At a glance
- Best for
- Renaissance art, architecture, food and wine
- Airport
- Florence Peretola (FLR), or Pisa (PSA) about an hour away by train
- Time needed
- Two to four days
- Best season
- April to June and September to October
- Getting around
- Walking, trams and regional trains and buses
- Good base for
- Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Chianti and San Gimignano
Why go
In the fifteenth century, under the Medici, Florence produced Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Leonardo and Michelangelo, and the city still looks much as they knew it. It is also the easiest base in Tuscany, with trains to Pisa, Lucca and Siena and the vineyards of Chianti a short drive or tour away.
Top things to do
- **The Duomo.** Santa Maria del Fiore, with Brunelleschi's dome, Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistery. The cathedral itself is free; climbing the dome needs a timed ticket booked ahead.
- **The Uffizi Gallery.** Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo, Raphael and Caravaggio. Book a timed slot and go early.
- **The Accademia.** Home of Michelangelo's David. Booking is strongly advised; the visit takes about an hour.
- **Ponte Vecchio and the Oltrarno.** Cross the old bridge to Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens, Santo Spirito and streets of leather, paper and frame workshops.
- **Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte.** Walk up at sunset for the classic view over the city, then continue to the Romanesque church above.
- **Mercato Centrale and Sant'Ambrogio.** One a busy food hall, the other a real neighbourhood market where Florentines shop.
What to eat
Bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick T-bone sold by weight and served rare; ribollita bread soup; pappa al pomodoro; lampredotto, the tripe sandwich sold from street carts; schiacciata flatbread stuffed at sandwich shops; and cantucci with vin santo. Chianti Classico and Brunello come from the hills nearby.
Where to stay
The **Duomo and Santa Croce** area puts everything on foot. **Oltrarno and Santo Spirito** feel more local and have great evening restaurants. **Santa Maria Novella** near the station is practical for day trips. Florence charges a city tourist tax per person per night.
Getting around
Walk. The historic centre is a restricted traffic zone, so cars are a burden. Trams link the station to the airport, and frequent regional trains and buses serve Pisa, Lucca and Siena. Fast trains reach Rome, Bologna, Milan and Venice.
Day trips
**Siena** has its shell shaped Piazza del Campo and the Palio horse race in July and August. **Pisa** pairs the Leaning Tower with a lively university town. **Lucca** is ringed by walls you can cycle on top of. **San Gimignano** has its medieval towers, and **Chianti** is best on a small group wine tour.
Good to know
Florence is very busy from Easter to October and on weekends all year. Book the big museums, avoid midday queues and use the free first Sunday of the month only if you enjoy crowds. Eating or sitting on church steps is fined in some central streets. August is hot and some family restaurants close for holidays.
A sample two day plan
On day one, climb the dome or the bell tower first thing, visit the Baptistery and the cathedral museum, then lunch at Mercato Centrale or a sandwich shop. Spend the afternoon at the Uffizi on a booked slot, cross the Ponte Vecchio and finish with dinner in Santo Spirito. On day two, see David at the Accademia early, walk to Santa Croce and the leather school, then explore Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. End the day with the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo and the quiet church of San Miniato al Monte above it. With a third day, take the train to Siena or Lucca, or join a small group wine tour into Chianti.
Questions about Florence
How many days do I need in Florence?
Two days cover the Duomo, the Uffizi, David and the Oltrarno. Add one or two days for Siena, Pisa or Chianti.
Do I need to book the Uffizi and the Accademia?
Yes, especially from spring to autumn. Timed tickets save hours of queueing. Book on the official museum sites.
Should I stay in Florence or the Tuscan countryside?
Stay in Florence for art and trains, and in a farmhouse agriturismo if you want slow days, though the countryside is much easier with a driver or a tour.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
