Florence Travel Guide: When to Visit, Where to Stay, and How to Avoid the Biggest Mistakes

Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is called the birthplace of the Renaissance. But if you don’t plan it right, Florence can feel more like the birthplace of tourist traps and long lines.

We live just an hour away from this incredible city, and we want to share tips to make your trip to Florence smoother, easier, and much more enjoyable. This guide covers everything from the best time to visit and how many days you actually need, to the secret to skipping those three-hour lines.

Where Is Florence?

Florence is located in central Italy, in the Tuscany region, or Toscana in Italian. Florence is also the capital of Tuscany.

It’s located about 290 kilometers north of Rome and about 255 kilometers south of Venice. Florence is the perfect stop between the two cities, so when you plan an Italian itinerary, you should consider stopping in Florence on your way from Rome to Venice, or vice versa.

The Best Time to Visit Florence

Timing is everything. If you can, aim for May or October. During those periods, the temperatures are usually perfect, between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius. Plus, in the fall, the Tuscan vineyards turn gold. It’s stunning.

April and September are also very good months to visit Florence, and crowds are still not at their peak. Don’t get me wrong, Florence is always busy, but in April, May, September, and October, it’s a little less busy than the peak of summer.

Whatever you do, try to avoid July and August. It’s not just the 32-degree Celsius heat and high humidity. It’s the crowds. It gets packed.

If summer is your only option, here’s a pro tip: become a morning person. Do your outdoor exploring as early as possible, around 7:00 in the morning, then visit air-conditioned museums during the midday heat and head back out after the day-trippers leave in the evening.

How Long Should You Stay in Florence?

Most people try to see Florence in one day. Please don’t do that.

Florence has so much to see and offer. Also, the city at night is really magical. Many tourists have left, and the streets are calmer and quieter. You don’t want to miss that.

Give yourself at least 3 full days in the city. If you want to see Pisa, Siena, and the Chianti wine region, use Florence as your base camp and add one extra day for every day trip you want to take.

If you want to see Michelangelo’s David, and you should, because it’s amazing, or the Uffizi Gallery, you can’t just walk up to the ticket office and buy a ticket on the spot. The lines for those museums are brutal. You need to book your skip-the-line tickets weeks or months in advance so you don’t waste half of your vacation standing on a sidewalk.

How to Get to Florence

Getting to Florence is surprisingly easy.

If you fly into Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport (Peretola), the city’s main airport, it’s located just outside the city center and is well connected by the T2 tramway. It costs €1.70 at the time of writing and takes about 20 minutes to reach the main station, Santa Maria Novella, in the city center.

You don’t need to buy your tickets in advance. You can just tap your credit card or phone on board the tram, and away you go.

If you’ve got heavy bags, a taxi from the airport is going to be your friend. There’s usually a fixed rate between €28 and €35, depending on the day, time, and number of bags. This option is also very convenient because the taxi will drop you off in front of your accommodation, saving you the hassle of navigating Florence’s streets with your luggage.

Most tourists arrive in Florence by train because trains are king in Italy. The high-speed train is comfortable, fast, and efficient. Florence is extremely well connected to Rome, Venice, and Milan by high-speed trains.

From Rome to Florence, the high-speed train takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. From Venice to Florence, it takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes. From Milan, it only takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes.

The main train station in Florence is Santa Maria Novella, located right in the city center, just about 10 minutes on foot from the Duomo. The train is my favorite way to get to Florence because it’s easy, fast, and very convenient.

If you arrive by cruise ship, your ship will stop at the port of Livorno, which is about 89 kilometers from Florence’s city center. Reaching Florence from the port is not too difficult. One option is to take a bus from the port to Livorno Centrale train station, then take the train to Santa Maria Novella. The train ride takes approximately 1.5 hours.

In our opinion, it’s not the best solution because you won’t have a lot of time in Florence. A better option is to take a tour bus or transfer from Livorno to Florence and, if you want, to Pisa.

Getting Around Florence

Once you arrive at Santa Maria Novella station, put on your walking shoes. Florence is incredibly compact. You can walk from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio in just 8 minutes.

The city center is also very flat, and you can reach pretty much any major landmark in just a few minutes by walking.

There is one hike: the walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for that famous sunset view. It’s about a 30-minute uphill walk. If that sounds like too much, electric golf cart tours are a great option, as they can zip through narrow streets buses can’t reach.

Where to Stay in Florence

Florence has plenty of accommodations that fit practically any budget.

If you book a hotel in the city center, it’s great because you can walk to pretty much every monument and museum in the city. If you’re on a budget, look for hotels or B&Bs near the train station. The area is very convenient because it’s also within walking distance of the main attractions.

If you want something a little more upscale, look at the Lungarno area along the river for a stunning view of the Arno River.

If you want something more unique, you can stay in one of the many old villas on the hills surrounding the city. These were once noble family country homes, and today, many have been converted into hotels. There, you can experience some of the most stunning views of the Tuscan countryside, but you will need transportation to and from the city center. Some of these villas offer shuttle service to downtown.

I always recommend booking fully refundable hotels just in case. Things happen. Your plans could change, or maybe you find cheaper accommodation. Booking a refundable rate will ensure that you don’t lose any money.

Another rule: always get a hotel with free breakfast. Then you can grab a quick panino for lunch and save your budget for a spectacular Tuscan dinner.

One quick emergency tip: public bathrooms in Florence often cost between €0.50 and €1. Or do the Italians move: walk into a coffee shop, buy an espresso for about €1.50, and use their bathroom. Not a bad deal.

Best Day Trips From Florence

One of the biggest perks of staying in Florence is its location. It’s the perfect hub for exploring the rest of Tuscany.

Here are 3 great day trips from Florence.

Pisa

First up is Pisa. Everyone wants to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and honestly, it’s iconic for a reason.

It’s only about 1 hour and 10 minutes by train from Florence. The regionale trains from Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale run very frequently.

Once you arrive at Pisa Centrale Station, you can walk about 20 to 25 minutes through the city center to reach the Leaning Tower. If you want to climb the tower, you’ll need to buy your tickets in advance and secure a time slot because only a limited number of people are allowed on top of the tower at a time.

Don’t just take the “holding up the tower” photo and leave. The cathedral next to the tower is absolutely stunning, and you should visit it.

Siena

Another great day trip from Florence is Siena.

If Florence is the Renaissance city, Siena is the medieval city. To get from Florence to Siena, you can catch a regionale train from Santa Maria Novella to Siena train station. The ride usually takes about 1 hour and 20 to 30 minutes.

Once you’re in Siena, you may feel like you’ve stepped back 700 years. Make sure to visit Piazza del Campo. It’s one of the greatest medieval squares in the world, huge and absolutely stunning.

Chianti

Finally, for food and wine lovers, there’s the Chianti region.

This is where you’ll find those postcard-perfect rolling hills and cypress trees. Since most of the best wineries are tucked away in the countryside, I don’t recommend driving yourself if you’re planning on doing some tasting. Italy’s drunk-driving laws are strict.

Instead, take a half-day or, even better, a full-day wine tour. They’ll pick you up in Florence, drive through areas like Greve in Chianti or Castellina in Chianti, and drop you back after you’ve had your fill of Sangiovese, local Pecorino cheese, and, of course, Chianti.

Whether you do a tasting in a city cellar or a day trip into the countryside, having some Chianti is a must. Tuscany has a lot more to offer, and these are just some examples of great tours you can take in one day from the city center, but there are many more to choose from.

What to Eat in Florence

You cannot leave Florence without having Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This is a massive T-bone steak, served rare, and meant to be shared. It’s buttery, juicy, and unforgettable.

Also look out for Crostini di Fegato, which is chicken liver pâté, and anything served with Tuscan olive oil.

A great area in the city to try some stunning Tuscan dishes is the San Lorenzo Market, just a few steps away from the Duomo. It’s a food paradise where you can taste everything in one spot. Please don’t miss it.

How to Avoid Tourist Trap Restaurants in Florence

Even in Florence, there are a few restaurants that target tourists, serving mediocre food at very high prices.

How do you spot them? It’s quite simple.

1.  If a restaurant is right in front of a main landmark, chances are they’ll charge you a very high premium just for the location.
2. If a restaurant has shiny photos of every possible Italian dish at the entrance, you can be sure it’s a tourist restaurant, and you should avoid it.
3. If a restaurant has someone outside trying to lure you in, it’s probably a tourist trap.
4. Check the most recent reviews on Google. See what other people have to say and make an informed decision.

Let Florence Slow You Down

Florence is a city that stays with you forever. It’s beautiful, compact, historic, and full of unforgettable food, wine, art, and views. Give yourself enough time, book tickets to the major museums in advance, choose the right season if you can, and let the city reveal itself beyond the busiest streets and the longest lines.

Ciao!