We definitely fell a bit in love with Florence; it’s the capital of Tuscany and is relatively small, so we could easily explore everything on foot. Plus, there are charming details everywhere you look: the historic wine windows, the colors of the cathedral (the most beautiful we’ve ever seen!), and the pretty bridges crossing the river. Add to that the great shopping and delicious food, and it easily became one of our must-sees in Italy.
1. Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio is the medieval-style town hall of Florence, located in the historic Piazza della Signoria. We came early in the morning when it was quiet, and it was the perfect spot to soak up the historic center vibes.
We didn’t go inside, but you can buy tickets to see the beautifully decorated halls and rooms (open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM).
2. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
We have honestly never seen a cathedral as beautifully decorated as the Duomo of Florence! After traveling to many places in Europe, we often think, “Oh, it’s just another cathedral” but this one hits different.
- It took over 140 years to complete this architectural masterpiece.
- Stunning exterior colored in white, pink, and green marble (during the day, the colors change depending on the sun’s position).
- Inside is just as beautiful; we walked around for about 30 minutes and still found more details.
- Free to visit!
Tip: If you want to climb up the dome, you’ll need toย book your tickets onlineย well in advance, as they sell outย quickly. Incredible views at the top, but remember, it’s 460+ steps. ;)
3. All’Antico Vinaio – Must do in Florence!
There’s a lot of hype around the famous sandwich shop, All’Antico Vinaio, and it often has queues down the entire street! If you eat meat, these sandwiches look really tasty and are well worth a stop for.
Personally, for us as vegetarians, we were a little disappointed with the toppings, especially given the price. These are other sandwich spots we loved:
4. Visit One of the Old-School Photobooths
Another little thing we always love doing in Florence is stopping by one of the old-school photobooths. Thereโs something nostalgic about squeezing into the tiny booth, pulling the curtain, and waiting for those classic black-and-white photo strips to print. Itโs honestly one of our favorite souvenirs to take home.
Check out these locations:
5. Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is one of the iconic things to do in Florence, a historic bridge arched across the Arno River. While pretty to look at, we did expect a little more from this spot; there are many jewelry shops across the bridge, but they weren’t that impressive, and it was packed with people. We prefer the shops in our mini shopping guide below. ;)
Also read: 2-week Italy Travel Guide
Tip: The bridge is always accessible, so if you want to avoid crowds, visit in the morning to watch the sunrise. After, you can walk 10 minutes to this little bakery, S.forno, which was excellent.
If you’ve got more time, we highly recommend a day trip to San Marino in Italy, the fifth-smallest country in the world!
6. Shopping in Florence
We realized that Florence actually has some incredible shopping spots, if you know where to look. We did our best to find some, and here are our favorites:
- Sbigoli Terrecotte: Gorgeous ceramics
- Kosmima: Amazing jewellery
- Monica Miato: The cutest handmade makeup bags
- Il Papiro: Crafts store full of stationery and more
- Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy: Charming fragrance shop
- Odeon Cinema and Bookstore (go see it for yourself ๐)
7. Get the Cityโs Best Gelato
We loved the pretty streets on the other side of Ponte Vecchio, which are way less visited and a nice breather from Florence’s busier zones. Just before we crossed Ponte Alla Carraia, we also discovered the most delicious ice cream spot, Gelateria La Carraia.
Tip: If you take your gelato in a cone, ask them to leave the plastic spoon out. You donโt need a spoon if you’re licking your ice cream, and it helps the environment! Read more tips on how to reduce plastic while traveling.
8. Santa Croce
Piazza Santa Croce and the Santa Croce Basilica felt a little more local to us than other spots we’d visited. Cafes and street performers make the square an excellent place to sit down, relax, and absorb the charming Florence vibe for a bit.
9. Wine Windows
One of our favorite little Florence discoveries was the wine windows (buchette del vino). These tiny openings in the walls date back to the 1500s, when noble families sold wine directly to people on the street โ and today some of them are still in use!
Itโs such a fun experience to walk up to a small wooden window, ring the bell, and receive a glass of wine through it. Our favorite wine windows in Florence:
- Babae: Most picturesque
- Cantina Deโ Poucci: Has a great restaurant as well
- Osteria Bella Donne: Most central location
10. Piazza del Duomo at Sunset
Around sunset, head back to the Duomo of Florence to experience the sunset on the lively piazza. You can also experience it by booking a ticket to climb the dome, or at one of the rooftop bars like La Terrazza or B-Roof.
Tip: The best spot to see the Duomo at sunset was from the rooftop of our accommodation, B&B La Terrazza Sul Duomo! It would be worth booking a room here just for the view alone.
Best Cafes and Restaurants in Florence
We found dinners in Florence much cheaper than in Venice. For example, we regularly ordered freshly prepared portions of pasta and had drinks for 20-30 EUR per person. Some of our favorites are:
- Ristorante Brandolino (book your table)
- Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco
- Trattoria San Pierino
- Cantina Deโ Pucci (reserve a table)
- Vivioli (best affogato!)
- Babae (see availability)
- Cantina Deโ Poucci (book a table)
How to Visit Florence
Florence has an international airport with flights arriving from major cities throughout Europe.
At the airport, collect your rental car (the best option if you’re continuing a Tuscany itinerary).
We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Public Transport From the Airport
- Tram: Buy a ticket from the airport to the city center for 1.70 EUR (2 USD). This is the cheapest option.
- Bus: The airport shuttle leaves every 30 minutes and costs around 6 EUR (7 USD).
Visit Florence by Train
Florence is easy to reach by train, as the city is well connected to all major stations in Italy; for example, Rome is only 80 minutes away by high-speed train.
We arrived by train from Venice, and it was super straightforward! We then just walked 15 minutes from the station into the city.
Where to Stay in Florence
We’ve been lucky enough to visit Florence a couple of times. The first time, we stayed at B&B La Terrazza Sul Duomo in the centre, which had incredible views, but was in a very busy area.
On our second visit, we chose something more peaceful by the riverside and booked a room at Palazzo Del Moro Firenze.
Tip: We also really liked the look of the Santa Croce neighborhood; it seemed like the best area to stay, with loads of small bars and within walking distance of everything to do in Florence.
How Much Does Florence Cost?
Florence is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy, and prices do reflect this, especially in summer. We still found some great deals booking in advance, though, and if you look in the right places, you can get delicious, fresh Italian food for a reasonable price.
Best Time to Visit Florence
We’ve visited Florence in both summer and fall, and each has had its upsides. Summer is definitely the busiest but the best time if you’re looking to extend your trip to other parts of Tuscany. Fall (and spring) is ideal for cheaper accommodation, sunny days, and lower temperatures.
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