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Florence travel guide
Brunelleschi’s dome, Michelangelo’s David and the Renaissance on foot.
Photo: Raffaella Troiano / Pexels · Pexels License
Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The centre is compact and mostly flat: the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio are all within a 15-minute walk of each other. The big museums need booked time slots, so plan ahead. Three days is enough for the highlights and a view from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Plan your Florence trip
Best things to do in Florence →
13 honest picks with costs, timing and skip-it-ifs.
Where to stay in Florence →
4 neighbourhoods compared, with hotel picks per budget.
Florence in 3 days →
A day-by-day route grouped by area.
Day trips from Florence →
3 easy escapes by train or bus.
Florence City Quest →
A printable self-guided treasure hunt.
Florence quick facts
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October. July and August are hot and crowded; winter is quieter, with shorter opening hours at some sights.
- Money
- Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
- Airports
- Florence Airport Amerigo Vespucci (FLR) in Peretola, a few kilometres north-west of the centre. Pisa Airport (PSA) is the main alternative.
- Airport to city
- Tram T2 runs from the airport to the centre in about 20 minutes (Alamanni, by Santa Maria Novella station). A ticket costs €2.00 and is valid for 90 minutes on trams and city buses (2026, check gestramvia.it).
- Getting around
- Walk. The centre is compact and partly closed to traffic. Trams and buses help for the airport, the station and Piazzale Michelangelo; a 90-minute ticket costs €2.00 (2026, check).
- Budget
- Mid-range to expensive in high season. Major museums cost roughly €10–€30 each, so pick a few. Compare live hotel prices.
- Language
- Italian. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Plugs
- Type C, F and L, 230 V.
Only have one day? Do these three
Top things to do in Florence
- 1. Duomo & Brunelleschi’s Dome · Cathedral free
- 2. Uffizi Gallery · €25 bought on the day, €29 bought in advance
- 3. Galleria dell’Accademia (David) · €20, plus €4 for an advance booking
- 4. Piazza della Signoria & Palazzo Vecchio · Square and Loggia free
- 5. Ponte Vecchio · Free
- 6. Piazzale Michelangelo · Free
Watch: Florence in one video
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Our walk-through of Florence is in production. See all videos.
Turn sightseeing into a game
Florence City Quest
Follow 12 quest stops from Santa Maria Novella past the Baptistery, the Duomo and Orsanmichele to Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio, with riddles, photo missions, a kids’ mode and a printable map.
Get the questFlorence FAQ
How many days do you need in Florence?
Two days covers the Duomo, the Uffizi, David and the Ponte Vecchio. Three days adds the Pitti Palace, the Oltrarno and Piazzale Michelangelo at a relaxed pace, or a day trip to Pisa or Siena.
Do I need to book the Uffizi and the Accademia in advance?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended. In 2026 the Uffizi costs €25 bought on the day or €29 in advance, and the Accademia €20 plus a €4 booking fee. Use the official sites.
Is the Florence Cathedral free?
Yes, the cathedral itself is free. The dome, the bell tower, the Baptistery and the museum need a pass: the Brunelleschi Pass (with the dome) costs €30 in 2026.
How do I get from Florence airport to the city?
Take tram T2 to Alamanni by Santa Maria Novella station, which takes about 20 minutes. A 90-minute ticket costs €2.00 (2026, check gestramvia.it).
Can I see David for free?
The original is only in the Accademia, where under-18s go free. Bronze and marble copies stand for free in Piazza della Signoria and at Piazzale Michelangelo.
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