‌

Top 24 Florence Travel Tips | The Best Hacks on Budget Travel, Sight-Seeing, & More

The Renaissance period began in Florence, the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy. The spirited city has great art and history culture, making it an ideal place for all explorers. If you're visiting this amazing city, this article will present you with some useful travel tips and hacks.

24 Essential Florence Travel Tips

1. Purchase Bus Tickets in Advance

Travel Tip
  • Bus tickets cannot be purchased on the bus, so stock up ahead of time. Tickets cost €1.50 per, or you may buy a 24-hour, 48-hour, or weekly pass to save money.
  • Bus tickets can be purchased at any convenience store or tabaccheria in the city (little convenience stores marked with a huge T).
Tickets and passes in Florence

2. Take Rest on Mondays

Etiquette Tip
  • Residents of Florence feel the need for rest after a busy weekend in a tourist hotspot like Florence. As a result, many museums and attractions in Florence are closed on Mondays.
  • Use this day to go on a day trip outside of the city or to explore Florence's gardens and parks. On Mondays, avoid visiting the Vatican Museums because they attract the majority of tourists in Florence.
What to Do on Modays in Florence

3. Try the Street Food

Food Tip
  • When in Florence, eat like a local. Although Florence boasts numerous exquisite dining establishments, nothing beats soul cuisine from a street vendor.
  • Look for places where local residents gather. This signifies that the hawker provides tasty cuisine without compromising on quality.
Street Food in Florence

4. Tips are not Mandatory

Etiquette Tip
  • A service charge is added to your bill at most Florence restaurants to cover the expense of the wait staff's services.
  • Even so, if you were particularly pleased with a restaurant's services or if your bill did not include a service charge, you may leave a 10% tip.
Tipping in Florence

5. Call for a Taxi

Transport Tip
  • It is customary in Florence to call taxi operators and request cabs rather than hailing one on the street. You are likely to be blown off if you hail a taxi.
  • Taxis, as always, are expensive, so use them only as a last choice. Many taxi services have ongoing discounts and special offers, so check with the firm ahead of time.
Cabs in Florence

6. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Dressing Tip
  • It is pretty enjoyable to walk around Florence because it is a city with well-maintained walkways. There is no better way to get to know a city than to go for a walk around the neighborhood.
  • Wearing comfy shoes while strolling through Florence is vital to avoid foot troubles the next day.
Florence Walking Guide

7. Watch out for Streetside Art

Sightseeing Tip
  • The city is a work of art in and of itself, and there is likely to be street art on every other corner. Take a break from the inside art scene and see the many street painters at work.
  • Many notable and well-known art pieces can be seen among the many gardens, squares, cathedrals, and fountains in Florence.
Best Street Art in Florence

8. Adhere to the Dress Code

Dressing Tip
  • When visiting Florence's holy sites, you must wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. If you are not dressed appropriately, you may be denied access.
  • Bring a scarf if you're afraid of getting cold. Outside of most of Florence's tourist attractions, hawkers sell scarves.
How to Dress in Florence

9. Climb the Duomo

Sightseeing Tip
  • The beauty of the Duomo is not limited to its external facade. There are about 500 steps that lead you to the top of the Duomo, and you must consider climbing it if you are able to.
  • The view from the top of the Duomo is breathtaking. The entire city of Florence, with its historic skyline, is visible from this unbeatable vantage point.
Florence Duomo Tickets

10. Use Skip-the-Line Tickets

Sightseeing Tip
  • Florence is usually bustling with visitors, particularly in the districts surrounding the most renowned monuments. If you wish to save time, purchase skip-the-line tickets.
  • Affordable skip-the-line tickets are a fantastic opportunity to see Florence's beauty while also saving money.
Florence Attraction Tickets

11. Visit Florence in the Shoulder Season

Best Time to Visit Tip
  • Because Florence is such a famous tourist destination, avoiding the peak season will be critical to your trip's success.
  • April, May, October, and November are the shoulder seasons in Florence, and they are also the months when the city's vegetation is at its most beautiful.
Best Time to Visit Florence

12. Always carry cash in Florence

Money Tip
  • Despite Florence's technological sophistication, the city's shops and marketplaces are still predominantly cash-based.
  • Instead of frequent trips to the ATM, bring cash from your starting point to avoid surcharges and fees.
Using Money in Florence

13. Order Coffee at the Bar

Budget Tip
  • Going to a café for a table is quite a treat because you will be charged a service fee if you order food or drink there.
  • Instead, go to the bar, get your drink, and consume it without deliberation. By the conclusion of the journey, you will have saved a fortune.
Cheap Eats in Florence

14. Be Mindful of your Belongings

Safety Tip
  • The most popular tourist attractions, such as the Historic Center, are virtually constantly packed with visitors. As a result, pickpockets thrive in these environments.
  • Keep an eye on your wallet and any bags containing important documents. Carry a safe backpack that will keep you safe from pickpockets.
Safety Tips for Florence

15. Expect Late Dinners

Etiquette Tip
  • Most restaurants in Florence don't start serving dinner until after 9 PM. Because Florence has such a vibrant nightlife, this late meal culture is ideal for party animals.
  • If you are hungry, you can go for an aperitivo, as most locals do, around 7 PM. Many restaurants provide an open buffet and drinks at this time of day.
Meal Times in Florence

16. Book Tickets in Advance

Sightseeing Tip
  • Whatever they say, Florence's tourist sites are never completely vacant. Purchase your tickets in advance and online to ensure entry to the most popular Florence attractions.
  • If you want to travel during or around peak season, get your tickets as soon as they become available.
Top Florence Attraction Tickets

17. Find the Good Gelato

Food Tip
  • In Florence, gelato is a must-have. Many of the city's gelaterias, however, are cheap and badly manufactured. To get the best gelato, look for establishments that draw a large number of locals.
  • Brightly colored gelato should not be pursued. Natural-ingredient-based ones are typically drab in color, much like the product itself.
Best Gelateria in Florence

18. Visit Museums for Free Once Every Month

Budget Tip
  • All state-owned museums, galleries, archeological sites, parks, and gardens in Florence are open to the public on the first Sunday of each month. Make the most of the situation.
  • Arrive early or travel to a lesser-known place for free because this is the busiest day for visiting these attractions.
Top Free Museums in Florence

19. Refuse Bread at Restaurants if you Don’t Want it

Food Tip
  • Most people believe that, like in other countries, bread is served complimentary with meals in Florence. That is not correct.
  • Because bread is charged, let the waiters know as soon as you sit down if you don't want it. Otherwise, you will be charged.
Food Tips for Florence

20. Bring a Universal Adapter

Packing Tip
  • A type C plug is used by the majority of appliances in Italy. Make sure you have a universal adaptor for your phones and other electronics.
  • To avoid paying extra in Florence for the same item, buy one from your starting location.
Essentials You Need to Pack for Florence

21. Take a Day Trip from Florence

Sightseeing Tip
  • If you have a few free days in Florence, day trips are a terrific way to save money while seeing the sights. You won't have to worry about making new hotel reservations, and you'll be able to see more of the city.
  • You can visit exotic locations like Chianti to learn about the intricacies of wine tasting or visit the world's marvel, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Cinque Terra region is another excellent day trip destination.
Day Trip from Florence

22. Choose Your Accommodation Carefully

Accommodation Tip
  • If you just have a short time in Florence, it's best to stay in a reputable hotel or hostel in the city center. However, these hotels will cost higher than usual.
  • If you're on a budget, though, venture outside of the historic district and into residential areas. The areas on the other side of the Arno are less expensive and give you a flavor of Florentine life.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Florence

23. Take a Food Tour in Florence

Sightseeing Tip
  • Cuisine in Florence is an art form in and of itself, and a food tour is one of the greatest ways to learn about the city's history and culture.
  • Although the trip appears to be extensive, the time flies by as you eat your way from one spot to the next.
Book Food and Wine Tours in Florence

24. Don’t Buy Single Use Bottled Water

Budget Tip
  • Carry a reusable bottle with you and fill it up at the Florence taps as needed. In the city, tap water is safe to drink.
  • Single-use plastic water bottles are not only costly but also hazardous to the environment.
Drinking Water in Florence

Frequently Asked Questions About Florence Travel Tips & Hacks

The best travel tips for transport in Florence are, always using the public transport system whenever possible, using the shuttle for airport transfers, and walking to places that are a short distance away instead of taking a taxi.