Florence
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Only have a day? See 3 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
8 places on the map
Viewpoints
- 1
Panoramic square with the best view of Florence
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Go at sunset
- Walk up from the river
- Bus 12 or 13 goes up
📷 Photos
- 2
Romanesque church on a hill above the city
3 tips
- Gregorian chants at vespers
- Free entry
- Walk up from Piazzale Michelangelo
📷 Photos
- 3
Department store terrace with views of the Duomo
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Free to enter
- Visit at sunset
- Order a drink at the cafe
📷 Photos
- 4
Terraced rose garden with a view over the city
3 tips
- Less crowded than the piazzale
- Best in May
- Free entry
📷 Photos
- 5
Town hall with frescoed rooms and a tower climb
3 tips
- Climb the tower for views
- Book a secret passages tour
- Open late on Thursdays
📷 Photos
- 6
Gothic bell tower beside the cathedral with steps to a panoramic top.
📷 Photos
- 7
Climb inside Brunelleschi's dome to the lantern for views over the city.
📷 Photos
- 8
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Before you go: Florence tips
Transportation
- Walk the historic centre: The Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio are all a short stroll apart, so walking beats any bus in central Florence.
- Take the T2 tram from the airport: The T2 tram links Florence Peretola airport with Piazza dell'Unita beside Santa Maria Novella station, far cheaper than a taxi.
- Never drive into the ZTL: The limited traffic zone covering the centre is watched by cameras, and rental drivers often get fines months later, so park outside and walk in.
Security
- Guard bags in crowds: Pickpockets work the Duomo square, Ponte Vecchio and crowded buses, so wear your bag in front and keep phones out of back pockets.
- Refuse free bracelets: Street sellers near Piazzale Michelangelo and the station may tie a bracelet on your wrist or hand you a rose, then demand money; just keep walking.
- Check your bill: Florentine restaurants often add a coperto, a cover charge, and bistecca is priced by weight, so confirm the size before ordering and review the bill.
Saving
- Drink from the fontanelli: Florence has public fountains, called fontanelli, dispensing free filtered still and sparkling water, so refill a bottle instead of buying water.
- Grab a schiacciata: Florentine flatbread sandwiches stuffed with salami, pecorino or porchetta make a cheap, filling lunch, as does lampredotto from a street trippaio.
- Use first Sunday free entry: Italian state museums, including the Uffizi and Accademia, offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, so arrive early for queues.
Weather/Clothing
- Beat the summer heat: July and August are very hot and humid in the Arno valley, so wear light linen, carry water and plan museums for the hottest hours.
- Layer for winter: Winters are cool and damp with chilly mornings and occasional frost, so pack a warm coat, scarf and waterproof shoes for wet stone streets.
- Cover up for churches: Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the Duomo, Santa Croce and other churches, so carry a light scarf in summer.
Cultural
- Order bistecca alla fiorentina: Florence's famous T-bone steak is cooked rare and meant for sharing; locals will not usually cook it well done, so trust the chef.
- Drink coffee at the bar: Ordering espresso standing at the counter is the local way and costs less than table service; cappuccino is a morning-only habit.
- Respect meal times: Most restaurants serve lunch and dinner at set hours and close in between, so plan meals around them or snack at a bar.
Local Hacks
- Book big museums ahead: Reserve timed tickets for the Uffizi, the Accademia and the Duomo dome climb online, as walk-up queues can stretch for hours.
- Climb past Piazzale Michelangelo: Walk up beyond the busy Piazzale to San Miniato al Monte, where monks sing Gregorian chant at vespers and the view is calmer.
- Explore the Oltrarno: Across the river, Santo Spirito and San Frediano are full of artisan workshops, local bars and quieter trattorias away from the crowds.
1-day itineraries in Florence
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 3
Ponte Vecchio and around
🕘 9:30–16:45📍 6 stops
- 1Ponte Vecchio
- 2Orsanmichele
- 3La Rinascente Rooftop
- 4Piazza della Signoria
- 5Uffizi Gallery
- and 1 more
Day 2 of 3
Piazzale Michelangelo and around
🕘 9:30–16:45📍 5 stops
- 1Giardino delle Rose
- 2Piazzale Michelangelo
- 3Palazzo Pitti
- 4Piazza Santo Spirito
- 5Boboli Gardens
Day 3 of 3
Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and around
🕘 9:30–16:00📍 4 stops
- 1Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
- 2Mercato Centrale
- 3Galleria dell'Accademia
- 4Museo di San Marco
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