Pocket Rough Guide Florence (Rough Guides)

Product Information

Due to its Renaissance heritage, medieval architecture, and Tuscan flair, Florence is a destination completely unlike anywhere else in the world. Its wide range of things to do is also suitable for any kind of traveler! I’ve chosen the ideal daily structure, added times, routes to get there and suggestions on how long you should spend at each spot. Of course, you can add your own spots in, swap things around, or even skip some places. Use this itinerary as inspiration instead of a fixed plan to get the most out of your trip! 3 Day Florence Itinerary Overview HostelPass– This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists. This public library is housed in the former Convent of the Oblate and is a popular study spot for students. It’s an important cultural center too, with an entire section dedicated to local history on the first floor. When you’re done browsing, go to the rooftop terrace for a coffee at the Caffetteria delle Oblate. There’s a great view of the Duomo from here and it’s never crowded with tourists. Note: the cafe is temporarily closed. 12. Admire Santa Croce

If you’re looking for a high-quality and detailed tour focusing on the city’s art or history, try Walks of Italy. They’re my favorite walking tour company because their tours offer behind-the-scenes access and are led by informative guides. Tours start at 69 EUR for a 3-hour tour with skip-the-line access to the Duomo and Accademia Gallery. 2. Visit the baptistery Climate: From June to August, the weather will be hot and humid. You can expect steamy afternoons to get up into the 90s, and many places don’t have AC so you’ll be feeling it. Meanwhile, in the winter, you’ll find frosty nights down into the 30s occasionally. By day, Spirito Santo is a calm area that is composed of little more than a church and a piazza. By night though, it’s a totally different scene. Santa Spirto is the place where all the locals go to drink late-night and is full of energy at this time. Even if I only have three days in Florence, I always make an effort to go here. 9. Take a Medici tour The sweet smells of Santa Maria Novella’s pharmacy: Pop in for a moment to get a whiff of the tonics and tinctures at the church’s private pharmacy. This place has been creating remedies for over 400 years!

Public transportation– Florence, especially the city center, is very walkable. You can get between all the top sights (like the Duomo and the Uffizi) in just a 5-10 minute walk. The furthest you will walk to see just about any attraction is 30 minutes.

These tours are seriously fun, because they give you a completely new perspective of the city. They are also very informative, as you will be taken along by a professional guide that will teach you about your surroundings as you pass them. Language: Italian is the official language and it’s good to know a few basics like per favore (please) and grazie (thanks). You’ll find basic English is spoken in tourist areas but don’t expect fluency from everyone you run into. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.Admire the statues at Loggia dei Lanzi: It’s not the Uffizi, but the selection of sculptures at the outdoor gallery of Loggia dei Lanzi is still impressive. The statues are reproductions but damn good ones at that. Covering Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Fiesole and more, the practical Places section provides all you need to know about must-see sights and the best places to eat, drink, sleep and shop.

The second most popular area to stay in is the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood. It’s slightly outside the historic city center but it’s within walking distance, and slightly cheaper. Santa Maria Novella is also near the railway station, in case you are planning to take day trips to Pisa, or travel further afield to Rome or Venice. Written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our expert writers will help you make the most of your trip to Florence. The most famous artwork in the gallery is Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. While crowds gather to ogle at this incredible work, there are so many other amazing pieces of art across the gallery. The 16th-century building is also well worth admiring, as the details and design here is a work of art itself! Have a water bottle: Don’t waste money on plastic, bottled waters; carry your own and refill it in the fountains and the tap. Buy a Firenze Pass: If you intend on visiting a lot of galleries and museums in Florence, you’re probably better off with one of these. It allows free entry to many of the best museums in Florence and you’ll save more money in the end. Note that you will still have to make reservations for the top sights in Florence, like Bruneleschi’s Dome.If you’re trying to the cut the costs of travel to Florence, then maybe it’s time to stay somewhere besides a hostel or apartment. If you need to save money, try one of these: If you need a little extra info to supplement our Florence travel guide, try reading one of these books on the city!