Is Florence worth visiting? Must Knows Before Visiting Florence

Is Florence worth visiting? Discovering the enchanting city of Florence in Italy is a must-do for any traveler. To ensure a memorable experience, it’s crucial to be aware of some valuable tips based on our own experiences. Whether it’s transportation, attractions, weather, dining, or shopping, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive into these essential tips that you must know before visiting Florence!

Tip 1: Getting around Florence

When you’re in Florence, it’s important to know that transportation options are limited. The most popular choice is Uber Black, but it’s not always easily accessible. Unfortunately, there’s no Cabify, Bolt, or metro in Florence. However, there are some bus lines called the Tramway bus that run on certain streets. It’s also important to note that some areas may not be well-connected, so you’ll mostly rely on taxis. To request a taxi, you can either download the “App Taxi” app or call for one. If you need a taxi early in the morning or late at night, make sure to plan ahead as there may be some waiting time.

Note: Let me tell you about the intense adventure we had on the day we were leaving! Our taxi never arrived despite multiple requests and phone calls. There weren´t any Ubers available, so we ended up sprinting with our suitcases on those bumpy cobblestone streets when finally our savior in a shiny Uber Black appeared. Talk about a relief! I tell you, it was like a rollercoaster of stress as we almost lost our bus to Rome. So make sure you plan your transportation meticulously next time to save yourself from a wild goose chase! Finally, we were lucky, and our visite to Florence was worth it, but we were very close! for more of our adventures check here!

Tip 2: Pre-Booking Popular Attractions before visiting Florence

If you’re eager to explore Florence’s iconic attractions like Michelangelo’s David or the Venus, we highly recommend booking tickets in advance. We learned this the hard way when we arrived at the David only to discover that tickets had already sold out for the day. The Uffizi Gallery, home to the Venus, presented the same situation. To avoid disappointment, ensure that you purchase your tickets ahead of time and check online for available time slots. This is not necesary in Venice. If you are interested about Venice check this out!

You can go to Galleria Dell’ Accademia, where you can buy tickets to see Michelangelo’s David. To buy them online, just click HERE

You can go to Uffizi Gallery, where you can buy tickets for the famous Birth of Venus painting. To buy them online, just click HERE.

Tip 3: Weather Preparedness – Is Florence worth visiting?

Always check the weather forecast and come prepared with appropriate clothing, including rain-resistant options. Even during the summer, we experienced a rainy day in Florence. Fortunately, our B&B host lent us an umbrella for exploring nearby. So, keep an eye on the weather and pack accordingly to enjoy your visit, rain or shine.

Tip 4: Restaurant Hours in Florence

Don’t be caught off guard by the restaurant hours in Florence. We tried to have lunch at 3 pm and found that everything was closed. It seems that restaurants tend to close early. We recommend checking the opening hours in advance and aiming to have lunch earlier to avoid any inconvenience.

Note: Talking about restaurants, here are the best restaurants in Florence according to locals. Our B&B host kindly gave us this list:

• • Trattoria alla vecchia bettola

• • Trattoria Dell’orto

• • Al Tranvai

• • L’Brindellone

• • Trattoria San Lorenzo

• • Osteria Vini e vechi sapori

• • Cibreo Trattoria

Our favorite was Al Tranvai; this restaurant in Florence is definitely worth a visit.

Tip 5: Exploring Florence’s Charm

Florence is a relatively small city that can be easily explored on foot. You don’t need more than a couple of days to cover the main attractions fully. We, personally, only spent 2 days in Florence and it felt like enough time. However, if you have extra time, there are plenty of day tours available to nearby places, such as the popular Cinque Terre.

You can discover some Day trip Tours from Florence HERE

If we talk about charming places, you cannot forget to visit the Ponte Vecchio, which is a place that is definitely worth visiting in Florence, especially in the afternoon where you can enjoy typical music and an incomparable atmosphere. It can only be compared to Charles brigde in Prague, for more information about Prague click here!

Tip 6: Bargaining at San Lorenzo Market 

At the San Lorenzo Market, you’ll find a variety of leather products, including belts, wallets, and jackets. The vendors can be quite persistent, so don’t hesitate to bargain. We made the mistake of buying from the first store we encountered because the vendor dropped the price four times from the original. However, we later found cheaper belts just a few stalls away. For reference, initially, a leather belt was being sold to us for around €60. After negotiating, the vendor sold it to us for €25. Sadly, a few steps ahead, we found a similar one for only €12. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to bargain and gather information before committing to a purchase. This is a place that worth a visit because it is a unique place in Florence, and you can have fun bargaining with people.

Tip 7: Discover Hidden Gems while visiting Florence

Just like in any city, it’s crucial to thoroughly research the attractions in Florence to avoid missing out on interesting spots that are worth a visite in Florence. We stumbled upon Italy’s oldest pharmacy, Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy, which dates back to 1200. Inside, you’ll find samples of ancient remedies. Today they primarily sell perfumes, soaps and other beauty products. The interior of the pharmacy is beautifully decorated with colorful flowers, exuding a lovely ambiance (making a nice instagram pic). Here, you can purchase unique products, such as perfumes made from flowers taken from the Medici family garden (though it must be noted that these come with a higher price tag).