The Ultimate Travel Guide to Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy has a special place in my heart, so much so that I keep going back! After studying abroad there and traveling back multiple times since, I wanted to create a travel guide to Florence sharing all of my favorite spots. In this guide, I’m going to share my honest thoughts on what I really think is worth your time and money, because I know we don’t always have tons of time to spend in each city when we’re on vacation! In this post I’m breaking things down by activity, but if you want a day by day itinerary, check out my 10 Day Guide to Florence & Tuscany.
How to Get to Florence
It depends on where you’re coming from, but if Florence is your first stop in Europe or Italy, I’d recommend flying directly into the Florence airport. It’s not a huge airport, but you’ll find many flights there from major EU cities or any Italian cities. If you are hopping around Italy, you could easily take the train here from Rome, Milan, etc. The Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence is centrally located and easy to find your way around.
Where to Stay in Florence
Do not plan to get a rental car when you’re in Florence. You’ll probably rarely even take a taxi except going to and from the airport. The city of Florence is extremely walkable! However, make sure if your plan is to walk almost everywhere, you book a hotel or Airbnb somewhat close to city center. The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) is a good gauge as “the center”. In my opinion, anything further than a 20 minute walk from here would be a bit far out.
Hotel Helvetia & Bristol
On my recent trip I stayed at the Hotel Helvetia & Bristol and absolutely loved my stay. I would stay here again over and over! The location was perfect – right next to Piazza della Republica (one of my favorites), and about a 5 minute walk from the Duomo. Even with it being centrally located, it wasn’t too loud. The Hotel features a gourmet breakfast each morning and a luxurious spa. I booked through AMEX Travel which included an upgraded room, daily breakfast, $100 credit, and complimentary transfer to the airport.
Hotels on my list
I am heading back to Florence in June and while I loved Helvetia & Bristol, I feel like I should try something new! Here are a few other hotels on my list…
- Hotel La Gemma
- Hotel Brunelleschi
- Grand Hotel Minerva
- Bernini Palace
Airbnbs in Florence
On other trips I’ve stayed in Airbnbs which is also a great option! Florence tends to have pretty affordable flats with great locations. Just message the host to see where the exact location is, or read the reviews to see how guests liked the location for walkability.
Restaurants in Florence
If you’re visiting Florence, you’re most likely an Italian food lover and I promise you will not be disappointed. Florence is in the Tuscan region of Italy, so here they are really known for meats, especially Bistecca alla Fiorentina, red wine (Chianti of course), and pastas.
Here are a few of my favorite spots in this travel guide to Florence:
Il Santo Bevitore. If you’re looking for a lively yet romantic dinner spot, this is it. You’ll definitely need a reservation, and the food has creative Italian classics that you’ll be thinking about forever.
Osteria dell’Enoteca. This restaurant is tucked away on the south bank. The ambiance is more upscale, and they serve fine wines that you can pick out with their sommelier.
Osteria Santo Spirito. This has been a long time favorite of mine! They don’t take reservations, but it’s in the hip and local Piazza Santo Spirito where you could grab a drink while you wait. It’s more of a casual vibe, and the truffle gnocchi is a must try!
Vini e Vecchio Sapori. This is a bit of hidden gem, right by Piazza Signoria. The menu is hand written each night and serves italian comfort food with a twist.
La Giostra. I took my parents here when I was studying abroad. The food and ambiance is amazing, and it’s a bit of a nicer restaurant. Make sure to get reservations.
La Buchetta. This a lively spot with two locations near each other. They do truffle pasta in a cheese wheel and a fantastic mozzarella sampler.
Casual Bites in Florence
Pino’s Sandwhiches. Pino’s is one of the best panini shops in Florence! There will probably be a line out the door, like most popular sandwich shops in Florence these days, but it should move quickly. You can create your own or order one off the menu. You can take your sandwich to-go and eat it on a bench near Santa Croce!
I Fratellini. I love All’Antico Vinaio but it’s become a bit overwhelming due to popularity. If you want something similar and delicious, try I Fratellini! Hopefully the lines will be less long, but the sandwiches should be just as good.
Mercato Centrale. This is a must-do in general to explore the cheeses, olive oils, spices, etc. There are food vendors up top where you can sit and grab a bite!
Sbrino Gelato. No travel guide to Florence is complete without a gelato stop! There are a few locations around Florence, and it’s some of the best gelato. I always get pistacchio and cafe. Trust me…
Vivoli. Treat yourself to an affogato early in the morning at Vivoli. If you get there when they first open, the line shouldn’t be too bad. They also have delicious pastries!
Touristy lunch spots. You’ll see tons of restaurants lining the piazzas in Florence. These are going to be over priced BUT I actually do enjoy eating at them some of the time! Particularly the ones in Piazza della Republica or Piazza Signoria. It’s fun to sit outside and people watch, and the food and service will be decent. On the south side of the Arno, I love sitting in Piazza Santo Spirito (the vibe is young and casual, plus super affordable because it’s a lot of locals), and near Palazzo Pitti for a bite!
Gusta Pizza. This is the best pizza in Florence, but again, the lines!! If you can, grab one to take away and eat it on the steps of Basilica di Santo Spirito.
Cocktails, Nightlife, and Rooftops
La Terrazza Rinascente. Not many people know that inside the Rinascente (department store) there is a rooftop! It has one of the best views of the Duomo.
La Terrazza Continentale Hotel. This is a great rooftop spot with views of Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio. The drinks and service are great.
Loggia Rooftop. This is located in Piazza Santo Spirito, and it’s a quieter, lesser known rooftop. You’ll have beautiful views of the city, and it’s a bit more relaxed.
Babae Wine Window. The wine windows have become a bit of a tourist trap and I think they are worth skipping. If you really want to check one out, I liked Babae because there was a couple of places to sit. If you’re only in Florence a few days, don’t waste your time waiting in line and grab a glass at one of the rooftops instead!
The Lodge. This is a late-night spot that’s essentially like an outdoor club. The drinks and music are awesome.
Locale. This is a great spot for cocktails late-night!
La Menagerie. This spot has it all. You can find good iced coffee here in the morning or grab a bite for lunch, but it’s most popular late night. The tapas are delicious and late-night it turns into a jazz-club vibe downstairs.
Activities to Do in Florence
There are endless things to do and places to explore! Here are a few of my favorite activities for this Travel Guide to Florence.
Museums
Florence is known for it’s art and history, a lot of which you’ll experience just walking around the city. I do however, highly recommend for sure visiting La Galleria dell’Academia to see the David, and the Uffizi Museum. If you have time, you should also check out the Gucci Museo and Palazzo Pitti & Bobali Gardens.
Cathedrals in Florence
I spent a lot of time in different cathedrals during my study abroad to observe the renaissance artwork and architecture. Most churches are free to go in to, and it can be a really peaceful and beautiful experience!
Here are some of the churches I recommend visiting in this Travel Guide to Florence:
Santa Maria del Fiore – You can also climb to the top of the Duomo or the bell tower! Just book tickets online.
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Basilica di San Lorenzo
- Santa Trinita
- Santa Maria Novella
- Piazza della Signoria
Piazzale Michelangelo
Visiting Piazzale Michelangelo is a MUST on your visit and for any travel guide to Florence. It’s a bit of treck uphill so wear comfortable shoes. I always like to stop at a grocery store before and grab a bottle of wine and some snacks. You can sit on the steps and it is best view of Florence, especially at sunset. If the stairs are too crowded, not many people know about the rose garden that sits just below. You can sit here and still have a beautiful view of the city and Duomo!
Take a Day Trip to Chianti Classico
If you have time on your trip to Florence, I recommend venturing out to wine country for a day! The rolling tuscan hills and vineyards are stunning, and it can be a nice break from the city. Not to mention the wines will all be amazing! I’ve done a tour with Tuscany Tour Time, but there are many day trips you can book that will visit around 3 producers with lunch included. If you are interested in spending a longer amount of time in Tuscany, check out this 10 Day Itinerary to Florence & Tuscany.
Shopping
This city is one of my favorite European cities to shop in! It’s not a huge city so it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and all of the shops are relatively close together. Visiting the original Gucci location is fun (don’t forget about your tax refund you can receive) and I always stop in a few jewelry shops on Ponte Vecchio.
Also check out:
- San Lorenzo Leather Market; don’t be afraid to barter and bring back gifts for everyone at home!
- Officina Profumo Farmaceutica; pick up a signature scent
- Via dei Tornabuoni; the best street for designer shopping
- Mercato Centrale; a great place to pick up olive oil and spices
Other Activities
I could keep going, but I’m going to bullet point the rest of my recommendations. Like I said, there are endless things to do, but it’s all about your preference and what you have time for.
- Florentine Cooking Class
- Rent a Vespa
- Food Tour
- Book a photoshoot
- Spot all 3 David’s of Florence
What to Pack for Florence
In the summer the city can get hot, so think linen outfits and light clothes. You will be walking everywhere, so definitely where flats. A lot of Florence it pretty casual, but you could bring a few nicer outfits for restaurants. Don’t forget your converter and leave some room in your suitcase!
For more travel guides in Italy, check out 48 Hours in Lake Como or this Guide to Taormina, Sicily.
