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
Walking Tour
- 1
Brunelleschi's red dome crowning the Renaissance city
- Tip: Book ahead
- Tip: Dress code
1 tip
- Combo ticket covers the Baptistery and bell tower
📷 Photos
- 2
Church with Renaissance statues in outer niches
3 tips
- Free entry
- Check the museum upstairs
- Open limited hours
📷 Photos
- 3
Florence's political square with the Loggia dei Lanzi
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Don't eat in the square cafes
- See the replica of David
- Visit at night
📷 Photos
- 4
The world's finest Renaissance art collection
- Must know: Closed Mondays
- Tip: Late afternoon
- Tip: Book ahead
📷 Photos
- 5
Medieval bridge lined with goldsmith shops
3 tips
- Visit at sunrise for photos
- See it from Ponte Santa Trinita
- Shops are pricey
📷 Photos
- 6
Local square in the Oltrarno with cafes and a market
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Evening aperitivo
- Antiques market second Sunday
- Visit Brunelleschi's church
📷 Photos
- 7
Vast Medici palace holding several galleries
- Must know: Closed Mondays
- Tip: Allow a few hours
1 tip
- Combined ticket with Boboli
📷 Photos
- 8
Renaissance garden behind Palazzo Pitti
- Tip: Late afternoon
2 tips
- Bring water
- Closed first and last Monday
📷 Photos
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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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