Florence
Italy
- Florence Cathedral
- Uffizi Gallery
- Ponte Vecchio
- Galleria dell'Accademia
- Palazzo Pitti
About Florence
Florence, on the River Arno, is the capital of Tuscany. Known as the cradle of the Renaissance under the patronage of the Medici family, its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio and Michelangelo's David are its emblems.
How many days do you need?
Three days make a good start: one for the cathedral, the baptistery, the climb up the dome and Piazza della Signoria; one for the Uffizi and the Accademia; and one to cross the Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno for Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. Add a day for Siena or Pisa.
Where to stay
- Around the Duomo — The very centre of the old town; everything is within walking distance.
- Santa Maria Novella — Near the main railway station and the tram; handy for day trips.
- Oltrarno — Across the river, with artisans' workshops, local restaurants and quieter evenings.
From the airport to the city
Florence Airport (FLR, Peretola) is about 2.5 miles northwest of the centre; tram line T2 reaches Santa Maria Novella station in about 20 minutes. Pisa Airport (PSA), which has more flights, is about 50 miles away: take the PisaMover to Pisa Centrale, then a train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella.
Getting around
The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot. Trams and city buses serve outer districts. The centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL), and unauthorised vehicles are fined by camera.
Good to know
- The Uffizi and the Accademia are closed on Mondays; booking ahead is recommended for them and for the cathedral dome.
- Shoulders and knees should be covered in churches.
- Summer is very hot and crowded; spring and autumn are better. The currency is the euro.
Useful links
- Feel Florence (official tourism portal) feelflorence.it
- City of Florence comune.fi.it
- Florence Airport aeroporto.firenze.it
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: May–June and September–October. The warmest month is July (average high 86 °F); the wettest is November (3.7 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43.2 | 2.24 | Cool or rainy |
| February | 45.7 | 2.54 | Cool or rainy |
| March | 52.2 | 2.44 | Cool or rainy |
| April | 60.1 | 2.06 | Good |
| May | 67.8 | 2.54 | Ideal |
| June | 78.1 | 1.88 | Ideal |
| July | 86.0 | 1.14 | Good |
| August | 84.9 | 1.56 | Good |
| September | 75.0 | 2.48 | Ideal |
| October | 65.1 | 3.19 | Ideal |
| November | 53.4 | 3.74 | Cool or rainy |
| December | 45.5 | 2.74 | Cool or rainy |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
More in this region
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- EpiphanyJanuary 6
- Easter SundayMarch 28
- Easter MondayMarch 29
- Liberation from Nazi-Fascism (1945)April 25
- Labour DayMay 1
- Republic DayJune 2
- AssumptionAugust 15
- National Day of Saint Francis of AssisiOctober 4
- All Saints' DayNovember 1
- Immaculate ConceptionDecember 8
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Boxing DayDecember 26
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyEuro (€)
- Dialling code+39
- Plugs & voltageType C, F, L · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency112
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.