Jonathan Körner, Unsplash License, Source

Florence

The cradle of the Renaissance

Florence stands out as a city where art, history and daily life connect in clear ways. Its streets hold museums with famous paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance era. Public squares serve as gathering spots for locals and visitors alike. The Arno River runs through the center, offering views of historic bridges and buildings. Markets line the streets with fresh produce and handmade goods. Walking here reveals layers of architecture spanning centuries. Each corner shows how culture shapes everyday routines without needing grand gestures or elaborate displays.

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City in Italy

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

Most locals working in tourism and hospitality speak good English, especially in popular areas. However, a few basic Italian phrases can still be very helpful.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Florence Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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World-class for Renaissance art and architecture. Visit iconic museums, admire historic cathedrals, explore lively piazzas and enjoy classic Italian food.

Place score

9.3

Best at:

Museums

Architecture

Art

Walkable

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Italy – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Italy, particularly in cities. While larger establishments and chains are fully cashless, smaller shops may still prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Italy, especially in restaurants where 10-15% is typical. Tipping for taxi drivers is usually rounded up or 5-10%. Small tips for hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Italy, especially in public squares and during festivals. In some regions, it is illegal to drink alcohol in certain areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside.

Ferragosto (August)	Many businesses close, and Italians take holidays. It’s very busy in tourist areas.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets and festivities are popular, expect higher prices and crowded attractions.
La Befana (January)	Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany is a public holiday with festive events, and some businesses close.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, ItTaxi
Other:	Italy's tourist infrastructure is well-developed, but some rural or historical areas may require extra planning for accessibility.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Florence, Italy

🌥️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌥️

Nov

🌥️

Dec

High season:	April - July, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, Aug., Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Uffizi, Accademia and the Duomo dome need advance tickets, sold out for weeks from April to October

Mid August around Ferragosto (15 August): many local restaurants and shops close as residents leave

Don't miss

🗿 Admire Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia
⛪ Climb the Duomo’s dome for breathtaking Florence views
🌇 Stroll across the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge at sunset
🎨 Explore the Uffizi Gallery’s world-renowned Renaissance masterpieces
🍨 Enjoy gelato while people-watching in Piazza della Signoria
🌿 Wander through the Boboli Gardens behind Pitti Palace

You've been here?

Why travel to Florence?

Florence is an absolute treasure for art and history lovers, with masterpieces from Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci showcased in world-renowned museums like the Uffizi Gallery. The city's architecture is just as captivating, with landmarks like the Florence Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio offering stunning sights. Plus, the Tuscan cuisine and local wines are a delight for food enthusiasts. However, Florence can get quite crowded, especially during peak season and the narrow streets aren’t always the easiest to navigate. But with a bit of planning and a willingness to explore beyond the main attractions, it’s a truly enriching experience.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 San Gimignano
A medieval hill town in central Tuscany, known for its well-preserved towers and narrow cobblestone streets. The historic center offers Renaissance art, local Tuscan cuisine and panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and rolling hills.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Florence Cathedral
The Florence Cathedral's terracotta dome dominates the skyline, while its vast interior houses intricate frescoes and marble masterpieces. This historic landmark stands as a testament to Renaissance artistry and architectural brilliance in Tuscany's capital city.
2 Uffizi Gallery
One of Europe's premier art hubs, this Florentine gallery houses Botticelli and Da Vinci masterpieces within a historic Renaissance palace. Expect queues for the top tier; arrive early or book timed tickets to bypass the crowds and focus on the collection.
3 Palazzo Vecchio
This Renaissance masterpiece dominates the Arno River, offering panoramic views of Florence's historic skyline. Its Gothic architecture and strategic location make it a central landmark for art lovers visiting Tuscany.
4 Academy Gallery
Housed in a historic Renaissance palace, this gallery showcases masterpieces by Michelangelo and other great artists. The collection includes famous sculptures like David and the unfinished Slaves within a serene, scholarly atmosphere perfect for art lovers.
5 Ponte Vecchio
6 Basilica of the Holy Cross
7 Irish Pub J.J. Cathedral
8 Hotel Pitti Palace
9 Piazza della Signoria

🎡Places for activities

1 Bargello Museum
This historic museum in Florence's Bargello district showcases Renaissance sculptures and paintings within a medieval fortress. Visitors explore masterpieces by Michelangelo and Donatello, enjoying art history in an elegant, atmospheric setting that feels distinctly Italian.
2 Museo Galileo - Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza
3 Basilica di San Miniato al Monte
4 Wine tasting
5 Mercato centrale
6 Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio
7 Oltrarno
8 Stibbert Museum
9 Vasari Corridor

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Boboli Gardens
One of Florence's most expansive green sanctuaries, the Boboli Gardens sprawl behind the Pitti Palace with sculpted terraces and grottos. While often crowded near the palace entrance, wandering toward the lower gardens offers a quieter escape from the city bustle.
2 Michelangelo Square
3 Parco delle Cascine
4 Parco Mediceo di Pratolino
5 Il Giardino Dell'Iris

🛍️Shopping

1 Central Market
2 Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella
3 Via dei Tornabuoni
4 Leather market
5 Via Roma
6 Mercato delle Pulci

🎈Events

Pitti Immagine (Fashion Week)
Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday)
Festa della Rificolona (Festival of Lanterns)
Calcio Storico (Historic Football)
Firenze Rocks (Music Festival)
Florence Biennale
Florence Dance Festival
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Gelato Festival
Florence Wine Event

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Reserve Uffizi and Accademia tickets early to avoid long entrance queues.
Historic center is very walkable; wear comfortable shoes and expect cobblestones, slight hills and occasional uneven pavements everywhere.
Watch for pickpockets near the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Santa Maria Novella station, especially in dense crowds and on buses.
Stay on the Oltrarno side near Santo Spirito for artisan workshops, local trattorias, sunset walks to Piazzale Michelangelo and fewer late-night tourist crowds.

How to travel to Florence

Florence is served by Peretola Airport (FLR), but many visitors also fly into Pisa (PSA) or Bologna (BLQ) for more options. High-speed trains connect Florence to Rome, Milan and Venice, making it a great stop on an Italian itinerary.

Access summary

From Florence Airport (FLR): T2 tram or shuttle to center, about 20 minutes.
From Rome: High-speed trains to Firenze S.M.N. station, roughly 1.5 hours.
From Milan: High-speed trains to Firenze S.M.N. station, usually 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Florence

Florence offers a range of accommodation, from luxury hotels in historic palaces to charming boutique stays. Staying in the city center is ideal for walking to major attractions, but options in the Oltrarno district offer a more local vibe and sometimes better prices.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

C-Hotels Ambasciatori

B&B Hotel Firenze Laurus al Duomo

MH Florence Hotel & Spa

8.8

Hotel Number Nine

9.3

Hotel Cosimo De Medici

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Florence

Florence is best explored on foot, especially in the historic center where cars are restricted. The city also has a good public transport network with buses and trams. Taxis are available, but expensive. Biking is possible but the narrow streets and cobblestones can make it tricky.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+1 %

Daily expenses in Florence are around 1% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£68	£158	£430
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£30	£75	£188
🍝 Food per day	£31	£74	£211
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£9	£31

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£15
🍟 Fast food combo	£10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£19
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£7.50
💇 Basic haircut	£13

Safety information overview

General safety

Florence is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets in crowded areas and on public transport. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially near popular attractions.

Health & Medical

Florence has good medical facilities and pharmacies are widely available. Tap water is safe to drink and emergency medical services are reliable.

Accessibility

Many of Florence’s historic sites are not fully accessible due to cobblestones and stairs. However, museums and public transport make efforts to accommodate visitors with reduced mobility.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink and water fountains are available throughout the city, including many with potable water in public squares.