10 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO FLORENCE

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This guide of tips for traveling to Florence, will help you prepare your trip to one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and we would dare to say, of the world, making the most of the time.
Walking through the streets of this city you will feel like in an open-air museum thanks to its many buildings, sculptures and monuments created by some of the best masters of the Renaissance period, including the great Michelangelo.
During the days you are here, do not forget to enjoy long walks and visits to churches and palaces, accompanying them with the delicious Italian cuisine based on pasta, pizza, sausage boards and top quality cheeses.

Based on the experience of the three times we have been in this city, in the last we visited Florence from Rome on a train day, we have made this list of those that are for us 10 essential tips for traveling to Florence.We start!

1. What is the best time?

The best time to make a trip to Florence is spring and autumn, when the weather is nice, there is little chance of rain and there is not as much tourism as in summer. Also if you plan to make a route through Tuscany, these stations are perfect to enjoy the colors of the landscapes of vineyards, sunflowers and olive trees, so typical of this region.
Summer is the worst time for us, since there is a large tourist mass, especially organized groups, which causes prices to skyrocket and points of interest have long lines to enter. If to all these inconveniences, you add the high temperatures, it is not a station that we recommend if you want to take the image that this city deserves.
Winter is also a good time for travel to Florence, having the most affordable accommodation prices and the unique possibility of walking around the city with few people, always counting on the luck that the rain does not appear.

2. Entry requirements

If you are Spanish, as a citizen of the European Union, you only need to carry your ID or Passport to travel to Florence or to any other point in Italy. If you are not from any European Union country, we recommend you check with the Italian Embassy or the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country, to see what documents are required and if you need to obtain a visa.

Another requirement that is not mandatory, but very advisable, is to carry the European Health Card. If you do not have this card or want to carry more coverage, such as a repatriation if necessary, we recommend you take the best travel insurance possible.

We always travel insured with Mondo, with whom we carry a totally adequate insurance to the needs that we will have on the trip. Hiring your insurance here with Mondo, just for being a Street Travelers reader, you have a 5% discount.

3. How to go from the airport to the center of Florence?

The Florence or Peretola Airport, located 6 kilometers northwest of the city, has only one terminal and has these options for transfer to the center:

Bus: The shuttle "Vola in Bus" will take you from the Florence airport to the Santa María Novella train station, located in the center, in less than half an hour for 6 euros or 10 euros, if you buy round trip.
The frequency of passage is 30 minutes between 05h and 20: 30h and one hour between 20: 30h and 00: 30h.
You can buy the single ticket directly from the driver, while the round trip you need to go to a kiosk or the Busitalia bus station, located next to the Santa Maria Novella station.
Trolley car: the new T2 line will take you to Santa Maria Novella in 20 minutes for 1.5 euros.
Private transfer to the hotel: A driver will wait for you inside the terminal and will take you to the door of your hotel. You can book it here.
Cab: It has a fixed price of 22 euros and 24 euros on holidays and is much cheaper than the private transfer.

If you land at the Pisa Airport you can reach the Santa Maria Novella station by train, transferring to the central station of Pisa, or by bus from the same airport.

In this post you can find extended information on how to go from the Florence airport to the center.

From Pisa Airport to Florence by train

4. Where to sleep when traveling to Florence?

If you go to travel to Florence In high season, it is almost essential to book a hotel many months in advance, if you do not want to pay very high prices.
The best and most expensive area to stay is the historic center, between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. In this area, in addition to having most of the city's attractions and the best restaurants nearby, you'll be just minutes from the Santa Maria Novella train station, which connects with the airport and other major cities in Italy.
A great option to stay in the historic center is the Globus Urban Hotel located 5 minutes walk from Piazza del Duomo and Santa Maria Novella station. In addition to its excellent location, the hotel has a 24-hour reception, parking, a good breakfast and spacious and clean rooms.
If the hotels in the historic center do not fit into your budget you can search around the Fortezza da Basso and Via Faenza, located near the Santa Maria Novella station, or in the Tornabuoni area.

If you want to stay in another part of the city you can search here the best hotels in Florence at the best price.

Piazza del Duomo, one of the essentials when traveling to Florence

5. How to get around the city?

If you are staying in the old town of Florence you can visit most of the city's tourist attractions on foot, being concentrated in this area of a few square kilometers. Another option is to use the electric minibuses C1, C2, C3 and D, which run throughout the historic center.
Two of the essential points furthest from the center are the Church of San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale Michelangelo, which are located on a hill next to the Arno River. To get to these two points, which are close to each other, we recommend using bus lines 12, 13 and C3, if you do not want to walk more than 2 kilometers.
Another good option to get around the city is to book the Florence tourist bus that stops at all important points.

Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

6. Essential places

Prior to travel to Florence It is important to plan well the routes around the city and the places you want to visit, to maximize your time.
Among the most essential places in Florence stands out above all, the Plaza del Duomo, which has several wonders such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with an impressive dome of Brunelleschi, the Battistero di San Giovanni, with beautiful mosaics in the inside and the Gate of Paradise of Ghiberti on the outside, and the Campanile of Giotto, overlooking the entire old town.
An interesting way to know the history of this square and its monuments is to book this guided tour in Spanish.

The second most important square is the Piazza della Signoria, where several famous sculptures such as that of Hercules and Caco, the Fountain of Neptune, the replica of Michelangelo's David and, above all, the figures of the Logia dei Langi, are concentrated. which highlights the Perseus with the head of Medusa. In addition to all these works of art, in this square it is worth entering Palazzo Vecchio to see its decorated rooms such as the Cinquecento. To enter the palace we recommend you book this guided tour in Spanish or take this quick entry ticket. Keep in mind that in both cases you will save the long lines.

Another of the icons of Florence is the Ponte Vecchio, one of the most beautiful medieval bridges in the world. Next to this bridge is the Uffizi Gallery, one of the best museums in Florence, which has one of the most valuable art collections in the world with works by Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, among other great masters.
A good alternative to avoid the big queues and not miss anything from this gallery is to book a guided tour in Spanish or take this quick entry ticket.

Following the route through the center you will reach the Piazza Santa Croce that has in the church of the same name, its most important place. This church, known as the Pantheon of Italian glories, has inside the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo Galiei and Machiavelli.
At sunset, in Florence it is almost an obligation to head towards Piazzale Michelangelo, to enjoy the best views and the best sunset in the city.

In addition to all these essential places in Florence we recommend visiting the Church of Santa María Novella, the Chapel of the Medici, the Boboli Garden and the Accademia Gallery, where the most famous sculpture in the world, the David by Michelangelo, is located , made of white marble.
You can avoid the long queues that form at the entrance by booking a visit with an expert guide in Spanish or take this quick entry ticket.

Another of the best tips for traveling to Florence is to complete this list of the places to visit in Florence essential and this one of the best things to do in Florence, which will help you to have the maximum of good experiences.

7. Routes through the city on a trip to Florence

A trip to Florence of 2 or 3 days is enough to see all the most interesting places in the city, although it is important to trace the routes well before leaving the hotel to make the most of the time.
In addition, in this open-air museum, it is important to allow time to stroll through its cobbled streets and not miss any details of the most prominent buildings and sculptures, as this is also a very important part of the experience and the visit to Florence.
If it is your first time in the city, a great way to know the history of the city and not miss anything important is to book this visit with a guide in Spanish that includes the Accademia and Uffizi Gallery or this free tour of Florence! !, one of the best free tours in Florence.

Based on our experience at travel to Florence Three times, we have made these personalized routes according to the time you have in the city:

Ponte Vecchio

8. Where and what to eat in Florence

One of the best reasons for travel to Florence It is to taste its delicious cuisine and Tuscan specialties. Some of the most typical dishes are:

Pappardelle alla lepre: pasta with Bolognese sauce and hare meat.
Bistecca alla fiorentina: thick cut of grilled beef tenderloin.
Lampredotto: callus sandwich.
Schiacchiata: focaccia sandwich stuffed with cheese, sausages and sauce.
Crostini di Fegatini: toast with liver pate.
Polpettone alla fiorentina: a large beef meatball accompanied by tomato sauce and mushrooms.
Ribollita: white bean and vegetable soup.
Schiacciata alla fiorentina: cake covered with vanilla and sugar.

Among the most recommended restaurants in the city to try these typical dishes, which are also located in the center or nearby, you have: La Prosciuteria, I'Tuscani 2, I 'Pizzacchiere, Salumeria Verdi, Mercado Central, Sandwichic, Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, Aurelio and La Vinaina.
You can expand the information by reading this post about restaurants to eat in Florence cheap.

La Prosciuteria, one of the essential restaurants on a trip to Florence

9. Tours and excursions

Once you have made all the important visits to the city, if you still have an extra day, you can complete the trip with one of the best excursions in Florence.
These day tours will allow you to know some of the most essential places to see in Tuscany such as San Gimignano, Siena, Pisa and Lucca.

Siena is a small Florence with great cultural and architectural heritage, which you can visit with some tranquility and that can also serve as a base for touring Tuscany
To get to Siena from Florence you can take a train at the Santa Maria Novella Station, which will take you an hour and a half to arrive.
Pisa, in addition to its famous leaning tower, has other attractions such as its historic center and other buildings that complete the fantastic Piazza dei Miracoli. To go from Florence to Pisa you can take a train at the Santa Maria Novella Station that takes an hour.

San Gimignano, located on top of a hill, is one of the icons of Tuscany and one of the most beautiful medieval villages in the world.
Other essentials of this region are Lucca, Volterra, Montepulciano, Pienza and the landscapes of vineyards and sunflowers in the Orcia Valley.
To reach all these towns and landscapes if you do not want to take a long time or change, it is advisable to rent a car to have the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want.
For more information you can consult this post on how to go from Florence to San Gimignano.

If you already know Tuscany we recommend an excursion to Cinque Terre to visit the 5 fairytale villages located between cliffs and bathed by the Mediterranean Sea. To visit Cinque Terre from Florence you will have to take a train to La Spezia which takes about two hours and then a regional train that stops at each town.

A comfortable and interesting way to visit all these places, learning its history, is to book one of these excursions with a guide in Spanish:

More tours and excursions in Florence here

Siena

10. More tips for a trip to Florence

Other of the most important tips for traveling to Florence are:

Learn some Italian words like Buon giorno (hello formal), ciao (hello and informal goodbye), prego (you're welcome), per favor (please), bene (good), grazie (thank you), non lo so ( I don't know), scusa (sorry) and non capisco (I don't understand).
Look at the prices of the cards, drinks and the "Coperto" before sitting in any restaurant or tourist terrace. It is the best way not to get a surprise.
Get up early if you want to take pictures without people and take a leisurely stroll through the historic center.
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
In Italy, museums are free on the first Sunday of each month. Keep that in mind if you want to save in Florence.
Take the typical Italian appetizer, which consists of a drink like the Spritz accompanied by a small buffet that the local itself offers for free. Some of the most valued places to take this snack-dinner are the Soul Kitchen and the Oibo.
If you are going to make a route through the country follow this list of tips for traveling to Italy and this one of places to see in Italy.

Appetizer

Do you want to travel to Florence?
Get it here:
The best offers of Flights to Florence here
The best hotels at the best prices in Florence here
Book the best tours and excursions in / from Florence in Spanish here
Book your transfer Airport⇆Florencia here
10 essential places to see in San Gimignano
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
Rent your car in Italy at the best price here