Popular

~

Tuscany

~

Popular ~ Tuscany ~

Florence

The heart of Renaissance Italy where grand palazzos, world famous art, and winding cobblestone streets come together. The city is compact and wonderfully walkable, making it a great base if you are looking to stay in Tuscany without a car. Alternatively, if you do plan to rent a car to explore more of Tuscany, Florence is the ideal place to start from!

Art and history lovers should look no further, as Florence simply can’t be matched as the birthplace of Renaissance art. Ensure to take a tour of the Tuscan countryside, perhaps a wine-tasting?

At a glance…

  • 3-5 nights

    Florence is a highly walkable city; you can see most of its highlights in a day or two, although I do not recommend this! There is so much to see and do here, so allow yourself at least a couple of days to really enjoy the city.

    If you plan on doing some excursions outside of Florence to the Tuscan countryside, such as a wine tour, allow yourself more time!

    1. Fly into Florence airport OR arrive at Florence train station from another leg of your trip

  • Recommended:

    • Walking ✔

    • Public Transit ✔

    • Taxis ✔

    • Car Rental ✖

    • Scooter Rental ✖

    Note: A car rental is not recommended to get around the city while you are visiting; however, I highly recommend renting a car from the Florence airport once your visit is complete if you plan to drive and explore more of Tuscany. This will be the starting point of your Tuscan roadtrip.

    • Late Summer

    • Fall

    • Spring

    • Early Summer

    • Winter - see note below

    Notes:

    In winter you will be trading the warm, sunny days & countryside excursions for Christmas market magic. More on winter in Florence in the Piano Piano tips section below.

    I do not recommend going in the dead of summer, when it gets very hot & incredibly crowded.

  • Popular. Florence is the capital of Tuscany, and it’s typically the starting point for everyone who wants to experience a Tuscan getaway, whether they plan to stay in the city or rent a car and venture into the surrounding countryside. As with any popular destination, this can lead to a higher price tag.

 

Pairs well with

Chianti Countryside

What to do?

Visit the Piazza della Signoria, which features the world-famous Statue of David

See the major landmarks like the Duomo, the star of the iconic Florence skyline

Watch the sun set over said famous skyline at the Piazzale Michelangelo

  • Take in the masterpieces at one of the many art galleries

    Learn about Renaissance history in the place where it all began

Shopping! Whether it’s checking out the luxury fashion streets, searching for that hidden gem in one of the many vintage thrift shops, or the world-famous Florentine leather goods near the Arno

Take a wine-tasting tour out in the Tuscan countryside

Take a day trip to one of the nearby medieval cities like Siena or Luca

What’s on the menu?

Some local specialties:

Piano Piano Tips

  • I recommend booking accommodations as far in advance as possible, as I do for all of the destinations that fall under the “popular” tier in the Piano Piano ranking system. This is because there is an abundance of wonderful options; however, the best options that are also affordable tend to fill up first in these popular locations.

    The most popular area to stay in is the historic centre due to most of the major sites being in this immediate area. But remember: Florence is easily walkable! So even if you don’t book accommodation far enough in advance to stay in the historic centre never fear; there are many wonderful, authentic feeling neighbourhoods within a 15 or so minute walk from the historic centre.

    It is worth considering to stay across the bridge in the Oltrarno area, which literally translates to “beyond the Arno”. Here you will find a more authentic & local feel, while still being a short walk across the bridge from all of the major attractions. Oltrarno typically has more budget-friendly accommodations available, as well as some great vintage thrift shops!

  • I usually try to avoid recommending specific restaurants, but if you’ve ever seen the videos of the tableside service where fresh tagliatelle pasta is being tossed in the giant wheel of Grana Pardano cheese & topped with thinly shaved truffle, this is the place that is famous for it. Definitely worth making a reservation if you’re set on trying it!

  • While a major centre for art & history may not sound like a children’s paradise, the walkability of the city and everything it has to see & do actually make it an amazing option.

    The Tuscan countryside is also one of the most child-friendly destinations in all of Europe, and if you plan to see it you will most likely start your journey in Florence.

  • You absolutely don’t need a car to get around Florence; the city is highly walkable & easy to navigate. However, if you plan to spend time in the Tuscan countryside, outside of an excursion from Florence, a car rental from Florence is worth considering.

    I recommend renting your car at the Florence airport, where the surrounding roads are much easier to navigate than roads within the city. Even if you are staying within the city, it is worth getting a cab to the airport to pick up your car.

  • Some perks to going in winter: fewer crowds; moody atmosphere; more affordable accommodations; Christmas market magic; mild weather by Northern-European standards