Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €20–45 | €70–140 |
| Food | €12–22 | €28–50 |
| Transport | €0–5 | €8–15 |
| Activities | €0–10 | €16–35 |
| Drinks | €4–8 | €10–18 |
| Daily Total | €36–90 | €132–258 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Schengen Zone — most nationalities get 90 days visa-free within any 180-day period
- Florence Airport (FLR): Volainbus shuttle to Santa Maria Novella (€6, 20 min). Pisa Airport (PSA): train to Florence SMN (€9, 80 min)
- High-speed trains from Rome (1.5hr, €25–50), Venice (2hr, €25–50), and Milan (1.75hr, €30–50) via Trenitalia or Italo
Health & Safety
- No vaccinations required. Tap water is excellent — fill at nasoni fountains or fontanelli (free sparkling water dispensers)
- Pickpocketing around the Duomo, Uffizi queue, and train station. Keep bags zipped and in front on crowded streets
- Emergency 112. Pharmacies (farmacie) are common — several are 24hr near Santa Maria Novella station
Getting Around
- Florence is entirely walkable — the centro storico is only 4km across. You rarely need public transport within the city
- ATAF buses (€1.50 single, 90 min) for Fiesole (bus 7) and Piazzale Michelangelo (bus 13). Buy tickets at tabacchi
- Taxis are metered. Uber works but limited. For day trips, Trenitalia and Flixbus serve Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and Chianti
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in most cafes, hotels, and some piazzas via Firenze WiFi network. Coverage is good in the centre
- EU roaming works at home rates. Otherwise, TIM, Vodafone, or Wind Tre tourist SIMs from €10 at tabacchi shops
- Download Google Maps offline (narrow streets confuse GPS) and book museum tickets through official websites
Money
- Cards accepted at most restaurants and shops. Some trattorias, market stalls, and street food vendors are cash-only — carry €20–30
- ATMs (Bancomat) everywhere — use Intesa Sanpaolo or UniCredit. Avoid Euronet and standalone tourist machines
- Coperto (cover charge, €2–3) is standard. Tipping is not expected — round up or leave €1–2 for good service
Packing Tips
- Cover shoulders and knees for church entry — the Duomo, Santa Croce, and all churches enforce this. Carry a scarf
- Comfortable walking shoes — Florence is cobblestoned and hilly (San Miniato, Fiesole, Piazzale Michelangelo). Sandals break on sampietrini
- A reusable water bottle, sunscreen for summer (35°C+), and a light layer for air-conditioned museums
Cultural tips
Coffee at the Bar
Stand at the bar for €1–1.50 espresso. Sitting at a table can cost €3–5 for the same coffee. Order "un caffè" for espresso. Cappuccino is a morning-only drink — ordering one after 11am reveals you as a tourist.
Bistecca Rules
Bistecca alla fiorentina is always Chianina beef, always at least 3cm thick, always served rare (al sangue). It is priced by weight (€45–60/kg) and shared between two. Do not ask for it well-done — the waiter may refuse.
Tuscan Cuisine
Florentine food is rustic and ingredient-driven — ribollita (bread soup), pappa al pomodoro (tomato bread soup), pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar). Tuscan bread has no salt — this is tradition, not a mistake.
Church Dress Code
Shoulders and knees must be covered in all churches — strictly enforced at the Duomo and Santa Croce. Carry a light scarf. No selfie sticks. Keep voices low.
Museum Booking
The Uffizi, Accademia, and Duomo dome require advance booking — walk-up queues are 2–3 hours in summer. Book months ahead for peak season. Even in winter, online booking saves significant time.
Leather Shopping
San Lorenzo outdoor market leather is mostly low-quality imports. For genuine Florentine leather, visit Scuola del Cuoio (Santa Croce), or Oltrarno workshops. Real leather smells like leather, not plastic.
