Welcome to my Florence Italy travel guide! There is no better feeling than being in Florence on a hot summer day with gelato in your hand. Italy always seems to take my breath away no matter how many times I return. There is so much to see in this beautiful country and I always leave wanting more. Florence is full of amazing history, art, food, and views. Florence, like every city in Italy, will have you running into beautiful history with every corner you turn. I don’t think I could recommend Florence enough! I wanted to make this post because there are so many things I wish I knew before my first trip to Florence. The feeling you will experience in this city is so rich it’s hard to describe, and I won’t try, you just need to go and experience it for yourself. There are so many things to do and see, I hope these travel tips will help make your trip magic.

First things first: 

Currency: Euros but a lot of places take cards. 

Language: Italian, learn a few phrases before you go.

Best time to go: I would say any time you can go is the best time, summer will be very crowded but it’s not so bad. Springtime would be a nice time to go when everything is in bloom and the weather isn’t so hot. August is when Italians like to take their vacation, so keep that in mind, some shops could be closed.

Museums:

The Accademia Gallery Museum

Obviously, the most important one to see is The Accademia Gallery Museum where you can see Michelangelo’s famous David statue. I would buy tickets online beforehand and go in the morning to try and beat the crowds. There is a fake David statue outside that you can see in the Piazza della Signoria. 

Uffizi Gallery

Here you can see beautiful sculptures and art. I would definitely recommend going here for some cultural learning. 

Best Views in Florence:

Piazzale Michelangelo 

Go here for the best view overlooking Florence! Go for sunset with a bottle of wine and wait for the magic. There will be a lot of people so try to get there early. Another thing to note is if you are walking, there are a lot of steps up 

P.S don’t forget to check out the garden right before you arrive at the square with the amazing view, it’s gorgeous!! We went there and ate our paninis sitting on the grass with some wine, it was amazing.

Duomo

Climb the Duomo for some more amazing views of the city!! You can buy a 72-hour ticket for 18 euros that’s good for the Duomo, Belltower, Crypt, Baptistery, and Museum. There will be lots of steps with NO elevator. It’s a very interesting way up, you walk in these passageways where you are super close to the top of the Duomo fresco! You can really see the detail in the paintings. 

Bell Tower 

You can also climb the Bell Tower and see the Duomo in your view, very beautiful. For your first time in Florence, I definitely recommend doing both. Get the 72-hour pass and then do one each day so you aren’t so sore.

The Westin Hotel 

Go here!!! Go here for an apertivo, which is a pre-dinner drink tradition in Italy. A lot of places will do this, you buy a drink and then they put out a buffet of appetizers. At the Westin, you will buy a drink (pricy drink) and they will set out a buffet for you to grab from. The drink is pricy but I swear the view is amazing, it is so worth it!! Sit enjoy your drink, and your food, and watch the sunset. 

Osteria delle Tre Panche 

Another beautiful place to eat and look at amazing views but I haven’t been, it is on my list for next time. 

View on Art 

A rooftop bar that I’ve heard of, but haven’t been to. It’s on my list for next time.

You must eat a Paninio in Florence!

All’Antico Vinaio 

On any recommendation list you will find this spot and yes, I 100% think it’s worth all the hype. Their Panini is amazing!! You have a variety of different styles you can get, and it’s all really fresh ingredients. The meat is light and fluffy, and they have some incredible spreads. There will be a line but it goes quick, they are used to the high demand. They will even cut the sandwich in half so you can share with the person your with and try more than one style.

I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti

My second favorite Panino place. They also have a lot of different options that were definitely just as amazing as All’Antico Vinaio. Everything is fresh and delicious. The bread was crunchy which I loved! 

Nobile Bistro 

And my third recommendation for a delicious Panino! You seriously can’t leave without having at least one, whichever place you pick you won’t be disappointed! They are cheap and amazing.

Spend time trying to find your favorite gelato place

You really can’t go wrong with gelato, but always try and go for places that have the flavors hidden in cans, it’s always the best. The places that have their gelato really tall and super pigmented are not going to be as good.

Ponte Vecchio- The most beautiful bridge in Florence

You can’t miss the oldest bridge in Florence. The beautiful colored buildings that make up the bridge are full of shops (high-end) but it’s very nice to window shop! When walking through, remember, that this bridge has stayed standing through some crazy historical events.  

Don’t forget to check out the beautiful churches!! 

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Basilica of Santa Croce

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

Florence Markets:

Mercato del Porcellino

The famous market where you can buy leather goods. 

Mercato Centrale

Food market with fresh produce, meats, and cheeses. 

Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio

This one is a little out of the way, we arrived a little too late and they were all packing up but another place for fresh food and some food stalls. 

More food spots tips:

Serre Torrigiani in Piazzetta

This is a hidden area where you can grab something to eat or drink and sit and enjoy the cuteness of the area! 

Osteria Pastella

The pasta is made fresh in front of the window for everyone to watch, it’s awesome. We had an amazing meal, I had the ravioli in a tomato sauce and my boyfriend had the Pappardelle with local boar meat and omg it was amazing!! They also have a pasta dish where they flambé it in a cheese wheel. Make a reservation, we were so happy we did because there were people lining up at the door before they opened. 

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