In Florence, where you sleep decides how much of the city you see on foot. These are the areas we recommend, and who each one suits.
€€€€€€ Price levels compare the areas within this city.
01
Duomo area €€€ Higher prices
Best for: First-timers
Everything on foot from the cathedral square.
02
Santa Croce €€ Mid-range prices
Best for: Couples and food lovers
Lively piazzas and great trattorias near the Arno.
03
Oltrarno € Lower prices
Best for: Repeat visitors
Artisan workshops and quieter streets across the river.
Hotel shortlists
Three picks per question, chosen with our selection criteria, with price ranges and what nobody tells you.
The 3 best hotels with Duomo viewsComing soon
The 3 best luxury hotels in FlorenceComing soon
The 3 best value hotelsComing soon
Airport to city
01
T2 tram ≈ 20 min
About 20 min to Santa Maria Novella
Cheap and direct.
02
Taxi ≈ 20 min
About 20 min
Fixed fare to the centre.
03
Train from Pisa airport ≈ 1 h
About 1 hour 20 min
Many flights land in Pisa instead; plan the connection.
Frequently asked questions
The 10 questions everyone asks before going, answered straight.
01Is Florence safe for tourists?
Yes, Florence is very safe and compact. Watch for pickpockets around the Duomo, on the Ponte Vecchio and at Santa Maria Novella station. Walking around at night is fine.
02When is the best time to visit Florence?
April to June and September to October are ideal. July and August are very hot (often above 35 °C) and packed. Winter is cool and quieter, and the museums are much easier to visit.
03What language is spoken in Florence?
Italian. English is spoken in hotels, restaurants and at the main sights.
04How many days do you need in Florence?
Two to three days is enough for the museums and the historic centre. With more time, add Pisa and Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano or a Chianti wine tour.
05What are the top 10 attractions in Florence?
Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) and Brunelleschi's Dome
Uffizi Gallery
Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's David)
Ponte Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio
Piazzale Michelangelo
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Basilica of Santa Croce
Baptistery and Giotto's Bell Tower
San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels
06Which of these attractions can you visit for free?
The Duomo cathedral is free to enter (the dome, bell tower and baptistery are paid with a combined pass). The Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and the Loggia dei Lanzi, an open-air sculpture gallery, are free. So is Piazzale Michelangelo, the best view of the city, and the church of San Miniato al Monte just above it. The Mercato Centrale and the Oltrarno neighbourhood are free to wander.
07Which museums are worth visiting in Florence?
The Uffizi and the Accademia are must-books. Add the Bargello for Renaissance sculpture (Donatello, Michelangelo), the Pitti Palace, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo with the original Gates of Paradise, and the Medici Chapels. State museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, but very crowded.
08What are the locals like in Florence?
Florentines are proud of their art and history, direct and witty, and the city is full of artisan workshops. Lunch is around 12:30–2:30 pm and dinner from 7:30 pm. A coperto (cover charge) appears on most bills, and tipping isn't required.
09What is the typical food in Florence?
The bistecca alla fiorentina, a thick T-bone served rare, is the star. Try ribollita and pappa al pomodoro (Tuscan bread soups), a lampredotto sandwich from a street kiosk, a stuffed schiacciata, pici pasta and cantucci dipped in vin santo. To drink, Chianti, and gelato to finish.
10Where should you stay in Florence?
The Duomo area is the most central, at higher prices. Santa Croce is lively and mid-range. Oltrarno, across the river, is full of artisans and local life, with lower prices.
Staying connected
An eSIM is a digital SIM you install on your phone before you fly. No plastic card, no shop at the airport: you land, switch it on and you're online.
Low cost: plans for a few days usually cost far less than roaming
Coverage in every destination on tips2trip, and worldwide
Data from the moment you land: maps, ride apps and your bookings
Book your airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-airport transfers in advance and forget about the taxi queue, the bargaining and the 'where do we go now?'. When you walk out of arrivals, someone is already waiting with a sign with your name on it, helps you with the bags and takes you straight to the door.
Fixed price, agreed before you travel
Flight tracking: they wait if you're delayed
Child seats and vans for families or groups on request
