Florence is an incredibly romantic and beautiful city. Full of art, fantastic food, culture, and architecture, this unforgettable Italian destination is a must-stop for any vacation itinerary through Italy. Whether you're going on your honeymoon, girls’ trip, solo trip, or adventurous vacation, everyone is sure to love this gem of an Italian getaway. We've visited several times, and each trip, we fall more in love with this beautiful, relaxing city. Here's our guide to the best things to do, see, and experience in Florence.

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How to Get To Florence

Coming from Rome first? Use the Trainline app to book our tickets from Roma Termini, Milano Centrale, or Venezia Santa Lucia to Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Remember: in Italy, Firenze = Florence! Speed train options include Italo and Le Frecce. Each has two options: Frecciarossa or Frecciargento. We’ve taken all of them, and they’re all equally good rides!

We can't quote ticket prices because they vary by season and time, but the train ride from Rome to Florence takes about an hour and a half, Venice to Florence takes about 2 hours 15 minutes, and the train from Milan to Florence takes just under two hours! Depending on the train and route, it may stop a few times along the way, but don't hop off until you reach Firenze Santa Maria Novella station.

How to Get Around Florence

Get your walking shoes on! The best way to navigate the city is by foot. In many historic areas, much of the city is blocked off to cars anyway. Florence does have public transportation that is widely used, but if you're staying in and around the historical center, you probably won’t need to ride the bus at all.

If you fly into Florence, the easiest way to get from the airport to the center is the T2 tram line. The best way to get to Florence from other cities is by train or car. If you’d like to rent a car, remember you will only use it for a short time in the city. The central train station in Florence is about a 5-15 minute rideshare (Uber or FreeNow work just fine!) from almost everywhere in the city.

The Best Things to Do in Florence

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence offers plenty of art, museums, and grandeur to discover. Here are a few of the can't-miss attractions and best things to do in the area.

Visit one (or a few) of Florence's iconic wine windows! Babae (Via Santo Spirito, 21R, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy) and Osteria Belle Donne (Via delle Belle Donne, 16R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy) are our favorite stops!
Visit the Uffizi Gallery. This world-renowned museum houses a vast collection of Renaissance art, including works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Climb the Duomo. This iconic cathedral is one of Florence's most popular tourist attractions. The climb to the top is well worth the effort for the stunning views of the city.
Watch the sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo. Nothing can fully prepare you for how breathtaking the sunset views over the city are from this perspective.
Shop at the Mercato Centrale. This bustling market is perfect for finding fresh produce, meats, cheeses, local specialties, souvenirs, and gifts.
Wander through the Pitti Palace. This former Medici royal palace is now a museum that houses a collection of art, furniture, and other artifacts from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. As you're there, stroll through the gorgeous Boboli Gardens to relax and get a great view of the city.
Admire the Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery. Other impressive works of art are on display, but Michelangelo's David is literally and figuratively the standout!
Spend time wandering through the Oltrarno (the other side of the Arno River). This more local side of Florence has so much character and all the Italian charm you could hope to find. Wandering doesn’t sound like a “thing to do,” but it’s one of the best things to do in Florence.

Navigating the Italian Language

Italian is the national language. As a Latin language, some words can be interpreted without prior knowledge of the language. We found that most younger people and those who worked in hospitality spoke very good English. The only times communication broke down were with older Italian citizens or people farther outside the main tourist areas.

However, you can quickly remedy any language barrier with Google Translate. While you definitely don’t need to know Italian to enjoy Florence, here are a few words that are helpful to know while exploring this city:

KEY ITALIAN PHRASES TO KNOW:

Buongiorno - pronounced bwahn-joor-no - means Good day (said before sundown)
Buonasera - pronounced bweh-nah-seh-rah - means Good evening (said after sundown)
Arrivederci - pronounced ah-ree-vah-dehr-chee - means Goodbye
Ciao - pronounced chow - means Casual hello/goodbye (Say only after someone says it to you first; otherwise, use the more formal greetings and goodbyes of buongiorno, buonasera, and arrivederci)
Grazie - pronounced graht-seh - means thank you

What and Where to Eat and Drink in Florence

One of the best things about Florence is the food! From grab-and-go panini to high-end dining, Florence has it all. We have been to Florence many times and try something new and something tried-and-true each time we are there. We love to test whether a spot was a one-off or consistently that good, and we repeat restaurants we’ve visited before as much as we like trying new places. After months of traveling across Italy, the cuisine and culture of this fabulous Tuscan city always have us coming back for more.

There is too much to cover in one little segment, so we wrote a whole separate blog sharing our favorite dishes, drinks, and places to try in Florence! Read more here!

How Safe is Florence?

We always feel safe when visiting Florence. While you should always use wisdom and caution in life and when traveling, we felt at ease in the city. You’ll find more panhandlers in the central plazas near the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo. Generally, people aren’t pushy.

However, if you’re visiting the Galleria dell'Accademia, you’re sure to find “artists” selling their “paintings” (bad copies). They will try to persuade you to look at and buy them, but if you even make eye contact or step near their paintings, they will try to put the art in your hand or bag and then claim they owe you for it. Walk around them and do not acknowledge them. Please don’t give them a chance to swindle you into buying their knock-off products.

As always, in crowded areas where tourists are known to meander, watch your pockets and don’t keep valuables anywhere people can easily take them. We know about the art mischief from experience, but otherwise we have never had any negative experiences with safety in Florence.

Money Tips for Your Italy Trip

Italy uses the euro. If you're wondering if you should bring cash or a card, the answer is yes - both! Most nicer restaurants and larger stores accept cards. Still, you'll almost always need cash for local shops and smaller purchases under $30. I recommend using a currency converter app to check the exchange rate when you go. This tool was also helpful when visiting smaller markets and asking the vendor, "How much?" (quanto? in Italian) They can type the number into the app like a calculator, and you can easily see the conversion rate there.

The best practice (and cheapest) way to have cash on hand in a new country is to go to your bank 5-10 business days before your trip and ask for the local currency. Depending on your bank, this transaction will be either free or cost just a few dollars.

If you're like us and realize the airplane tires hit foreign soil that we forgot to do this, then find an ATM to take out euros in cash! Yes, you can do this even with an international debit card and even some credit cards. You will typically pay a small transaction fee in addition to the exchange rate. It's still cheaper to take out cash this way than to go to a money exchange or Western Union.

Day Trips from Florence

Use Florence as the perfect launching pad for nearby day trips. Foodies should take the train north to visit Parma and Bologna. These cities produce the world-famous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (also produced in Reggio Emilia), Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham), and iconic Bolognese sauce (a meaty, hearty sauce). Wine lovers should plan a day trip for tours and tastings at Tuscan wineries near Siena. We had an unbelievably fantastic tour and tasting at the San Giorgia A Lapi Winery just outside Siena.

Florence, Italy Travel Guide