Florence is a major city in central Italy. It is a 2 hr 15 min train ride south of Venice, Italy, and a 1 hr 30 min ride north of Rome, Italy.

There are many great places to stay on both sides of the river in Florence. For the best experience, we recommend staying near the Ponte Vecchio (the castle marker on the map below). North of the river is home to Florence’s famous museums, squares, and cathedrals. It is also busier and more crowded. South of the river is home to the Pitti Palace and famous gardens. It is less crowded and quieter.

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The best month to visit Florence depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best weather, fewer crowds, or the best value? Following are our suggestions for each.

The best weather is a personal preference. We find the best weather for exploring a city is around 55° F and sunny. The weather in Florence during the summer can be very hot, so plan accordingly if you’re visiting in July or August.

Below is a chart showing the average high and low temperatures for each month so you can decide what is best for you.

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Florence is March, April, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit. We spent two months in Florence in September and October. The weather was very hot in September but cooled down and was nice in October. It was crowded the entire time we were there. I thought the crowds would dissipate in October. They did slightly but not significantly.

January and February are good months to visit Florence for the best value and with fewer crowds. Winters are mild in Florence and the weather is similar to our preferred temperature for walking most of the day.

Florence Airport (code: FLR) – there are no direct flights from the United States to FLR. You will need to connect through one of the many connecting European cities.

Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) – Piazza della Stazione, 50123 Firenze Fl, Italy. This is the main train station in Florence.

Firenze Campo di Marte – this station is mostly used by commuters from the area around Florence.

Central European Standard Time (GMT +1)

Euro €

Italian – Florence is a city where English is abundantly spoken.

Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to visit Italy if they stay 90 days or less. For more information on visa-free travel in Italy, check out our article on traveling visa-free.

Italy’s electrical outlets are Type C, F, and L. They have a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Travelers from the United States will need an adapter.

If you have many items to plug in, we recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.

Travelers will want a SIM card for Italy. You can get either a local SIM card or an eSIM card.

To get a local SIM card, you have to find a local cellular service provider, often stand in line for assistance, show your passport, and complete some paperwork. The SIM cards work great, but purchasing them is somewhat inconvenient. This option is best if you need more than 5GB of data.

We use eSIMs exclusively because they can be purchased through an app prior to arrival in a new country and activated when you hit a cell tower in the country. We use Airalo eSIMs. They work great, and I recommend them if you plan to use less than 5 GB of data during your stay or if you need internet immediately on arrival.

The fantastic train system in Italy makes rental cars unnecessary for most destinations. However, rental cars are needed to reach smaller towns and explore the countryside. In addition to the major car rental companies found in the United States, Sixt and Europcar are common throughout Europe. For a comparison of rental car offers from large, international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

Yes, Florence is definitely worth visiting. If you enjoy Renaissance art and architecture, you will have a wonderful time in Florence. We explored this question in depth in our article “Is Florence Worth Visiting?”

Yes, Florence, Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, which makes it expensive. However, the cost ultimately depends on the level of luxury required. We prepared a Budget for a Month in Florence that analyzes all the necessary expenses.

Florence, Italy is famous for its renaissance art, renaissance-style buildings, and its bridge, the Ponte Vecchio.

Yes, the old town of Florence, Italy is very beautiful with its collection of historic buildings, sculptures, and bridges.

You will need three very busy days to walk the Old Town of Florence and see a selection of its famous sites. For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article “31 Best Things to See in Florence, Italy.”

Florence is located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Tuscany is in central Italy and is famous for its red wine, cured pork, and hilly countryside.

If you fly into Florence Airport, you can get to the historic city center and the main train station by taxi, tram, or bus. The tram will take you to the main train station, Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN).

If you are comfortable pulling your luggage on very cobbly streets and narrow sidewalks and your accommodation is not far from the main train station, I recommend taking the tram. Otherwise, you should take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. To arrange a taxi or private transfer in advance, we recommend GetTransfer.