Florence Travel Guide: 50 best things to do in Florence

This Florence Travel Guide has the ultimate list of 50 of the best things to do in Florence. Included in this guide, you will find recommendations for the best restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, hotels, and activities in Florence.

Best time to visit Florence?

Spring (April to June): This is a fantastic time to visit Florence. The weather is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Spring brings the city to life with blooming flowers, especially in the beautiful Boboli Gardens which see an explosion of purple wisteria in April.

Autumn/Fall (September to November): Similar to spring, autumn offers mild temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The summer crowds have started to thin out, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

Peak Summer (July & August): Summer in Florence sees temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F). During the summer months, Florence can be crowded, and attractions usually have longer queues. I would avoid travelling during summer if you can!

Winter (December to March): While it’s colder during these months, it is also generally quieter in terms of tourist numbers. There are plenty of things to do in Florence during winter with lots of museums, art galleries, and chapels to explore while escaping the outside cold.

How Many Days Do You Need in Florence?

Short Stay (1 to 3 Days): If you’re on a tight schedule, you can still get a taste of Florence’s highlights in a day or two.

Focus on the major attractions like the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Florence Cathedral (Duomo), and the Accademia Gallery (home to Michelangelo’s Statue of David).

Extended Stay (4 Days or more): With a more extended stay, you can explore Florence at a leisurely pace, and also explore the region of Tuscany.

I highly recommend doing this half-day tour: Chianti Wine & Food Tasting in Tuscany. You will also have enough time for day trips to nearby places such as Pisa, Rome, or Cinque Terre.

How to get around Florence?

WALKING

Florence is mostly flat and extremely walkable, with most attractions within a 5 to 15 minute walk. And since Florence is an open-air museum, you’ll walk past countless Renaissance statues and architectural masterpieces as you explore the city on foot.

BUSES

Getting around Florence is also easy by bus. The best way to buy a ticket is through the Tabnet app or physically at kiosks.

A single ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 90 minutes. You must validate your ticket before getting on the bus.

Note: buses here have 3 doors – the middle is for getting on and the front & back are for getting off.

TAXIS

While Uber is available in Florence, I wouldn’t recommend using it as not many cars are available and the prices are expensive.

It’s easier to use the local Italian apps App Taxi or It Taxi to order a taxi or ask your hotel reception to call you one.

A short ride will cost €7-€9 and there is a flat rate of €22 for a transfer from Florence Airport to the city centre (€25 in the evenings).

BIKES

Bike rental in Florence is easy with the app RideMovi where you can locate the nearest bicycle to you. Prices are available within the app and you can buy a 24-hour pass.

TRAINS

You cannot get around Florence via train. However, from the main train station, Santa Maria Novella, you can easily get a train and do a day trip to nearby places like Rome, Pisa, Verona, and Cinque Terre.

Or continue your travels in Italy and visit Venice, Milan, and Lake Como.