Why people fall for Florence
Florence's historic center is a 30-minute walk end-to-end. Walk it slowly. The Renaissance happened here in part because the city is small enough that all the artists, bankers, and patrons knew each other personally. You can feel that compression.
It's also a city of trattorias and aperitivo, where the wine is local (Chianti is 30 minutes away) and the food is hyper-regional. Order the bistecca alla fiorentina once. Order the ribollita twice.
Top attractions (the ones worth your time)
Not everything famous deserves the queue. Here's what we'd actually do.
Uffizi Gallery
€252 hoursBook aheadBotticelli, Caravaggio, Leonardo. Book online — same-day tickets are a queue you don't want. Don't try to see everything; pick 4 rooms.
Duomo (Brunelleschi's Dome)
Climb €30Climb the dome (463 steps, no elevator, book ahead). Or just admire it from outside — it costs nothing.
Accademia (David)
€1645 minMichelangelo's David. Book the 8:15am opening slot. The other rooms are skippable; David is the moment.
Ponte Vecchio
FreeThe covered medieval bridge with goldsmiths. Walk it twice — sunset and after dark.
Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens
€16 / €10Cross the river. The gardens are the highlight; the palace is dense and tiring.
Piazzale Michelangelo
FreeSunsetBest free view of Florence. 20-minute walk up. Sunset is the moment, but go an hour before to get a spot.
Santa Croce
€8Burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli. Surprisingly under-loved.
Bargello
€11Sculpture museum in a former prison. Donatello + Michelangelo, fewer crowds than the Uffizi.
San Miniato al Monte
FreeClimbRomanesque church above Piazzale Michelangelo. Even better view, and 6:30pm Gregorian chant if monks are in.
Mercato Centrale
MarketGround floor: real market. Upper floor: food court. Avoid the upper floor at lunch — go for the ground floor at 9am.
Save these to a Florence itinerary. Drag, drop, done — in the app.
Download freeFree things to do
Florence's free moves are powerful — many of its best moments cost nothing.
- Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset
- San Miniato al Monte (entry free; climb is free)
- Walking Ponte Vecchio + the river
- Florence Cathedral interior (free; only the dome climb is paid)
- Mercato Centrale ground floor
- Boboli Gardens free first Sunday of the month
- Most churches free entry: Santa Maria Novella interior, San Lorenzo cloister
- Free first Sunday at all state museums
- Walk along the Arno from Ponte alla Carraia to Ponte alle Grazie
- Aperitivo culture — €10 spritz includes free buffet 6–9pm at most bars
Where to eat without paying tourist tax
Florence punishes the unprepared with tourist-trap menus. Lunch menus and tiny wine bars rescue.
Trattoria Mario
€San Lorenzo€15 for a real Tuscan lunch.
Sandwicheria All'Antico Vinaio
€Centrum€8 schiacciata.
Da Burde
€€Slightly outLocals' lunch spot. Lampredotto sandwiches a Florentine institution.
I Fratellini
€CentrumHole-in-the-wall sandwich shop since 1875. €4 sandwich + glass of wine.
3 days in Florence: the itinerary we'd run
One option of many — open the app to swap, reorder, or stretch to 5 days.
Day 1 — Renaissance day
- 8:15am — Accademia (David).
- 9:30am — Coffee at Caffè Gilli (Piazza della Repubblica).
- 10:30am — Duomo + Brunelleschi's Dome climb (booked).
- 12:30pm — Lunch at Trattoria Mario.
- 2pm — Uffizi Gallery (booked, 2pm slot is calmer).
- 5pm — Walk Ponte Vecchio.
- 6:30pm — Aperitivo at Procacci.
- 8pm — Dinner at Cuculia.
Day 2 — Oltrarno + view
- 9am — Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens.
- 12pm — Lunch at All'Antico Vinaio.
- 1pm — Walk Oltrarno: Santo Spirito → San Frediano.
- 3pm — Bargello sculpture museum.
- 5pm — Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
- 7pm — Sunset at San Miniato al Monte.
- 9pm — Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza (book a week ahead) or 4 Leoni.
Day 3 — Slow Florence + Tuscany option
- Option A: Day trip to Siena + San Gimignano.
- Option B: Stay in Florence — Santa Croce + Bargello + slow morning.
- If staying: lunch at Casa del Vino, afternoon coffee at La Ménagère.
- Aperitivo at Le Volpi e l'Uva.
- Final dinner: La Giostra (book ahead) or any neighborhood trattoria you've spotted.
What's on in Florence this season
Florence has a calendar built around art + food.
- Calcio Storico (June) — medieval football tournament in Santa Croce square
- Pitti Uomo (January + June) — men's fashion week
- Tuscan Sun Festival (summer)
- Festa di San Giovanni (June 24) — patron saint, fireworks over the Arno
- Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (May–June)
- Christmas markets in Piazza Santa Croce (Dec)
Practical Florence (no fluff)
Getting in
Florence airport (FLR): T2 tram to Santa Maria Novella (€1.70, 25 min) — best option. Or take the train from Pisa airport (PSA), which is often cheaper to fly into.
Getting around
Walk. The historic center is small. Buses fill in for longer trips (€1.70 single).
Where to stay
First time: anywhere within the historic walls. Cool: Oltrarno (cooler, less touristy, walkable to center). Avoid: anything beyond the train station unless on a tight budget.
Money
Cards everywhere — except a few old trattorias (Mario is cash-only). Tipping: not expected; rounding up is a kind gesture.
Florence FAQ
How many days do you need in Florence?
Two full days for major sights, three to live a little, plus optional Tuscany day.
Is the Uffizi worth it?
Yes — but pick 4 rooms. Most travelers spend 4 hours and remember nothing. Book the 2pm slot for fewer crowds.
Should I climb the Dome?
Yes — but book online weeks ahead. 463 steps, no elevator. The view is the moment.
When's the best time?
April–May and September–October. July–August is too hot. December has fewer crowds + Christmas markets.
Best gelato?
La Sorbettiera or Vivoli. Avoid mountains of gelato in plastic bins — that's tourist gelato.
Is Florence safe?
Yes — but pickpockets at the train station and around major sights. Phone in front pocket.