A Florence Travel Guide for your next holiday in Italy

Our Florence travel guide will ensure you make the most of your Italian city break. There’s no doubt that Florence is a wonderful city to visit at any time of year. Certainly, there are an incredible amount of things to do in Florence within a very small area. As a result, it’s  a city that can be easily visited on foot.

It’s also the perfect city to visit whatever your age too. There is plenty on offer if you’re looking for things to do with teenagers in Florence. But there are just as many things to keep younger children and adults entertained too. Plus a stay in Florence doesn’t need to break the budget. There are plenty of things to do in Florence for free.

No one can deny that it’s a city with stunning architecture and incredible sights. Attractions range from the Duomo to the Uffizi and from the Palazzo Pitti to the Ponte Vecchio. It’s also a city full of beautiful gardens. Turn every corner and there is either a beautiful building or a stunning view to admire.

Hopefully our Florence travel guide will help you if you’re struggling to know what to do during your stay in one of our Florence apartments. Our guide will tell you all about the best Florence attractions to visit. Not only this. In it, we’ve also shared some of the exciting activities you could enjoy in and around the city.

And you don’t need to be despondent if the weather isn’t going to be kind during your stay. There are plenty of things to do in Florence when it’s raining too.

No doubt, you’ll find you will need more time to make it round all the things to do in Florence than your trip allows! Just let us know if you need help prioritising your itinerary.

Festivals in Florence

There are a number of festivals in Florence each year. It's well worth trying to time your visit to coincide with one of the events. They really do offer a unique insight into the Italian culture and are great fun. Religious Festivals in Florence The first major festival of the year is on Easter Sunday. The Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) sees two morning parades making their way to the Duomo. At 11 a.m. fireworks are set off from the main square. Music Festivals in Florence From April to June, there is the Maggio Musicale , Italy's oldest music festival. The easiest place to learn...

Florence nightlife

For those staying in Florence , don't miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Florence nightlife. The Italian club scene, and more specifically the Florence nightlife scene, has a much different feel to that in the UK. It's certainly less about drinking and more about being seen! Most clubs charge a high admission fee but this does often include one drink. In the Summer months, there are always lots of open air clubs that spring up on the edge of the city. There are normally plenty of posters in the city with information about what's on and where. Alternatively, for specific...

Florence Weather

Most visitors to the city will want to know about the weather in Florence so they can find the best time to visit. Well, the good news is that with it's relatively mild climate, Florence is a great place to visit all year round! As you would expect, July and August are the hottest months. At this time, it's not unusual to see Florence weather temperatures reach 30 degrees centigrade. Many Florentines actually choose to escape the Florence weather at this time of year. And certainly, we have plenty of day trips from Florence to recommend if you choose to visit in peak season. However, even...

Golf courses near florence

There are plenty of opportunities for keen golfers to escape Florence for a day to play a round of golf. If playing amid olive groves and vineyard covered hills is your idea of the perfect round of golf, then Florence is an ideal destination! Just 20 minutes south of central Florence, the Ugolino golf course in Grassina is the oldest golf club in Tuscany. It's set in the heart of the Chianti region and only a few miles from the centre of the city. The spectacular hillside course has wonderful views over the Tuscan countryside. Alternatively, in the opposite direction, golfers can enjoy a...

Museums in Florence

Visitors to the city are spoilt for choice when it comes to museums in Florence to visit. We've included information about as many of the Florence museums as we can. But we certainly don't claim that this is an exhaustive list! Admission to the state museums in Florence is free for all EU citizens under the age of 18 or over the age of 65. You will need to take your passport with you to qualify for free entry though. 18-25 year olds also get a 50% discount on admission prices as do teachers! For those not lucky enough to qualify for free admission to the Florence museums, it may be worth...

Olive Oil Tasting

Bookings For You work closely with producers of superb extra virgin olive oil throughout Italy. We’ve included a few examples below. Obviously, our recommendations in Tuscany will be closest to you for your trip to Florence. But if you’ve planned a stay at one of our villas in Italy outside Florence and would like to book an olive oil tasting experience, we have included some other options too. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information. Olive oil tasting in Tuscany There are some fantastic foodie day tours from Florence to enjoy. For example, you could take a day trip from ...

Restaurants in Florence

There are plenty of Florence restaurants to choose from in the centre of the city. However, make sure you work your way off the main tourist piazzas to some of the side streets. You'll certainly get much more for your money in Florence restaurants if you wander off the beaten track a bit. Admittedly the situation is improving. However, all too often, the restaurants in Florence that lie close to the main tourist areas still demand far too high a price for the most basic food. For meat eaters, no visit to Florence would be complete without sampling the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Our favourite...

Shopping in Florence

Shopaholics will love the wonderful shops on offer in the centre of Florence. There is not doubt that you will certainly have plenty of fun shopping in Florence ! The principal Florence shopping street is the Via de' Tornabuoni. Here you'll find the showrooms of Italy's top fashion designers. These include Prada, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Vavalli and Ferragamo. Of course, the city also offers lots of opportunities for cheaper priced Florence shopping too. High street stores in abundance. You'll also find a couple of department stores in the centre of the city too. Outlet shopping in...

Sightseeing in Florence

Florence is an incredible city with a wealth of sights and attractions to visit and explore. There are so many things to do in Florence and so many places to visit in Florence that it's often hard deciding where to start! Duomo in Florence A popular starting point for any trip to the city is the Piazza del Duomo. Here you will enjoy a glimpse of Brunelleschi's dome, dominating the city landscape. For those fit enough, it's worth climbing the 463 steps up the inside of the dome to enjoy the staggering views from the top. Braving the climb will also give you a wonderful perspective on Brunelleschi's...

Spa breaks in Florence

Bookings For You are working hard to share information about spa breaks in Central Florence. Please bear with us while we load the content on to our website. In the meantime, it's worth checking out our guide to spas in Tuscany . Many of these Tuscany spas are easily accessible from Florence.

Things to do with children in Florence

If you're looking for things to do with children in Florence, then look no further! Perhaps Florence was not the first destination that sprang to your mind to take the children to. However there are, in fact, a number of activities to keep them amused during your stay. First and foremost, a great way to find your bearings is to enjoy a tour of Florence that has been specifically created with children in mind. Museums in Florence One great place for children is the Museo dei Ragazzi (Children's Museum) located in the Palazzo Vecchio. Set up in 2000, the museum includes two small theatres....

Transport in Florence

There are a few different options to consider when flying to Italy to enjoy a city break in Florence. How to get to Florence There are two main choices of airport to fly into - Pisa airport and Florence airport. With budget airlines flying into Pisa airport, many visitors choose to fly there even though Florence airport is nearer. If flying into Pisa airport, it's easy to transfer from here across to Florence. For those looking to avoid the expense of hiring a car, the public transport links from Pisa's Galileo Galilei airport to Florence are certainly excellent. This makes this a cheap and...

Walking in Florence

Florence is a fantastic city and, moreover, is great city to walk around. Self guided walks in Florence Grab a street map and plan your own route between tourist attractions. This has the benefit of allowing you to simply stop in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by when your feet get tired! Or if you prefer, there are a number of websites with suggested self guided walking routes in the city. Again, this gives you the freedom to stop as and when you please. Walking tours of Florence Alternatively, if you're looking for something more formal, there are plenty of companies offering...