Florence is small enough to cross on foot in about half an hour, yet it holds more world-famous art per square kilometre than almost any city in Europe. That combination shapes how to plan a visit. You do not need a long list of neighbourhoods or a transport pass, but you do need to book the big museums ahead and decide early where to sleep. This guide covers where to stay, which sights justify advance tickets, how to get around and where a day trip fits.
How long to stay
Two full days covers the headline sights without rushing: the cathedral complex, one major museum, the river and a walk across to the south bank. Three days lets you add a second museum, a long lunch and a hillside view without a schedule. If Florence is a base for Tuscany, four or five nights works well, with day trips filling the middle. Our guide on planning a three-day city itinerary shows how to pace a stay like this.
Where to stay
The historic centre is compact, and most visitors are within a short walk of the main sights wherever they sleep. The differences are in noise, price and atmosphere.
- Around the Duomo and the historic centre. The most convenient base for first-time visitors. Streets are pedestrianised or very quiet by day, but busy with visitors and can be lively at night.
- Santa Maria Novella. Next to the main railway station, which suits arrivals by train and day trips. The streets right at the station can feel rough around the edges, so look at the exact block.
- San Lorenzo. Close to the central food market and the Medici chapels, with plenty of hotels and casual restaurants.
- Santa Croce. East of the centre, with a more local feel, a large piazza and good evening dining.
- Oltrarno. South of the river, the home of artisans’ workshops, Santo Spirito and the Pitti Palace. It is quieter after dark and a favourite for repeat visitors.
Rooms in old buildings are often small, and lifts are not guaranteed. If you have reduced mobility or heavy luggage, confirm floors and access in writing. Air conditioning matters in summer, when the city can be very hot. A city tourist tax is charged per person per night and is usually paid at the hotel, so check the current amount rather than relying on an old figure.
What to book before you arrive
Three experiences are worth reserving ahead, especially from spring to autumn:
- The Uffizi Gallery. Home to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and a deep run of Renaissance work. Timed tickets save you queueing.
- The Accademia Gallery. Home to Michelangelo’s David. Visits are short, so it pairs easily with another stop.
- The Duomo complex. The cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s dome, Giotto’s bell tower and the Baptistery. Climbing the dome requires a timed slot, and the climb is steep and narrow, so it is not for everyone.
Many state museums in Italy close one day a week, often Monday, including the Uffizi and the Accademia at the time of writing, so check opening days before you set your itinerary. Use the museums’ official websites to book, because resellers can charge a premium.
Seeing the city on foot
A simple loop works well. Start at the Duomo, walk down to Piazza della Signoria and its open-air statues, then reach the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval bridge lined with jewellers. Cross to the Oltrarno, wander past the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens and finish at Piazzale Michelangelo for a view over the rooftops and river, best near sunset. Santo Spirito square is a good place for a drink afterwards. The walk is flat except for the final climb to the viewpoint, which can also be reached by bus.
Getting around
You will not need public transport for most of your stay. The centre is largely closed to ordinary traffic, with a limited traffic zone (ZTL) enforced by cameras. A hire car is a bad idea for the city itself, because entering the zone without a permit can bring a fine through the rental company. Collect a car on your way out of town if you plan to explore the countryside.
Santa Maria Novella station is the main rail hub. Regional trains reach Pisa in around an hour, Lucca and Siena are reachable by train or bus, and fast trains connect Florence with Bologna, Rome and Venice. For more on moving between big Italian cities, our Rome travel guide covers the capital end of that line. Taxis are available from ranks, and ride-hailing is limited, so ask your hotel to book transfers to the airport.
Eating well
Florence is known for bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick T-bone steak sold by weight, along with ribollita bean soup, pappa al pomodoro and lampredotto, a tripe sandwich sold from street carts. The Mercato Centrale near San Lorenzo is a convenient place for a casual lunch. Restaurants directly facing major landmarks tend to be pricier and more tourist-focused, so walk a block or two away. Check the price per hundred grams before you order a steak, and check whether a cover charge applies.
Day trips
Florence is a good base for Tuscany. Pisa is the simplest by train, Siena and San Gimignano suit a longer day, and Chianti wine country is reachable on organised tours or by car. Fiesole, on the hill above Florence, is a short bus ride and offers views and Roman ruins. If you plan to cross several borders on one trip, our article on planning a multi-country Europe trip explains what to sort first.
When to go
Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with mild weather and long daylight, though they are also busy. Summer is hot and crowded, so start early and plan a midday break. Winter is cooler and quieter, and museums are easier to enter, though some restaurants and attractions shorten their hours. Whatever the season, book the main museums early, choose a base that suits how you like to spend evenings and leave time to wander. Florence rewards slow days more than a packed checklist.