Florence Tourism And Travel Guide

The utterly irresistible, enchanting and absolutely romantic city of Florence, also known as Firenze is the birthplace of Italy’s most revered art forms and masterpieces. This city set in northeastern Tuscany, has an amazing skyline dominated by the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore. Tourism in Florence is very popular due to the several historical sites, architecture of age old structures, food and wine and the gorgeous heighted spots from which you can view the beauty of the entire city.

It is easy and very convenient to reach Florence by air and rail, while driving to this city is an experience to remember. The stunning roads of this region and the views that they offer, make it a trip to talk about for a lifetime. The weather in Florence is great to visit at any time of the year and each season has something unique to do for every visitor. Browse through our travel guide to Florence, which will help you pick places of your choice to visit and give you an idea about the numerous things to do on your trip.

By Air:

The Florence Airport (FLR) is situated in Peretola, which is on the outskirts of Florence. This airport, also known as the Amerigo Vespucci is 4 km away from the center of the city and is the most convenient way to get to Florence from any part of the country or from Europe. Once you reach the airport, you can take a cab or a shuttle bus to reach the city.

By Road:

If you are coming from Northern Italy, you can drive down the A1 autostrada that passes through Bologna and then through Florence. The A12 and A11 autostrada can be taken if you are driving from the French Coast towards Florence.

By Rail:

One of the major train stations in Florence is the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station, located right in the middle of the city. You can easily reach Florence from any part of Europe, using this railway station. The Firenze Campo di Marte is another prime railway station along with many other small ones that make it convenient for tourists to reach Florence.

Getting Around:

Getting around in Florence is easy due to the popularity of the place. You can move around the city by using cabs or you can even think of driving a rental car. If you are on a tight budget, the best way to get around is to use the public transportation run by the Azienda Trasporti Area Fiorentina (ATAF).

Spring (March-May):

One of the best times to visit Florence is during spring which last from March to May. The temperatures during this season rise to 24°C (75.2°F) and drops to 17°C (62.6°F) in the night and is accompanied by light showers. The beautiful sceneries of green meadows and blossoming flowers make it a great place to visit during this season.

Summer (June-August):

Summers in Florence are moderately hot with temperatures ranging from 17°C (62.6°F) to 31°C (87.8°F). There is not much rain during this time and the sun is seen for a good thirteen hours or so during the day. July is the hottest month in the city and august sees a few thunderstorms accompanied by rain.

Autumn (September-November):

Stretching from September to November, the temperature during autumn ranges from 10°C (50°F)  to 28°C (82.4°F) and sees a good amount of rainfall and also quite a few thunderstorms. While September is still a bit warm, October and November starts to get rainy and cold. Nevertheless, the beauty of the city is intact; in fact it amplifies during this season.

Winter (December-February):

The autumn season brings in the cold and by December, the winter finally comes in. The months succeeding after that until February, are the coldest in Florence. Temperatures range from 3°C (37.4°F) to 12°C (53.6°F) with only five hours of sunshine during the day.

Go on a Trek:

Visit the beautiful hills of Montececeri or go on a hike up the Cinque Terre, either ways, trekking in Florence is a memorable activity to indulge in. While Cinque Terre will show you the beautiful coastline of Italy, a hike to Montececeri will give you a glimpse of the serene mountain ranges. Catch sightings of beautiful medieval villages, castles and churches on your way up the trails.

Admire the City:

You can admire the beauty of the city from various sports in Florence. The Piazza del Duomo is one such spot from which you can enjoy the beautiful skyline of the city. Also, the Palazzo Vecchio is another place that will give you a picturesque view of this wonderful city.

Enjoy Beautiful Gardens:

The Renaissance gardens of Florence are something that every tourist must visit and experience. These gardens that were built around Villas owned by the upper society of Florence were beautifully designed for the leisure and entertainment of the people living in the Villas. Gardens like Giardino all’italiana and Villa Medici were recently opened to the public and are iconic gardens in Florence.

Appreciate Art:

Florence is home to some of the most appreciated art forms and paintings. Famous artists like Michelangelo and Dante were born in this region and have contributed and established some of the world’s greatest art scenes in Florence. The Uffizi Art Gallery is renowned for ancient art forms, sculptures and paintings that it exhibits, making it an integral part of Florence’s culture.

Walk Across the Old Bridge:

The Ponte Vecchio, also known as the Old Bridge is an iconic bridge built on the Arno River in Florence. This bridge has a lot of history tied to it and currently it serves as a marketplace for shiny gold jewellery. Engage in some gold shopping or simply feast your eyes on all the glitter, either ways, don’t forget to visit this attraction.

Places to eat in Florence depend on the kind of ambience you are looking for; you can choose to put on a gorgeous dress and go to an upscale place or simply dress down and enjoy some local cuisine at a local place. Trattoria Zazà, located close to the train station Trattoria Zazà is a famous Florentine restaurant offering pizzas to other local dishes. If you are craving seafood, the Trattoria Vittoria is a must visit; with fresh seafood recipes, this restaurant is a great place to go to.

Another place suggested by the locals for the great quality of meat is the Trattoria Cammillo. With the décor of the place duplicating ones from the bygone era, the authentic local recipes of Florence are beautifully brought out by the chefs at this restaurant. Other restaurants serving great food are Ristorante Latini, l’Ortone and La Beppa Fioraia amongst many others.

Florence is not only the place for beautiful art and structures but also home to some of the greatest fashion brands in the world. Hence it goes without saying that shopping in this city will fetch you some of the choicest fashion brands and one of a kind souvenirs and gifts. Visit Pallazo Pitti that has fashion fairs, which has a good variety of things to choose from. The Via Tornabuoni has boutiques selling clothing and accessories from world famous brands like Gucci, Prada and Cartier etc. You can also visit  Via della Vigna Nuova and Via della Vigna Nuova where you can find a lot of workshops and specialty stores where you can buy handmade artifacts as gifts for your friends and family back home.