Quick Answer
- Best time: late April to June and September to October.
- Where to stay: Duomo/centro for first-timers; Oltrarno for calm; San Lorenzo for trains.
- From the airport: T2 tram, around 20 minutes, 2 euros.
- Getting around: walk; the centre is tiny.
- Book ahead: Uffizi 25 euros, Accademia 20 euros plus booking, dome via the 30 euro Brunelleschi Pass.
At a glance
- Best time
- Late Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Language
- Italian
- From the airport
- T2 tram, about 20 min, €2
- Visa
- Schengen rules; EES at the border
- Getting around
- Walkable centre; tram ticket €2
Quick tips
- Go in the shoulder months. July and August average 32°C in a valley that holds the heat.
- Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome climb before you travel. All three run on timed slots.
- Take the T2 tram in from the airport. It is cheap, frequent and stops by the main station.
- Walk. The major sights are within a 15-minute stroll of each other.
Prices below were checked against the official sites listed at the bottom of the page. For every transfer option in detail, including Pisa airport, see our Florence airport guide.
How do you get around Florence?
What to pack for Florence
Four picks from our gear guides that suit this trip. Each card opens the live Amazon price; the links below lead to the full comparisons.
25 x 18 x 4 cm, 254 g, 2.1 L. Locking zips, a cut-resistant double-cable strap, an RFID passport pocket and a strap that clips to a chair. Reader’s Digest’s best crossbody for travel.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe best value compression set going. A double-zip pulls the air out so a week of clothes shrinks to a few inches thick, and you get eight pieces (cubes plus a shoe and laundry bag) for roughly the price of one branded cube. The fabric is thin and the zips aren’t lifetime kit, but for the money nothing beats it.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe reliable all-rounder: one USB-C and four USB-A ports, plugs for 200+ countries, and a built-in fuse with a spare. The adapter most people should buy.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonModel A1259, 10,000mAh, about 37Wh, 215 g. Two phone charges in a jacket pocket, and small enough that the two-bank limit never becomes a question.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonWhen is the best time to visit Florence?
The shoulder months win. Average highs below are 1991 to 2020 normals for Florence Peretola.
| Season | Average daily high | Crowds | Prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr to Jun) | 20 to 29°C | Building | Mid, rising into June | Gardens, terraces |
| Summer (Jul to Aug) | Around 32°C | Heaviest | Peak | Early-morning museums only |
| Autumn (Sep to Oct) | 22 to 27°C | Easing | Good value | Golden light, harvest food |
| Winter (Nov to Mar) | 11 to 16°C | Low, spiking at Christmas | Cheapest outside the holidays | Short museum queues |
In midsummer, the stone holds the heat well past sunset, so plan the museums and the dome climb for early morning. January and February are the cheapest and calmest months.
Where should you stay in Florence?
| Neighbourhood | Vibe | Price level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duomo / centro storico | Historic, central | Highest | First-timers, sightseeing |
| Oltrarno | Calm, artisan, local | Mid to high | Quiet nights, workshops |
| Santa Croce | Lively, characterful | Mid | Value with a central location |
| San Lorenzo | Busy, market-side | Mid to lower | Market food, the station, day trips |
For a first visit, pick the Duomo area and walk everywhere. The Oltrarno is the quieter choice, full of leather and gilding workshops. San Lorenzo suits travellers using the train for day trips. Our Florence where-to-stay guide compares the areas in detail.
Tourist tax: Florence charges a per-person, per-night imposta di soggiorno that rises with the hotel’s category, for up to seven consecutive nights. It is paid at the hotel.
What should you not miss in Florence?
| Sight | 2026 ticket | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Uffizi Galleries | 25 euros on the day, 29 euros pre-booked; cheaper early-morning and afternoon tickets | Pick a few rooms; reservations are mandatory |
| Galleria dell’Accademia (David) | 20 euros plus 4 euro booking fee | A short, focused visit |
| Duomo and Brunelleschi’s dome | Cathedral free; dome via the Brunelleschi Pass, 30 euros | 463 steps, no lift; time slot is mandatory and cannot be changed |
| Ponte Vecchio | Free | View it from the next bridge upstream at golden hour |
| Piazzale Michelangelo | Free | The classic panorama at sunset |
| Oltrarno and Santo Spirito | Free | Florence at its most local |
For more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Florence, or follow our 3-day Florence itinerary.
How do you eat well in Florence without overpaying?
- A schiacciata to go: Florence’s flat, crisp sandwich bread, stuffed at a takeaway counter, is the city’s best cheap lunch.
- The Mercato Centrale: the upstairs food hall serves pasta, pizza and Tuscan plates from stalls.
- Gelato done right: good gelaterie keep their tubs flat and covered, not piled into neon mountains.
- Coffee at the bar: an espresso standing at the counter costs less than at a table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Florence?
Late April to June and September to October are the sweet spot: average highs of roughly 20 to 27°C, long light and prices below the summer peak. July and August average around 32°C and are packed. Winter is the cheapest and quietest season (highs around 11°C), with short queues at the Uffizi and the Accademia.
Where should I stay in Florence for the first time?
The Duomo and historic centre keep you steps from everything. The Oltrarno, across the river, is calmer and full of artisans, Santa Croce is lively and a touch better value, and San Lorenzo puts you by the market and the train station. The centre is tiny, so pick a base and walk.
How do I get from Florence airport into the centre?
The T2 tram runs from Florence airport to the Unità stop by Santa Maria Novella station in around 20 minutes. It takes a standard urban ticket, which costs 2 euros since 1 August 2026 and is valid for 90 minutes. Taxis charge a fixed daytime fare into the centre, with supplements at night, at weekends and for extra bags.
Is Florence walkable?
Yes, remarkably so. The historic centre is small and almost entirely walkable, so you rarely need any transport at all. Most major sights (the Duomo, the Uffizi, the Accademia, Ponte Vecchio) sit within a 15-minute stroll of each other. Wear comfortable shoes for the stone streets.
How much does a day in Florence cost?
As a rough guide, budget travellers can manage on around 70 to 120 euros a day with a hostel or simple hotel, market meals and walking everywhere. Mid-range visitors should plan for roughly 150 to 280 euros a day. Museum tickets add up fast: the Uffizi alone is 25 euros, so pick your must-sees.
Do I need to book the Uffizi and Accademia in advance?
Yes. Both are the busiest museums in the city and timed bookings skip most of the queue. In 2026 the Uffizi costs 25 euros (29 euros booked in advance) and the Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David, costs 20 euros plus a 4 euro booking fee. The Duomo dome climb needs a Brunelleschi Pass (30 euros) with a mandatory time slot.
Start planning your Florence trip
Don’t lock in hotel nights until you have checked dome-climb slots for your dates: they cannot be changed once booked, and in spring the early ones go first.
Find cheap flights to Florence | Compare Florence hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our best time to visit Italy guide and browse more stays on the hotels hub.
