City Trip to Florence
A city trip to Florence is on many people’s wish lists, mainly because of its art, architecture, and history. Florence is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. The city is closely associated with names such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the De’ Medici family.
Over the past ten years, I have visited many cities in Italy, and Florence is one of the cities I regularly return to. Compared to Rome and Milan, Florence is not a large city. The historic center is compact, and many sights are within walking distance of each other.
Due to the popularity of sights such as the Uffizi and the Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence is visited by more than 15 million tourists each year. The city is especially crowded in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, visitor numbers are lower. The time at which you visit Florence therefore plays an important role in planning your city trip.
On this page, you will find an overview of the main sights, museums, practical tips, and day trips around Florence. This allows you to decide for yourself what best suits your city trip to Florence.
What can you expect when visiting Florence
If you are visiting Florence for the first time, the historic city center is the most important area to explore. This is where the most popular sights are located, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Palazzo Strozzi, and Palazzo Vecchio.
Compared to other European cities such as London, Rome, and Paris, the sights in Florence are close to each other and easy to reach on foot. For example, it takes about six minutes to walk from Florence Cathedral (Duomo) to Palazzo Vecchio.
Florence is also a city that attracts many tourists who come to visit museums and historic buildings. Sights such as the Duomo, the Uffizi, and the Galleria dell’Accademia draw large numbers of visitors every day. Especially during the high season, this can result in long waiting times and crowds, particularly if you have not purchased tickets in advance. Queues of an hour at the ticket office are then not uncommon.
Those who start early in the morning can combine several sights in one day and often still have enough time for lunch and a walk along the Arno.
Overview of the main sights in Florence
Most of the popular sights in Florence are located in and around the historic city center. In the following sections, the main places are discussed one by one, including museums, churches, squares, and other well-known sights.
For each sight, it is explained what you can see there, whether a visit is worthwhile, and what you should take into account during your city trip to Florence.
Duomo of Florence
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo of Florence, was built starting in 1296 and is the fourth-largest cathedral in Europe. The cathedral is located in the heart of the historic city center and is one of the most famous sights in the city. The building is an important example of Italian Gothic and early Renaissance architecture and forms the religious heart of Florence. Inside the cathedral, you can admire impressive frescoes, including The Last Judgment on the inside of the dome.
The Duomo consists of several parts that can be visited separately or in combination. These include the cathedral itself, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery. Brunelleschi’s Dome can be climbed via a staircase with 463 steps. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a panoramic view over Florence. Not all parts are freely accessible, and some require a ticket.
Because the Duomo is one of the most popular sights in Florence, it can be very crowded. Especially around the square and at the entrances, queues regularly form. A visit to the Duomo takes at least one to two hours, depending on what you want to see, if you only visit the cathedral or the dome. Those who want to see all parts will quickly spend a large part of the day here. For the climb of Brunelleschi’s Dome, you should allow about 45 to 60 minutes, excluding waiting time.
Uffizi Museum
The Uffizi Museum is one of the most famous museums in Italy and is located directly next to Piazza della Signoria. The museum was built in the 16th century on the orders of the De’ Medici family and originally served as an office complex. Today, it is a museum with an extensive art collection.
The Uffizi mainly displays paintings from the Italian Renaissance. Among the most famous works are The Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Botticelli, as well as paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio. The collection is spread across several rooms and floors.
An admission ticket is required to visit the Uffizi Museum. Without a ticket reserved in advance, waiting times can be long, especially during the high season. Queues of an hour or longer are common. Inside the museum, visitors follow a fixed route through the different rooms.
A visit to the Uffizi takes an average of two to three hours, depending on how many rooms you visit and how much time you spend on each artwork. Those with little interest in painting will need less time than visitors who want to explore the collection in depth.
Galleria dell’Accademia
The Galleria dell’Accademia is best known for Michelangelo’s statue of David. The museum is located within short walking distance of the Duomo and is often combined with other sights in the historic city center.
In addition to David, the Galleria dell’Accademia also displays other sculptures by Michelangelo, including the unfinished Prisoners. The collection also consists of paintings and religious art from the 13th to the 16th century. The museum is smaller than the Uffizi and focuses on a more limited number of artworks.
An admission ticket is required to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia. Without a reservation, waiting times can increase, especially during the high season and around midday. The queue at the entrance can then be quite long.
A visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia takes on average one to one and a half hours. For many visitors, the museum is mainly of interest because of Michelangelo’s David.
Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio is located on Piazza della Signoria and has been the political heart of Florence for centuries. The building was constructed at the beginning of the 14th century and still serves as the city hall today. Thanks to its location and distinctive appearance, it is one of the most striking buildings in the historic city center.
Inside Palazzo Vecchio, you can visit various halls and rooms. One of the most famous is the Salone dei Cinquecento, a large hall decorated with frescoes and ceiling paintings. In addition, there are smaller rooms and corridors that provide insight into the power and wealth of Florence during the time of the De’ Medici family.
An admission ticket is required to visit Palazzo Vecchio. It is generally less crowded than museums such as the Uffizi, but during busy periods, such as spring and summer, it can become more crowded.
A visit to the palace can easily be combined with other sights in the immediate area, such as Piazza della Signoria.
An average visit to Palazzo Vecchio takes about one to two hours, depending on which rooms you visit and whether you also climb the tower. The tower has 418 steps and no elevator. At the top, you are rewarded with a 360-degree view over the city, including views of the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is the most famous bridge in Florence and spans the River Arno. The bridge was built in the 14th century and is especially recognizable because of the shops that are built along both sides of it. Originally, these were occupied by butchers, but today you will mainly find jewelers and goldsmiths.
The Ponte Vecchio is freely accessible and forms part of an important walking route through the historic city center. The bridge connects the northern and southern parts of the center. Due to its central location, it is almost always busy, especially during the day and in the high season.
From the bridge, you have views over the Arno and the city, both to the east and the west. Early in the morning and later in the day, it is quieter here than around midday. During the day, the Ponte Vecchio is mainly used as a passageway.
A visit to the Ponte Vecchio takes little time and can easily be combined with other sights in the area, such as Palazzo Pitti and the historic center on the north side of the river.
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is located in the historic city center of Florence and has been the political and social heart of the city for centuries. The square is situated directly next to Palazzo Vecchio and is one of the best-known and most visited squares in Florence.
On and around the square, you will find various statues and historic buildings. In front of Palazzo Vecchio stands a replica of Michelangelo’s statue David. There are also other sculptures, such as the Fountain of Neptune and statues in the open loggia at the edge of the square. These sculptures are freely accessible and turn the square into an open-air museum.
Piazza della Signoria is accessible at any time of day and forms an important hub in the historic center. Due to its central location, it is almost always busy, especially during the day. In the evening hours, the square becomes quieter and the atmosphere changes thanks to the lighting of the surrounding buildings.
A visit to Piazza della Signoria usually does not take much time and can easily be combined with a visit to Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi, or other sights in the immediate area.
Basilica di Santa Croce
The Basilica di Santa Croce is located in the eastern part of the historic city center of Florence and is one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world. The basilica was built in the 13th and 14th centuries and is known for its sober façade and spacious interior.
Inside the Basilica di Santa Croce are the tombs of several famous Italians, including Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, and Machiavelli. In addition, you can see frescoes and chapels that offer insight into the religious and cultural history of Florence. The interior clearly differs from churches such as the Duomo and shows a different side of the city.
An admission ticket is required to visit the basilica. It is generally less crowded than the most famous museums in Florence, but visitor numbers can increase at popular times and during holiday periods.
A visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce takes on average one to one and a half hours, depending on how much time you spend in the chapels and the museum section that is part of the basilica.
Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens
Palazzo Pitti is located on the south side of the River Arno and for a long time served as the residence of the De’ Medici family. The palace was built in the 15th century and is one of the largest palaces in Florence. Today, several museums are housed within the building.
Inside Palazzo Pitti, you will find various collections, including paintings, historical objects, and royal apartments. Not all parts of the palace are accessible with a single ticket; some museums require a separate admission. Depending on which museums you visit, a visit to Palazzo Pitti can take one to several hours.
Behind the palace are the Boboli Gardens. These gardens were laid out in the 16th century and consist of terraces, fountains, statues, and walking paths. The Boboli Gardens form a green area in the heart of the city and are often visited in combination with the palace.
An admission ticket is required for both Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. Both sights are within walking distance of the Ponte Vecchio and can easily be combined with other places on this side of the Arno.
Boboli Gardens: Is It Worth Visiting?
Practical tips for a city trip to Florence.
Best time to visit Florence
Florence is visited year-round, but crowd levels vary greatly by season. In spring and summer, visitor numbers are at their highest, especially around popular sights and museums. In autumn and winter, the city is quieter, with the exception of public holidays and weekends.
Crowds and waiting times
At well-known sights such as the Uffizi, the Galleria dell’Accademia, and the Duomo, you should expect queues. Without tickets purchased in advance, waiting times can increase significantly, especially during the high season. Even at places with free access, such as churches, entry may take longer due to security checks.
Tickets and reservations
Many museums and parts of major sights require an admission ticket. Popular museums work with time slots. Reserving tickets in advance helps avoid long queues at the ticket office. Not all sights are freely accessible.
Dress code
Dress codes apply to churches and religious buildings in Florence. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Visitors who do not comply may be refused entry.
Getting around the city
The historic center of Florence is compact, and most sights can be reached on foot. Public transport is mainly useful for accommodations outside the city center. Within the center itself, many streets are pedestrian-only or have limited access.
Car rental in Florence: when is it useful and when not?
Renting a car in Florence is not always necessary and in many cases can even be impractical. The historic city center is largely car-free and consists of so-called ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato). Without a permit, you are not allowed to enter these zones. If you do, you risk a fine that is often sent weeks or even months later.
For a city trip focused mainly on visiting the center of Florence, a car is therefore usually not a practical choice. The main sights are close to each other and easily reachable on foot. Parking in or around the city center is also limited and often expensive.
A rental car can be useful when you use Florence as a base for trips outside the city. Think of visits to Tuscan villages, vineyards, or towns that are less easily accessible by public transport. In that case, it is advisable to pick up the car only on the day you leave the city or to choose a rental location outside the city center.
Day trips from Florence
Frequently asked questions about a city trip to Florence
When is Florence the busiest?
The busiest period is from April through September, with a peak in June, July, and August. It is also busy around Easter and other public holidays. In autumn and winter, visitor numbers are lower.
Do you need to book tickets in advance in Florence?
For popular sights such as the Uffizi, the Galleria dell’Accademia, and parts of the Duomo, booking in advance is strongly recommended. Without advance tickets, waiting times can increase to an hour or longer.
Can you explore Florence on foot?
Yes. The historic city center of Florence is compact, and most sights are within walking distance of each other. Walking is the most common way to explore the city during a city trip.
Is Florence suitable for a city trip with children?
That depends on their age and interests. Squares, bridges, and short walking routes are manageable with children. Large museums such as the Uffizi are less suitable for young children due to their size and crowds.
Is Florence suitable for a short city trip?
Yes. Thanks to its compact city center, Florence is well suited for a short city trip of a few days. However, if you have limited time, you will need to make choices, as not everything can be visited spontaneously.
Do you need a car in Florence?
No. For a city trip to Florence, a car is not necessary and often impractical due to car-free zones and limited parking options. A car is mainly useful for day trips outside the city.
Is a visit to Florence worth it?
Over the past ten years, I have visited various cities in Italy multiple times. I have also been to Florence several times. During my first visit, I went to the Duomo of Florence in the afternoon. I thought I could easily buy a ticket there to climb the tower, but that turned out not to be possible. Access to the tower works with time slots, and you need to reserve these in advance to limit crowds.
In the years that followed, I returned to Florence several times. On one occasion, I rented a car to drive to Pisa, but that was not very convenient. Both Florence and Pisa have ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato), where cars without a permit are not allowed to drive. The fines are high and are simply sent to your home address. On later visits, I traveled from Florence to Pisa by train, which turned out to be a much easier and more comfortable way to travel.
In April 2025, I visited Florence for the most recent time. After Rome, the city remains one of my favorite Italian cities. This is mainly because from Florence you can easily make day trips to places such as Siena, San Gimignano, and the hills and villages of Tuscany. For me, this makes Florence always worth visiting and a pleasant base from which to explore more of the region.
Edward
Hi, I’m Edward, an experienced city trip enthusiast. Over the past few years, I’ve visited dozens of cities across Europe and America. On Cities To Travel, I share personal experiences and practical tips to help you plan your next city trip. Have any questions? Feel free to send me an email.
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Last updated: 3 February 2026
