Hitler himself ordered it to be spared, struck by its beauty.