Plan a winter trip to Florence. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
Florence — current status
Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)
Florence — TL;DR
Florence remains the most concentrated artistic city on earth — Brunelleschi's dome, the Uffizi's Botticellis and Michelangelo's David all within a twenty-minute walk.
Florence at a glance
What are the best things to do in Florence? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Florence trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Florence? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Florence — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Florence? April-May, September-October (pleasant weather, fewer crowds than summer)
Where should I stay in Florence for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Florence? Compact historic center walkable; no cars needed; buses for outer areas; nearby Tuscany accessible by train.
Florence overview
April-May, September-October (pleasant weather, fewer crowds than summer)
Compact historic center walkable; no cars needed; buses for outer areas; nearby Tuscany accessible by train
Euro (€)
Italian
CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)
Focus on local artisan products; small-batch wine resurgence; farm-to-table dining importance; boutique hotel growth; sustainable tourism
Where to eat, drink & do in Florence
Florence neighborhoods
Centro Storico Historic heart around Duomo, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio
Oltrarno/Santo Spirito Across Arno River with artsy character
Santa Croce Historic neighborhood with charm and fewer crowds
San Niccolò Charming southern enclave on Arno's south bank
Oltrarno South of the river, this is the Florence of artisan workshops, neighborhood trattorias, and Palazzo Pitti's gardens.
San Lorenzo The market district around the Medici chapels—leather stalls, Mercato Centrale, and a more rough-edged energy.
Practical info for Florence
Book Everything in Florence? Uffizi, Accademia (David), Duomo climb—all require advance booking in peak season. Don't wing it.
Aperitivo Hours in Florence? 6-8pm is aperitivo time. Order a Negroni or Aperol Spritz and get free snacks at most bars.
Siesta Respect in Florence? Many shops close 1-3:30pm. Museums stay open, but this is ideal lunch time.
Tripe Tradition in Florence? Lampredotto (tripe sandwich) is the authentic Florentine street food. Find it at market stalls, not tourist restaurants.
Frequently asked questions about Florence
What are the best things to do in Florence? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Florence trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Florence tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Florence? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Florence — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Florence? April-May, September-October (pleasant weather, fewer crowds than summer)
Where should I stay in Florence for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Florence? Compact historic center walkable; no cars needed; buses for outer areas; nearby Tuscany accessible by train.