Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Florence

Murphy5708

Your best bet for great food and reasonable prices are the smaller, family-run restaurants on the side streets.

Manatee27

If you’re going to be in Florence for at least three days, get a three-day Firenze Pass for entrance to museums. The easiest place to get one is Palazzo Vecchio.

OkArtist

Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to walk everywhere, but if you poop out, don't be shy about hailing a cab.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

amyc

How do you travel like a native in Florence? You don't rent a car. Instead, you walk, or ride your bike, or, if you are brave, ride your scooter, or you take mass transit. Also, you live with the seasons, you appreciate beauty and history, you eat fresh and seasonal foods, and you appreciate living – especially aperitivo! Florence is a walkable, beautiful city. Go and enjoy.

OkArtist

Florence isn't just for world travelers. Grab your camera and get over there! It's an art lover's paradise!

Hammercounty

Florence the centerpiece of Tuscany. There’s so much to see. I recommend you add an extra few days and take in surrounding areas like Pisa and Chianti. My hidden gem is the Della Fortezza Fountain and park; quiet tranquil, nice fountain and near the main train station with the fort walls, but hardly any goes there.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Florence Airport (FLR) is served by many airline carriers and connects to other major European airports. Pisa Airport is another option and offers a shuttle to Pisa Centrale, where you can get a train to Florence. The trip is around an hour.

Train:

The city’s main train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella (aka Firenze SMN), while the Firenze Campo di Marte station is its secondary.

Bus:

Several international bus companies offer service to Florence, but Eurolines has the largest network to and from cities across Europe.

For more info on getting to Florence, visit here.

Do I need a visa?

Since Italy is one of the 26 Schengen Area countries, tourists from those countries do not need a visa for visits less than 90 days, but passports must be valid for at least six months after departure dates. The same goes for Americans.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer: The best time to visit Florence is April-June and September, which is also the busiest and most expensive time as well. The average daily temperatures then are warm, but not too hot, as they can be in July and August when average daily highs can hit 88 Fahrenheit (31 Celsius). To that end, many businesses may close in August for locals to escape the heat.

Cars

While you are able to rent cars, they are not recommended when visiting Florence due to traffic restrictions in its city center. Luckily, the city is small enough to navigate on foot. For more info, visit here.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available in Florence, however, you cannot hail one from the street. You can request one by phone or at one of the several taxi stands throughout the city. For more info and a map of main taxi stations, visit here.

Bus

ATAF and LI-NEA buses are one of the main ways to get around Florence, and tickets must be purchased in advance. For routes, fares, and tickets, visit here.

Trams

There are currently two Tramvia tram lines making several stops across Florence. They accept the same tickets as buses. For more info, visit here.

Ridesharing

Uber and Lyft do not operate in Florence.

Bikes

Bicycles are a great way to get around Florence, and the city has two locations for its own rental service, “Mille e Una Bici.” For more info, visit here.

Another option is rideshare company Mobike, which is reserved and paid for via its free app. For rates, visit here.