Everything to Know Before Visiting Florence, Italy

I am embarrassed to admit that it took me three trips to Italy to finally visit Florence. 

I KNOW. Berate me, I deserve it. After visiting, it skyrocketed to the top of my top 5 favorite cities in Europe. It reminds me a bit of Prague, with its maze-like alleys, delicious food, and hidden gems around every corner. 

If you’re planning an upcoming visit to Florence, here are my top recommendations and everything to know before your visit. 

Everything to Know Before Visiting Florence 

Best Areas to Stay in Florence, Italy

1. Santa Croce 

This neighborhood has everything: rich history, great architecture, fantastic food, and fewer crowds than the main strip that runs from the Duomo to the Arno River. If you’re looking for fun nightlife, Piazza di S. Pier Maggiore is popular with backpackers and study-abroad students. 

2. Olatramo 

Although further from the city center across the Arno River, Olatramo is a more authentic neighborhood with fantastic food, nightlife, and arts. If you don’t mind extra steps and prefer to stay a bit more off the typical tourist track, this is the perfect neighborhood. 

My Favorite Restaurants & Gelato Shops in Florence, Italy 

Each of these restaurants, bakeries, and gelato shops is linked to its Google Maps listing, so you can easily save its location for your visit! If you plan to visit Florence in the summer, dinner reservations are always a smart idea. Without a reservation, you’ll be waiting at least an hour for a table in many popular areas in town. 

1. Il Procopio (Gelato)

I looked at Travel Babbos' list of where to eat in Florence before our visit, since he visits the city every year with his family. One of his gelato recommendations, Il Procopio, is by far the best gelato I’ve ever had in Italy. No wait, not just in Italy, in all of Europe. And I’ve visited & eaten gelato in nearly every country across the continent… It’s THAT good. 

2. Ristorante & Pizzeria Il Teatro (Lunch & Dinner) 

We stumbled upon this quaint restaurant on a quiet street on our first afternoon in Florence. Little did we know we would have one of our favorite meals in the city right away. It has a nice outdoor patio and fantastic fresh pasta dishes. Great for lunch or dinner! 

3. Cantinetta dei Verrazzano (Baked Goods & Coffee) 

We stumbled upon this bakery & cafe on a rainy day. After a quick peek inside, we immediately saved the location for a return the following day for breakfast. 

4. Braceria All’11 (Florentine Steak)

This was another recommendation from Travel Babbo. I made a reservation a couple of days before arriving, as our group wanted to try Florentine steak. I recommend splitting a steak and a handful of sides/additional dishes. The truffle potatoes were one of the best sides I’ve ever had in my life.

5. Ristorante Argentino 7 Secoli (Happy Hour Drinks) 

If you have cash & love a good happy hour, this bar/restaurant is the place to hit! There is an extensive €6 cocktail and wine list for happy hour, which includes Aperol Spritz, Chianti wines, and other cocktails. Since most dinner places in the city don’t open until 7 pm, this is the perfect place for a pre-dinner drink. 

6. Osteria Pastella (Dinner) 

This place is definitely insta-famous for its flaming parmesan-wheel pasta, so make a dinner reservation at least two weeks in advance. They offer a free glass of prosecco upon arrival and a small limoncello for dessert, which is an added plus. We didn’t eat the flaming pasta dish, but we were all impressed with what we did get. Everything from the service to the pasta dishes was spectacular. 

Best Things to Do/See in Florence, Italy 

1. Accademia Gallery

Michelangelo’s Statue of David is one of the most famous sculptures in the world, and it is also probably one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. There are a few ways to see the statue: 

• Cheapest: book tickets directly through the Accademia Gallery. These tickets are roughly $20 USD each and typically sell out months in advance during high season. However, if you failed to get tickets and they’re already sold out, don’t fret! Cancellations happen occasionally, and it’s possible to snag last-minute tickets in the days leading up to your time in the city. We were able to grab three last-minute tickets two days before we visited. (Just be aware: the ticket website can be wonky)
• Expensive: Book a guided tour. These tours run anywhere from $50 to $120 per person. You’ll get a guide, but it is mainly an upcharge to sell tickets to people who didn’t get them far enough in advance.

2. Go Shopping for Leather Goods 

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not typically a big shopper when I travel. Florence was an exception! It is one of the best cities in the world for high-quality leather goods. Here are my two favorite leather shops in Florence: 

• Da Firenze: This shop is located on the Arno River, just a few doors down from the TikTok-famous shop Bottega del Giglio. And funny enough, this shop is run by the father of the woman who owns Bottega Del Giglio. So you get the same quality of leather goods without having to wait in line. We found this place on a whim while I was searching for my bag, and it's where I ended up buying mine. Top quality! And never a line. 
• Infinity Leather: Located just a short walk from Da Firenze, this is a hidden shop that has incredible, high-quality leather items. You can see how the products are made and different types of leather right in the shop. 

3. Sunset Piazzale Michelangelo

This is quite possibly the most touristy thing you can do in Florence, but it’s popular for a reason. The views of the city are unmatched. Instead of coming for sunset, come about two hours before sunset for golden hour across the city. It will be *slightly* less crowded (still very crowded). For sunset, leave the piazzale and make the short walk down to the rose garden for the real magic. (Looking for a romantic date night? Pack a bottle of wine & some snacks and have a picnic overlooking the city in the rose garden)

4. Dinner in Oltrarno 

Specifically, Piazza Santo Spirito. If you watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo, this is an easy area to visit after for dinner. This is one of the best neighborhoods in the city with fantastic food and nightlife, and it's worth a visit. 

5. Find Wine Windows 

Wine windows are everywhere in Florence. That was something I didn’t fully understand before our visit. I thought there were 2 or 3, and that all would have long lines due to their popularity. However, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that you can find them everywhere, around corners and in hidden alleyways all over the city. Some are more gimmicky than others, but they are worth a stop! My favorite wine windows we found were here, here, and here, and none had anyone there when we passed by. 

 

Best Day Trips from Florence, Italy 

1. Greve in Chianti

We ended up spending two days down in Greve in Chianti on the winery estate Terre di Baccio, which I recommend if you have time! But a trip to Greve in Chianti is completely doable in a day trip. It’s about a 40-minute drive, or a 1.5-hour bus ride, from Florence. It’s a quaint little town in the heart of Chianti wine country. And there aren’t nearly as many tourists as in Cinque Terre or Siena. 

2. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy…and it shows. I’d only really recommend this as a day trip in the offer season, which typically runs from October to April. If you try to visit in the summer, expect high crowds and trains so packed you can barely breathe. However, the coastal towns ARE beautiful…but I’d only go certain times of the year. 

3. Viareggio 

We went to Viareggio 10 years ago on my first trip to Italy, and it was a perfect coastal Italian town with sandy beaches & affordable restaurants/hotels. It’s mainly an Italian vacation town, so it’s something a little different than the average tourist day trip. 

4. Siena 

Siena is an easy drive or train from Florence, and is one of the most popular towns in Tuscany. The medieval city is rich in history & culture, with incredible food & wine. If you want to get a taste of Tuscany but only have a day, this is the perfect trip. There are plenty of day trips that run from Florence, or you can visit on your own by buying a $15 train ticket and hopping on the 1.5-hour direct train. 

De-influencing Social Media Hot Spots in Florence, Italy 

1. Vivoli (Gelato & Affogato) 

We stayed down the street from the famous Vivoli Gelato & Affogato location, and each time we passed, the line was around the block. There are so many other gelato spots around the city that are just as good, if not better. If you do want to visit, go later in the evening or right after they open up, or else you’ll be standing in line for a good chunk of time. 

2. Bottega del Giglio 

If you’re on Florence TikTok at all, you probably know this is THE viral spot to get handmade and authentic leather goods in Florence. Now, it is a tiny, family-run leather store that has great quality items. The only reason I am putting this on this list is that it is SO popular. If you go, prepare for a long line to enter. Everybody knows about it. Instead of just going there for your leather bag, challenge yourself to support other family-run shops in the same area that haven’t gone viral. There’s a lot that deserves tourist business!