What to know before going to Florence, Italy
The first time I ever visited Florence, I was already in love with Italy. As a matter of fact, I was traveling for a few days from Rome, where I worked for a few months.
Back then, everything seemed easy. I was traveling by train, so I did not have to worry about traffic, parking, or similar things.
Moreover, Florence was not as crowded as it gets these days. Yes, you could wait in line for an hour for a ticket at the Ufizzi, but other than that, things were pretty breezy.
Fast forward to 2025, and planning a trip to Florence can be a bit challenging. After moving to Tuscany, we visited the city on so many occasions that we now know it by heart. But it was not all fun and games.
We’ve traveled by car, by train, and by public transport, so we know a thing or two about getting around. Moreover, we tried many of the popular spots but have found hidden gems as well.
Thus, if you plan to visit Tuscany’s crown gem soon, this is what to know before going to Florence, Italy.
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Table of Contents
What to know before going to Florence, Italy
How to get to Florence
If you’re flying into Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport, the easiest and cheapest way to get to the city center is by taking the T2 Tram. The tram runs all the way to Santa Maria Novella Train Station, which is 10 minutes away from the Florence Duomo.
You don’t have to worry about buying a ticket because you can pay with your phone anywhere in Tuscany, on the bus/tram.
On the other hand, if you stay in a villa outside of Florence and choose to rent a car and drive to the city, you must be aware of a few things.
Firstly, ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) is pretty much everywhere inside the city center. That means you need a special permit to enter, and you will be fined if you accidentally enter such an area.
Secondly, parking prices in Florence are insane. Maybe not as insane as the ones on the Amalfi Coast, but pretty close.
That’s why we always park in one of these affordable and accessible parking spots:
- Parcheggio Villa Costanza – from there, you hop directly onto the tram that will take you to the city center in roughly 25 min.
- Parking Florence – this one is a bit further away, but there is a bus stop right in front of it. We also walked to the city center on a few occasions, and it didn’t take that long.
Other things worth knowing about traveling by car in/to Florence
If you plan to rent a car, we always recommend checking Discover Cars. That’s an aggregator that allowed us to find great prices for rentals in the past.
Also, if you are staying inside the city center, ask your hotel about the special pass for ZTL. Ask them also about parking availability on their premises.
When your hotel does not offer parking, look for street parking marked in blue. You need to pay for these spots, and you can usually use EasyPark.
How to get around Florence
Although Florence has plenty to do and see, it is not that big, making it a walkable destination.
Of course, you can always use public transportation – buses and trams. Just remember you can pay for the ticket with your phone/card once you are on the bus.
I would not recommend downloading the app and getting a ticket there because I’ve heard a few people getting fined for not doing it correctly.
Book activities and attraction tickets in advance
We had a friend visiting for a few days in June. She wanted to climb to the top of the Florence Duomo, but she waited until one week before the trip to book her ticket. Needless to say, she couldn’t find any tickets available.
Thus, learn from her experience and book your tours and tickets in advance. Of course, that might not be applicable during winter. But if your trip is during the peak season, make sure you plan accordingly.
Here are the activities we recommend booking earlier, just to be sure:
Accademia Gallery & David Skip-the-Line Ticket
Skip-The-Line Uffizi Gallery Timed Entry Ticket
Brunelleschi’s Dome Climb Entry Ticket & Duomo
Other than that, we recommend going on a food tour! We did one and absolutely loved it – here you read about our experience.
Just one last thing to have in mind when planning your trip. On the first Sunday of the month, you get free admission to most museums in Italy. We visited Pompeii, Boboli Gardens, Villa Bardini, and more stunning places without having to pay.
Avoid tourist traps
And when I say “tourist traps,” I’m talking about restaurants, gelato, or leather goods.
When you only have a few days in Florence, you don’t want to waste your time with so-and-so food.
Here are my top tips:
Avoid restaurants where people are trying to drag you in. I’m not saying they are not ok, but usually, the places locals go to don’t need that kind of “advertising.”
Fancy does not necessarily equal better. That’s maybe the first thing I learned about eating in Italy when I came here more than 10 years ago. If a restaurant had paper on the table, the food would most likely be delicious.
That sandwich you saw on social media is not worth the hour-long wait. There are plenty of great options around. And if you still want to try it, visit their Santa Maria Novella Train Station branches. You will thank me later!
That coffee with gelato you saw on social media… it’s not worth the 6 EUR price. Or waiting in line to get one. You can get an “affogato” coffee in almost any cafe around town. But, I get it is one of those places where people just want try.
When scrolling on Instagram, I always came across this artisanal caffè. Coffee is great there, and they have interesting brunch options. However, there is always a line, and if you are in Florence for a few days only, I encourage you to try any other local cafes. You won’t get that authentic local vibe there.
If you want to go to a historical cafe, try Caffè Gilli or Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in Piazza della Repubblica.
And again, if you want to taste the coffee at Ditta Artigianale, go to the train station and you won’t have to wait in line a lot.
Gelato in Florence
When it comes to ice cream, here’s what to look for when choosing the place you get your gelato from:
Muted, natural colors – Real fruit, nuts, and cocoa don’t scream in neon.
Stored in metal tins (sometimes with lids) – This keeps it fresh and at the right texture.
Seasonal flavors – If a shop is serving fig gelato in summer or chestnut in fall, they know what’s up.
Artisanal shops – Look for places that say “gelato artigianale” (handmade, small-batch). Bonus points if they list their ingredients.
Wine windows
In the 1600s, wealthy Florentine families owned vineyards and wanted a way to sell wine directly from their homes, avoiding taxes and middlemen. So, they built these tiny arched windows into their palace walls. Locals would knock, hand over a few coins, and receive a bottle of wine, no bar required.
By the 20th century, most wine windows were forgotten or bricked up. But recently, there’s been a revival. Some spots in Florence are serving wine, gelato, and even coffee through these little openings again.
There are over 150 wine windows in Florence, but only 9 of them operate today.
Here are a few to check out:
Babae (Via Santo Spirito 21r) – Serves wine the old-school way, straight through the window.
Osteria delle Brache (Piazza Peruzzi 3r) – Sells wine and even cocktails.
Vivoli (Via Isole delle Stinche 7r) – Uses theirs for gelato instead of wine. Remember that affogato above?
Leather goods
Lastly, if you want to buy local leather goods, we suggest skipping the market in Via Mercato Nuovo.
We recommend shopping at one of the many locations of Cuoieria Fiorentina. They 100% make their products here in Tuscany.
Another great option is the Scuola del Cuoio, where you can also have engraving done. This option is pricier but worth it!
Where to stay in Florence
When you have only a few days in Florence, you will want to stay in the city center. You don’t have time to waste.
Here are our top 3 hotel options for staying in Florence city center.
Relais Piazza Signoria will place you in the heart of the city. You can rent spacious and clean studio apartments in a fantastic location. See availability and prices here!
Borgia di Firenze is another great accommodation option close to the main attractions in town. See availability here!
Palazzo Ridolfi—Residenza d’Epoca is on the other side of the Arno River but still minutes away from Ponte Vecchio. For the most amazing views, don’t skip the rooftop! See availability here!
On the other hand, if you are planning a longer Tuscany itinerary, we encourage you to mix a few nights in Florence with staying in a rural villa. These are our favorite Tuscan villas.
When to visit Florence
We love Florence in the off-season! That’s because you can feel like a local and see how they actually live.
However, winter can be rainy in Florence, thus it is not for everyone.
You can try your luck with a visit in March and October – the city is still not flooded with tourists, and you might get sunny days.
This being said, April and September might be the perfect months for visiting Florence. Lots of sunny days, but also more people.
I would avoid visiting during the peak season (especially July and August) because it gets really hot and crowded.
What food to try in Florence
If you’re in Florence, you gotta eat like a local. Here’s what to try:
Meaty Must-Haves
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina – A giant, rare T-bone steak that’s all about simplicity: salt, olive oil, fire, and flavor. Share it (or don’t).
- Lampredotto – A local street food legend. It’s a cow’s stomach, slow-cooked, and served in a sandwich with green sauce. It sounds weird and tastes amazing.
- Tagliata di Manzo – Sliced beef, usually with arugula and Parmesan. Simple, but perfect.
Pasta & Comfort Foods
- Pappardelle al Cinghiale – Thick pasta with a wild boar ragu. Rich, meaty, and worth every bite.
- Ribollita – A thick veggie and bread soup that’s basically comfort in a bowl.
- Pappa al Pomodoro – Tomato and bread soup. Rustic, simple, and ridiculously good.
Snacks & Cheese
- Pecorino Toscano – Sheep’s milk cheese that pairs ridiculously well with honey.
- Schiacciata – The Florentine take on focaccia. Get it stuffed with meats and cheese, or just dunk it in olive oil.
Sweet Stuff
- Cantucci e Vin Santo – Crunchy almond cookies you dip in sweet wine. No regrets.
- Schiacciata alla Fiorentina – A soft, citrusy sponge cake that’s light but packed with flavor.
We tried many of these on a food tour and absolutely loved it!
Check out our guides for Florence and Tuscany:
Going on a Food Tour in Florence, Italy
The Best 3 Days in Florence for First-Time Visitors
This is the Perfect Tuscan Road Trip
Discover the Magic of Tuscany on a wine-tasting tour
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