The Ultimate Florence Travel Guide for a Brit
For Renaissance art lovers and Tuscan wine connoisseurs, Florence is the golden destination for an Italian excursion you won鈥檛 forget.
With an abundance of authentic alleyway eateries, world-class museums, and architectural bliss, it鈥檚 no surprise that thousands of Brits visit the city all year round.
However, amongst the city’s initial golden buzz and picturesque Tuscan backdrops, how do you ensure that your fleeting Florence trip is packed full of unforgettable moments?
Stick with us as we dive into travel tips, restaurant recommendations, and the key landmarks to check when visiting the city known as the Jewel of the Renaissance.
Travelling To Florence
There are plenty of ways to reach Florence from the UK. Whether you opt for train hopping or an early airport dash, travel prices vary depending on the season you choose to visit.
If you鈥檙e travelling on a budget, consider the cooler months, such as January and February, for a wintery walk around ancient streets. This is typically off-season for Florence tourism, and you could secure a return flight from London for just 拢46.
For peak-time school holiday travellers, the city truly shines. However, the average cost to travel to Florence from the UK during the summer months can exceed 拢250 for the same return flight.
Our advice is to consider arriving in a nearby city, such as Pisa鈥檚 Galileo Galilei airport, just a bus ride away. As a much larger airport, you can find more European connections from Ryanair, EasyJet and WizzAir, which tend to offer cheaper rates during peak season.
Where To Stay?
So you鈥檝e reached the city, and you鈥檙e looking for the ideal place to call home for the next few days.
Ideally, it鈥檚 best to gravitate towards the . Every street is bursting with the city鈥檚 historic beauty, and you鈥檙e right in the centre of Florence鈥檚 most talked-about attractions.
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While you鈥檒l likely pay a premium to be surrounded by Giotto鈥檚 bell tower, the finest pizzerias and design-conscious B&Bs, you鈥檙e instantly within walking distance of everything on your city bucket list for the whole trip.
Our second choice for a successful stay in Florence is in one of the city鈥檚 stunning suburbs.
From to , there are plenty of places to discover relaxing outdoor gardens and rooftop pools for those interested in retiring away from the busy centre.
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For Brits on a budget, just a short bus away from some of the best attractions, make sure to also check the Centro Storico鈥檚 periphery for the best budget hotels.
What To Taste?
Following the likes of the capital Rome, Florence鈥檚 restaurant scene continues to thrive in 2024. With a variety of cuisines to choose from, you鈥檒l taste more here than just pasta and pizza.
If you check out the , you鈥檒l find a snacker鈥檚 paradise. As a marketplace packed full of European tapas, Tuscan wines, homemade gelato and Neoplitan-style pizza, this is a great place to fill up during the day while you鈥檙e on the move.
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For a true taste of Tuscany in the evening, however, head to the Santo Spirito district. Here, you鈥檒l find restaurants overlooking the Tuscan countryside, ready to serve the staples of Florentine cuisine.
Some of our favourite restaurants include Osteria dell鈥橢noteca and Gurdul霉 Gastronomia, for a true taste of luxury.
How To Make The Most Of The Attractions
Now for the most important part of your Florence excursion. The attractions. Here are some of the ways to make the most of the city in just a few short days.
Purchase a Firenze Card
If you鈥檙e an art history buff, then look no further. A Firenze Card is a pass that grants access to all of the city鈥檚 museums for 72 hours.
Starting at 鈧�85, it may not sound cheap, but you certainly get more for your money if you plan on enjoying every inch of Renaissance remains.
Michelangelo鈥檚 David
It is the figurehead of the city; most tourists in Florence flock to the centre for one particular masterpiece: .
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This towering figure, found in the centre of the city, is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. In fact, Florence loved him so much that there is a replica of the statue in front of Palazzo Vecchio and another one in Piazzale Michelangelo.
Why not head on a and tick all three David鈥檚 off on your Florence bucket list?
To see the original, you need to book tickets, which are sometimes sold out months in advance. So ensure that you plan ahead to view the key sights of the city.
Visit Brunelleschi鈥檚 Dome
If you鈥檙e looking for an instagrammable spot in the city, look no further than . Known as the largest brick-based dome in the world, this sits right at the top of Florence鈥檚 stunning cathedral.
Measuring 45m across and standing more than 54m from the ground, you鈥檙e unlikely to miss this sight.
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Its gothic features and golden embellishments are illuminated by the sunshine, and if you can hack the 463 stair climb, you also get a stunning view of the city below.
Head On A Tuscan Wine Tour
Tuscany is the home of some of the best wines in the world, so if you鈥檙e an oenophile, it would be rude not to check out some of the most beautiful vineyards Italy has to offer.
The Tuscan countryside is just a small bus ride away, so we recommend booking a whole day out of the city for this boozy excursion.
Why not try cheese and wine tasting in Val D’Orcia or follow a wine expert guide on an exclusive afternoon Chianti wine tour?
For those looking to learn more about Tuscany’s history, you can also hop on the Pienza and Montepulciano guided wine tour, a full-day trip that includes wine tasting and explores medieval Tuscan villages.
Finish Off Your Trip With the Perfect Sunset Spot
No trip to Italy is complete without the ultimate sunset goodbye. If you鈥檙e heading home in the morning, finish off your stay with a bottle of wine, some Italian gelato and the view from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Here you can see many testaments to Michelangelo, Florence鈥檚 David replica in a golden glow and most importantly, the Tuscan hills rolling in a shadowy countryside.
It鈥檚 no secret that Florence is one of the most picturesque cities Italy has to offer, so ending your trip with a sunset view of its best attractions will bring your holiday and our guided tour to a whimsical end.
By Rebecca Barnatt-Smith
