35+ Unforgettable Things to Do in Florence, Italy

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.

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.

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 Neri 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

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• Three Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
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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
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• 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
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• Experiencing the Carpino Folk Festival in Puglia, Italy

Have you been to Florence? Any tips to share?