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Table of Contents:
How to get to Florence from Rome
How to get to Florence from Milan
How to get to Florence from Pisa
Cathedrals and basilicas of Florence
Museums and galleries of Florence
When to travel to Florence
Florence is the “heart” of Tuscany and one of the most attractive cities from a tourist’s point of view. Incredibly beautiful cathedrals and churches, unique galleries and museums, sophisticated architecture and hilly landscapes – it’s not for nothing that Florence is considered to be the place where the “Stendhal syndrome” can manifest. But seriously, Florence is visited by millions of tourists every year and this is the most important indicator of this Tuscan city as a truly attractive tourist center.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Florence. I figured out how to get to the city, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Florence.
You can visit Florence at any time of the year because the local climate is quite mild. Spring and autumn are especially good for visiting because of warm and sunny weather. During the summer time it can be sometimes a bit hot, in particular in July and August and during the winter time it can be a bit rainy. Nevertheless, in my opinion, you can enjoy Florence architecture in any season you choose.
How to get to Florence
Where do you fly into to get to Florence? If Florence is your only goal on a trip to Italy, then you can try to get here right away. Florence has its own international airport. You can fly here with a transfer in Rome, Milan or other European cities. A flight option with a transfer in other European cities is also available. The current flight timetable to any of these cities can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. To my mind, it’s convenient that this online service immediately compares available options for your dates.
How to get to Florence from Rome
Travelers often combine visits to Rome and Florence. Then the question of how to get from Rome to Florence is often in demand. There are several options. For example, you can use the train (more expensive) or bus (cheaper). In addition, for independent travelling you can always rent a car, but first things first.
By public transport: Trains depart from Rome to Florence every 10-20 minutes throughout the day (except at night). The travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. This is a great option for a one-day trip. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. As I found out, ticket prices range from 20 euros one way. Be careful, trains depart from both Termini and Tiburtina stations in Rome. Pay attention to the information on your ticket.
The route can also be reached by bus. True, the travel time by bus is a bit longer and takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. Flixbus buses depart from Tiburtina station almost every hour throughout the day. Buses arrive in Florence at the Villa Costanza Tram T1 stop. As I know Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices so it is getting more and more popular these days.
By rented car: If you plan to travel actively and have an international driver’s license, then you can rent a car in Rome. In addition to your ID, you need to have a passport and a bank card. Travellers can rent a car for any number of days and you can also choose a car of any class with an automatic or manual transmission. If you book a car at the office of an international company, then most likely you have the option of returning the car in another city. So, for example, you can rent a car in Rome, and return it in Florence. You can find rental offices at Rome airport, as well as in the city center. Tourists can book the desired class of car in advance via various services that compare prices among all available suppliers, for example, via Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Rome and Florence are connected by #A1/E35 road (see on the map). Both online services mentioned above have a decent search so I would recommend comparing their results to find out the best available options.
How to get to Florence from Milan
By public transport: You can get from Milan to Florence using the same options – train, bus or car rental. Trains from Milan to Florence run every 20 minutes throughout the day. The travel time by high-speed train is only 2 hours. Departure is from Milano Centrale station. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. Based on my research, the cost of the trip starts from 26 euros one way.
From 8 am daily, regular buses run from Milan to Florence along the route. Departure takes place from Lampugnano station. Buses depart at 08.05, 08.45, 10.10, 12.50, 15.00, 17.25, 20.30 and 22.00. You can check the schedule on the Flixbus carrier website. In Florence, buses arrive at either the Villa Costanza Tram T1 stop or the Piazzale Montelungo stop.
By rented car: In Milan, as in Rome, you can rent a car for travelling around Tuscany. Rental offices are located at the airports and in the city center. You can book the desired class of car in advance via various services that compare prices among all available suppliers, for example, via Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Milan and Florence are connected with highway No. A1; the distance is a little more than 300 km (see on the map).
How to get to Florence from Pisa
By public transport: The same options are available in Pisa. You can get to Florence by public transport or by rented car. Trains from Pisa to Florence run every half an hour and the journey takes just 50 minutes. The trains are direct and no changes are required. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service. According to my research, the cost of the trip starts from 8 euros one way (a fairly budget option).
By rented car: At Pisa Airport you can also rent a car for your trip. International and local companies have offices here. You can book the desired class of car in advance via various services, for instance, via Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. I would recommend checking out both of them to explore more available options. Pisa and Florence are connected with highway No. A11/E76.The distance is about 100 km. The route passes through other great cities such as Lucca and Pistoia (see on the map).
Where to stay in Florence
Florence is a popular tourist destination, so finding accommodation here is not difficult, the choice is huge and there is something for every taste. I did some research and I can confirm that tourists can stay in hotels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, holiday homes and even hostels (for budget travelers). Among standard hotels, the following accommodation options are popular:
Horto Convento 4* has a convenient location relatively close to the railway station and the city center, while it is surrounded with a garden and has a quiet, peaceful vibe. There is a bar on site. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. There is a place to work on a laptop. Private parking is provided on site upon reservation and at an additional cost. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and offers options for currency exchange, luggage storage, and excursions;
Hotel Boccaccio 3* is located within the walls of a historic building and is located near the railway station. The hotel has a bar, a restaurant and a terrace. Guests can stay in one, two, three or four-bed rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. There is a place to work on a laptop. Private parking nearby is provided for an additional fee. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the front desk is open 24 hours a day and luggage storage services are also available;
Hotel del Corso 3* is located in the “heart” of Florence, within walking distance of the main attractions, and can be found in the building of a former 16th century palace. The hotel terrace offers panoramic views of the city. You can stay in double rooms of various categories, or in family rooms. Each room has a coffee pot or a kettle. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. There is a place to work on a laptop. Public parking nearby is provided for an additional fee. Luggage storage services are available at the front desk;
Alfieri 9 3* is located within walking distance of the main attractions of Florence. You can stay in classic, superior rooms or junior suites. Depending on the room type, breakfast is included in the price or paid additionally. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. There is a place to work on a laptop. Private parking is provided nearby upon reservation and at an additional cost. Luggage storage services are available at the front desk;
Hotel Perseo 3* is located close to the main attractions. There is a bar and laptop areas on site. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is available at an additional charge. Each room is equipped with a coffee pot or a kettle. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Private parking can be found nearby and is available for an additional fee. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and there is a luggage storage area near here.
What to see in Florence
The main attractions of Florence are its architecture and art museums. You can wander the streets of Florence endlessly, and every time you will find more and more amazing features of the city. If you come to Florence for just one or several days, then for a sightseeing tour you can highlight the main top attractions that everyone must visit.
Cathedrals and basilicas of Florence
The main dominant feature of the city is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Everyone wants to see it. The “highlight” of the cathedral is its red-brown dome, which is visible from many points in the city. In my opinion, it’s worth seeing the cathedral not only from the outside; inside you can admire the amazing frescoes of the 15th century.
Florence is not only a beautiful corner of the Renaissance. If you look at the Basilica of Santa Croce, you will easily recognize the features of typical Gothic architecture in it. And this is not surprising, because the cathedral was built in the 13th century. I would recommend going inside to see paintings by famous Italian masters of the 14th and 15th centuries. But the Basilica of San Lorenzo is typical of the Renaissance. The Medici dynasty is buried here, so it is not surprising that the church is an iconic historical site in Florence.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella gained its fame thanks to a Boccaccio novel called “The Decameron”. But even if you are not a fan of this author, the basilica will be definitely worth seeing, because its external decoration is so bizarre. As I found out, the construction of the church took place in the 13th-14th centuries, and the main decoration is considered to be marble bas-reliefs and Greek frescoes.
By the way, to see all these cathedrals and basilicas together from a bird’s eye view, you should come to Piazzale Michelangelo. From here you have truly the best views of the historical center of Florence. In the center of the square there is a copy of the sculpture “David” by Michelangelo. To my mind, no less charming is Piazza della Signoria, which offers views of the Vecchio Palace, the Fountain of Neptune and the Loggia of Lanzi.
Palazzo Vecchio is another famous landmark of the city. The palace was built in the 13th century and has been amazingly preserved to this day. The main decoration of the palazzo is the 94-meter tower. The city municipality is located inside. Palazzo Pitti is no less famous attraction. The palace was built in the 15th century in the Quattrocento style. All lovers of art will also enjoy the Pitti Palace because it houses museums such as the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Costume Gallery, the Porcelain Museum, and the Museum of Modernist Art. In my opinion, it’s also worth checking out the Palazzo Medici Riccardi to see a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture.
Museums and galleries of Florence
Of course, the main one among the art museums of Florence is the world-famous Uffizi Gallery. Here you can see works by Botticelli, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael and many other masters whose names are invariably associated with the Renaissance. It will take a lot of time to walk around all the halls of the museum, and tourists often set aside a separate day to explore the gallery.
If time is not a problem for you, then, in addition to the Uffizi Gallery, you should definitely visit the Palatine Gallery, which is located in the Pitti Palace. This is another place where you can admire the works of Renaissance artists. Also among the outstanding art museums of Florence are the Bargello Museum (located within the walls of a medieval castle) and the Academy of Fine Arts, in the gallery of which the very “David” by Michelangelo is exhibited.
The Ponte Vecchio bridge is considered to be a favorite place for tourist walks because it is one of the most photogenic open-air locations in Florence. Essentially, it is a covered bridge over the Arno River. Inside there are jewelry boutiques and the so-called Vasari Corridor, which connects the two palaces and is decorated with works by Renaissance masters.
To my mind, it is impossible not to mention the landscape park ensemble of the Boboli Gardens. The park was laid out under the Medici and has not lost its relevance over the centuries. The Boboli Gardens are decorated with numerous sculptures, fountains and flower beds.
As I can see it, Florence has an amazing architectural heritage, which is very difficult to remain indifferent to. It’s not for nothing that Stendhal went crazy with beauty when he visited the city. This is where the name “Stendhal Syndrome” comes from. It will take at least a week to leisurely explore Florence and its treasures. But even if you came here for just a day or two, you will not regret your trip anyway.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Larry Lamsa
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…