Florence: the ultimate traveller's guide on what to do and where to eat
The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Florence: Uffizi, Duomo, authentic trattorias under €30, gelato, and the Oltrarno. Complete with our custom Google Maps links and verified prices.
Florence: the ultimate traveller's guide on what to do and where to eat
Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, all packed into a wonderfully walkable city. Here, you'll brush past a Botticelli on your way to grab a coffee, tuck into the best bistecca of your life for 20€, and find that every single alleyway leads to a breathtaking palazzo or church. Here is our field guide, packed with the spots that are truly worth the trip.
Florence in a nutshell
Florence is the city where the Renaissance was born. Back in the 15th century, the Medici family—ultra-wealthy bankers turned city rulers—funded some of the greatest artists in history: Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Just about everything you see in Florence is the product of this creative explosion that changed Western art forever.
In practical terms, this means that every single church, palazzo, and square has a story to tell. Michelangelo was only 26 when he sculpted his David. Brunelleschi invented a revolutionary construction technique to build the Duomo's dome without any internal scaffolding—an engineering feat that experts are still studying today. And Botticelli painted The Birth of Venus for a Medici villa.
Florence is quite small (400,000 residents) and very popular (16 million visitors a year). But if you wander away from the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, you'll find a highly authentic Florence, especially in the Oltrarno and San Frediano neighborhoods, where local artisans still work with leather, wood, and gold just like they did in the 15th century.
What to do: The absolute must-sees
Galerie des Offices (Galleria degli Uffizi)
THE ultimate Renaissance art collection. Botticelli (The Birth of Venus, Primavera), Da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio... A museum that is easily worth a trip to Florence all by itself. Be sure to book your ticket in advance.
25€ full price + 4€ booking fee
Free under 18
After 4pm: 16€
The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is free to enter. Climbing Brunelleschi's dome (all 463 steps of it) rewards you with a breathtaking view over Florence and the Tuscan hills. It's a true masterpiece of 15th-century engineering.
The Cathedral: free
Dome: full pass ~30€ (dome + bell tower + baptistery + museum)
Galleria dell'Accademia (David de Michel-Ange)
The original David is here, 5 meters of white marble, and a physical presence that no photo can ever truly capture. The room is designed just for him, with light falling beautifully from the dome. Absolutely magical.
17€ + 4€ réservation
Free for under 18s
The most famous medieval bridge in the world, lined with traditional goldsmith shops. It's free to cross and absolutely gorgeous at sunset. Pro tip: get a better view of it from the neighboring Ponte Santa Trinita.
It's free to wander across!
THE ultimate panoramic view of Florence. Head up here at sunset with a bottle of wine and watch the city light up. It’s easily one of the most beautiful vistas in all of Italy.
Gratuit
The final resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini. You'll find incredible frescoes by Giotto and stunning Gothic architecture. It is truly the "Pantheon of Italian glories."
8€ plein tarif
Our insider tip The Uffizi and the Accademia are absolutely PACKED during peak season. Be sure to book at least 2 weeks in advance and aim for an early morning slot (8:15 AM) or late afternoon. While state museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, the queues are absolutely monstrous. |
What to do? The secrets of Florence
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
A pharmacy and perfumery run by Dominican monks since 1612. The rooms themselves are true works of art, complete with frescoes, vaulted ceilings, and gold gilding. It's the perfect spot to pick up handcrafted soaps, colognes, and creams.
Free entry
Products: 10-50€
This is Florence's artisan district. You'll find leather workshops, cabinet makers, art restorers... It feels like the "real" Florence, well away from the tourist crowds. The Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens are also located here.
Walking around is free
Palazzo Pitti: 19€
Boboli: 10€
This is where the locals shop (unlike the touristy San Lorenzo). You'll find fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, and tucked away at the back: tiny food stalls serving up authentic ribollita and lampredotto for just 5-8€.
Lunch: 5-10€
A tiered garden nestled just below Piazzale Michelangelo. Complete with roses, views over Florence, and contemporary sculptures. It's usually empty and completely free.
Free
Cappella Brancacci (Masaccio's frescoes)
This is where perspective in painting was practically invented (1425). Masaccio was only 25 when he painted this, changing the course of Western art forever. Hidden away in a quiet church in the Oltrarno neighborhood.
10€
Booking recommended
Basilica di San Miniato al Monte
Steeped in history, this 11th-century Romanesque basilica sits just above Piazzale Michelangelo, offering a far better view with none of the crowds. The interior is gorgeous with its detailed marble floors. If you visit in the evening, you can hear the Olivetan monks sing Gregorian vespers (at 5:30 PM).
Free and truly magical.
Corridoio Vasariano (exterior view)
A secret passage linking Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, running right over the Ponte Vecchio. Built in 1565, it allowed the Medici family to move about town without ever stepped foot on the streets. While you can't go inside right now (it's under renovation), tracing its path from the outside gives you a real feel for the Medicis' legendary paranoia.
Free (visible from the outside)
Where to eat in Florence? Our top recommendations
A San Frediano (Oltrarno) institution since 1956. A Tuscan family serving up real-deal home cooking. Pasta for €5, mains for €6-8. Hands down, the best value for money in Florence.
Full meal: 10-15€
Near the station, with a bustling, local canteen vibe. No frills, just great flavor. Set menu (first course + second course + side + water) for around €15. House wine served by the pitcher.
Full meal: 12-18€
Santa Croce. Simple, informal, and excellent. Perfect for ribollita (classic Tuscan bread and vegetable soup), pappa al pomodoro, and bistecca. Dishes range from 8-14€.
Full meal: 15-22€
A popular spot for tourists, BUT the quality is absolutely there. Go for the shared bistecca alla fiorentina, crostini, and plenty of house wine. Loud, lively, and festive atmosphere.
Full meal: 25-30€
Street food & quick bites
The best paninis in Florence (and maybe all of Italy). Schiacciata packed with Tuscan cold cuts, cheeses, truffle cream... There is always a line, but it's absolutely worth the wait. €5-8 per sandwich.
Sandwich: 5-8€
Lampredotto (trippa), Street Food Stands
THE ultimate Florentine street food. Boiled beef tripe in a sandwich, topped with salsa verde. €4-5 at the stand. The best spots: I’ Trippaio di San Frediano and Il Lampredottaio.
Sandwich: 4-5€
An upscale food court inside the historic San Lorenzo covered market. You'll find stands offering fresh pasta, pizza, lampredotto, and artisanal gelato. Dishes usually run €8-14. It is a bit touristy, but delicious.
Plat: 8-14€
Gelato
Florence is THE home of artisanal gelato. Here are our favorite spots:
There's always a queue, but the prices are unbeatable (€1.50-3) and the quality is excellent. Located right by the Carraia Bridge, on the Oltrarno side.
Cône : 1,50-3€
Classic flavors executed to perfection. The "crema dei Neri" is incredibly addictive. Located in the Santa Croce neighborhood.
Cône : 2,50-4€
Florence neighborhoods to explore
Centro Storico
The historic heart featuring the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria (home to Palazzo Vecchio and the free open-air sculptures of Loggia dei Lanzi), and the Uffizi. It gets packed and is very touristy, but it's an absolute must-see. Head out early in the morning to beat the crowds.
Santa Croce
Much more of a local feel than the centro. Piazza Santa Croce is the perfect spot to grab an outdoor spritz. You'll find great trattorias here (like Pallottino and Cibrèo), along with the basilica and its famous tombs. In the evening, it has a relaxed, student-friendly vibe.
Oltrarno / San Frediano
Our personal favorite neighborhood. Located on the other side of the Arno, it's filled with local artisans, authentic eateries, the Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens. Trattoria Sabatino is located right here. San Frediano is the most lively, down-to-earth pocket of the Oltrarno area.
San Niccolò
Feels just like a small village tucked inside the city, right at the foot of Piazzale Michelangelo. Cozy wine bars, great little restaurants, and a wonderful local vibe in the evening. It's the perfect starting point to walk up to the Piazzale (a lovely 15-minute stroll through the Giardino delle Rose).
Useful traveler info
Getting around: Everything is walkable (a very compact center, you can cross it in 30 minutes)
Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
Best times to visit: March to May and September to November (summer means heavy crowds and heat)
Drinking water: Look out for the "fontanelle" (public drinking fountains) all over town—fill your bottle for free
Coperto: Restaurants will add a "coperto" (table charge) of €2-3 per person; this is standard practice in Italy
Realistic Daily Budget • Lodging: €25-40 (hostel) / €80-140 (hotel) |
