Things to do in Florence: top sights and where to go
Florence is a compact Renaissance city where nearly everything is walkable: the cathedral with Brunelleschi's dome, the Baptistery and Giotto's Bell Tower, David at the Accademia, the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Ponte Vecchio. Across the Arno are Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo with the best view. Allow 2–3 days, plus half a day for Fiesole.
Sights
Florence itineraries
Florence travel guide
What to know before you go: best areas to stay, museum bookings, the airport and Pisa, weather, food and costs.
Florence on your own: the essentials
- Entry
- Schengen rules; ETIAS for visa-free visitors when it starts
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - How long
- 2–3 days, +½ day for Fiesole
- Best time
- April–June and September–October
- Bookings
- Uffizi, Accademia, dome — timed, in advance
- Money
- Euro; cards and contactless widely accepted
- Airport
- Peretola (FLR) — T2 tram to the station ≈ 20 min
- Getting around
- Compact centre — walk everywhere
- City tax
- Charged per person per night by your hotel
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Churches
- Shoulders and knees covered
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 174Sourcei
Wikipedia, Florence CathedralSourcei
Wikipedia, FlorenceSourcei
City mapThings to do in Florence
The essentials in Florence are the cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome, the Baptistery and Giotto's Bell Tower, David at the Accademia, the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Ponte Vecchio. Across the Arno are Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Piazza del Duomo | Cathedral, Baptistery, bell tower | ½ day |
|---|---|---|
| Piazza della Signoria | Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Bargello | 1 day |
| San Lorenzo | Basilica, Medici Chapels, Accademia | ½ day |
| By the station | Santa Maria Novella, Palazzo Strozzi | 2 hours |
| Santa Croce | Santa Croce, Museo Galileo | ½ day |
| Oltrarno | Palazzo Pitti, Boboli, Brancacci | 1 day |
| The hills | Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato, Fiesole | ½ day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above includes ready-made itineraries with the places already in order.
Florence itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days
With one day in Florence, see the cathedral and Baptistery, David at the Accademia, Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio, then sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. A second day adds the Uffizi and the Medici Chapels; a third, Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and the Oltrarno. Use a fourth for Fiesole or a train to Pisa.
- Day 1 — cathedral, Baptistery, Accademia, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio.
- Day 2 — Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio, Medici Chapels, evening at Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Day 3 — Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens, Santo Spirito, Santa Croce.
- Day 4 — Fiesole, or a train to Pisa, Siena or Lucca.
Where to stay in Florence: best areas
Florence's historic centre is small, so staying inside it makes sense. The Duomo and Signoria areas put everything on your doorstep but cost more and are busier. Santa Croce is lively with restaurants, the Oltrarno across the river has artisans and a local feel, and the Santa Maria Novella station area suits day trips around Tuscany.
| Duomo | First visit, all central | Pricey, crowded |
|---|---|---|
| Signoria | Museums and the Arno | Busy in the evening |
| Santa Croce | Restaurants and bars | Noisy at weekends |
| Oltrarno | Local life, quieter | Across the river |
| Santa Maria Novella | Trains, Tuscany trips | Plainer by the station |
| San Marco | Near the Accademia, calm | Fewer restaurants |
Florence airport and Pisa: getting into the city
Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR, named after Amerigo Vespucci), is 5 km from the centre, and the T2 tram reaches Santa Maria Novella station in about 20 minutes. Many people fly into Pisa (PSA) instead; from there it's about an hour to Florence by train or bus. From Rome and Milan, high-speed trains are the easiest option.
| T2 tram | Peretola — Santa Maria Novella station | ≈ 20 min |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Peretola — city centre | ≈ 15–20 min |
| Train | Pisa Airport — Florence | ≈ 60–80 min |
| Bus | Pisa Airport — Florence | ≈ 70 min |
| High-speed train | Rome — Florence | ≈ 1.5 h |
| High-speed train | Milan — Florence | ≈ 2 h |
Getting around Florence
The historic centre is compact: the station to the Ponte Vecchio is about 20 minutes on foot, and nearly every place on the list is along the way. Cars are kept out of the centre by a limited traffic zone. Buses run up to Piazzale Michelangelo and Fiesole.
- On foot — the main way around; bring comfortable shoes.
- Buses 12 and 13 — up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Bus 7 — to Fiesole, about 30 minutes.
- Tram — T1 and T2 from the station, including to the airport.
- Driving — not allowed in the centre (ZTL); cameras issue fines.
Florence weather by month
Florence is at its best in spring and early autumn, from April to June and September to October, with days of ≈ 20–28 °C. Summer in the Arno valley is hot, ≈ 32 °C or more, and some local restaurants close in August. Winter days are ≈ 11–13 °C with nights near freezing, but there are fewer tourists and shorter queues.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 11° | 13° | 16° | 20° | 24° | 29° | 32° | 32° | 27° | 21° | 15° | 11° |
| Night | 2° | 2° | 5° | 8° | 12° | 15° | 18° | 18° | 15° | 11° | 6° | 3° |
| Rain | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–May and September–October
- day ≈ 11°
- night ≈ 2°
- rain 7 days
Cool, few tourists.
- day ≈ 13°
- night ≈ 2°
- rain 7 days
Fresh, short queues.
- day ≈ 16°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 7 days
Spring, gardens in bloom.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 8°
- rain 9 days
Warm, busy at Easter.
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 12°
- rain 8 days
Lovely, the Iris Garden opens.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 6 days
Hot, long days.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 3 days
Very hot, go early or late.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 4 days
Very hot, some places close.
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 6 days
Warm, peak season.
- day ≈ 21°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 8 days
Mild, Tuscan harvest.
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 10 days
Rainy, quiet.
- day ≈ 11°
- night ≈ 3°
- rain 8 days
Cool, Christmas market.
24 June is the feast of St John the Baptist, Florence's patron saint, with fireworks over the Arno in the evening.
What to eat in Florence
Food in Florence is simple Tuscan cooking: a huge bistecca alla fiorentina, thick bread and bean soups, lampredotto sandwiches from street kiosks and Chianti from the nearby hills. The Mercato Centrale by San Lorenzo is the easiest place to try a bit of everything, and the gelato is among the best in Italy.
- Bistecca alla fiorentina — a thick T-bone, meant for two.
- Ribollita — hearty bread, bean and cabbage soup.
- Panzanella — a summer bread and tomato salad.
- Lampredotto — a hot sandwich from street kiosks.
- Schiacciata — Tuscan flatbread with fillings.
- Cantucci and vin santo — almond biscuits with dessert wine.
- Gelato — Florentines claim to have invented it.
Florence sightseeing costs
Free in Florence: the squares, bridges and riverside, Piazzale Michelangelo, the Loggia dei Lanzi sculptures, the Palazzo Vecchio courtyard and many churches, such as San Miniato and Santo Spirito. You pay for the Uffizi, the Accademia, the cathedral pass with the dome climb, Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and most museums. State museums are often free on the first Sunday of the month, but the queues are huge.
| Palazzo Vecchio | 52 | 1 h 30 min | Courtyard free, museum paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uffizi Gallery | 51 | 3 h | Paid |
| Santa Croce | 50 | 1 h | Paid |
| Palazzo Pitti | 48 | 2 h | Paid |
| Santa Maria Novella | 48 | 1 h | Paid |
| Florence Baptistery | 48 | 30 min | Combined cathedral pass |
| Basilica of San Lorenzo | 46 | 45 min | Paid |
| Vasari Corridor | 45 | 1 h | Paid, timed entry |
| Palazzo Medici Riccardi | 45 | 1 h | Paid |
| Orsanmichele | 45 | 30 min | Free |
| Laurentian Library | 44 | 30 min | Paid |
| Galleria dell'Accademia | 43 | 1 h 15 min | Paid |
| Medici Chapels | 43 | 1 h | Paid |
| Brancacci Chapel | 41 | 30 min | Paid, timed entry |
| Giotto's Campanile | 41 | 1 h | Combined cathedral pass |
| Bargello | 40 | 1 h 15 min | Paid |
| Palazzo Strozzi | 38 | 1 h 15 min | Courtyard free, exhibitions paid |
| Museo Galileo | 37 | 1 h 15 min | Paid |
| Boboli Gardens | 36 | 1 h 45 min | Paid |
| Fiesole | 35 | 4 h | Town free, ruins paid |
Free — 6 places: Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Santo Spirito, San Miniato al Monte, Piazzale Michelangelo.
Tips
- Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome climb ahead for a set time.
- Watch sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato.
- Bring comfortable shoes: Florence is a walking city.
FAQ
What should I see first in Florence?
The cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome, the Baptistery, David at the Accademia, the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo.
How many days do you need in Florence?
Two to three days for the city, plus half a day for Fiesole or a day trip to Pisa or Siena.
How do I get from Florence airport to the city centre?
By T2 tram to Santa Maria Novella station in about 20 minutes, or by taxi in 15–20 minutes.
How do I get from Pisa to Florence?
By train or bus from Pisa Airport, about an hour.
What's the weather like in Florence in May?
About 24 °C by day and 12 °C at night, one of the best months to visit.
Do I need to book Florence museums?
Yes, the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome climb are best booked ahead for a set time.
Where is the best area to stay in Florence?
Around the Duomo or Signoria for convenience, Santa Croce for restaurants, the Oltrarno for a quieter, local feel.
How do you get around Florence?
On foot, as the centre is compact; buses 12, 13 and 7 go up into the hills.
Is Florence good with kids?
Yes: children enjoy the Boboli Gardens, Museo Galileo, the bell tower climb and Piazzale Michelangelo.
What food is Florence known for?
Bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, lampredotto, schiacciata, cantucci and gelato.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 174 — Historic Centre of Florence
- Wikipedia: Florence; Florence Cathedral; climate of Florence (1991–2020 normals)
- Florence Airport (Toscana Aeroporti) — official site; Gest tram
- Uffizi Galleries and cathedral — official sites