8 Essential Tips for traveling to Florence (and not screwing it up)

Florence, the jewel of Tuscany, is a city that every traveler dreams of visiting. As someone who has explored its cobblestone streets, marveled at the Renaissance architecture, and indulged in authentic Italian cuisine, I can confidently say that Florence is a destination that blends history, art, and culture like no other.

But to truly enjoy this city, you need the right Florence travel tips—insider knowledge that will save you time, money, and hassle.

From skipping long lines at the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia to finding the best gelato in Florence, I’ve compiled essential advice for first-time visitors and seasoned travelers alike. I’ll help you navigate the Ponte Vecchio, discover hidden gems beyond Piazza del Duomo, and avoid common tourist traps. Whether you're planning to climb the Brunelleschi Dome, take in a sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, or sip an espresso at a historic Florentine café, these expert tips will ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience.

I’ll also share practical advice on public transportation, the best times to visit to avoid crowds, and how to make the most of your budget without missing out on the city's treasures. So, if Florence is on your bucket list, keep reading—I’ve got all the essential Italy travel tips to make your trip extraordinary.

Tips for traveling to Florence

In this post we are going to give you all the information you need to organize a trip to Florence : from how to get there to the best time to go. Are you ready to take note? Here are some tips for traveling to Florence !

1. How to get to Florence

The cheapest way to get to Florence from Spain is to fly to Pisa airport . How do you get from there to Florence? Our recommendation is to spend a day (or half a day) in Pisa and then take a train that, in an hour, will drop you off at Florence's Santa Maria Novella station. You can see the timetables and fares here on the trenitalia website . Tip: the best option is to take the fast regional train (from €9).

However, if you already know Pisa or if you want to go directly to Florence from the airport, you can take the bus (you will find it just to the right of the airport exit) that goes to Piazzale Montelungo, very close to the Florence train station. More info .

Another option is to fly to Bologna. From the airport there are buses to Florence!

2. What to see in Florence

Florence is a fairly small city, but you have to plan your visit well as there are quite a few things to see and do . In this post we tell you about our 2-day itinerary in Florence . We think it's a great place for a first visit to the city.

If you want to visit the Uffizi , the most famous museum in Florence, it is best to book your tickets online to avoid queues and ensure your entry, especially in high season (it is one of the most visited museums in Italy). Entry costs €20 (high season) or €12 (low season) and you can book tickets here (they charge €4 for the reservation!).

⭐ Here are a few tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery

However, if you are particularly excited to see the original statue of Michelangelo's David (you already know that the one in Piazza della Signoria is a replica), keep in mind that it is located in the Galleria dell'Accademia and that, in this case too, we advise you to buy tickets in advance if you visit Florence in high season. You can book your visit time here (you also won't be exempt from the €4 fee).

⭐ We tell you how to visit the Galleria dell'Accademia

› If you want to visit both the Uffizi and the Accademia Galleries, this is of interest to you:

If you want to see both museums and are interested in a guided tour in Spanish on a walk through the center of Florence, a good idea is to book this tour that includes : an hour and a half visit to the city center and priority access to the Uffizi and Galleria dell'Accademia (always accompanied by a Spanish-speaking guide). Please note that the Uffizi and the Galleria dell'Accademia are closed on Mondays.

Here we leave you the best tours and activities in Spanish in Florence.

Tips for traveling to Florence

3. Excursions and tours from Florence

Do you have enough time to explore the city and its surroundings ? Then you can dedicate a day to one (or more) day trips from Florence ! From Siena to San Gimignano or Cinque Terre: there are many options available to the traveller, but we only recommend them to those who have at least 2 full days to spend in Florence. Otherwise, there is no point in taking time away from Florence.

And of course, take a look at the best free tours of Florence in Spanish , to discover the best of the city, its stories and its curiosities, accompanied by a professional guide.

Remember to bring your Revolut card and/or N26 card so that you are not charged commissions when withdrawing money and paying abroad.

4. Food and restaurants in Florence

Be careful when eating on the street : a few days ago, the news went viral that tourists who eat in 4 spots in the city centre (Via de'Neri, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano and Via della Ninna) will be fined €500. Why? This post tells what was the straw that broke the camel's back (and the patience of Florentines). As you can see, you can eat on the street, the only thing is that you have to avoid those 4 spots.

⭐ Here we tell you a few ideas of places to eat in Florence (well and cheap) .

Try some of the local Tuscan delicacies , and if you dare to try something a little more substantial, you have to try a panino col lampredotto : a sandwich with a rather peculiar filling… cow stomach! We had it at the Mercato Centrale and we loved it (okay, only Rober did).

5. Best time to travel to Florence

What is the best time to visit Florence ? We would avoid travelling in the summer, when the city is packed with tourists. Florence is a tourist destination all year round, but in July and August it can be very overwhelming. It is much better to go in the spring or autumn , when the weather is nice and there are not so many people.

6. Where to stay in Florence

Where to stay in Florence ? We stayed in an apartment in the centre and we loved it: being able to sleep in the centre of Florence is a luxury and if you are lucky you can find some great deals. Here are some good offers . A very convenient area where you can find great deals is Santa Maria Novella, near the train station.

⭐ In this post we talk at length about the best areas to stay in Florence.

7. Best views of Florence

To enjoy the best panoramic view of Florence you have to go up to Piazzale Michelangelo . We recommend you do it this way: take bus number 13 from Piazza del Duomo or 12/13 from Santa Maria Novella and walk back, you will pass through gardens and pretty alleys.

What if it's too crowded with tourists? We'll let you in on a secret: just behind Piazzale Michelangelo is the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte . From up there, the views are almost the same and you won't have to share them with too many tourists.

Tips for traveling to Florence

8. Rent a car in Florence or not?

If you only want to visit Florence, renting a car is not recommended : the city is perfectly explored on foot and if you are feeling lazy you can use the buses, they are comfortable and cheap. If you are doing a route through Tuscany by car, be careful where you park : Florence is full of limited traffic zones (ZTL), so it is best to look for parking in the area that goes from the Station to Scandicci (behind the Coop supermarket there is a free parking lot, in via Galileo Chini).

› Renting a car to visit Tuscany is a good idea!

However, if you have a few days to spare, we highly recommend renting a car and spending (at least) one day exploring Tuscany . A good idea is to take a road trip through the Chianti region (full of hills, vineyards and medieval villages) and, of course, visit San Gimignano (the so-called Medieval Manhattan, thanks to its towers that look like stone skyscrapers). Tip: stay overnight and you won't regret it.

⭐ Check out our post on tips for driving and renting a car in Italy.

More tips for traveling to Florence

In Florence, as in all of Italy, places of worship must be dressed appropriately to enter. If it is summer and hot, it is a good idea to carry a scarf in your bag to cover your shoulders when entering churches .
Don't leave the city without visiting the San Frediano district , just across the Arno River. Lonely Planet has declared it one of the coolest districts in the world, and there must be a reason for that!
A good way to get to know the city and its hidden side better is to read these interesting facts about Florence . You're sure to surprise your fellow travelers with some interesting facts .
Is Florence safe ? Yes, although as in all tourist cities you have to be careful… but with common sense you won't have any problems.
In Italy, state museums are free every first Sunday of the month. Of course, you will have to share the space with even more people. See all the museums that offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month in Florence .

That's all for our tips on traveling to Florence (and not screwing it up). If you know more, we're all ears! Did you like the post? We hope you found it useful and now you have all the information you need to organize an unforgettable trip to Florence.

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