Florence (Firenze), the capital of Tuscany, is a compact city brimming with stunning art and architecture at every turn. The entire city center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing its rich cultural and historical significance.
This nickname, "The City of Lilies" highlights the city’s emblem, the fleur-de-lis, which has been a symbol of Florence since medieval times. The lily represents purity and is a fitting symbol for a city known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning beauty.
Florence, Italy, has a population of approximately 712,176 people. It is the most populous city in the Tuscany region and continues to attract visitors with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant lifestyle.
Florence is compact and easy to explore on foot, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its rich history, delicious food, beautiful landmarks, and charm.
Florence is overflowing with spectacular art and architecture at every turn. The city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the ideal starting point for your exploration.
Once you visit Florence, it is a destination you will never forget.
Italy’s official language is Italian. While English is widely spoken in larger, tourist-friendly cities, this isn’t always the case in smaller, less-visited areas.
Learning a few basic Italian words and phrases before visiting Italy can significantly enhance your travel experience by allowing you to interact with locals, navigate situations where English might not be readily available, show respect for the culture.
Learning simple phrases like "hello," "please," "thank you," and "goodbye" can go a long way in showing courtesy and initiating basic communication with locals.
I am not saying go out and take in depth classes to learn all the languages you are visiting, but just knowing only a few key phrases like greetings, basic requests, and simple questions can resonate well with the local people.
Here are some useful words and phrases to get you started:
9 Fun Facts About Florence
Based on my experience, I’ve noticed that travel tips and hacks often stem from personal opinions or experiences. While these suggestions can be useful, they are subjective and may vary from person to person. Nevertheless, I hope this information proves helpful to you in some way. Happy Travels! ☺️
How to Get There
There are several ways to reach Florence, either by cruise ship or by flying, each with its own advantages depending on your travel style. For example:
What to Do | Unique Experiences
Florence offers a wealth of unique experiences that go beyond the typical tourist attractions. Here are some special activities you might enjoy:
Take a Boat Tour on the Arno River: Enjoy a unique perspective of Florence by cruising along the Arno River.
See Michelangelo’s Hidden Drawings: Explore the secret room beneath the Medici Chapel to view Michelangelo’s hidden sketches.
Attend a Leather Workshop: Learn the art of leather crafting and create your own leather goods at a local workshop.
Visit the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy: Today, you can explore the world’s oldest operating pharmacy, which still uses 800-year-old recipes for its perfumes and herbal remedies.
Where to Stay
I always enjoy staying in the city center, but I’ve also stayed in other areas.
The advantage of staying in the city center is that most tourist attractions are located nearby. This makes it easy to maximize your time in Florence and explore the city on foot.
The downside is that hotels in the city center tend to be more expensive. However, when you compare the cost of staying outside the city center with the cost of transportation to reach all the attractions, it often balances out or can even be a bit cheaper to stay in a centrally located hotel.
How Many Nights Should I Stay
Spending 2 to 3 days in the city is enough to see the main sights and sample the local cuisine, but you’ll need to pack a lot into each day. It will be a fast-paced adventure.
On the other hand, 4 or 5 days allows for a more relaxed pace. You’ll have time to socialize with locals, spread out your sightseeing, take a day trip, and enjoy the city vibes and delicious foods.
Is it safe to drink the water
Yes, it is safe to drink the tap water in Florence, Italy. The water is sourced from the nearby Apennine Mountains and undergoes rigorous treatment to comply with European Union water quality standards. You can confidently fill your bottle from the tap and enjoy the local water without any concerns.
What to Avoid
Getting around Florence is quite easy and enjoyable. Here are some of the best ways to navigate the city:
Walking: Florence’s historic center is compact and pedestrian friendly. Most major attractions are within walking distance, make it a excellent way to explore the city's beautiful streets and landmarks.
Biking and E-Scooters: Renting a bike or an e-scooter is a great way to see more of the city at your own pace.
Taxis: Taxis are readily available and can be a convenient option for getting around, especially if you have luggage.
Florence is an inland city, so cruise ships typically dock at the port of Livorno, which is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) away. Here are some ways to get from the port of Livorno to Florence and navigate the city:
Shuttle Bus and Train: After disembarking at Livorno, you can take a shuttle bus to the Livorno Centrale train station. From there, you can catch a train to Florence’s main station, Santa Maria Novella (Firenze SMN). The train journey takes about 1.5 hours.
Private Transfers: Many companies offer private transfer services directly from the port to Florence. This option is more expensive but provides convenient and comfort.
Purchase your travel experiences before your go.
Booking well-known tours can significantly enhance your travel experience for several reasons:
What's the benefits?
The Piazzale Michelangelo was built on the hills located south of the Florence's historic center following the design of the architect Giuseppe Poggi. The Piazzale is an amazing spot to go to get the best view of Florence. Take note you've been warned have your phone ready for some amazing selfies.
Enhance your visit to Florence by taking a day trip or two. Florence’s central location makes it perfect for exploring the picturesque Tuscan countryside and nearby cities like Siena, Pisa, and Lucca.
With many destinations easily accessible by train, bus, or car, planning a hassle-free trip is simple, especially if you’re spending three or more days in Flore
Discover the art of Italian cooking! Choose from a variety of classes, whether you want to master the art of making pasta, perfect your pizza skills, or even learn the secrets of crafting delicious gelato. Buon appetito! 🍝🍕🍨
Santa Maria del Fiore is among the largest churches globally. It stands as a magnificent masterpiece of Gothic art and marks the beginning of the Italian Renaissance.
Walking tours offer the convenience of exploring Florence’s compact center, letting you visit multiple attractions without needing transportation. Whether you’re passionate about art, fascinated by history, or simply eager to soak in the local atmosphere, a walking tour can significantly enhance your visit.
Enjoy some amazing cuisine while visiting Florence. Forentine specialties such as bistecca alla Fiorentina, ribollita, pizza, seafood pasta, and gelato at some of the best restaurants in Italy.
Visiting the museums offer a rich and rewarding experience. There are so many to choose from, I thought I'd just list a few.
The Uffizi Gallery was originally meant to be an Ufficio for magistrates as well as judges, technicians and merchants of Florence, the top floor was turned into a private gallery. It houses paintings, statues, jewelry and more.
The Pitti Palace or Italian Palazzo Pitti today houses important collections of sculptures, paintings, art objects, costumes and porcelain, in a monumental complex that includes several museums.
The Boboli Gardens are located behind the Pitti Palace and is the most famous park in the city of Florence. For almost four centuries it was the garden of the residence of the great dukes of Tuscany, and for a short period of the kings of Italy.
Accademia Gallery was formerly a hospital in the 14th century, then an Academy of Fine Arts, it houses the statue David, the absolute masterpiece by Michelangelo.
The best time to visit Florence, Italy is during the shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), as you'll experience pleasant weather with fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months, allowing for a better experience exploring the city's cultural landmarks and art galleries.
The official currency in Italy is the Euro (€).
Clients often ask whether they should buy euros in the States before their trip. My simple answer is that it depends, with a few exceptions noted below.
ATMs (or more importantly, Bacomats) are widely available, and withdrawing money from an ATM in Europe is as easy as using one in the US. You will hear people tell tales of how expensive it is to withdrawal money at airport ATMs, and while that may be true, it will still be less than the surcharge you'll pay at your local bank.
The first exception to this rule would be for folks who operate on a cash basis all the time at home and would be face burdensome anxiety using a foreign ATM or using an electronic means of payment. If you do not feel comfortable in the digital world, and you want to travel with cash, you should buy euros at your bank in the U.S. and pay the fees.
Secondly, having euros to pay for tipping, shopping in street markets and taxi can be good reasons to have a small amount of cash to start your visit to Italy.
To find out the current exchange rate for American dollars at xe.com. There you will get an idea of what it will cost you to buy and use euros. The rate changes frequently and you should check both when you book your trip, and just before you leave.
Pro-Tips:
Most US-issued credit cards are accepted in Italy, with Visa and Mastercard being the most widely recognized. American Express and Discover are less commonly accepted, except in major cities and tourist areas. It’s always a good idea to carry some euros in cash for smaller vendors or emergencies.
Apply for a Credit Card With No Foreign Transaction Fees
Many credit cards allow you to make purchases abroad without incurring foreign transaction fees. These cards offer a convenient and secure way to pay while traveling.
Consider Using Cash
To avoid ATM or transaction fees, you might opt to pay for your trip in cash. You can exchange U.S. dollars for euros at a bank, credit union, or currency exchange store before your trip. This approach can be helpful if you have a clear budget for dining and souvenirs.
There is no right or wrong when deciding if you will use a credit card for your vacation or purchase foreign currency to budget your money better. It is all up to you and your travel style.
Pro-tip
Be sure to read how to keep your money safe under the topic entitled "Pickpockets and Safety Tips".
Italians take immense pride in their food. It’s a common tradition for family and friends to gather and leisurely enjoy dinner at a slow pace.
Italy boasts some of the world’s most cherished dishes, such as pizza, pasta, risotto, and gelato.
My Food Experience
The gelato is on the top of must eats list while visiting Florence. Just thinking about the gelato makes my mouth water it is so good. I have been known to get more than one in a day. 🤣
Even though I am not a fan of some pastas. It is a must-eat on my foodie list. As a matter of fact, try the pasta and pizza. First, the pasta: you can’t go to Italy without trying pasta served with a tomato-based sauce, often flavored with garlic or onion. In my experience, the pasta had much less sauce than what we’re used to in the United States, giving it a unique and interesting flavor. Try it you might like it and at best when asked if you tried the food, you could say yes!
Now, the pizza: I loved it! It was quite different from the typical pizzas I am used to eating here in the States. There was little to no red sauce on my pizza, but there were so many toppings to choose from giving my pallet a big jolt, cooked on a very thin tasty crust. Delicious!
Did you Know in Italy....
Florence is a great place to shop. The historical bridge Ponte Vecchio is known for the many nearby jewelry shops. Two of my favorite things to buy while there is murano jewelry and men's hand-made silk ties. They make a perfect gift or souvenir. The bridge towers over the Arno River which is a great place to take a selfie or two. There is also a huge market where you can find all kinds of items including the silk ties. Go prepared to shop to you drop! 🛍️
Shopping in Small Marketplaces or vendors in Italy
In my experience, many street market vendors don’t accept credit cards, as they typically handle smaller transactions and lack card machines. Having cash (euros) on hand is useful, especially when negotiating for a better price. Carrying small denominations of euros is a smart strategy for those moments when you find something you simply can’t resist.
Shop to Drop
Travel Advisor Pro-Tip: Remember to place any liquids you buy in your checked bag that is over 3.4 oz to avoid it being taken by TSA. I had my olive oil taken from me when returning from Europe. I guess I had to much fun and totally forgot to put the oil in my checked bag. 😏