32 Florence Travel Tips to Help You Plan Smarter & Skip Lines

Florence can be glorious – but only if you know how to do it right.

On my recent trip to Florence, I remember trying to navigate the Ponte Vecchio, midweek in May, and felt close to tears. There were so many people! The Florence I remembered from the month I had spent there on my last trip seemed like it had been a mirage. 

But then I remembered what I knew – to avoid popular places like the Ponte Vecchio during the midday rush. To instead visit them early or late in the day, and head somewhere quiet during this time of mayhem. 

I squared my shoulders, clutched my bag close in front of me, and battled my way across the bridge to find solace in a shaded spot on Santo Spirito, Aperol Spritz in hand. A violin player busked under the trees, while local schoolboys kicked a football between makeshift goalposts. 

My stress dissipated completely, and I remembered why I love Florence. 

This post is packed with valuable Florence travel tips and everything I’ve learned from spending extended time in the city, living just beyond the centre, and returning across seasons and years. 

It’s for anyone who wants to experience Florence with intention – not exhaustion.

I’ll show you why you shouldn’t queue for the Cathedral, how to make the most of your Duomo ticket, and why Giotto’s Bell Tower often beats the Dome for views. 

I’ll walk you through food traps to avoid, the neighbourhoods worth staying in, and why Mercato Centrale isn’t the foodie paradise it’s made out to be. 

There are tips here you won’t find on the standard lists – from lesser-known museums I rate highly, to why mornings in Sant’Ambrogio changed how I experienced the city.

This is the advice I give my own friends: practical, rooted in real experience, and focused on helping you see Florence without losing your mind (or your money). 

In this guide, you’ll find my essential travel tips for Florence, avoid-the-trap advice, and personal picks to help you experience this culturally rich city with nuance, not noise.

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Florence Travel Tips for Visiting Top Sights

1. What’s included in the Florence Duomo ticket tiers?

The Duomo complex isn’t just one church – it’s a whole ensemble of six monuments, each with something genuinely worthwhile. 

The best value ticket is the Brunelleschi Pass, and if you’re visiting for the first time, it’s the one I’d recommend without hesitation. It includes entry to Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Crypt of Santa Reparata, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the Cathedral itself.

You can visit the Cathedral for free, but with this pass you get access via a separate door (no standing in line snaking around the piazza). Ticket in hand, I remember feeling so smug walking past several hundred people in the free queue for the Duomo to the side door, where I had all of zero people ahead of me. 

The Baptistery is small but richly atmospheric, with those famous golden mosaics on the ceiling. The Bell Tower is a dream if you want skyline views with the Dome in full focus. 

The Crypt gives you a sense of how far the site’s history stretches back – you’re walking over Roman ruins – and the Museum pulls it all together, with original sculptures and the massive doors of the Baptistery displayed at eye level.

The pass is valid for 72 hours and only the Dome requires a timed entry. The others you can visit in any order. 

I explain how to use it smoothly in this full guide to visiting the Duomo complex, but the key takeaway is: it’s the best value, and each element actually adds something to your understanding of the Duomo and the city around it.

2. How to book and plan your Brunelleschi Dome climb

The Dome climb is one of the most iconic things you can do in Florence – and it books out quickly. 

When you buy the Brunelleschi Pass, you’ll need to pick a specific time slot for the climb. That’s the only part of the ticket that’s fixed. Everything else can be visited over three days in any order, so treat the Dome slot as your anchor point.

What makes this climb so special is that you’re not just going on top of the Dome – you’re climbing inside it. 

You walk between its inner and outer shells, right alongside Vasari’s huge fresco of the Last Judgement, and you can actually see how Brunelleschi engineered the structure. The perspective shift is incredible – you’re inside the work as much as observing it. 

Then, at the very top, you step out onto the lantern platform and get that all-encompassing view over Florence.

A quick note: the stretch where you ascend through the Dome’s curved body can feel a little claustrophobic. It’s steep, narrow, and sloped with the curve of the dome – you’re essentially climbing up between the inner and outer layers of the dome. 

3. Why Giotto’s Bell Tower is the best place to view the Dome

This is one of my top travel tips for Florence.

If you can’t get a Dome ticket, don’t panic – Giotto’s Bell Tower is a brilliant alternative. And even if you do climb the Dome, I’d still recommend climbing the Campanile as well. 

It’s slightly lower in height, but you get something the Dome can’t give you: a full, unobstructed view of the Dome itself.

I absolutely love this climb. The stairs feel manageable, and because there’s no artwork along the way, you can focus on the changing perspective through the different levels. 

The higher you go, the better the views – and the moment you get that perfect frame of Brunelleschi’s Dome rising just across from you is magic. If you’re into photography, this is probably the better climb, as the dome itself is a wonderful subject. 

It’s often less crowded, and you don’t need a timed slot with the Brunelleschi Pass – which makes it much easier to fit into your day (you do, however, need to prebook a slot if you’ve bought the Giotto Pass). 

Take your time, and if you’ve already done the Dome, consider this the perfect counterpart to round off your Duomo experience.

4. Is it worth going inside Florence Cathedral?

To a degree, yes – especially if you already have one of the Duomo tickets. But I wouldn’t queue more than 15 or 20 minutes to get inside for free. 

That long queue you see curling around the square every day? Most people join it because everyone else is. It’s very “lemming energy”.

The Cathedral interior is vast and bare, with much less ornamentation than you might expect. The highlight is looking up at Vasari’s fresco from below, especially after seeing it up close during the Dome climb.

That said, the real showstopper is the exterior. It’s one of the most breathtaking facades in Italy, and I’ve often said you could spend your time better by just circling the outside and admiring it from all angles. 

Or, honestly, skip the queue and go visit the Medici Chapels instead – they’re just a few minutes away, and they deliver far more drama and wow-factor.

5. When is the best time to visit the Accademia to see David?

The earlier the better. The museum opens at 8:15am, and I always try to book one of the first entry slots when I visit or recommend it to others. 

There’s something powerful about walking into that central gallery when it’s still quiet, and seeing David from a distance with no one crowding in front of him.

That first glimpse does stop you in your tracks. But I always tell people not to rush – the lead-up is important. Michelangelo’s unfinished “Prisoners” flank the corridor on either side, and they’re essential to the experience. 

You see the human form quite literally emerging from the marble, and by the time you reach David, you’ve felt the evolution of his work.

David was originally meant for a rooftop buttress of the Duomo – hence his oversized hands and head, designed to be seen from below.

I remember getting goosebumps the first time I saw David. Oftentimes, it can be disappointing seeing in real life something you’ve seen endless photos of, but that is not the case with David. 

How such perfection and emotion were crafted out of an immovable piece of rock is absolutely staggering to see in real life. I found it to be an extremely emotive experience. 

There’s also a surprisingly beautiful music room, and a few other corners worth lingering in – especially if you’re not sprinting off to the Uffizi straight after. I have a full walkthrough on how to visit the Accademia here, including thoughts on skip-the-line tickets and tours, if you want to make the most of your visit.

6. How to avoid the crowds at the Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi is one of the world’s great galleries – but it’s also one of the busiest. If you’re visiting during peak season, I’d only ever go at 8:15am (opening time) or after 4pm when the main crush has eased off. The middle of the day can feel overwhelming, especially in summer.

Before you go, take ten minutes to look at the floor plan and do a bit of research into what you’d actually like to see. 

This is something I really stress in my itineraries – it’s not about seeing everything, it’s about choosing well and having a rough idea of the main things you’d like to see during your visit, rather than roaming around and getting overwhelmed. 

If this is your first time engaging with Renaissance art, it’s worth knowing what you’re looking at and why it matters.

A small-group tour like this one can help massively if you want that context without the overwhelm. Even a two-hour highlights tour will make the experience more coherent, especially if you’re not already familiar with the big names and movements. 

And if your energy dips halfway through, the rooftop cafe is a quiet spot to regroup – the view over Piazza della Signoria is a nice surprise.

7. Why you should book the Secret Passages tour at Palazzo Vecchio

I’m a Medici nerd, so this one was always going to appeal – but even if you’re not, it’s such an atmospheric experience. 

The Secret Passages tour takes you behind the scenes at Palazzo Vecchio, up narrow staircases and into hidden rooms you’d never find on your own. The most memorable for me was the studiolo of Francesco I – a windowless cabinet of curiosities filled with symbolism and strangeness.

What really hit me on this tour was just how in control the Medici were. 

This wasn’t just where they held power – it’s where they planned it, protected it, lived with it. It made the whole “Florence as a political theatre” thing come alive. Even someone on our tour who’d never heard of the Medici before was blown away by the end.

It’s not a massive time investment either – you can book it as a short add-on to your main Palazzo Vecchio visit. If you like the idea of seeing what lies behind the frescoes, it’s worth every cent.

8. Should you visit the Pitti Palace or just the Boboli Gardens?

It depends how much energy you have. The Boboli Gardens are a lovely place to go to escape – you’ll find long shaded paths, panoramic views over the rooftops, and enough space to feel like you’ve left the city. 

It’s not manicured in the French sense, but it does have a certain sense of grandeur.

The Pitti Palace, on the other hand, is more of a commitment. The rooms are huge and heavy with paintings, especially in the Palatine Gallery. I remember flagging halfway through one visit because it’s a lot, especially after seeing other museums in the same day. 

But it does give you a sense of the Medici in their later, more ostentatious phase – no longer power brokers, but aristocratic royalty playing the part.

If you only have time for one, I’d usually say do the gardens. But if you’re curious about Medici domestic life (in the royal sense) – or it’s a grey day and you want to be indoors – the palace is worth a look.

9. Why the Bargello Museum is worth your time

The Bargello is one of my favourite under-the-radar museums in Florence. 

It doesn’t get nearly the same crowds as the Uffizi or Accademia, and yet it holds some of the most important works of Renaissance sculpture – including Donatello’s David, Michelangelo’s Bacchus, and pieces by Giambologna and Verrocchio.

Donatello’s earlier ‘David’ here was the first free-standing nude male sculpture since antiquity and was controversial in its time. It’s a fantastic work, and if you’ve seen Michelangelo’s David you’ll really notice the difference between them. 

What I love about the Bargello is how quietly powerful it is. The building itself used to be a prison, and there’s still a solidity to it – heavy stone walls, vaulted rooms, and a courtyard that always feels hushed. 

There’s something about seeing sculpture in that kind of space that really works. You can slow down, circle a piece a few times, and take it in without jostling with tour groups.

If you’ve spent the morning looking at paintings and feel a bit glazed over, this is the perfect reset. And if you’re interested in the early Renaissance and the shift into humanism and realism, it’s an essential stop.

10. Why the Medici Chapels are a must for Michelangelo lovers

I visited the Medici Chapels one afternoon during my summer in Florence. It was one of those hazy, sweltering days where everything outside felt sticky and loud – and stepping into that cool, dark space felt like entering a secret. 

At first, it’s fairly subdued. You start with the smaller tombs and pass through shadowy hallways. But then you walk into the Cappella dei Principi, and it just lifts off!

It’s completely over the top – polished marble everywhere, saturated with power and ego. The scale alone is astonishing. You can’t help but feel like the Medici were building their own version of a pharaoh’s tomb, their legacy carved into every inch of the space. 

But for me, the real beauty is in the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo himself.

His sculptures – Day, Night, Dawn, and Dusk – are luminous. There’s a stillness to them that makes you slow down without even realising it. 

What makes this room so special is that Michelangelo didn’t just create the statues – he designed the entire space to hold them. The way the light moves across the marble, the balance of architecture and form – it’s all intentional, and it’s quietly breathtaking.

Even after all the headline sights in Florence, this still ranks among my favourite places in the city. It’s rarely crowded, incredibly atmospheric, and ideal if you want to go a little deeper than the usual checklist. 

There’s also one last space worth mentioning – a small, hidden room beneath the New Sacristy, only opened to the public in recent years. It’s believed Michelangelo hid there during political upheaval in the 1530s, and while in hiding, he sketched figures and studies on the walls in charcoal. 

They’re faint but incredibly moving – like the ghost of his imagination still flickering across the stone. It’s worth checking ahead to see if it’s open during your visit

Florence Travel Advice for Food & Etiquette

11. Get to know Tuscan cuisine – and eat accordingly

One of my most essential travel tips for Florence is to understand the food: it’s rooted in seasonality, simplicity, and local pride. You’ll find thick, saltless bread, stewed beans, gamey meats, and hearty pasta dishes on most traditional menus. 

The star, of course, is bistecca alla Fiorentina – a thick-cut, bone-in T-bone steak, usually grilled rare and served to share. It’s not cheap, but when done properly, it’s pretty unforgettable. 

I also adore pici – a hand-rolled, chunky kind of spaghetti that’s especially common around Siena. The pasta is dense, chewy, and a brilliant match for rich ragùs. 

Try it with cinghiale (wild boar) or anatra (duck); both are bold, deeply savoury, and about as Tuscan as it gets. If you’re used to silky tagliatelle or fresh egg pasta from Emilia-Romagna, this is a completely different beast – and all the better for it.

You’ll also find dishes like peposo (a slow-cooked beef stew with black pepper), ribollita (a thick bread and vegetable soup), and crostini di fegatini (chicken liver pâté on toast) cropping up on traditional menus. 

I’ve included a few more recommendations in my Where to Eat in Florence guide if you want specific restaurants.

12. What is a Schiacciata, and where to get a good one in Florence?

Schiacciata (pronounced skiah-CHAH-tah) is not just “a sandwich” – and definitely not a panino. 

It’s a distinctly Tuscan flatbread: golden, olive-oil rich, and crisp-edged yet soft-centred. It’s closer to focaccia than anything else, but with a denser, more rustic texture and a saltier, oilier bite – almost chewy in the best way. 

In Florence, it’s split and filled generously, typically with Tuscan cold cuts, cheeses, and pickled veg. What makes it special is how local and unpretentious it is.

You’ll see places like All’Antico Vinaio go viral on TikTok, but I recommend skipping that kind of crowd-machine. Instead, go to:

• I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti – Still excellent, despite the relatively recent YouTube fame. Yes, the queues are longer now, but after my last visit I’m happy to report that the quality hasn’t dropped. The ingredients are seasonal and generous, and the team really care.
• Pino’s Sandwiches – Popular with American students studying in Florence, yes, but also consistent, local, and centrally located without being too overrun. A solid classic – but do bear in mind that it gets very busy around lunchtime during college months. 
• ‘Ino – Tucked behind the Uffizi, this is the more modern, wine-bar take. Slightly pricier, but the ingredients are top tier – truffle spreads, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie that melts into the bread. Gourmet, but still grounded in the schiacciata tradition. 

13. Where to find the best gelato in Florence and what flavour to try

Florence is widely believed to be the birthplace of gelato – thanks to Bernardo Buontalenti, a 16th-century polymath who developed the first frozen cream dessert at the Medici court. 

The Medici family sponsored early ‘frozen desserts’ competitions during banquets, leading to what we now know as gelato.

That’s why you’ll often see a flavour called “Buontalenti” on menus – it’s usually a luxurious, eggy custard base, sometimes with cream cheese or milk jam mixed in. It sounds weird on paper, but I was sold on it following my first taste. 

When choosing gelato, skip anywhere with brightly coloured mounds piled high like whipped cream. The best places keep their gelato in covered steel tubs (pozzetti) or serve small, freshly churned batches. Look for short, seasonal flavour lists.

Some of my favourite gelaterias in Florence include:

• Sbrino – Creamy, elegant, and unfussy. Their pistachio is top-notch.
• La Gelateria – At the back of Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Understated and consistently excellent.
• Gelateria Artigianale La Sorbettiera – A bit more out of the centre but worth the walk for sorbets and milk-based flavours.

14. Should you visit Florence’s food markets?

Florence has a few well-known food markets, but whether they’re actually worth visiting depends on what you’re after. 

If you’re hoping to do a deep dive into local food culture, I’d skip Mercato Centrale. Upstairs is now a modern food court – fine for a quick bite if you’re with a group who want different things, but it’s more about convenience than anything authentically Tuscan. 

Downstairs is still the original market space, but it’s tourist-heavy and doesn’t have the same feel it once did.

If you want a more local experience, Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is where to go. It’s much more down to earth – people doing their actual morning shop, older Florentines chatting to their butcher or fishmonger, and a far slower rhythm.

 I used to walk across town when I lived here just to be in that part of the city in the morning. There’s something lovely about seeing people buy their veg, stop for a coffee, etc It’s one of the few places in central Florence where the day isn’t shaped by tourism.

If you’re curious to explore Florence through its ingredients or food rituals, head to Sant’Ambrogio. If you just need something quick to eat, Mercato Centrale will do – but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

If you want to explore Florence’s food culture in more detail, then I recommend this great food tour that includes Sant Ambrogio Market. 

15. Should you eat at the most popular Florence Instagram spots?

Florence has had a huge Instagram moment in the past few years – which means that a lot of places now exist more for photo ops than actual flavour. Spots like All’Antico Vinaio, L’Antica or Trattoria ZaZa come up constantly in reels and roundups. 

I’ve eaten at a few over the years, and while they’re not always bad, they’re rarely good enough to justify the queue – or the performative marketing behind them.

Florence is too rich in culinary history and daily life to settle for viral nonsense. Often, these spots rely on hype, speed, and mass turnover – the kind where you order from a touchscreen kiosk, pose with your food, and move on. That’s not what food should be about here.

There’s also the issue of crowd spillover: people queue because others are queuing, not because the food is good. 

You’ll always do better walking a few streets further, finding a trattoria with handwritten specials or a quiet spot packed with locals on their lunch break.  Florence rewards people who look beyond the grid of what’s trending.

In short: if you want to eat well, skip the Insta-bait. You’re not missing out – you’re opting in to something better.

16. What’s the tipping etiquette in Florence?

Tipping in Florence isn’t expected the way it is in the US, as an example. 

But in sit-down restaurants, I’ll usually aim to leave around 10% if the service was good – especially at smaller, family-run places where people are working hard and not relying on fast turnover.

You’ll sometimes see a coperto on the bill – that’s just a cover charge for bread and table setting, not a tip. And in some touristy spots, you might also see servizio (a service charge) already added. If that’s the case, if you agree with the amount included then there’s no need to add anything else.

It’s less common to tip for coffee, quick lunches, or if you’re just grabbing a sandwich or snack on the go – and no one expects it. You can absolutely leave something if you feel inclined, but you won’t get a funny look if you don’t.

If you ever find yourself getting attitude for not tipping, or if it feels like a tip is being strongly expected rather than appreciated, chances are you’re in the wrong kind of place. 

Most of the good local spots won’t put you in that position – and will just quietly appreciate a kind gesture when it’s given. I always think: people in hospitality work incredibly hard, and if someone’s been lovely, it’s nice to acknowledge that.

17. What should you wear when visiting churches in Florence?

One thing that often surprises visitors – and something that’s key in knowing what to know before going to Florence – is that its churches are active religious spaces, not just sightseeing stops, and dress codes still apply.

That means covering shoulders and wearing something knee-length or longer. It doesn’t need to be ultra-conservative, but tank tops, short shorts, and strappy sundresses won’t cut it – especially if you’re planning to visit places like the Duomo, Santa Croce, or Santa Maria Novella.

I always keep a lightweight scarf or a linen shirt in my bag just in case. It’s saved me more than once when I’ve popped into a church unexpectedly. If you’re wearing a sleeveless top or dress, just drape the scarf over your shoulders and you’ll be fine.

Footwear-wise, anything goes inside churches – but Florentine cobbles are rough on your feet. On my last week-long trip, I lived in my thick-soled New Balance trainers and a comfy pair of chunky-soled sandals that still looked put together. 

The trick is to rotate shoes in the evening – even changing into a soft ballet pump can ease pressure points after a day on your feet. Just don’t wear flip-flops – they’re not city-appropriate, and they’ll leave your feet wrecked.

How to Get the Best Out of Your Trip to Florence

18. Don’t try to “do” Florence in a day

I’ve lost count of how many people have come back from a rushed Florence day trip saying they found it too crowded, too hot, or just too much. And I always want to say: of course you did. 

Florence needs breathing space. It’s a city of small details, backstreets, layers – and if you try to do it all in a few hours, it will feel like a stressful blur.

I saw this firsthand at a family wedding recently. Guests took the train in for the day and came back flustered and unimpressed – crammed trains, no time to see anything properly, someone even got fined for not validating their ticket. 

It just confirmed what I’ve always said: Florence isn’t a city to tick off. It’s a city to soak up. The main sites that daytrippers want to see are naturally the ones that are the busiest, so if you join in too, then of course your day is going to be crowd-filled and hellish. 

If it’s your first time, give yourself at least two or three full days. 

That gives you enough time to see the major sights, yes, but also to go for a slow coffee in Sant’Ambrogio, to sit in the shade of a garden, or to wander across the Arno and actually take in the place. If you treat it like a checklist city, you’ll miss its entire charm.

19. Choose a tour that matches your interests

There are so many tours on offer in Florence that it’s easy to default to whatever covers “the highlights.” 

But I’d always encourage you to pick something that aligns with your actual interests – whether that’s Renaissance art, Medici history, food and wine, or sculpture. 

It makes such a difference when you’re being guided by someone who lives and breathes the subject, rather than giving a one-size-fits-all script.

Florence has incredible options for early access museum tours, food experiences, walking tours focused on the Medici or Dante – even art history deep-dives that explain why the works you’re seeing were revolutionary at the time, or private tours of Florence’s artisan workshops. 

If you’re not familiar with Renaissance art or architecture, a good guide will connect the dots and make it all click.

Tours can also help you navigate busy seasons more easily – skipping queues, accessing places before or after opening hours, or simply giving you a calmer, more structured way to experience the city. 

It’s not essential, but for a lot of people, it’s the difference between seeing Florence and really understanding it. It’s one city where I really think a tour can make a huge difference.

20. Mornings are magical – and the best time to explore

If there’s one thing I always recommend to people visiting Florence, it’s get out early. 

Before 9am, the city feels completely different, and a few hours before this is even better. The air is cooler, the streets are quieter, and there’s a kind of softness to the light that makes everything feel more cinematic.

Some of my favourite memories are from early walks along the Arno, where each morning, I would watch rowers glide across the water or the sun hitting the rooftops as it rose higher in the sky as the hours progressed. 

There’s a peace to it – even around places like the Duomo, which you’ll later find packed to the rafters. You might even find yourself having Piazza della Signoria almost to yourself, which feels impossible once the day gets going.

If you want to visit museums, morning slots are your best bet – especially the Uffizi or Accademia. 

I usually try to book the very first entry where possible. You’ll feel sharper, move more easily through the spaces, and get more out of the experience. Then you can spend the afternoon wandering, eating, and resting.

21. Which lesser-known museums and churches are worth visiting?

If you’ve already ticked off the Uffizi and Accademia, don’t assume you’re done with Florence’s cultural highlights. There’s plenty of richness beyond the headline acts.

The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is often overlooked, but it’s one of my favourite museums in Florence. 

It’s where the original sculptures from the Duomo complex now live – including Ghiberti’s original Gates of Paradise and an enormous reconstruction of the original façade. It’s surprisingly quiet, beautifully curated, and gives you the chance to study the art up close without the crowds.

The Bargello is another underrated gem, especially for lovers of sculpture. Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini – all represented here, but without the queues of the Accademia.

Two smaller spots I always recommend are Orsanmichele (a former grain market turned church filled with extraordinary sculptures and a dreamy upstairs hall with Duomo views) and Palazzo Davanzati, a beautifully preserved medieval townhouse that offers a glimpse into domestic life centuries ago.

I also loved seeing the Adoration of the Magi (an incredible fresco that’s basically a ‘Who’s Who’ of the Medici and their allies at the time), which is at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi. I found the rest of the palace a bit underwhelming, and expensive for the entry fee, however. 

For churches, I’d suggest Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella – both are rich with art and history.  

Santa Croce has the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo (the tombs face each other, marking two giants of art and science in the same sacred space), while Santa Maria Novella has beautiful frescoes and feels very serene despite being near the station. 

Masaccio’s ‘Holy Trinity’ fresco here is a breakthrough in linear perspective and one of the earliest uses in Western art.

The Medici Chapels, especially the Sagrestia Nuova designed by Michelangelo, are another striking detour for anyone intrigued by Florence’s most powerful dynasty.

If you’ve already ticked off the Uffizi, Accademia, and everything above, consider a visit to the Museo Galileo for a different kind of Renaissance brilliance, the peaceful Museo di San Marco with its luminous Fra Angelico frescoes, or the Laurentian Library – Michelangelo’s striking, often-overlooked architectural gem tucked beside San Lorenzo.

22. Should you shop for leather or jewellery in Florence?

One of my Florence travel advice rules: avoid San Lorenzo unless you’re ready to vet for real leather craftsmanship.

It’s tempting to romanticise the idea of buying a leather bag in Florence – and the city does have an artisan tradition worth supporting – but I’d caution you to be careful, especially around the San Lorenzo market.

Many of the leather items there are imported from abroad (often from China or North Africa), despite sellers calling them “real Italian leather.” Legally, an item only needs a tiny percentage of leather to be labelled as such. 

If a bag is under €100 and smells heavily of chemicals, it’s not artisan quality – it’s mass-produced. And if the seller can magically reduce the price to €20 or €30 then I’d give that vendor a wide berth. 

If you’re serious about buying leather, go to an actual workshop or boutique where you can see how it’s made and speak to the craftsperson. Some are based in the Oltrarno – look for small studios tucked into side streets, not stalls with identical stock.

As for gold: skip the Ponte Vecchio. 

A former head of the Florence Chamber of Commerce that I randomly struck up a chat with while having a glass of wine at Procacci once told me that the jewellers there were subject to an internal clampdown because the prices had become so inflated. Many target tourists and offer generic, overpriced stock.

Instead, look to the areas around Via Maggio, Borgo degli Albizi, or Sant’Ambrogio for more reputable, fairly priced goldsmiths – many of whom have been operating for generations. Florence has a strong tradition of craftsmanship; it just doesn’t always shout about it.

23. Is it worth staying outside Florence’s “District 1”?

Absolutely – especially if you’re staying longer than a couple of nights. Florence’s historic centre (“District 1” on Google Maps) is beautiful but intensely busy, especially from mid-morning to late afternoon. Stepping a little outside it can offer a much more relaxed experience of local life.

I’m personally drawn to Oltrarno, on the other side of the river. It’s still central, but it feels different: fewer day-trippers, more Florentines. You’ll find family-run trattorias, antique shops, and quiet mornings where you can just sip a coffee and watch life unfold. 

One of my favourite Florence memories is from Piazza Santo Spirito – sitting on the church steps one evening, watching boys play football and locals chat across tables.

I also have a soft spot for Sant’Ambrogio, especially in the mornings. I’d walk down early when I was staying nearby – before the stalls were fully set up – and it always felt like a different city. 

Bakers setting up, the odd nonna buying vegetables, baristas chatting with regulars. It’s still very much a working neighbourhood.

You’re only ever a 10–20 minute walk from the centre in either district, but the pace shifts in a lovely way – and you’ll likely get better accommodation value too.

You can read my Florence neighbourhood guide if you’d like a breakdown of Florence’s main areas to stay in. I’ve also handpicked some great accommodation in each.  

24. How far in advance should you book Florence accommodation?

Florence is a small city – and its best places to stay book out quickly. The busiest travel period now stretches from April right through to October, and if you’re visiting in those months, I’d suggest one of two approaches.

If you want the best value and widest choice, book early – ideally six months or more in advance. Many hotels run early sales and promotions, and I’ve often found some real gems at excellent prices this way. 

It’s not that cheap places don’t exist closer to your dates – it’s that they’ve already been booked by someone more organised. What you’ll see later on at the same price point is often much more average.

That said, if you’re comfortable with a bit of last-minute decision-making, there’s often a second sweet spot in the final few weeks before your stay. Some properties drop their rates to fill leftover rooms – especially in less busy weeks.

I go into more detail (and share an actual case study I did) in my Best Time to Visit Florence guide, but in short: Florence runs on dynamic pricing. To get the best deal, you want to book when everyone else isn’t looking.

25. Is Florence a good base for day trips in Tuscany?

Yes – it’s probably one of the best. Florence is brilliantly connected by train and road, and the historic centre is compact enough that you can be at the station or in your hire car within minutes of leaving your hotel.

The train network is especially efficient. You can reach places like Bologna, Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca, and Siena without needing a car, and the journeys are mostly under 90 minutes. 

For countryside trips (like Chianti or the Val d’Orcia), I’d recommend hiring a car for a day or two – driving in Tuscany is straightforward, and it gives you more freedom to explore smaller villages or vineyards.

I’ve written a full guide to the best day trips from Florence, based on experience – but in short, yes, Florence makes an ideal base if you don’t want to keep packing and unpacking. I usually suggest one or two day trips max during a stay, just so you’re not rushing and can still enjoy the rhythm of the city itself.

Practical Florence Travel Tips: Walking, Safety, Transport & More

26. Is Florence walkable?

Florence is incredibly walkable – in fact, it’s often the easiest and most enjoyable way to get around. The historic centre is compact, largely flat, and many of the main attractions are within a 10–15 minute walk of each other. 

You can easily explore a whole day’s worth of museums, piazzas, shops, and restaurants without needing public transport at all.

The only real challenge is the cobblestones, which look lovely but can be hard on the feet by day three. (I go into footwear tips earlier in this post, but in short – don’t skimp on support.) 

Beyond that, the only thing to be aware of is that cars and scooters do use the streets, even inside pedestrian zones – so always check before stepping out, even if it feels like a traffic-free lane.

I’d always recommend staying central or just outside the ring road – that way, you can walk everywhere easily, dip in and out of your hotel, and avoid the stress of navigating buses or taxis.

27. Should you worry about pickpockets in Florence?

Florence is safe, but like any major tourist city, pickpocketing does happen – especially in and around busy areas like the Duomo, the Uffizi, and Santa Maria Novella station. I’ve never had anything stolen, but I’m always conscious of how I carry my things.

I’d recommend a crossbody bag with a zip, worn to the front, especially if you’re carrying a camera or phone. Florence gets crowded fast – and it’s often in those slow-moving, packed queues (outside museums, sandwich shops, or at the station) that you’re most vulnerable. 

I always hold my bag in front of me when I’m in a crush of people – it’s about making yourself harder to target, not becoming theft-proof.

Also be careful with wallets in back pockets, even if they’re zipped, and avoid swinging your phone around aimlessly in busy piazzas. 

Common sense goes a long way, but it’s worth staying alert. Florence isn’t dangerous, just busy. And some of that foot traffic isn’t always innocent.

28. How does public transport work in Florence?

Florence’s public transport system is simple and sufficient for occasional trips beyond the historic centre. 

Buses and trams are operated by Autolinee Toscana, and most visitors won’t need them daily, but they’re handy for getting to places like Piazzale Michelangelo, Campo di Marte, or Firenze Statuto train stations.

You can buy tickets from ticket machines, newsagents, some cafés (look for a ‘biglietti ATAF’ sign), or via the Tabnet or Dropticket apps. 

A single ticket is valid for 90 minutes after validation, and must be stamped when you board – either in the machine on the bus or, if purchased via app, activated before getting on. Tickets aren’t sold onboard, and fines apply if you’re caught without a validated one.

Trams are modern, reliable, and often a better bet than buses if your accommodation lies outside the centre – say, between the airport and Santa Maria Novella station. 

The T1 and T2 tram lines are modern and easy to use – handy if you’re arriving via the airport (T2 connects directly) or staying further afield. 

29. Should you drive in Florence?

Short answer: no, unless you’re picking up or dropping off a rental car. 

Florence’s centre is part of a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) – a restricted zone where only authorised vehicles are allowed. If you’re staying within the ZTL and arriving by car, you’ll need to arrange access in advance through your accommodation, who will register your vehicle’s number plate with the city authorities. 

If you don’t, you risk fines from the many automatic cameras monitoring ZTL entry points.

That said, it’s not impossible to drive in Florence – I’ve done it myself. 

I picked up a rental car from a location near the train station recently and while the narrow streets and scooters everywhere were a bit intense, it was manageable. You can’t go fast anyway, so just take it slow, stay calm, and if you have a good co-navigator, you’ll be fine. 

If the thought of driving through a busy Italian city stresses you out, pick up your rental car at the airport or outside the ZTL instead.

Within the city, though, you really don’t need a car. Walking is the best way to experience Florence, and for everything else, taxis or the tram will more than suffice.

30. Should you buy skip-the-line tickets in advance?

Yes – especially for high-demand sights like the Uffizi, Accademia (David), and Brunelleschi’s Dome climb. 

Florence attractions now operate largely on timed-entry systems, so when I say “skip the line,” I mean you’re pre-booking a timed ticket that lets you bypass the long ticket office queues.

Where possible, I recommend booking directly through the official sites – they’re the best value and you’ll have more control over your booking. But it’s true that official allotments often sell out weeks in advance, especially in peak season.

If that happens, don’t panic. Third-party platforms like GetYourGuide, Viator, or Tiqets usually still have availability – though they’ll charge a bit more to account for their markup. Personally, I think it’s worth the extra few euros to guarantee access and avoid wasting time queuing or missing out entirely.

I’ve done this myself before for the Uffizi, snagging an early morning slot when they were sold out on the official website. While more expensive, I was personally very happy to pay the extra few Euros to skip the crowds that come with a later visit to the gallery. 

So my advice is: book direct when you can, but don’t rule out reputable third-party sites as your plan B. 

31. Which museums are closed on Mondays in Florence?

In Florence, several major museums have Monday closures – but not all of them follow a straightforward “closed every Monday” rule. Here’s how it currently breaks down:

• Uffizi Gallery – Closed every Monday.
• Accademia Gallery – Closed every Monday.
• Palazzo Pitti – Closed every Monday.
• Boboli Gardens – Closed on the first and last Monday of the month only.
• Bargello Museum – Closed on the first, third, and fifth Monday of the month.

Because the Boboli and Bargello follow alternating Monday closures, it’s worth double-checking the specific week of your visit via the official museum sites (linked earlier in this paragraph).

32. What happens on Florence’s free first Sundays (and when to go)

On the first Sunday of every month, many state-run museums in Florence (like the Uffizi and Accademia) offer free entry. It’s part of a nationwide initiative called Domenica al Museo. But there are some important caveats:

• You cannot pre-book tickets in advance for these days – all entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Expect long queues, especially at headline sights like the Uffizi and Accademia.
• Some museums implement entry slots, but they are only distributed on the day and may fill up quickly.
• Get there early if you want to visit the most popular museums.

For a quieter experience, consider visiting a lesser-known museum or site on free Sundays – places like the Medici Chapels, Museo di San Marco, or the Archaeological Museum may be less overwhelmed.

Continue Planning Your Visit to Florence

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably planning your first (or first proper) trip to Florence – and thinking about how to fit it all in.

I’ve written extensively about Florence, and here’s what I’d suggest you read next:

• Best Time to Visit Florence – Crowd levels, local holidays, weather by month, and the insider patterns no one tells you. This post also includes a case study on hotel pricing (spoiler: it fluctuates a lot).
• How Many Days to Spend in Florence – A realistic guide to planning your stay, whether you’ve got one day or five. Includes sample itineraries and what’s actually doable without burning out.
• Where to Stay in Florence – From charming Oltrarno guesthouses to boutique hotels in the thick of it, I’ve curated this to help you find a base that suits your pace – not just the nearest to the Duomo.
• Best Day Trips from Florence – Want to see Siena, Chianti, or Bologna? This guide breaks down which trips are actually worth it, how to get there, and who they’re best for.
  

If you’d like a quick visual overview of all my Florence posts – from food to day trips to hotel picks – head to the Florence travel hub. It’s the easiest way to see everything in one place. Alternatively, if you’d like to walk through your trip planning from ‘before you go’ to ‘on the ground’ – take a look at my first-timer’s guide to visiting Florence, which will help you plan your entire trip.

You might also want to bookmark:

Where (and What!) to Eat in Florence – For gelato that isn’t bright blue, bistecca you’ll remember forever, and the kind of casual meals that make you want to linger.

How to Visit the Florence Duomo Complex (Without Confusion) – If you’re planning to climb the Dome or visit the Baptistery, this will save you so much faff