Florence Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Where to Stay & Practical Tips

Florence is one of those cities that hardly needs an introduction. Often called the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is home to some of the world's greatest masterpieces, magnificent churches, elegant piazzas, and centuries of history. Around almost every corner, you'll find works by artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Donatello, and Brunelleschi, making Florence feel like an open-air museum.

However, Florence is much more than famous museums and historic landmarks. It's a city of lively markets, cosy cafés, traditional trattorias, breathtaking viewpoints, and beautiful streets where simply wandering around becomes one of the highlights of the trip. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours without a plan and still stumble upon beautiful churches, hidden courtyards, and charming cafés.

In this complete Florence travel guide, I'll share everything you need to plan your visit: how many days to spend in the city, where to stay, the best things to do, practical tips, and ideas for day trips. You'll also find links to my detailed guides about the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Chianti wine tours, and other Florence attractions, where I cover each place in much greater detail.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, this helps me keep this site running.

We spent three full days in Florence during our first visit and managed to see almost everything on our list, including a half-day trip to the Chianti wine region. It felt like the perfect amount of time to experience the city's main attractions without rushing from one place to another. That said, Florence is one of those cities where you could easily spend a week and still discover new museums, churches, hidden streets, cafés, and viewpoints every day.

If you only have one day, you can still see Florence's most famous landmarks, such as the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and perhaps visit one major museum. However, your visit will be quite fast-paced, and you'll mostly experience the city's highlights. If you're short on time, I also recommend joining a guided walking tour. It's one of the easiest ways to see the city's main landmarks, learn about Florence's fascinating history, and make sure you don't miss the most important sights.

Two days is what I'd recommend for most first-time visitors. It gives you enough time to explore the historic centre, visit one or two museums, climb one of Florence's famous viewpoints, and still enjoy long lunches, gelato breaks, and evening walks along the Arno.

If you have three days or more, Florence becomes much more relaxed. You'll have time to visit the city's major attractions while also exploring places beyond the main tourist route. It's also the perfect opportunity to take a day trip to nearby destinations such as the Chianti wine region, Pisa, or even Cinque Terre.

Florence also works brilliantly as a base for exploring Tuscany. Thanks to its excellent train connections and central location, you can stay in one hotel while taking day trips to places like Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Bologna, or the villages of Cinque Terre, before returning to Florence each evening. If you're planning a longer itinerary through Italy, Florence combines especially well with Rome, Pisa, and Cinque Terre.

Florence is one of Italy's main transport hubs and one of the easiest cities to reach, whether you're flying from elsewhere in Europe or travelling around Italy by train. Thanks to its central location, Florence fits perfectly into a longer itinerary through Tuscany or central Italy, combining easily with destinations such as Rome, Pisa, Bologna, and Cinque Terre.

Florence has its own international airport — Amerigo Vespucci Airport, located just 6 km from the historic centre. It offers direct flights from many major European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, and others. Once you arrive, you can reach the city centre in around 20 minutes using the T2 tram line, which runs directly to Santa Maria Novella railway station — Florence's main train station.

Many travellers, especially those flying with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair or easyJet, choose to fly into nearby Pisa International Airport — Galileo Galilei Airport instead. This is exactly what we did during our trip, as flights from Berlin were significantly cheaper than flying directly to Florence. Pisa Airport is well connected to Florence by regular trains, making it an easy and budget-friendly alternative. The journey takes around one hour, usually with a quick change at Pisa Centrale station.

If you're already travelling around Italy, reaching Florence by train is usually the most convenient option. The city's main railway station, Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN), is located within walking distance of most major attractions. High-speed trains connect Florence with Rome in around 1.5 hours, Bologna in just 40 minutes, and Milan in under two hours. Regional and intercity trains also make it easy to reach Pisa, Lucca, and the villages of Cinque Terre, making Florence an excellent base for exploring Tuscany and northern Italy without renting a car.

Florence isn't a huge city, and one of the things I loved most was how walkable it is. Most of the main attractions are located within the historic centre, so no matter where you stay nearby, you'll rarely need public transport. For a first visit, I'd recommend choosing accommodation within walking distance of the centre, as it makes sightseeing much more enjoyable, especially in the early morning and evening when the streets are at their quietest.

Historic Centre (Duomo & Piazza della Signoria). If it's your first visit to Florence, this is the most convenient area to stay. You'll be within a short walk of the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and many of the city's best restaurants and cafés. Accommodation here is generally more expensive, but you'll save both time and transport costs.

Santa Maria Novella & Medici Chapels. This is the area where we rented our apartment, and I'd happily stay here again. We were just a few minutes' walk from the Medici Chapels, around 10 minutes from the Duomo, and less than 10 minutes from Santa Maria Novella railway station. It turned out to be the perfect location: everything in the historic centre was within walking distance, while the station made it incredibly easy to take day trips around Tuscany. If you're planning to visit places like Pisa, Bologna, Rome, or even Cinque Terre, this is one of the most convenient areas to stay.

Oltrarno. Located on the opposite side of the Arno River, Oltrarno offers a quieter and more authentic atmosphere. You'll find artisan workshops, small cafés, local restaurants, and charming streets with fewer tourists than the historic centre. It's also the perfect location if you plan to visit Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.

San Marco & Accademia. This neighbourhood is slightly quieter than the area around the Duomo while still being within easy walking distance of the city centre. It's a good choice if you're looking for slightly better hotel prices without staying too far from Florence's main attractions.

Florence is a wonderfully walkable city, and this is exactly how we explored it during our stay. Since we rented an apartment near Santa Maria Novella railway station, most of our walks naturally started there before continuing towards the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and the rest of the historic centre.

I also think this is the most practical route for first-time visitors. Whether you're arriving by train from another Italian city or taking a day trip from places like Pisa, Bologna, or Cinque Terre, Santa Maria Novella is likely to be your first stop. From there, you can easily discover Florence's main attractions on foot without needing public transport.

Santa Maria Novella is one of Florence's oldest and most beautiful churches, although many visitors simply walk past it on their way from the railway station to the city centre. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, it is famous for its elegant white-and-green marble façade designed by Leon Battista Alberti, one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. Inside, you'll find remarkable works by artists such as Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, Giotto, and Filippino Lippi, making it one of Florence's most important churches after the Duomo.

Just around the corner from Santa Maria Novella are the Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee), the monumental mausoleum of the Medici family, who ruled Florence for centuries and became some of the greatest patrons of Renaissance art. The highlight of the visit is Michelangelo's New Sacristy, where his famous sculptures Day, Night, Dawn, and Dusk decorate the tombs of the Medici dukes. Even if you aren't particularly interested in history, the architecture and sculptures alone make this one of Florence's most impressive museums.

A short walk away is Mercato Centrale, Florence's main food market and one of the best places to experience local cuisine. The ground floor is filled with traditional stalls selling fresh produce, cheeses, cured meats, olive oil, and local delicacies, while the upper floor has been transformed into a modern food hall with dozens of restaurants and street food stands. It's an excellent place to try Florentine specialities such as lampredotto, fresh pasta, pizza, or simply enjoy an aperitivo after a morning of sightseeing.

After passing through the lively streets of the historic centre, you'll arrive at Piazza del Duomo, the heart of Florence and one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. The square is home to the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi's iconic Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St John, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the archaeological site of Santa Reparata. Together, they form one of the world's most impressive cathedral complexes and are an absolute must-see during any visit to Florence.

We visited every part of the complex, including climbing both Brunelleschi's Dome and Giotto's Bell Tower, exploring the cathedral itself, the Baptistery, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata beneath the cathedral. If you're planning to visit the complex, I've put together a detailed guide explaining the different ticket options, which pass is worth buying, what to see in each attraction, and practical tips for making the most of your visit.

A short walk from Piazza del Duomo brings you to Piazza della Signoria, Florence's political and historical heart for more than seven centuries. The square has witnessed some of the city's most important events, from public celebrations and political assemblies to dramatic moments in the history of the Medici family. Even today, it remains one of the liveliest places in Florence, surrounded by magnificent Renaissance architecture.

The square is dominated by Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's medieval town hall, whose distinctive tower has become one of the city's most recognisable landmarks. In front of the palace stands a copy of Michelangelo's famous David, marking the spot where the original statue stood until it was moved to the Accademia Gallery. Don't miss the beautiful Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery featuring masterpieces such as Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa and Giambologna's The Rape of the Sabine Women. Since the sculptures are displayed outdoors, you can admire them free of charge at any time of day. This is one of my favourite squares in Florence. No matter how many times we passed through it, there was always something happening — musicians performing, people relaxing by the Neptune Fountain, or simply the beautiful atmosphere created by the surrounding historic buildings. It's also the perfect place to pause for a few minutes before continuing towards the Uffizi Gallery and the Arno River.

Just a few minutes' walk from Piazza della Signoria is the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's most famous art museums and an essential stop for anyone interested in Renaissance art. Originally built as government offices for the Medici family in the 16th century, the building now houses masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and many other legendary artists. Highlights include Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and Primavera, two of the most celebrated paintings of the Italian Renaissance. The Uffizi is much more than a museum you simply walk through—planning your visit in advance can make a huge difference, especially during the busy season. I've created a separate guide covering everything you need to know, including how to buy tickets, ways to save money, the best time to visit, and the museum's most famous masterpieces.

Leaving the Uffizi Gallery behind, you'll soon reach Ponte Vecchio, Florence's oldest and most famous bridge across the Arno River. Built in 1345, it is one of the few bridges in the city to have survived the Second World War. Today, it is instantly recognisable thanks to the colourful houses built directly on the bridge, many of which have been occupied by jewellers and goldsmiths since the 16th century. Take your time while crossing the bridge, but don't forget to stop on either side of the Arno as well. Some of the best views of Ponte Vecchio are from the neighbouring bridges or the riverbanks, especially around sunset when the warm light reflects beautifully on the water.

Crossing Ponte Vecchio brings you to the Oltrarno district, where Palazzo Pitti stands as one of Florence's grandest Renaissance palaces. Originally built for the wealthy Pitti family, it later became the residence of the powerful Medici dynasty. Today, the palace houses several museums, including the magnificent Palatine Gallery with masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Rubens, and Caravaggio, as well as the Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Fashion and Costume. We spent several hours exploring Palazzo Pitti and were surprised by how much there is to see beyond the famous Palatine Gallery. If you're planning to visit, I'll soon be publishing a dedicated guide covering the different museums, ticket options, and practical tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Behind Palazzo Pitti lie the Boboli Gardens, one of the finest examples of an Italian Renaissance garden. Created by the Medici family in the 16th century, the gardens combine elegant terraces, fountains, sculptures, cypress-lined avenues, hidden grottoes, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Florence. Despite being located in the heart of the city, they feel surprisingly peaceful and offer a welcome escape from the busy streets around the Duomo. I recommend allowing at least two to three hours for your visit, especially if you enjoy photography or simply want to slow down after exploring Florence's museums. Together, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens easily fill half a day and are among my favourite places in the city.

If there's one viewpoint you shouldn't miss in Florence, it's Piazzale Michelangelo. Perched on a hill above the city, this large square offers the classic panoramic view of Florence, with Brunelleschi's Dome rising above a sea of terracotta rooftops and the Arno River winding through the historic centre. It's one of the most photographed spots in the city, and for good reason. Although reaching the square requires a bit of an uphill walk, the view is absolutely worth the effort. We visited around sunset, when the city was bathed in golden light, and it quickly became one of my favourite moments of the trip. If you're visiting during the high season, arrive at least 30–45 minutes before sunset to find a good spot, as it gets very busy.

Before leaving Florence, there's one more museum worth mentioning: the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's original David, one of the world's most famous sculptures. While the museum is much smaller than the Uffizi, thousands of visitors come here every day to admire this Renaissance masterpiece, carved from a single block of marble when Michelangelo was just 26 years old. Besides David, the museum also houses Michelangelo's unfinished Prisoners (Slaves), an interesting collection of Florentine paintings, and historical musical instruments. If you have time for only one additional museum after the Uffizi, the Accademia is probably the best choice.

Florence is one of the best places in Italy to experience traditional Tuscan cuisine. The food here is simple but incredibly flavourful, relying on high-quality local ingredients rather than complicated recipes. From freshly made pasta and buttery pastries to world-famous wines and hearty meat dishes, there's something to try throughout the day.

Start your morning at a pasticceria. One of my favourite daily rituals in Florence was breakfast at a traditional pasticceria. Instead of rushing to a chain café, Italians usually stop for a cappuccino and a freshly baked pastry before work, and I highly recommend doing the same. We quickly found ourselves returning to the same local bakery every morning for cappuccino and a Sicilian cannolo, filled with sweet ricotta cream and topped with crushed pistachios. Although cannoli originate from Sicily, you'll find excellent versions throughout Italy, including Florence. Display cases are usually filled with dozens of tempting pastries, from fruit tarts and cream-filled treats to delicate meringues and chocolate desserts, making it difficult to choose just one. If you want to try something that is truly Florentine, look for Schiacciata alla Fiorentina. Despite its name, it isn't bread but a light sponge cake flavoured with orange zest, traditionally prepared during Carnival and dusted with powdered sugar and the Florentine lily.

Try fresh pasta. Florence is a fantastic place to enjoy handmade pasta prepared with traditional Tuscan sauces. During our stay, we ordered fresh pappardelle with slow-cooked wild boar ragù, one of Tuscany's signature dishes. The wide ribbons of pasta perfectly absorb the rich, deeply flavoured sauce, making it one of the most memorable meals of our trip. Other local favourites include pici, thick hand-rolled pasta often served with garlic or meat sauces, and pappardelle al tartufo if you're visiting during truffle season.

Don't miss the Bistecca alla Fiorentina. One of Florence's most famous dishes is the legendary Bistecca alla Fiorentina — a massive T-bone steak cut from the Chianina breed of cattle. Traditionally cooked over charcoal and served rare, it's designed to be shared between two or more people and usually weighs well over one kilogram. Unfortunately, we didn't have the chance to try it ourselves, but if you're a meat lover, this is probably the one Florentine speciality you shouldn't miss.

Drink Chianti wine. No visit to Florence would be complete without trying a glass of Chianti Classico, the iconic red wine produced in the rolling hills surrounding the city. Florence is the perfect base for exploring the Chianti wine region, where you can visit family-run wineries, walk through vineyards, and learn about Tuscany's centuries-old winemaking traditions. We joined a wine tasting tour during our stay and visited two beautiful wineries in the Chianti countryside. If you're thinking about doing the same, I've shared our full experience, practical tips, and everything you need to know in my dedicated guide to wine tasting in the Chianti region.

Chianti Wine Region. The rolling hills of the Chianti wine region are less than an hour from Florence, making them one of the most popular day trips from the city. Here you'll find vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages, and family-run wineries producing the famous Chianti Classico wine. We joined a guided wine tour, visited two wineries, tasted several local wines, and learnt about Tuscany's centuries-old winemaking traditions. If you're interested in visiting the region, you can read my complete guide to wine tasting in Chianti.

Pisa. Only about an hour away by train, Pisa is much more than its famous Leaning Tower. Besides Piazza dei Miracoli, you'll find beautiful medieval streets, historic churches, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect for a half- or full-day trip from Florence.

Cinque Terre. One of my favourite day trips from Florence is Cinque Terre. Although the journey takes around 2.5 hours by train, it's completely doable if you start early. The five colourful villages connected by scenic hiking trails and local trains offer a completely different side of Italy compared to Tuscany. If you're planning to visit, I've written several detailed guides covering itineraries, train travel, hiking routes, and everything you need to know before you go.

Bologna. Just 40 minutes away by high-speed train, Bologna is one of Italy's best food destinations. It's famous for its endless porticoes, medieval towers, and incredible cuisine, making it an easy and worthwhile day trip if you have extra time in Florence.

Siena. Located in the heart of Tuscany, Siena is known for its medieval streets, Piazza del Campo, and the famous Palio horse race. It's another fantastic destination if you'd like to experience a completely different side of Tuscany.

• Book museum tickets in advance. Florence is one of Italy's most visited cities, and attractions such as the Uffizi Gallery and Brunelleschi's Dome often sell out days or even weeks ahead during the high season. If these places are on your itinerary, book your tickets before arriving.
• Explore early in the morning. We found that Florence feels completely different before the crowds arrive. Popular places like Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio are much quieter before 9 AM, making it the best time for sightseeing and photography.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Although Florence is compact, you'll spend most of the day walking on historic cobblestone streets. Comfortable footwear makes a huge difference, especially if you're also planning to climb Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, or walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
• Be prepared for the heat in summer. Florence can become extremely hot between June and August, with very little shade around the historic centre. Carry a reusable water bottle, take advantage of the public drinking fountains, and plan museum visits during the hottest hours of the day.
• Validate regional train tickets. If you're travelling to nearby cities such as Pisa or Lucca on regional trains, remember that paper tickets usually need to be validated before boarding. Digital tickets follow different rules, so always check the confirmation email.
• Allow time to simply wander. Some of our favourite moments in Florence weren't inside museums but while getting lost in quiet streets, discovering small cafés, artisan workshops, and hidden corners away from the busiest squares. Leave a few hours in your itinerary without a strict plan—you'll probably enjoy them the most.

Compared to other popular Italian cities such as Venice or Milan, I found Florence to be reasonably priced, especially if you book your accommodation in advance. While entrance tickets to museums can add up quickly, it's still possible to visit Florence on a moderate budget, as many of the city's most beautiful squares, churches, and viewpoints are completely free.

• Accommodation. Budget hotels and apartments usually start from €90–140 per night, while comfortable mid-range hotels typically cost €150–250 depending on the season and location.
• Museum tickets. Expect to pay around €20–30 per major attraction. If you're planning to visit several museums, look into combined tickets such as the PassePartout or the Duomo passes.
• Food. A cappuccino and pastry at a local pasticceria usually cost €4–8, a fresh pasta lunch around €12–18, and dinner at a traditional trattoria €20–40 per person before drinks.
• Transport. Florence is an extremely walkable city, so you'll probably spend very little on local transport. If you're taking day trips by train to Pisa, Bologna, or other Tuscan towns, booking tickets in advance can save quite a bit of money.

One thing that helped us keep costs down was renting an apartment instead of staying in a hotel. It gave us more space, a kitchen for breakfast, and a fantastic location within walking distance of both the historic centre and Santa Maria Novella station.

Can Florence be visited on a budget? Absolutely. If you stay in an apartment, walk everywhere, have breakfast at local bakeries, and focus on just one or two paid attractions, Florence doesn't have to be an expensive destination.

I hope this guide has inspired you to visit Florence and helped you plan your trip with confidence. For me, Florence wasn't just about ticking off famous landmarks. Some of my favourite memories were the quiet morning walks through nearly empty streets, breakfasts at a local pasticceria, evenings by the Arno, and a day spent exploring the vineyards of the Chianti region. Those little moments, together with the city's incredible history and architecture, are what made Florence such a memorable destination.

If you're planning your own trip, don't forget to check out my other Florence guides, where I share detailed tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Chianti wine region. If Florence is just one stop on your Italian adventure, you'll also find my complete guides to Cinque Terre, including itineraries, hiking trails, train tips, and practical advice to help you plan the perfect trip. More guides about Pisa and other destinations in Tuscany are coming soon!

If you found this guide helpful, I'd really appreciate it if you shared it with someone planning a trip to Florence or saved it for your future travels. And if you have any questions, your own Florence recommendations, or a favourite place that I should visit next time, feel free to leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you.