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Florence (“Firenze” in Italian) is the capital of the Tuscany region. This beautiful city is home to famous Renaissance artworks and architecture pieces, but the innate cultural beauty can also be admired by simply strolling the streets. As the previous capital of Italy and birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, there is no reason to wonder why thousands of people from around the world visit annually.

Travel tip #1: Florence is home to one of the most famous art galleries in the world, where many Renaissance masterpieces by historically renowned artists—Raphael, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, Giotto, and Titian, just to name a few—are housed. Be prepared to be artistically impressed, or perhaps overwhelmed, while here.

Places of Interest

Piazza del Duomo & the Duomo: Piazza del Duomo is in the heart of the city’s historic. It is the most visited area of Florence due to its central location and for the iconic sights Duomo, a cathedral with a gorgeous terracotta-tiled dome created by Brunelleschi. Climbing the 463 steps up the dome is an option, but you must purchase tickets beforehand.

Florence Cathedral: Florence Cathedral, formally Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, was structurally completed in 1434. Similar to the Duomo, the dome was engineered by Brunelleschi. The cathedral is the one of the most important landmarks in Florence. It is also the fourth largest church in the world. The cathedral complex is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the city’s historic center.

Palazzo Vecchio: Palazzo Vecchio, also called Palazzo della Signoria, is an important historic government building. It overlooks the Piazza della Signoria, which holds a replica of Michelangelo’s David statue. A ticket for the museum in Palazzo Vecchio costs 10 EUR as of 2022, as well as to climb palace tower, but you can walk inside the general area free of charge.

Basilica of Santa Croce: The Basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Inside are its sixteen chapels, many which are decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils. Michelangelo, Rossini, Machiavelli, and Galileo Galilei are buried in Santa Croce.

Piazza della Repubblica: Piazza della Repubblica is one of the main and has marked the center of the city since Roman times. Centuries ago, the area was populated with markets, taverns, and churches. Now, you can enjoy coffee and pastries at the historical Caffé Gilli, Caffé Paskowski, or Caffé delle Giubbe Rosse, all which were meeting points for many past Florentine artists and writers.

Arno River: The Arno River divides Florence in two parts, but many bridges that span over the river unite these areas. After the Tiber River, the Arno is the most important river in central Italy. Take an evening walk along the river, appreciating the sights and sounds during dusk.

Ponte Vecchio: This medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge spans over the Arno River. During World War II, it was the only bridge across the Arno that the Germans did not destroy. Ponte Vecchio is known for its shops, as well as the view over the Arno during sunset.

Piazzale Michelangelo: Piazzale Michelangelo is on a small hill about a 30 minutes’ walk from the center of Florence. Once at the plaza itself, there are large steps where many people enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city. If you choose to go during sunset, arrive about 30 minutes before the sun is due to set to get beautiful photos. In addition, give yourself time to walk through Giardino delle Rose (the Rose Garden) on the way up.

Uffizi Gallery: This highly impressive art gallery is within a large building designed by Giorgio Vasari. It is famous for its collections of ancient sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages to the Modern period, such as The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and Doni Tondo by Michelangelo. This is a must-visit while in Florence, so budget 2-3 hours for the Uffizi.

Giardino di Boboli: The Boboli Gardens is a historical park that originally opened to the public in 1766. It was originally designed for the Medici and represents one of the first examples of the “Italian garden,” later serving as inspiration for many European courts. On a sunny day, lounge in the garden’s grassy areas.

Palazzo Pitti: Referred to as the Pitti Palace in English, is a large Renaissance-style palace nearby the Boboli Gardens. You can spend between 2-3 hours touring the different museums, floors, and exhibits.

Consider purchasing a combination ticket to visit the Uffizi, Boboli Gardens, and Palazzo Pitti. With the combined ticket, it is mandatory to choose the day and the hour you wish to enter the Uffizi, which is the first museum to visit.

Santa Maria Novella Farmacia: Credited as being the oldest pharmacy in Europe, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is dated to 1221. They have lovely perfumes, soaps, and products, as well as a classic set-up that’s definitely worth seeing.

Travel tip #2: The Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, or “Gallery of the Academy of Florence”, is best known as the home of Michelangelo’s sculpture David. Although I did not visit this museum while in Florence, many people go solely to see the statue. Buy tickets in advance, as this is one of the more popular museums.

Food & Drink

Mercato Centrale: This large building is one of the results from when Florence was the capital of Italy. The market building was renovated in 2014, where the second floor was converted into a contemporary food hall and cooking space. Mercato Centrale is a great place to get a taste of delicious regional food in a lively setting while also discovering traditional butchers, produce vendors, dry goods, and Italian specialty products on the first floor.

A Casa Ca.Fe: A small yet beautiful space to grab a morning coffee and pastry or perhaps a light meal before exploring Florence’s historic district. Their cappuccinos are served in pretty ceramic glasses, while accompanying sweets and treats are served on equally eye-catching plates.

Caffè Concerto Paszkowski: Located in Piazza della Repubblica, this upscale is one of the most famous historical cafes in Florence. In the 19^th century, it started as a Polish brewery. At the beginning of the 20^th century, Caffè Paszkowski became recognized as a literary café; intellectuals such as D’Annunzio, Soffici, Papini, Montale, Saba and Pratolini frequented the space. Now, you can enjoy decadent Italian sweets, espresso, and wines here. Order and pay the desk on the left upon entering. Then, give your receipt to the staff behind the counter.

Caffè Letterario Le Murate: Caffè Letterario is a semi-hidden bar in an old prison complex. You can enjoy coffee during the day or opt for their night events, which include live music events and lectures. Their hours are a bit strange, so check beforehand!

Forno Top: One of the best bakeries in Florence, in my opinion. Their biscotti and custard fruit tarts are phenomenal, as is the Schiacciata Alla Fiorentina (Florentine Orange Cake). If you’re visiting the region in autumn, be sure to try the Schiacciata Con L’uva, which is a traditional Tuscan flatbread made with seasonal grapes.

Ditta Artigianale Firenze: The speciality coffee company roasts and brews their beans at this location. Other than amazing coffee, you’ll find a visually-appealing space that offers various pastries, desserts, meals, and drinks. Try the zuccotto (Italian dessert with origins in Florence), budini di riso (Florentine rice pudding tarts), and cantuccini (a.k.a. biscotti).

All’Antico Vinaio: Try Florence’s famous panini at this old-school deli. Loved by locals and tourists alike, these huge sandwiches are made on phenomenal focaccia bread and piled-high with Tuscan meats and cheeses. The line gets extremely long during meal times, but moves fairly quickly. If you’re not willing to wait, Toscani Panini a good alternative.

Gustapizza: Located nearby Palazzo Pitti, Gustapizza is a great restaurant to stop by for a sit-down meal. Their soft dough combines incredibly well with the fresh mozzarella, sauces, and toppings—all being wood-fired to perfection. Pair it with a glass of local wine.

Osteria Cinghiale Bianco: On the ground floor of a 13^th century building on Borg San Jacopo, one of the most recognizable streets of medieval Florence, is this authentic Tuscan eatery. Make a reservation to try their famed Pappardelle Al Ragù Di Cinghiale (pappardelle with boar), truffle pasta, and tiramisu.

Gelato: Get your gelato-fix when in Florence. Compared to ice cream, gelato is lower in fat because it contains less cream and more milk. It is also churned slower, resulting in less air and a richer flavor. Il Procopio and Perche No! are two of many gelaterias in the city.

Antiche Dogane: If you love wine, definitely stop here for a glass or two alongside a plate of tasty local cuisine. The inside is very small but cozy, with wine bottles and colorful knick-knacks everywhere.

Enoteca Bellini: A tiny yet upscale spot for regional wines and small plates. Friendly service and a nice atmosphere to share some food with a friend, or even go on a simple date. Their crostini was quite good, especially paired with white wine.

Travel tip #3: Traditional Tuscan food is home-y and hearty. Ribolita (vegetable soup thickened with bread), meatballs with potatoes, and coccoli (street food bread balls) should all be sampled from a trattoria.

Transportation & Accommodation

Florence is a small city, by European and global standards. It is easy to navigate throughout the major areas by foot or bicycle. Trams and buses are available if needed to access outer areas to the historic and central districts. However, most visitors will more than likely not venture too far out of the central parts.

If arriving by train from other regions of Italy, such as Rome or Venice, via Tren Italia, Firenze Santa Maria Novella is the station where you should disembark. This station is on the northern side of the city, with most places of interest spanning south of the train station. Compared to Roma Termini in Rome, it is much less crowded. You will find a tram stop outside, which can be taken to the Florence Airport (Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola).

During my time in this gorgeous Tuscan city, I opted to stay in a hostel. My Friends Hostel was a short 5-minutes walk from Firenze Santa Maria Novella, as well as conveniently located near many trattorias and small shops. I loved how there was a separate space for female-only visitors, which included a shared kitchen space. Alternatively, Ostello Bello is down the street from My Friends Hostel, which is a well-known, lively Italian hostel with a location in Bagan, Myanmar (<< click there for related travel guides), of all places!

Travel tip #4: The streets in Florence are beautiful, with lots of stone throughout. Although pretty on the eyes, the ground is very uneven and can be difficult to walk on, so bring comfortable, supportive shoes.

Climate

The climate here is generally mild, with relatively mild winters and hot, sunny summers. Compared to Rome, the winters are colder and rainier, usually seeing a bit more snow and experiencing colder temperatures between 35-50°F (2-12°C). Summers, on the other hand, are similar to the Italian capital, with temperatures exceeding 95°F (35°C) during the hottest months of the year (July and August). Like in many places in Europe, large numbers of Florence’s citizens go on vacation during this time, which means many stores and restaurants are closed. Autumn (late September through early November) is the best time to visit due to the cool temperatures, sunshine, seasonal food, and smaller crowds.