Is 3 days enough to see Florence?

Yes — three days in Florence is enough to experience the best the city has to offer. Our itinerary covers The Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo dome & Florentine bistecca, Michelangelo's David, the Oltrarno & Dante's Florence, The Bargello, Pontormo & the Chianti day trip, giving you a genuine feel for Florence without feeling rushed.

When is the best time to visit Florence?

April–May and September–October (the most pleasant weather: 18–26°C, manageable crowds, the most beautiful light on the Renaissance architecture). June–August: extremely hot (32–38°C) and extremely crowded (Florence is one of the most over-touristed cities in Europe: 10 million visitors/year for a city of 362,000 residents). November–March: quieter, cooler (8–15°C) but most outdoor activities are

Where should I stay in Florence?

Via dei Tornabuoni — the luxury shopping street of Florence, directly beside the Ponte Trinita and the Arno, walking distance to the Uffizi is a great base for exploring Florence. Portrait Firenze from €500/night is our recommended hotel for its location and value.

What is Florence most famous for?

Florence (Firenze in Italian — population 362,000 in the city, 1 million in the metropolitan area — the capital of Tuscany and one of the most culturally significant cities in the world) is the city where the Renaissance was born: the 15th-century explosion of artistic, architectural and intellectual achievement that transformed European civilization began in Florence, under the patronage of the M

What language do people speak in Florence?

Italian (Florentine Italian — the Fiorentino dialect: the Florentine dialect is the direct ancestor of standard Italian (the "volgare illustre" that Dante used in the Divina Commedia (1320) and that Petrarch refined into the literary language of the Renaissance became the basis for standard Italian): in practical terms, the Fiorentino dialect is almost identical to standard Italian (the main differences are in the "gorgia toscana" — the Tuscan throaty pronunciation of the intervocalic "c" as an "h" sound: "coca cola" becomes "hoha hola" in Fiorentino). English is very widely spoken in Florence, with a very strong American student presence (the city has more American university study-abroad programs per capita than any European city: the NYU Florence, the Stanford Program, the Syracuse program, etc.)

What currency is used in Florence?

Euro (€). Florence is moderately to expensively priced by Italian standards (more expensive than Bologna or Naples, less than Milan). A coffee at a Florentine bar: €1.30–1.80 (standing at the counter — sitting down costs 2–3× more, a legitimate practice). A lampredotto sandwich at the market: €5. The Uffizi or Accademia (€20 each — book in advance or wait 2–3 hours). A bistecca alla Fiorentina: €50–70 per steak (not per person — the bistecca is shared). Cards accepted everywhere. Cash useful for the market vendors and the street food stalls

How do you get around Florence?

Walking: Florence's historic center (the area within the medieval walls) is very compact and entirely walkable — the Uffizi to the Duomo is 5 minutes walk, the Duomo to the Accademia is 10 minutes. The Arno river divides the city (the Ponte Vecchio and the Ponte Santa Trinita are the most atmospheric crossing points). Tram (the Tramvia): line 1 from the Santa Maria Novella station to the western neighborhoods. Bus (the ATAF network): useful for the Fiesole hill town and Piazzale Michelangelo. The ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato): the historic center is a restricted traffic zone — tourists should not drive in the center (significant fines). Taxi from the Santa Maria Novella Station to any hotel in the historic center: €8–15

How do you get to Florence?

Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci Airport, FLR, 4km northwest): the Vola in bus (the airport shuttle bus to Santa Maria Novella station: 20 min, €6) or tram line 2 (the new airport tram opened 2019: 20 min to the center, €1.70). Taxi: €20–25. The most important entry point: the Florence Santa Maria Novella train station (the most central rail hub in Tuscany): Rome (1.5 hrs Frecciarossa, €40–60), Venice (2.5 hrs, €30–50), Milan (2 hrs Frecciarossa, €35–60), Bologna (35 min, €15–25). Pisa Airport (PSA, 90km): regular train connections to Florence (1.5 hrs, €9–13). International: Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is often the most practical entry airport for Florence-bound travelers

What is the tipping etiquette in Florence?

Tipping is not obligatory in Italy (even less so than in northern Europe — the Florentine culture around tipping is very relaxed). A "coperto" (cover charge for bread and table service: €2–5 per person) is legally required to be declared on the menu and is not a tip. An additional €1–2 per person for good service at a trattoria is appreciated but not expected. No tip at bars (a 5-cent coin on the counter is acceptable). Beware: the tourist restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the Duomo and the Uffizi charge above-average coperto and sometimes include a "servizio" (service charge) on the bill — check before adding extra

Is Florence safe for tourists?

Florence is a safe Italian city. The historic center is safe for tourists. The main consideration: the density of tourists creates excellent conditions for pickpockets, especially on the tourist buses (the 7C bus from Fiesole), on the Ponte Vecchio and in the queues for the Uffizi and Accademia — use a money belt or secure your belongings carefully. The ZTL (restricted traffic zone): if you arrive by car, do not enter the historic center — the automatic cameras issue fines of €100–200 that are sent to the rental car company and passed on to the renter weeks after returning home

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