Florence travel guide: the Duomo, the Uffizi and Oltrarno
The cradle of the Renaissance is small enough to cross on foot in half an hour and rich enough in art to fill a week. Florence looks best from the riverbank at dusk, when the stone turns gold.
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Florence
Photo: Jeff Ackley / Unsplash
Florence, the Renaissance at walking pace
Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo half an hour before sunset. Below you the whole city glows the same warm colour: the cathedral dome, the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, the bridges over the Arno. It costs nothing, and it is the view that sells Florence.
The capital of Tuscany is where the Renaissance took shape. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and so compact that you can walk almost everywhere. For more of the country, see our Italy travel guide.
Neighbourhoods to know
The Duomo and Centro Storico
Cathedral, baptistery and museums. The most to see and the most people.
Santa Croce
The church where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried, plus bars and leather workshops.
Oltrarno
Across the river: the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens and the artisans of Santo Spirito. Florence at its most local.
San Lorenzo
The Mercato Centrale food hall and the Medici Chapels, handy for the station.
Two days in Florence
Day 1: climb the Duomo's dome (book a time slot), the Uffizi in the afternoon and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
Day 2: David at the Galleria dell'Accademia first thing, lunch at the Mercato Centrale, and an afternoon in Oltrarno and the Boboli Gardens.
Food and day trips
Bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick T-bone steak, is made for sharing. Lampredotto, a tripe sandwich sold from street carts, is for the curious. Chianti and the hill towns are close by, and our Tuscany guide covers the region.
Hotel Brunelleschi
Photo: Hotels.com
Where to stay
Near the Duomo you are in the thick of it, in Oltrarno it is calmer and more local, and around Santa Maria Novella you are close to the trains. Our Florence hotel guide has the shortlist.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Brunelleschi
Good to know
The Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome all need timed tickets. Book before you go, especially in summer.
The centre is closed to ordinary traffic. Only pick up a hire car when you leave for the countryside.
Florence charges a nightly tourist tax, paid at your hotel.
Frequently asked questions about Florence
How many days do you need in Florence?
Two or three days for the major museums and an evening in Oltrarno. Add a day for Chianti or Siena.
Do I need to book the Uffizi in advance?
It is strongly recommended. Without a booking, queues can be long from April to October.
When is the best time to visit Florence?
April, May and October. July and August are hot and crowded.
Can you do a day trip from Florence to Pisa or Siena?
Yes. Trains to Pisa take about an hour, and buses to Siena a little over an hour.