Florence Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Florence
Florence, Italy, was the cultural hub during the Renaissance and has continued to draw millions of travelers each year to see the city. From the historical buildings to renaissance art and Italian cuisine, there’s something for everyone to see and eat.
This guide to Florence will give in-depth answers and have you experiencing the city like a local. With the city being around since the 1st century BCE, there is a lot to see and experience throughout the city. Florence is even home to famed pieces of art by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
In this article, you will learn about the top attractions, best places to stay, and tips about the airport. You’ll be an expert about Florence before you arrive in this historic city.
Top Attractions in Florence Italy
There are many historical buildings, parks, and museums to be viewed in the city it’s hard to pick which are the best to see. The best way to view the attractions of Florence is to take your time, and enjoy each place, don’t try to cram everything into a few days. Some of the top attractions in the city are:
- Ponte Vecchio
- Piazzale Michelangiolo
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Giotto Campanile
Let’s take a look at some of the best attractions Florence has to offer throughout the city.
Uffizi Gallery
This art gallery is one of the most famous galleries in the world, being one of the oldest art galleries in the world, it’s known for its large collection of Italian Renaissance pieces.
It was designed in 158 and now homes some of the most famous Renaissance pieces, such as ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Botticelli. This masterpiece is one of the greatest paintings of the entire Renaissance.
Located in central Florence on the Arno river, the gallery is a walkable distance from other landmarks such as Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria, and Basilica of Santa Croce.
Galleria dell’ Accademia
Another world-class art gallery in Florence, known for its collection of great Renaissance art, specifically Michelangelo’s David. Every year hundreds of thousands come to the Galleria to see the famed statue, which now is behind glass after someone tried to break it. The Galleria is also home to other famed works, which many were donated by the Medici family.
You can also see where David was originally commissioned to be on the roofline of the east end of Florence Cathedral. But was moved to the Palazzo Vecchio, where it stayed for 300 years before being moved to the Galleria.
Florence Cathedral
One of the grandest Gothic buildings in the world is Florence’s Cathedral, completed in 143; it is the 4th largest church in the world. This hard to miss building can be seen from any part of Florence, including vast views from atop the Il Duomo di Firenze. Inside has many sculptures, art pieces, and stained glass windows.
A hidden spot in the cathedral is the duomo or dome, with a height of 114 meters off the ground, brave tourists can climb to the top! The tight squeeze is 463 steps to the top, but the view of the city is worth the climb.
The Experience Flying into Florence Airports
Florence has one major airport located just 2.5 miles outside the city, making flying into Florence very easy. The Amerigo Vespucci Airport is one highway away from the city center, with shuttle buses, a train, and taxis available to drive into the city.
The cheapest way to travel from the city center to the airport is with the Tramvia Tramway, getting on at the Santa Maria Novellas station to the airport. The train costs 1,50 euros per way, making it the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport to the city.
With eight terminals, over 300 gates, and an average of 150,000 passengers per day, this building’s mammoth might be a bit overwhelming and difficult to navigate. The best plan of action would be to use the 24/7 airport rail,AirTrain, to travel between terminals.
However, before you rush out into the bustle of New York City, take a moment to appreciate some of the exceptional services JFK has to offer. Shop around in Terminal 5, grab a bite to eat at Terminal 4, or get pampered at one of the spas in Terminals 1, 4, and 7. Once you’re well-fed and refreshed, you’ll be ready to take on The Big Apple.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Florence
Some of the cheapest ways to fly to Florence are using the right website and what time of the year you’re flying into the city. During the summer season, Florence is filled with tourists, and at some points, there are more tourists than actual locals in the city!
1. Scheduling your trip between October and March
Scheduling your trip between October and March will ensure you miss the summer crowds of tourists. Flights, accommodations, and visiting attractions will be cheaper. For example, the Uffizi Gallery doubles its price during the summer peak season. Airlines will do the same thing.
2. Flying directly to Rome or Milan
With limited direct flights between the US and Florence, it will be more expensive to fly into Florence airport. Flying directly to Rome or Milan would be the cheaper option, traveling to Florence from one of these cities is not expensive either. Under 50 euros for a train ride, and you’d be seeing more of the Italian countryside this way.
3. Skyscanner and Google Flights search
Lastly, websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights search the internet to find the cheapest flight options. Looking at multiple airlines at once allows you to see what is the best deal for your flight, it even allows you to see the average prices for that month!
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
There are three popular areas to stay in Florence, the historical center, outside the direct city, and the city in the countryside. Each area offers a unique experience of the city and an insight into how the locals might live.
The historical center has all the major attractions such as the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio in walking distance from your hotel. But this area is closed off from vehicles, so if driving to Florence, this might not be the option for you.
- Piazza San Maeco
- Piazza Santa Croce
- Ponte Vecchio
Due to its popularity, the historical center tends to be more expensive, which is why many people prefer to stay outside of it. These areas tend to be high residential areas, giving an experience of living in Florence. Ideal for people traveling via car and those looking to experience a more authentic trip, away from the tourist hub. Some of these neighborhoods are:
- Fortezza da Basso
- Piazza Beccaria
- Porta al Prato
While staying outside of the city is an option for those looking for a quieter and peaceful trip, especially if interested in visiting more of Tuscany. Many of these places can be rented as a whole house, allowing for more space, and some even have a pool! Being only a short bus away from the city, this is a great option for families.
Popular Hotels in those areas
For popular hotels in the historical center:
The Hotel Torre Guelfa
Hotel Savory
Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo
Popular stays outside the center, but still inside Florence are
Hotel Villa Liberty
Convitto Della Calza
Riva Lofts Florence
Lastly great hotels outside of Florence:
Montalbano Castle
Hotel Mulino di Firenze
Hotel Villa Olmi Firenze
Popular Airbnb Places in Those Areas
For those looking to stay in Airbnbs rather than the traditional route of hotels, which tend to be more comfortable and many times cheaper.
Within the historical city
Outside the central city Airbnb options
Romantic Terrace – Romantic Terrace
Studio Apartment – Studio – Florence
Arty and Bright – Arty – Central Market
Great Airbnb options for outside of Florence:
A Traditional Italian Villa – Italian Villa
Olive Grove – Olive Groove
Magical Gateway – Gateway to Florence
Top Things to do in Florence
With Florence benign such a historical and rich city, there are things for everyone to do with visiting. Florence has many things to do, from rich art museums and galleries to experiencing authentic cooking classes!
The Boboli Gardens
These gardens tend to get looked over by tourists when visiting Florence; these gardens are a must-see. The gardens are directly behind the Pitti Palace, so you can see the two sites at once. The Gardens are filled with large fountains, sculptures, and an 18th-century pavilion, making it a great stop on a sunny day.
The Ponte Vecchio
This is one of the oldest bridges built in Florence around 1345, it now is home to many shops and stores. You can even take a boat ride underneath the bridge and admire the structure from a new perspective. The bridge was saved from the Nazi during World War II, Adolf Hiter himself said to save it.
The Mercato Centrale
When it comes to food the people of Florence are experts. The Mercato Centrale is one of Florence’s oldest markets, with local ingredients or a stop for lunch this market has it all. The market is made of two separate markets, the indoor and the outdoor section. Each is home to different items, the indoor is food, and the outdoor selling clothing, leather, and souvenirs.
Piazza Della Repubblica
After a long day of exploring Florence’s Cathedral, Piazza Della Repubblica is the perfect place to sit down for dinner. This grand arch is home to fancy restaurants with outdoor seating to watch the old carousel and people in the square. In the center of the piazza is the grand fountain Fontana Delle Naiadi.
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Florence
For those that want a more intimate experience while visiting Florence, Airbnb offers a broad range of activities.
The Dark Florence
This walking tour is not the typical tour of a city, but rather this tour explores “from the Middle Ages to the late Renaissance, I’ll tell you about murders, crimes, plots and punishment that really happened in the past.” This isn’t a ghost tour either, but true stories, this isn’t for the faint at heart!
Florentine Cooking Class
A trip to Florence is not complete with learning how to make authentic Florentine food. This Airbnb experience will teach you how to make spaghetti, ravioli, and lasagna, and teach you how to cook proper sauce and béchamelle. The course is finished with eating the delish food followed by a dessert and even getting to keep your apron as a gift to remember this experience.
Organic Farm Trip
Italy is known for its wine, and with this Airbnb experience, you can visit a local organic farm. While there, you’ll learn about native Tuscan vines and how the wine is created, also getting to visit the wine cellar. The best part being a professional chef making food from the farm to try and enjoy. Following the tour, everyone received a cookbook and aromatic salt!
Final Thoughts
Florence has been a cultural spot for centuries, for thousands of years, people have come to the city to experience its beauty. This still applies today, for the classic art and sculptures, to the architecture of the buildings, the city is unique. Visiting Florence and allowing yourself to have emerged in its culture and cuisine is the best way to visit.
