Loading...

Florence

TRAVEL GUIDE

Florence

TRAVEL GUIDE

The Fodor's Five

The five things you need to know before traveling to Florence

# 1

Pack comfortable walking shoes—you’ll easily exceed 10,000 steps a day.

Covering an area of approximately 40 square miles, Florence is less than one tenth the size of Rome. Much of the historic center has been fully or partially pedestrianized, so you can (and should plan to) walk just about everywhere. There are buses, trams, and taxis, but because of the one-way streets and other traffic restrictions, you can usually get to your destination just as fast on foot. You really only need to use a car or train to get out of the city.

# 2

The big-ticket museums are incredible, but there’s so much more to see.

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is famous for incredible art museums like the Galleria degli Uffizi and the Galleria dell’Accademia, which contain some of the greatest masterpieces ever created, but don’t underestimate how much else there is to see and do. From Palazzo Pitti (the Medici family’s royal palace) and the Bargello to the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo and beautiful gardens like Boboli and Bardini, the city holds countless treasures. Oh, and don’t neglect the churches, some of which contain incredible frescoes and statues by the likes of Michelangelo and Giotto.

# 3

There’s more to Tuscan cuisine than bistecca alla Fiorentina.

You’ve likely heard about bistecca alla Fiorentina, the famous T-bone steaks made with Chianina beef, but Tuscan cuisine is brimming with regional specialties you won’t find elsewhere in Italy. While there are plenty of meat-based dishes like wild boar ragù and lampredotto (sandwiches made with tripe), vegetarians will find tasty options like ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, panzanella, and pici. Also, be sure to try sweet treats like budino di riso (a pastry filled with rice pudding) and cantucci with vin santo.

# 4

Beware of fake leather goods—support genuine Florentine artisans instead.

Want to buy Florence’s famed leather goods? Be careful what you pay for. The stalls at the Mercato di San Lorenzo mostly sell fake leather and cheap souvenirs; you’ll also definitely want to avoid the hawkers selling fake designer bags on the streets. Seek out genuine artisan shops instead, like the Scuola del Cuoio, Cellerini, and Furò e Punteruolo. There are also artisan jewelers, stationary shops, book binders, and even mosaic workshops.

# 5

Cross the Arno River to experience a more authentic side of the city.

Most of Florence’s main attractions are concentrated on the northern side of the Arno River—and so are the tourist crowds. For a bit of a respite, and to see a more laid-back and authentic side of the city, cross the Arno and spend some time exploring the Oltrarno. The area is full of independent boutiques, artisans’ studios, vintage shops, and great restaurants and bars. It’s also home to Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Neighborhoods

The heart of Florence, stretching from the Piazza del Duomo south to the Arno, is as dense with artistic treasures as any place in the
See More
A half-day excursion to Fiesole, in the hills 8 km (5 miles) above Florence, gives you a pleasant respite from museums and a wonderful view
See More
A sculptor, painter, architect, and poet, Florentine native son Michelangelo was a consummate genius, and some of his finest creations remain in his hometown. The
See More
The Santa Croce quarter, on the southeast fringe of the historic center, was built up in the Middle Ages outside the second set of medieval
See More
Piazza Santa Maria Novella is a gorgeous, pedestrian-only square, with grass (laced with roses) and plenty of places to sit and rest your feet. The
See More

Hotels

Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice
Fodor's Choice

Quickly find Florence Hotels and compare prices.

Powered by Clicktripz

Find the perfect tours and activities in Florence.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Language

Italian

Nearby Airports

FLR

Electrical Outlets

200v/50 cycles; electrical plugs have two round prongs

Currency

Euro

Local Weather

{{ monthAverage.f_high }}° {{ monthAverage.c_high }}° {{ monthAverage.f_low }}° {{ monthAverage.c_low }}°
{{ monthAverage.month }}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Language

Italian

Electrical Outlets

200v/50 cycles; electrical plugs have two round prongs

Currency

Euro

Nearby Airports

FLR

Local Weather

{{ monthAverage.f_high }}° {{ monthAverage.c_high }}° {{ monthAverage.f_low }}° {{ monthAverage.c_low }}°
{{ monthAverage.month }}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Florence with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{ monthAverage.f_high }}° {{ monthAverage.c_high }}° {{ monthAverage.f_low }}° {{ monthAverage.c_low }}°
{{ monthAverage.month }}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Florence with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Local Weather

{{ monthAverage.f_high }}° {{ monthAverage.c_high }}° {{ monthAverage.f_low }}° {{ monthAverage.c_low }}°
{{ monthAverage.month }}
Historic Weather: Powered by Dark Sky
Weather info provided is using averaged daily data within the given month of the previous year.

Discover the best neighborhoods in Florence with curated recommendations from our editors.

Explore All

Our worldwide travel correspondents bring you the best and most up-to-date coverage of over 7,500 global destinations.

Shop Now

Fodor's Best of Italy: With Rome, Florence, Venice & the Top Spots in Between
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details

Fodor's Florence & Tuscany: with Assisi & the Best of Umbria
Whether you want to tour Brunelleschi's Dome, marvel at artwork in the Galleria degli...

View Details

Fodor's Essential Italy 2024
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details

Fodor's Best of Italy: With Rome, Florence, Venice & the Top Spots in Between
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details