Florence: Florence, the jewel of Tuscany

When should you go to Florence?

There are two factors to consider: the climate and the tourist season. The two go hand in hand!

With its typically Mediterranean climate (with more humid influences due to the neighbouring Apennines), the most pleasant seasons to visit Florence are spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October). But these two periods also coincide with the peak tourist season, when prices go up!

That's why you can just as easily visit Florence between November and March: the weather isn't as good, but accommodation isn't as expensive and museums aren't as full! The same applies at the height of summer, in July and August, when the excessive heat drives Florentines and tourists to the coast.

What are the formalities?

None, apart from remembering to take your identity document with you: the pleasure of travelling in the EU!

How long should I stay in Florence?

⏳ Plan to be in Florence for at least 2 days, so that you can concentrate on the must-sees. 3 to 5 days is even better to immerse yourself in the atmosphere. With a week or more, you'll also have time to explore Florence's surroundings, such as the Chianti region or the pretty town of Pisa.

Why go to Florence?

Florence is a destination for lovers of art, museums, architecture, beautiful Italian cities... but also of the southern lifestyle and Tuscan cuisine.

Florence: what to eat

🍝 There's no shortage of adjectives to describe and promote Tuscan cuisine. It represents an important page in Italian culinary art, with its pasta, pulses, fish and, above all, the famous "Florentine-style rib of beef". The dishes based on wild boar meat are just as famous. The patisserie offers Cantuccini and Panforte. Finally, we recommend sampling the local wines, such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Moscato d'Alba.

Reminder: restaurants in Florence

Instead of eating in the most touristy restaurants, we suggest you walk a little and get away from the main places of interest: you can enjoy dinners in some very good restaurants.

Transport in Florence

🚍 Wear good shoes and plan to get around on foot as much as possible: that's how you become part of real Florentine life. If you need to, take the two tram lines (line 2 links the airport in particular), which are very practical, or the small AT buses that criss-cross the city (harder to find your way around!). Generally speaking, don't take the car in Florence. You need to have studied at the Polytechnic and paid a string of fines before you understand the parking system.

Things to avoid

Be very careful when taking taxis in general, and from the airport to the centre of Florence in particular: you could be asked to pay astronomical sums.

Preparing your visits to Florence

💡 You need to plan your trip to Florence well in advance! For all the city's major museums and monuments, we strongly advise you to book your tickets and time slots in advance, online. The same applies if you want to take a guided tour; some museums offer combined tickets valid for several days. Depending on your programme, it may also be worth buying the Firenze Card.

Florence: what to bring back?

🎁 Buying a wallet and leather gloves at the Florence market is a real must. On the other hand, gourmets can choose cheeses and bottles of local wine: they're excellent!