Florence’s historical center is compact—only one-third the size of Rome’s. Yet from this tiny stage came Michelangelo, da Vinci, and the powerful Medici family, launching the Renaissance and changing history forever. Because of this, it’s all too easy to show up unprepared and waste valuable time. This guide will show you precisely how to plan a trip to Florence that balances bucket-list sights with the unforgettable rhythm of Tuscan life.
We are The Tour Guy, and we’ve helped thousands of travelers conquer Florence’s Renaissance core. This is your ultimate cheat sheet for planning a Florence trip.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Florence Trip
We’ve mapped out the best steps to plan a trip to Florence. Follow along exactly, or jump to the step you’d like some local advice on.
The first step to planning a Florence trip is deciding when to go. It may sound simple, summer right? But in reality, each season offers something different.
Spring (Late March–May): This is the perfect balance of good weather and manageable crowds. Think mild temperatures, blooming flowers in the Boboli Gardens, and the occasional rain shower. This is an ideal time for a first visit, but beware of Easter week, which is busy, expensive, and sells out fast.
Summer (June–September): Expect high heat, maximum crowds, and peak prices. Summers in Italy are electric—full of energy, lively bars, and bustling piazzas. If you love a city that never sleeps, this is your season, but pre-booking skip-the-line tickets is mandatory to avoid the brutal sun and long queues.
Fall (October–November): Food and wine lovers, this is your moment. You’ll enjoy warm days, cool nights, and the famous grape harvest season (Vendemmia), which makes Florence its most delicious. With great weather and slightly fewer crowds than spring, this is our favorite time for a Florence trip.
Winter (December–February): The quietest time to visit, offering lower prices and festive Christmas lights. You’ll have the major galleries almost to yourself. Just be sure to avoid February. It’s the least charming winter month, often being cold, wet, and overcast.
Step 2: Decide How Long to Stay in Florence
Florence’s main sites—the Uffizi, Accademia, and Duomo—could technically be crammed into one rushed day. But we don’t recommend attempting that. How long you stay in Florence depends on what you want to do.
1 Full Day (Bare Minimum): This is for travelers on a strict schedule. You’ll have time to pick one museum (UffiziorAccademia), see the Duomo exterior, and walk across Ponte Vecchio. It will be a very tiring day.
2 Full Days (Ideal for Art Lovers): This gives you time to see The Big Three (David, Uffizi, Duomo). You can also spend an evening on a food tour or walk around the local Oltrarno area.
Florence’s must-sees are close together, making it easy to check off the main attractions. But easy access means massive crowds, so pre-booking tours and tickets is not optional—it’s the only way to tick off the best things to do in Florence.
The Big Three Art Spots in Florence
Michelangelo’s David in Accademia: You must see the real David. The statue is kept in the Accademia Gallery and tickets sell out fast. Booking a tour is your best bet here.
The Uffizi Gallery: This is where the world’s best Renaissance art is kept, like Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. This museum is huge. A guided tour helps you find the most important art without wandering for hours.
The Duomo Complex: The outside of the church and Brunelleschi’s dome are the biggest achievements of the Renaissance. Don’t miss the Dome Climb because the view from the top is one of the best in Italy.
Fun Things to Do in Florence
The Tuscany Day Trip: You came to Italy, so you should see the countryside. Book a tour that includes lunch at a winery and a visit to the beautiful old towns in the Chianti area.
Piazzale Michelangelo: This is the most famous spot for sunset views of the whole city. It is always busy, but the amazing view of the river and Duomo is always worth the walk up.
Rub the Bronze Boar’s Nose: Find the bronze fountain (Fontana del Porcellino) near the Mercato Nuovo. Rub its nose for good luck, and drop a coin in the grate to make sure you return to Florence someday.
Mercato Centrale: Walk through the first floor for local food, and visit the second-floor food court for a quick, delicious lunch.
Florence is great for walking, but you need to start in the right place. Do not pick a hotel just because it is cheap. You will regret missing the city’s nighttime beauty, and you will waste the money you saved on expensive taxis. Where you stay is all about the feeling you want when planning a trip to Florence.
Oltrarno / Santo Spirito: This is south of the Arno River and is the real, local part of the city. It is perfect for families or groups because it has great, less-touristy restaurants and a true local feel.
Santa Croce: This area is lively and central. It is a bit quieter than the Duomo area, but you can still walk to all the big sights.
Piazza di Santa Trinita: This is the best area for a romantic trip. It has nice hotels, pretty streets, and expensive shops.
Food should be a huge part of your Florence trip, and as long as you avoid eating next to major landmarks, you’ll have no problem finding great food. You should also check out this guide to the best places to eat in Florence.
You’ll also want to take a screenshot or add notes to your phone of must-try dishes, like these:
Bistecca alla Fiorentina: This is a thick-cut, dry-aged Chianina steak cooked very rare (seared exterior, cool center). Meant to be shared, this beef is the result of years of knowledge, care, and patience. Don’t ask for it well-done.
Pappardelle al Ragù di Cinghiale: Thick ribbons of pasta served with a rich, slow-cooked wild boar sauce. This is Florence’s earthy, hearty answer to Bolognese.
Lampredotto: A famous Florentine street food. It is the fourth stomach of a cow, slow-cooked and served on a roll. Look for the food carts near the Mercato Centrale for this strong, tasty local treat.
The last step in planning a Florence trip is the practical stuff. Grab a glass of Chianti and knock these out in 15 minutes:
Train Tickets: Most visitors arrive via the centrally located Santa Maria Novella Station. Book high-speed trains (Italo or Trenitalia) in advance for the best prices.
Airport Transfers: Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR) is small. You can take a taxi or shuttle into the center. Think of a private transfer as a gift to your tired future self.
eSIM: Buy an eSIM (like yesim) in advance so you land with data already working. You’ll avoid expensive roaming charges and always have your maps.
Museum Closures: Triple-check the hours for any museum you plan to visit, particularly for the standard Monday closures.
Language Prep: Learn a few basics (ciao, grazie, il conto, per favore) and download Google Translate for offline use.
Final Florence Travel Tips
Want to truly enjoy Florence and avoid looking like a lost tourist? Keep these under-the-radar Florence travel tips in your back pocket.
Tipping & Coperto: Tipping is not mandatory, but a small gesture (€2–5 per person) for excellent service is appreciated. The coperto (cover charge) is not a tip and does not go to the waiter; it is a standard fee for bread and linens.
Don’t Expect a Late Night: Florence is not Rome or Naples. Kitchens get going around 8 PM, but the city wraps up earlier than other major Italian cities.
WhatsApp is Your Friend: Use WhatsApp for texting and making restaurant reservations. Many small spots don’t accept walk-ins for dinner.
Where to Go Before or After Visiting Florence
You didn’t fly all the way to Italy for one city. Here are three stops worth adding to your itinerary:
Venice: It’s touristy. It’s overpriced. It’s also unlike anywhere else you’ve ever been. About 2 hours by train from Florence.
Rome: Don’t skip the capital. You need to see the ruins, eat the cacio e pepe, and stand in the shadow of the greats. It’s a fast 90-minute train ride from Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station.
Amalfi Coast: Cliffside villages, limoncello, and sweeping views, about 1.5 hours south of Naples. Rent a boat or sit back with a spritz.
Milan: The undisputed capital of Italian fashion and design. It’s a quick 2-hour high-speed train journey north of Florence.
Final Thoughts
Florence comes alive when you slow down, explore the Oltrarno, and leave room for a delicious steak. Use this guide to lay the perfect foundation, and then let the city’s Renaissance energy surprise you.
