While there are some exceptions, we assume the weather will be good in the Spring and Fall everywhere we consider visiting. So, we focus primarily on the Summer and Winter weather.

Hot in the Summer – 2

We were in Florence for September and October. It was scorching during September. The average highs for June, July, and August are 84℉, 90℉, and 91℉, respectively. One nice thing is that the buildings are tall and squished together, so you are often in the shade while walking around the old town. But, you should reconsider the month you visit Florence if you’re very uncomfortable in hot weather.

Cold in the Winter – 3

We were not in Florence during the winter, but the average highs for December, January, and February are 53℉, 52℉, and 55℉, respectively.

Few Tourists in Large Groups – 1

Florence is crazy crowded, and there are many tourists in large groups. This impacts the comfort of walking around the city because the sidewalks are very narrow.

Few Cruise Ship Passengers – 5

Florence is not a cruise ship port and has no cruise ship passengers.

Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families – 1

There were tons of tourists in couples and small families. We were there in September and October, which we thought would be off-season, but it was jam-packed with tourists the entire time.

Pedestrian-Only Areas – 3

Most of the Old Town is a “limited traffic zone.” However, it felt like the vehicles and tourists were constantly at war with each other in Florence. The sidewalks are very narrow and can accommodate one person comfortably. So, many tourists must walk in the streets to move around. Then you add the vehicles, and it is crowded chaos. In the early morning, there is a surprisingly large number of delivery vehicles both parked and driving around, and then countless taxis take over the streets for the rest of the day and evening. When you sprinkle in the bicyclists ringing their bells for you to get out of their way, it’s far from the relaxing, idyllic stroll that we dream about.

Lines at Attractions – 3

With many tourists in Florence come long lines at the attractions. The longest lines are found at the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and The Academy. Even though the lines are long, they move quickly.

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly) – 0

Florence is landlocked, so beaches are not an option.

Beaches with Rough Water – 0

Boating Activities/Kayaking – 0

Rocky Swim Spots – 0

Sunbathing – 2

Sunbathing on a beach is not an option in Florence, but if you’re looking to return home with a more golden hue, you’ll need to book a room at one of the few hotels with a pool.

Wine – 5

Florence is in the Tuscany wine region, which produces fantastic red wines, including the well-known Chianti. These wines pair perfectly with the steak and prosciutto of the area.

Insider Tip: If you want to buy excellent table wine like a local, go to a bulk wine shop (vini sfusi). For more information, read our article titled “How to Buy Wine Like a Local in Florence.”

Beer – 1

Florence is not in a beer-production region and is not known for beer.

Specialty Liquor – 2

Florence is in the Tuscany wine region, not one of Italy’s regions producing Grappa or Limoncello.

Specialty Food – 5

Florence is known for many specialty foods (“Fiorentina” seems to be included in the name of every dish). The most famous is probably Bistecca alla Fiorentina. However, Florence is also known for many other dishes and products including cured meats and cheeses. The Mercato Centrale is one of the best places to see it all in one place.

Seafood – 1

Florence is landlocked and is not known for its seafood. It is a large city, so you can find seafood at the grocery stores and Mercato Centrale, but it is often previously frozen.

Meat – 5

Florence is a meat-eating destination. All your carnivore desires will be satisfied with local steaks and cured pork products.

Street Food – 3

Florence has a small street food scene with food trucks around the Old Town that serve tripe and lampredotto sandwiches. There are also many places that sell gelato.

Large Food Market with Restaurants – 5

The Mercato Centrale is fantastic, with the ground floor filled with stalls selling produce, meats, seafood, fresh pasta, cheeses, wine, and a lot more. The second floor has a variety of small restaurants and a large bar.

Experiences

Want to learn about Florence’s food and wine? Book a highly-rated food and wine experience while visiting Florence!

History – 5

Florence is a great destination to dive deep and get lost in its history and the history of the Medici family.

Architecture – 5

There is amazing architecture everywhere you look in Florence.

Art – 5

Florence is a city that is known for its artwork. The city is home to many famous museums that showcase the beauty of Italian art. Art lovers will definitely find Florence worth visiting as it has some of the world’s most impressive works of art. Some of the most well-known examples are the stunning frescoes adorning the dome of the Duomo and Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the famous statue of David at the Accademia Gallery.

Museums – 5

Museums, museums, and more museums. Florence has tons of museums. So many that you have to pick and choose which ones are worth your time and money.

The most popular museums are:

• the Uffizi (one of the greatest art museums in the world with works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raffaello, Leonardo da Vinci, etc.)
• the Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David is here)
• the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens behind the palace
• the Duomo complex, which includes Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Opera Duomo Museum
• the Santa Croce complex

One way to reduce your museum cost is to visit museums that participate in “Sunday at the Museum.” Not every museum participates, and some only offer it to local Florentines. We spent two months in Florence and made the first Sundays of the month heavy museum days. We got free admission to the Palazzo Pitti, Giardino di Boboli, Forte di Belvedere, Uffizi, L’ Accademia, and Museo Nazionale del Bargello. We discovered the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Medici Riccardi are only free for locals. Churches do not participate.

If you aren’t in Florence on the first Sunday of the month, the second way to save money on museum entrance tickets is to purchase the Firenzecard.

Castles – 0

Florence has no medieval castles (unless you count the Palazzo Vecchio).

Walled-City – 2

Florence was a walled city at one time, but the walls were torn down. Many of the large stone gates and towers remain and are impressive sites. These include the Croce Gate, San Gallo Gate, Prato Gate, San Niccolo Gate, San Miniato Gate, San Frediano Gate, Zecca Tower, Belvedere Tower, Santa Rosa Tower, and Serpe Tower.

Palaces – 5

Florence has fantastic palaces and is an excellent destination for palace lovers like us.

Hiking – 2

Florence is not a hiking destination, and there are few hiking trails around the city.

For some “urban hiking,” you can hike up to San Miniato al Monte, which offers the best views of Florence. We hiked up in the cool morning and arrived shortly before it opened. It has an interesting cemetery with elaborate mausoleums.

For more information on Florence hiking, check out AllTrails.

Running – 3

You can run in Florence, and we did run there in the morning and encountered many other runners. But it is not a runner’s paradise. The many morning delivery trucks, narrow sidewalks, and very hard stone make for a run that gets the job done but does not leave you looking forward to the next one.

For more information on Florence’s running routes, check out Map My Run.

High – Fashion Stores/Shopping – 5

Florence is an excellent destination for high-end shopping. The Salvatore Ferragamo store is enormous and has a fashion museum in an incredible 13th-century palace. In addition to the high-end Italian labels, you will find expensive fashion labels from all over Europe.

Nightlife – 4

Florence is a destination for nightlife. There are indoor and outdoor music spots all over the city. Our apartment was near the San Lorenzo Basilica, and there was live music in the square on most nights.

Dog Friendly – 4

Florence is dog friendly. Dogs are welcome inside shops and markets but are not allowed in restaurants and grocery stores. The locals are very dog friendly.

Kid Friendly – 2

We don’t have kids, but we saw some kids in Florence. It is a city packed with art, history, palaces, and churches. That seems a hit-and-miss for children. Some kids might enjoy that, while others might find it boring.

Experiences

Want a guide for your museum visits? Book a highly-rated museum tour while visiting Florence!

Great Grocery Stores – 4

Florence has some fantastic grocery stores, but they are not in the old town. Coop Fi was my favorite grocery store, and I walked to the one on Via Cimabue, 58 daily. It was a long walk, but I went past many beautiful sights.

English Widely Spoken – 5

English is widely spoken in Florence, and when we tried to speak Italian, they responded in English. The exception is the neighborhood grocery stores, where English is not widely spoken.

Outwardly Friendly Locals – 4

We found the locals to be very friendly. We did have our Frenchie, Gus, and they are very friendly toward dogs – so that helped.

American Tourists – 5

If you like to see and talk to Americans, this is the place for you. There are lots of Americans in Florence.

Accessible by Train – 5

Florence has a train station ready to take you pretty much anywhere else in Europe you want to go. The high-speed train system makes travel between Italian cities fast and convenient.

Day Trips by Train – 5

There are lots of day-tripping options available from the train station. Very popular day trips by train from Florence are Siena, Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Bologna.

Clean Streets – 3

The city works hard to keep the streets of Florence clean, and sweepers and washers run every morning. But a large number of tourists makes it a difficult job and while the streets were not very dirty, they also never felt clean.

Noise – 3

Florence is hit-and-miss for noise. There is little street noise from vehicles since most taxis are very quiet hybrids. But the street vendor carts are very loud when they are rolled out in the early morning and then away in the late evening. There is also street music concerts that can perform late into the night. If you are a sensitive sleeper, you will want to confirm your apartment or hotel has insulated windows or is far away from outdoor markets and music.

Food Cost – 3

Florence is a moderately expensive city for food with options for all budgets.

Accommodation Cost – 3

Florence accommodation is moderately expensive. The large number of hotels and Airbnbs creates a range of accommodations to fit most budgets.

Activities Cost – 2

Entrance fees to the sites are expensive and add up quickly.

Transportation Cost – 4

The local train station and tram to the airport make transportation costs low.

For taxis and private transfers, we recommend GetTransfer. For rental cars and price comparisons of national and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

As one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, Florence is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. The city is home to some of the world’s most famous art and architecture, including Michelangelo’s David statue, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Florence Cathedral. Visitors can wander through narrow streets and picturesque piazzas, explore Renaissance-era palaces and gardens, and sample delicious Tuscan cuisine in local restaurants. Florence is also a hub for fashion and design, with many high-end boutiques and artisanal shops offering unique handmade products. Overall, Florence is a must-see destination for anyone interested in art, culture, history or simply looking to experience the beauty of Italy.

Florence is famous for its Renaissance art, Renaissance-style buildings, and the Ponte Vecchio, its beautiful bridge over the Arno River.

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.

Here’s a map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

Yes, the old town of Florence is very beautiful with its collection of historic buildings, sculptures, and bridges. If you’re looking for a place to take it all in, the Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the best spots to view the historic center of Florence from above and watch the sunset over the city’s skyline. It’s a perfect place to spend an evening walk and enjoy the magic when the city lights up.

Yes, Florence is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world which makes it expensive.

We recommend spending at least 3-4 days in Florence to fully appreciate all that the city has to offer. This will give you enough time to explore the historic center, visit the museums and art galleries, enjoy the local cuisine, and soak up the charming atmosphere of this picturesque city. However, if you have more time to spare, we highly encourage you to extend your stay as there’s always something new to discover in Florence!

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.

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 September and October in Florence. Florence was very hot for all of September and the beginning of October. The weather was nice for the second half of October. It was very crowded for all of September and October.

It is not necessary to speak Italian to visit and enjoy Florence. A large percentage of the locals speak English.

Your Florence packing list should include very comfortable walking shoes that absorb the impact of the very hard stone.

Do you need wifi during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t loose it). Click below for more info.

Yes, Florence Old Town is very safe.

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

Both Florence and Rome are beautiful cities with their own unique charm and attractions. It really depends on your personal preferences and what you’re looking for in a travel destination. Florence is known for its Renaissance art and architecture, while Rome has ancient ruins and iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which city is “nicer.”

It depends on what you’re looking for in a travel destination. Florence is known for its stunning Renaissance art and architecture, while Venice has its iconic canals and romantic atmosphere. Both cities have their unique charm and history that make them worth visiting. So, deciding which city suits your interests and preferences is up to you!