Florence is a city like no other. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, it captivates visitors with a wealth of Renaissance art. In the palazzos and churches of the old town, you'll find masterpieces by Michelangelo and Botticelli, while the Florentine Cathedral with Brunelleschi's magnificent dome dominates the skyline. A walk across the Ponte Vecchio leads to centuries-old jewelry shops and offers fabulous views of the Arno River. Moreover, Tuscany’s capital serves as a gateway to one of the world's most beautiful regions. Simply put, a visit to Florence is always worth the trip.
Florence will delight you with its unparalleled works of art. Start with a visit to the , where masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli are on display. The rises over the city and offers a breathtaking view after climbing the dome. Stroll through the winding streets of the old town and discover the splendor of the and the venerable . The offers a picturesque spectacle at sunset when the city glows in warm red tones. Take also time to savor the delicious Tuscan cuisine in cozy trattorias and sample regional delicacies at markets like the , which will tantalize your senses.
Top 10 Highlights of Florence
Inspiration
Travel Information
How long should you stay?
Florence is perfect for a long weekend trip. We recommend two to three days to explore Florence's major sights and enjoy the delicious food. We don't think you should stay longer, since Florence is quite overwhelming and can be exhausting. If you have more time, best rent a car and relax in the beautiful Tuscan region :)
Best time to visit
The best seasons for Florence are spring and fall. With mild temperatures of 15-25°C, you can wonderfully explore the city's attractions and museums. In summer, it is peak season with temperatures of 25-35°C. Be prepared for large crowds, as Florence is one of the top travel destinations.
In winter, there are fewer tourists, making it a quiet time to visit museums and historical sites (5-15°C).
How to get there?
Florence is a major tourist destination and thus very well connected.
Plane: Florence's small airport is conveniently located and has great public infrastructure. Take the tram T2 to get to the city centre (station Unita) within 25 minutes.
Train: Direct trains run regularly from major Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, and Venice. With the high-speed railway you only need 80 minutes to Rome!
Car: Florence is easily reachable by car via the motor highway. Familiarize yourself with Florence's restricted zones (ZTL) in the historic city centre to avoid any issues.
Parking in Florence
Parking spaces are available throughout the city for a fee. We highly recommend to park your car in one of the centrally located parking garages. Florence is a major tourist destination and this is reflected in the high parking prices. Also, when driving to your chosen parking area, check the traffic signs vigilantly. Your navigation system will not take the ZTL's zones into account.
- Garage Medici: Convenient underground parking near the historic center.
- Garage Santa Croce: Covered and monitored parking garage close to the Basilica di Santa Croce (20min walk to Ponte Vecchio). For Florence, relatively good price.
- Florence Station Garage: Underground garage next to the train station.
- Interparking Garage Europa Firenze: monitored garage outside the ZTL zone and close to the train station (10min walk).
Fancy a roadtrip?
Be inspired by our hand-picked road trips.
Day Trips from Florence
Tuscany has so much to offer, we highly recommend you consider a road trip. Let our route suggestions inspire you! But if you only have one or two extra days, you can easily travel by train or bus to:
, (75 min), (85 min), (1.5-2 hours), Lake Trasimeno (95 min), (30 min), and (75 min). For more infos, check out our city guides.
Pisa
Regional Specialties
What to Drink
Wine is part of life in Italy. To enjoy the la dolce vita, order a Chianti or a Vino Nobile from the Tuscany region.
- Chianti Classico: A renowned red wine produced in the Chianti region.
- Vin Santo: A sweet dessert wine, often paired with cantucci (almond biscuits).
- Negroni: Enjoy this classic Italian cocktail made with gin, vermouth, and Campari. It is believed, that the drink was invented in Florence in 1919.
- Amaro Santoni is a classic Italian aperitif, invented by Gabriello Santoni in 1961. The bottle is an homage to Florence and it is shaped like the dome of the Cathedral. The refreshing Santoni has a red color and tastes bittersweet with a herbaceous and citrusy flavor. The recipe is secret till today, but what we know is taht it contains over thirty botanicals, including olive leaf and rhubarb.
What to Eat
Experience Florence through its delectable cuisine. As a culinary hub, the city offers a variety of dishes, including:
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina: The most famous Florentine specialty is the Florentine steak. You will be served a thick dry-aged steak from the Chianina cattle, grilled to perfection. It is similar to a T-bone steak, but actually closer to a porterhouse (The tenderloin is larger than on a T-bone). What's more, the cut needs to be thick, and the Fiorentina steak is never served medium or, god forbid, well-done. It should be only eaten (medium) rare with a drizzle of extra virgin oil, rosemary and salt.
- (Panini di) Lampredotto is Florence most favourite street food and nowhere else to be found. Legend says, that it's as old as the Palazzo Vecchio. The Lampredotto (the 4th stomach of a cow) is a hearty stew and served in a sandwich throughout the city.
- Stracotto alla fiorentina is a traditional beef stew, made with beef, onions, tomatoes, carrots, pancetta, celery, olive oil, red wine. It simmers for 2 hours till it is tender. It's also said to have been invented in Florence.
For detailed information on Tuscan cuisine, go to our Tuscany travel guide.
Restaurant Recommendations
Visiting the panini shop All’Antico Vinaio is actually a must in Florence. They offer tasty and affordable paninis. Don't get scared off by the long queues - they go really fast :)
For one of the best gelato's in town, go to the Gelateria La Carraia. It's close to Ponte Alla Carraia.
Rooftop bars near the Duomo: B&B La Terrazza Sul Duomo, La Terrazza or Robiglio
For dinner, you have many options in Florence. However, try to avoid the tourist traps at the obvious tourist hot spots. Instead, you can go to the Trattoria San Pierino or Ristorante Brandolino, where they serve delicious typical pasta.
Experience Florence's Skyline in Style
Looking for stunning views over the Tuscan capital while enjoying a drink?
Turn your visit extraordinairy by hobnobbing at Florence's trendy rooftop lounges. Enjoy 360° views at the Angel Roofbar atop Hotel Calimala or opt for a budget-friendly vibe at the Student Hotel sky bar, both offering a chic setting for an aperitivo.
If you're looking for something near the cathedral, B&B La Terrazza Sul Duomo, La Terrazza, or Robiglio are good options.
Shopping
For a luxurious shopping experience, visit Via Tornabuoni, Florence's luxury shopping street and home to high-end Italian and international fashion brands.
Fun Facts
Florence is full of fun and interesting facts. Here are just a few of them:
Art & Music
- Known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence was the playground for legendary artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Throughout the ages the city has inspired countless artists, writers, and thinkers, including Dante Alighieri, author of The Divine Comedy.
- In fact, the beauty of Florence can truly overwhelm. The city is known for the Stendhal Syndrome, a phenomenon where visitors are so moved by the art and beauty around them that they experience dizziness and even fainting — a testament to the city's unparalleled cultural impact.
- The Tongue of Italy: The elegant Italian language that we know today took shape from the Florentine dialect during the Renaissance. Esteemed literati like Dante Alighieri championed its use in literature, effectively setting the linguistic standard for the entire country.
- Ever seen a tree resurrected by the touch of saintly relics? Visit St. John’s Baptistry for a peek at the white marble column and bronze elm tree, a living testament to miraculous regrowth.
- Florence also strikes a high note in musical history as the birthplace of opera and, not to skip a beat, also where the piano was invented. Talk about setting the tone!
- Pinocchio, the beloved wooden boy who dreamed of becoming real, sprang from the imagination of Florentine writer Carlo Collodi. His timeless story began right here.
- A Museum of the Macabre: Among Florence's eclectic collection of museums is the lesser-known La Specola, part of the Museum of Natural History of Florence, which boasts one of the largest taxidermy collections in Europe. It offers a uniquely haunting glance into the past.
History
- Ponte Vecchio's Narrow Escape: During World War II, while all other bridges in Florence were destroyed, Ponte Vecchio miraculously survived. Legend has it that Hitler himself ordered it to be spared, struck by its beauty.
- Florence claims to have invented the gelato, by Bernardo Buontalenti. It's no wonder Florentines seem so chill!
- Forward Thinking: Florence was ahead of its time, becoming the first city in Europe to pave its streets back in 1339 and also the first to say "no thanks" to the death penalty in 1786.
- From 1865 to 1871 Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.
- Florence, or Florentia, was founded by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers to control the Italian peninsula’s north.