By Jessica Russo ✔ Reviewed by travel expert Ben Braude
Planning your first trip to Florence? We're so jealous! You should be over-the-moon excited. From starting off your mornings with a cappuccino and a pastry to sipping local Tuscan wine while you watch the sunset over the Arno, this medieval city will sweep you off your feet.
After many trips to Florence, we've put together this guide of our favorite places, restaurants, and tips to help you make your vacation absolutely perfect.
What to bring:
Comfortable Shoes
Much of Florence's beauty comes from its hilly, stone-paved winding streets. While this gives the city old-world charm, it also makes walking a bit of a challenge, at times. Go ahead and bring cute heels or sandals, but also be sure to pack shoes that you won't mind walking in all day. You'll be happy you put comfort first.
Adapter
Bring round two- and three-prong adapters (types C and L). With this, you'll be able to charge small things like your phone, tablet, and camera. If you're looking to use high-voltage items like hairdryers or flat-irons, you'll need to also purchase an electrical converter, since Italian sockets give off a higher voltage of electricity than American ones. In order to avoid extra costs, heavier luggage, and possible fuse-blowing (yes, really), just use the hairdryer in your hotel room.
Charged power bank
Your first time in Florence will require a lot of phone use, from using maps to navigate, taking photos, using payment apps, and more. If you're spending the day walking around the city, chances are you won't always have access to a wall outlet. Bring a fully charged power bank to keep your phone alive throughout the day while you're sightseeing, especially if you've ventured far from your hotel!
Speaking of wall outlets, you should also invest in an outlet plug adapter. Since the wall outlets in Europe often differ from those in America, it's super helpful to have one of these on hand. This handy, compact device changes the physical shape of your plug to fit different sockets. With one of these, you can easily charge your phone and other electronics at your hotel without stress.
A zippered purse or backpack
Comfortable, convenient, and - oh yeah - safe! Italy is notorious for pickpocketers, and while it is rare, it does happen. Zip up your stuff and you'll instantly become less of a target. A little care can go a long way.
Pack Light
Of course you want to bring all of your most fashionable pieces - you're going to Italy! But, while Italy's people may be glamorous, most of its elevators are not (if they even exist, at all). Florence is so magical because it takes you back in time, meaning, many of its elevators are not modern and are not equipped to carry huge pieces of luggage. Some hotels may not even have an elevator! Also, have you ever tried rolling luggage up and down hilly cobblestone streets? Do yourself a favor and pack light enough that you can lift your bag yourself, just in case.
Where to eat
Oh, the food! In Italy, eating is half the fun. The culinary scene in Florence is so incredible, and focuses on traditional Tuscan meals like cucina povera which are simple and hearty dishes made from local, seasonal ingredients.
From savoring a perfectly prepared Bistecca alla Fiorentina to indulging in world-class gelato, every corner of Florence provides a new culinary discovery. To make every meal an unforgettable experience, here are some trusted places that you can count on for some of the very best food in Florence. Keep these names and addresses handy!
Our favorite casual restaurants:
- Trattoria Sabatino: Via Pisana, 2/rosso
- Osteria dei Centopoveri: Via del Porcellana, 41R
- Osteria Tripperia Piazza Il Magazzino: Piazza della Passera
- Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori: Via dei Magazzini, 3r
- Trattoria Mario: Via Rosina, 2r
- Osteria dei Pazzi: Via dei Lavatoi, 1/red
- Ristorante Del Fagioli: Corso dei Tintori, 47-r
- Buca dell'Orafo: Via dei Girolami, 28
- Trattoria 4 Leoni: Via dei Vellutini, 1r
- Trattoria Lo Stracotto: *Via dei Gigli, 12 r *
Our favorite quick bites:
- La Divina Pizza: Borgo Allegri, 50/red
- Gusta Pizza Via Maggio, 46/red
- Semel (best panini ever!): Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 44
Our favorite wine bars
- Le volpi e l'uva: Piazza dei Rossi, 1R
- Enoteca Alessi: Via delle Oche, 27/red
Our favorite gelaterias:
- Perche No!: Via dei Tavolini, 19R
- La Carraia: Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25/r
- Vivoli: Via dell'Isola delle Stinche, 7/r
Our favorite bakeries:
- Pasticceria Nencioni: Via Pietrapiana, 24
- Pasticceria Gualtieri: *Via Senese, 18 r *
Bonus: Mercato Centrale - Via dell'Ariento, 2nd floor
Check out this bustling food hall filled with tons of different things to try! One thing's for sure: go hungry.
Top Must-See Sites
The worst thing you can do on a trip is rush so much that you don't have time to take in the true sights, sounds, and feel of a city. So, plan out your days logically and make sure to take everything in. Aim to visit 2-3 sites per day, and try to plan it so that they're in close proximity to one another! Spend the rest of your time leisurely meandering through the hidden medieval alleyways and relaxing with an aperitivo at a cute cafe.
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral/Duomo
This jaw-dropping complex is as rich in history as it is in beauty! Look up in awe from the surrounding plaza, or step inside and climb to the top for once-in-a-lifetime views. A couple helpful hints: purchase tickets in advance and wear sneakers!
Ponte Vecchio
Stroll through this bustling pedestrian walkway filled with fine jewelry stores, leather shops, musical performers, and picturesque views! At the north end of the bridge, you'll find the famous Uffizi Gallery, and at the south end, you'll be near the Boboli Gardens. While the Ponte Vecchio is a must-visit, definitely check out the surrounding bridges, which offer spectacular views of the Ponte Vecchio from afar!
Uffizi Gallery
See famous works by Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Filippo Lippi, Michelangelo, Giotto, Raphael, and other legendary artists at this world-renowned museum. Like the Duomo, be sure to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines (and to make sure reservations are still available).
Piazzale Michelangelo
Are you ready for postcard-worthy pictures and views that will take your breath away? While the hilly walk up is a bit of a hike, it is more than worth it. And, if you're that afraid of the walk, you can always take a car or bus 12 or 13 up! Enjoy a glass of wine or a cappuccino at the hill-top cafe as you gaze out at the dreamlike view of the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and a sea of terracotta roofs.
Galleria dell'Accademia
Florence is filled with gorgeous Renaissance works, however, Michelangelo's Statue of David may very well be the most famous. Go ahead and take a selfie with him! Then, take a gander at all the other mesmerizing pieces of art in the gallery.
Medici Chapels
These structures are some of the most eye-catching in all of Florence. At the Basilica of San Lorenzo, you'll find the Medici Chapels, which date back to the 16th- and 17th-centuries! Step inside to see some of the most ornate frescoes, statues, and stonework you'll ever see.
Piazza della Signoria
Step back in time! Look up at the grand, castle-like Renaissance structure that is Palazzo Vecchio. Feast your eyes on the statues at the outdoor Loggia dei Lanzi gallery while you slurp up some creamy gelato!
Palazzo Pitti
This expansive Renaissance palace is situated on the south bank of the Arno River and was once the primary residence of the Medici Grand Dukes. Aside from its stunning architecture and pure grandeur, it's home to multiple museums – but the Palatine Gallery is the one that should be at the top of your list!
The Palatine Gallery is home to stunning masterpieces by artists like Titian, Caravaggio, and Rubens, and the paintings are hung floor to ceiling in beautiful, frescoed rooms. Other museums at the palace include the Museum of Costume and Fashion, the Royal Apartments, Porcelain Museum, Museum of Carriages, and the Treasury of the Grand Dukes. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in Italian art and royal history for the day.
Bardini Gardens
Step inside this beautiful oasis, composed of 3 separate areas, each created in a different time period. In the center of the gardens is a 17th century staircase. To take in stunning panoramic views of the city, climb this monumental staircase, admiring the statues and fountains that adorn it on the way up.
Go inside Villa Bardini, which sits at the top of the gardens and offers more stunning views. Inside the villa, you can visit the Pietro Annigoni Museum, home to a vast collection of the artist who is best known for his realist portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. Don't forget to visit the Kaffeehaus to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee!
Getting around
Florence is easily walkable, but after climbing up to the top of the Duomo or Piazzale Michelangelo, you might not want to walk all the way back to your hotel. Taxis are always an option, but so are public buses! Keep your eyes out for orange, purple, or blue ATAF and LI-NEA buses that zip around the city. Purchase your ticket from authorized sales points (bars, newsstands, etc.) before boarding. You can choose to buy an ordinary, single-use ticket or a multiple ride ticket! See Florence bus route timetables.
Day trips by Train
Purchase a ticket, then hop on the train at Santa Maria Novella station!
All trains are run by Trenitalia, and you might even take a high-speed Frecciarossa train to some destinations! Feel free to purchase tickets online (sometimes with certain class options) or from machines/tellers at the station. For train times and more, click here.
- Rome - 1h 20m
- Siena - 2h
- Lucca- 1h 30m
- Pisa - 1h 5m
- La Spezia/Cinque Terre - 1h 30m
Useful Italian phrases
Sure, you might think: "I don't need to learn Italian, I have my cell phone," however, it's not a bad idea to memorize these key phrases, or jot them down and keep 'em in your wallet.
- Hello/Goodbye (casual) - Ciao!
- Thank you - Grazie
- Please - Per favore
- Yes/No - Si/No
- Excuse me - Mi Scusi
- I don't understand. - Non capisco.
- Do you speak English? - Parla inglese?
- Where is the bathroom? - Dove la toilette?
- How much does that cost? - Quanto costa?
- Is the tip included? - Il servizio e incluso?
- I would like... - Vorrei...
- The check, please. - Il contro, per favore.
You can also check out this guide to learning some essential Italian phrases.
