Visiting Italy any time soon?
If so, Florence is a must for any Italy tour. It’s not hard to see why this Tuscan city is so popular with visitors from all around the world. There’s the Duomo, the city’s huge cathedral that rises above its other buildings.
And then, of course, there are the famous masterpieces that line the streets, like Michaelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.
Then after a day of admiring artistic masterpieces and architecture, you can enjoy the local cuisine and Tuscany wine.
So, what do you need to know when you plan your Florence visit?
When is the best time to visit?
The volume of tourists that Florence welcomes every year is considerable. In fact, overcrowding has become a bit of a problem there.
If you’d prefer to see the city at a quiet time but still want to enjoy warm Italian weather, come during one of the shoulder seasons instead. Early spring or late summer are good times for this.
Even an autumn trip can be pleasant if you’re happy with temperatures of around 19 – 24°C.
How to get there
Flying directly into Florence? To save you from confusion, you should be aware that the nearby airport is known by three names: Peretola (FLR), Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola and Amerigo Vespucci Airport. Because it’s a small airport and flights are limited, you may find prices are more expensive.
If this is the case, it’s worth instead using Pisa International Airport. It’s more affordable and it’s only 1 hour from Florence on the shuttle bus.
Taking a train from another part of Italy. Then buy a ticket to “Firenze”, the Italian name for Florence. It’s very easy to take the train from other popular Italian cities like Pisa, Venice, Milan and Rome.
Where to stay
If you’re looking for the most central location, stay in the Centro Storico. This is where you’ll be closest to all the major sights.
If you want to get out of the hustle and bustle a bit, try Oltrarno, a quieter neighbourhood that takes about 20 minutes to walk from the centre. It’s a pleasantly artsy area with vintage shops and cafes galore.
San Niccolò (about 10 minutes from the centre, walking) is also a fun place to stay. From here, you can still see the remains of the ancient city wall. The nightlife scene is very lively here, with plenty of bars and restaurants.
The must-see sights
Make the most of Florence! Once you’ve seen the cathedral, there’s also the Uffizi Gallery containing one of the best collections of Italian paintings in the world. The works of Leonardi da Vinci, Michaelangelo and Raphael adorn its walls.
Cross the river over the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge lined with art galleries and little jewellery shops.
See the Santa Croce Basilica, a Franciscan church where famous Italians like Galileo and Michaelangelo are buried.
Enjoy a spot of lunch in Mercato Centrale, a large indoor market where you’ll easily find a tasty Italian meal that hits the spot!
Once you’ve got a plan in place, there’s no reason why you can’t have the Florence trip of a lifetime.
