Why go to Florence
Florence is small enough to cross on foot in about 40 minutes, and almost every step of it is worth taking. The Renaissance happened here, and you can see it in the paintings, in the proportions of the streets and in the dome that still dominates the skyline. It is also a city where a lunch of ribollita and a glass of Chianti costs less than the museum ticket you will buy afterwards.
It gets crowded, especially between 10:00 and 16:00 around the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. Go knowing that, book the big sights ahead, and spend your mornings and evenings in quieter streets. That is where the city feels like itself.
What to see in Florence
1. The Duomo complex
Santa Maria del Fiore is striking outside, in pink, white and green marble, and rather bare inside. The real draw is Brunelleschi's dome. Climbing it means around 460 steps and a close look at the frescoes of the Last Judgment. Reserve a time slot online, because turning up and hoping rarely works. Giotto's Bell Tower next door has a slightly easier climb and a view that includes the dome itself, which the dome climb cannot offer.
2. The Uffizi Gallery
Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera are the headline acts, but the rooms of Leonardo, Caravaggio and Filippo Lippi are just as good. Book a morning slot and allow three hours. It is closed on Mondays.
3. The Accademia and Michelangelo's David
The statue is bigger than you expect and is shown at the end of a long hall, which makes the approach part of the effect. The museum is small, so 60 to 90 minutes is plenty. Pre-booking is essential.
4. Ponte Vecchio and the Arno
The jewellers' bridge is better seen than crossed, since the middle is a slow-moving crowd. Look at it from Ponte Santa Trinita at sunset instead.
5. Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria
The square is an open-air sculpture gallery, and the palace inside has the huge Salone dei Cinquecento. The tower climb is shorter than the Duomo's and the views are excellent.
6. Santa Croce
Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are all buried here. The basilica is quieter than the Duomo and the Giotto frescoes in the side chapels reward a slow visit.
7. Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens
Across the river, the Medici's later home has galleries, but the gardens are the point. Bring water, walk uphill and enjoy a green city view with few people in it.
8. San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale Michelangelo
The square gets the sunset crowds. Walk ten minutes further up to the Romanesque church of San Miniato, where monks sometimes sing Gregorian chant in the late afternoon. It is the best calm moment in the city.
9. San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels
The New Sacristy has Michelangelo's sculptures and a heavy, rather sombre atmosphere. The Brunelleschi-designed basilica next door is a quick, worthwhile stop.
Things to do beyond the checklist
- Wander the Oltrarno workshops, where artisans still restore furniture, bind books and work leather, particularly around Santo Spirito and Via Maggio.
- Eat a standing lunch at the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo, then walk the leather stalls outside.
- Rent a bike or walk the Arno path east toward the Cascine park on a weekend morning.
- Take a half-day trip to Siena, Pisa or Lucca by train, or join a Chianti wine tour if you want hills and vineyards.
- Join a cooking class focused on fresh pasta, which is easy to book and usually ends with a long lunch.
How many days and a suggested route
Two days covers the essentials. Three is the right number for most people. Four lets you add a day trip without rushing.
Day 1: Duomo and dome climb early, Baptistery, lunch near San Lorenzo, Medici Chapels, then Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio at golden hour.
Day 2: Uffizi in the morning, Accademia after lunch, then evening drinks in Santo Spirito.
Day 3: Santa Croce, then cross to Pitti and Boboli, finishing with San Miniato at sunset. If you have a fourth day, take the train to Siena.
When to go
April, May, late September and October are best, with mild days and manageable but real crowds. July and August are hot, often above 33°C, and the stone streets hold the heat. Many locals leave around Ferragosto in mid-August, so some small restaurants close. November is wet. December to February is cold, often 3 to 12°C and sometimes foggy, but museum lines are shorter and prices fall outside the Christmas period.
Where to stay
Santa Maria Novella: near the station, practical, and generally cheaper. Good if you plan day trips. The streets around the station are less charming at night.
Historic centre (around the Duomo): the most convenient and the most expensive, and also the noisiest. Best for a short stay.
Oltrarno and Santo Spirito: my favourite base. Cafes, workshops and local life, a short walk from the sights. Mid-range boutique hotels and apartments dominate.
Santa Croce: lively at night and well placed for the east side. Lots of apartments, so check noise reviews.
Budget travellers can find hostel beds from about €30 to €50 a night, mid-range doubles often run €120 to €200, and good hotels start around €250. Expect a small city tax per person per night on top.
What to eat and where
Bistecca alla fiorentina is a thick T-bone, grilled rare and sold by weight. It is made for sharing and usually costs €50 or more per kilo. Il Latini and Trattoria Sostanza are classic, busy addresses, so book ahead.
Lampredotto is a slow-cooked tripe sandwich, served with salsa verde. It is a true local taste, and the stalls in and around the Mercato Centrale do it well. Try it once, even if only for the story.
Ribollita and pappa al pomodoro are Tuscan bread soups, filling and cheap. Add crostini with chicken liver pâté if you are feeling brave. Trattoria Mario, near San Lorenzo, is a no-frills lunch spot with communal tables and early closing.
For a quick snack, schiacciata sandwiches at All'Antico Vinaio are famous and the queue can be long. The Sant'Ambrogio market has a more local crowd and good lunch counters. For ice cream, Gelateria dei Neri and Vivoli are both well regarded. Avoid places with piles of neon-bright gelato.
Getting from the airport and getting around
Florence's Peretola airport (Amerigo Vespucci) is small and close. The T2 tram runs from the airport to the city in about 20 minutes, ending near the Santa Maria Novella station area. A taxi has a fixed fare, usually around €25 to €30. Many travellers fly into Pisa instead, as it has more routes, and take the PisaMover to Pisa Centrale, then a regional train to Florence Santa Maria Novella in about an hour.
Once there, walk. The historic centre is compact, and driving is restricted by the ZTL zone, with hefty fines for entering by mistake. Buses and trams help for the airport and the hills, and trains from Santa Maria Novella reach Pisa, Siena (via a change or bus) and Lucca easily.
Rough daily budget
- Budget: about €80 to €110 including a hostel bed, market lunches and one major sight.
- Mid-range: about €150 to €220 with a comfortable hotel, a sit-down dinner and two paid attractions.
- Comfortable: €300 and up for a nicer hotel, a bistecca dinner and private tours.
Uffizi and Accademia tickets are each roughly €20 to €30, and the Duomo pass is a little higher. Book early in busy months.
Florence FAQs
Is three days enough for Florence?
Yes, for the main sights at a relaxed pace. Add a fourth day if you want a trip to Siena or the Chianti hills.
Do I need to book museums in advance?
Yes for the Uffizi, Accademia and Duomo dome, especially from spring to autumn. Skipping the queues saves hours.
Is Florence walkable?
Very. Most of what you want to see is within 30 minutes on foot, and the only real hills are around Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato.
Which airport is better, Florence or Pisa?
Florence is far closer to the centre. Pisa often has more flights and cheaper fares, and the train link is simple, so compare both when booking.
What is the best month to visit?
Late April, May, late September and October offer the best balance of mild weather and manageable crowds.
Photo: Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026