Florence or Venice First? Here’s What I’d Actually Do (And Why It Matters)

Not sure whether to start your Italy itinerary in Florence or Venice? This post breaks it down with real travel insight — covering airports, logistics, vibe, and what makes each city tick. Practical and personal.

If you’re planning a trip to Italy and trying to figure out whether to visit Florence or Venice first, you’re not alone.

It’s one of those small but surprisingly stressful decisions that can end up shaping the flow of your whole itinerary—especially if you’re also trying to squeeze in Rome, the Amalfi Coast, or even a few smaller towns.

Over the years, I’ve helped so many friends, readers, and family members plan Italy trips—often with this exact question at the centre of the conversation.

And to be honest, there’s no perfect answer, because it really does depend on your flights, your route, and the kind of travel experience you’re after.

But if you asked me outright—”Which should I visit first, Florence or Venice?”—my personal take is Venice, every time.

Here’s why.

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Why I Think Venice Makes the Better Starting Point On An Italy Itinerary

1 The Geography Just Flows Better

I’m always thinking about the arc of a trip, especially when you’re combining a few cities.

And for me, it just feels nicer to start in the north and work your way down. Northern Italy—cities like Venice, Milan, Florence—tends to feel a little more refined, a bit more organised and metropolitan. It’s where you do your big sightseeing, your museum days, your walk-til-you-drop moments.

So it makes sense to start there—when your energy’s highest—and then slowly peel away the layers as you move further south, towards slower-paced places like Rome, Naples, or the Amalfi Coast.

Venice has that organised chaos that’s still deeply romantic and exciting—but it doesn’t demand that same softness that southern Italy does. In other words: it’s a good place to hit the ground running.

2 Venice Airport vs. Florence Airport (No Contest)

Let’s consider logistics.

Venice’s Marco Polo airport is a proper international hub. It handles flights from all over Europe and beyond. I’ve flown in there several times without hassle. You’ve got decent transport options, more flexibility, and it’s just generally a smooth experience.

Florence, on the other hand?

I adore the city—but the airport is tiny. I can’t even fly there directly from Dublin, which is wild considering how well-connected we are through Ryanair and the rest. I always end up flying into Pisa instead and taking the train in. It’s doable (and not even that stressful), but it’s not what I’d recommend for a first-timer to Italy.

If you can get to Florence airport easily—great, go for it. There’s a tram that gets you into the city centre quickly. And Pisa, for what it’s worth, is a fine fallback too. But Venice is still the more straightforward arrival city, particularly if you’re arriving long-haul, or just want to keep it simple.

3 Venice Is a Magical First Impression

Venice is like no place else. Arriving by boat into the city centre, hearing the lapping of water down little alleyways, catching glimpses of domes and bell towers between the buildings—it feels surreal. The first time I saw it, I genuinely felt like I’d stepped into a fairytale.

There’s a reason it feels dreamlike. The whole city is a miracle of engineering and imagination—a microcosm built on water, suspended in time, operating entirely without cars. It’s otherworldly, and I can’t think of a more cinematic way to start an Italian holiday.

Florence, in contrast, is a little more grounded. It’s stunning—my soul city, actually—but it feels more urban and intellectual.

It doesn’t quite have the pinch-me drama of arriving in Venice. And if you’re chasing that wide-eyed “I’ve made it to Italy” moment, I really think Venice is the city to give it to you.

4 It’s Also Just Logistically Easier to Start There

You’re not going to struggle to make any of this work. The trains between Venice and Florence are fast and frequent, and you can be in Florence in under two hours. If you’re also visiting Rome, that flow—Venice → Florence → Rome—is honestly ideal.

I often tell friends: if you’re flying into Rome but also planning to visit Venice, just get that longer travel day done at the start.

Land in Rome, hop on the train straight to Venice, and start your trip there. Then you can work your way back down in bite-sized journeys—Florence, then Rome, then maybe onwards to Naples or Amalfi.

It also gives you more flexibility. If you decide to cut something short or linger longer somewhere, you’ve got options. Italy’s train network in the north is excellent, and you won’t get tripped up by trying to fit Venice in at the wrong point.

5 A Note on Day Trips and Train Tips

If you’re travelling by train—and I really hope you are—then I’d recommend booking in advance if you can.

I’ve had great experiences with Trenitalia, especially their business class option (very comfy). Italo is fine too, though personally I’ve found the business class carriage isn’t quite as good. But either will get you there quickly and comfortably.

From Venice, you’ve got a few lovely side-trip options like Verona, Bassano del Grappa, or even the Prosecco Hills.

From Florence, you’re spoiled for choice: Siena, Lucca, Chianti, San Gimignano, and the Val d’Orcia are all within easy reach. So don’t overthink which city gives you better day trips—they both deliver, in different ways.

Florence vs. Venice Vibes: What Each City Feels Like

This is the part most people skip over, but it really matters. Because while Florence and Venice are both incredibly beautiful, the energy you get from each is wildly different—and that can totally shape how your trip begins.

Venice feels like a dream

Venice is surreal, magical, almost theatrical.

You feel like you’ve stepped sideways into a world that shouldn’t exist—but somehow does. The quietness of the canals, the way the light hits the water at golden hour, the sense of floating from one moment to the next—it’s genuinely spellbinding.

On my most recent trip, I wandered the backstreets solo, and it was one of the most peaceful experiences I’ve had as a female traveller.

The soft sound of water lapping against stone, the faint clink of glasses from canal-side bars, the rhythm of locals going about their day—it’s slow and grounding, in a way that still manages to be visually spectacular.

Florence is more grounded and electric

Florence hits differently. It’s Renaissance glory and creative energy in one neat, elegant package.

You can feel the history in the streets—it’s in the ochre tones of the buildings, in the shadows of Brunelleschi’s dome, in the very pace of people walking to work in their beautifully cut coats.

It’s buzzy, metropolitan, a little intellectual. And people in Florence are just… cool. There’s this sense of effortlessness—fashionable in that Tuscan way: tailored coats, leather boots, scarves tied just so. Whereas Venice has a kind of country chic, Florence is more refined city flair.

Emotionally speaking, Florence is the one that calls out to me the most—I call it my soul city—but I still think Venice is a better place to begin. There’s just something about starting your trip with that hit of magic.

What If You’re Only Visiting One?

If you’re not visiting both cities on this trip, and trying to decide which to prioritise first—here’s what I’d say.

Pick Venice if you want:

• Atmosphere, water, whimsy, drama
• Unique experiences that feel once-in-a-lifetime
• A city that photographs like a dream and hits hard emotionally

Pick Florence if you want:

• Art, culture, and a sense of Italian refinement
• Amazing food and wine (especially if you’re into Tuscan cuisine)
• A vibrant small-city feel with easy day trips to the countryside

Honestly, they’re both worth visiting. But if you’re short on time and want something unforgettable in just a couple of days, Venice gives you more of a complete “wow” moment right out of the gate. Florence unfolds more slowly—it’s somewhere you could spend a week and still not feel done.

How I’d Do It (If It Were Me Planning Again)

If I were starting from scratch, booking a new trip tomorrow, this is how I’d plan it:

• Fly into Venice. Spend at least two nights—three if you can.
  • Take a water taxi into the city if budget allows. It’s an unforgettable way to arrive.
  • Stay somewhere central, but away from San Marco. Let yourself wander.
• Hop on a train to Florence. Book in advance if possible. Go for Trenitalia business class if you can nab a good deal.
• Spend 3–4 days in Florence, including day trips if that’s your vibe. Just don’t try to do too much—Florence rewards slowing down.
• Then onwards to Rome, or the Amalfi Coast, or even southern Tuscany, depending on your energy and timeline.

Every time I’ve done it this way—Venice first, then Florence—it’s felt just right. The flow works. The train journeys are manageable. The cultural gear shift is exciting but not jarring. And by the time I’m on that Florence-to-Rome train, I always feel like I’ve had both magic and meaning.

Continue Planning Your Trip to Italy

If you’re piecing together your perfect itinerary, these guides will help you go deeper:

• Florence Travel Guides – where to stay, what to eat, what to skip
• Venice Travel Guides – quiet neighbourhoods, perfect itineraries, how to arrive by water
• Florence vs Venice: Which Should You Visit First? – coming soon
• Italy Travel Tips – practical advice, train travel, etiquette and more