This advice is excellent. I'm English and have lived in Florence for the past 30 years; I can endorse what is said here - Brava!! Do be aware of the tourist crowds, mind you: Florence is small (fewer than 400,000 inhabitants), and 16,000,000 tourists come here each year.
For those who intend to do a Uffizi-museums-palaces-churches marathon, the 72-hour Firenze Card is the way to go. You can visit as many places as you like within the 72 hours, but only one entry to each. And no bookings needed (except for climb up the Duomo), just skip the queues and walk right up to the entry points with your card. For the Uffizi, since it opens at 08:15, recommend waiting at the entrance by 08:10 and be one of the first to enter - you will have the place largely to yourself for about 30-40 minutes, before one huge tourist group after another start pouring in.
Where can i get the Florence card? Hotels or paticular places? Planing to go to Florence i 2 weeks time. How do i book the climb to the Duomo? Price? All info will be much appreciated. Thz in advance!!
I did that and practically had to wait nothing any time... plus the hop on , hop off bus will make your tour way more comfortable, Also it helps you to get from one site to another while listening to great information and facts in your language via headphones.
DO NOT let people at train stations "help you" with your luggage. Those are people do not work at the train stations but somehow still are allowed to be there. They are aggressive and will not go away if you don't give them money.
I've just come back from Florence in January. You're definitely right about the time of year to go - it was comfortably warm (pretty lucky with the weather), it was a very quiet time of year. I didn't have to worry about pre-booking tickets which allowed me to be flexible each day. It only took me about ten minutes to get into both the Uffize and the Duomo. I adore Italy, but visiting the cities can be hellish in the Summer for both the unrelenting heat and the myriad toursts. In fact, late November to early February is always the best time to visit the cities (Venice in winter, although cold, is hauntingly beautiful). By the way, the taxis are not so expensive. If you can get a flight to the airport local to Florence, it's only €22 to the centre, and only takes about 20 minutes. The only other time I took a taxi was to go to Piazzale Michelangelo which is a bit steep to get to, which was about €10. Spectacular views first thing in the morning or as the evening draws in, and not too difficult to walk down from. Buon viaggio.
Florence has its own airport. Very nice airport. There are a lot of flights connecting large European cities with Florence. The taxi from Florence airport to the Firenze center takes about 20 minutes and costs 22.00 Euro.
Great video. My first travel outside of the IS was England and I was so prepared thanks to your channel. Now I’m going to Florence and I’m so thankful for this video. Thank you so much
train from Florence-Pisa every 20 mins it was 8 euros each way direct and took about an hour. The shuttle at Pisa train station goes to the airport every 10 mins for 5 euros, which took 5 mins. Pretty straightforward we found when there last week.
Agree on Jan. Was almost zero celcius. Walked straight into every site including David. All leather shops were more than 50% off. I brought a leather jacket for £200 that was easily £800-1000 high season. You just need to barter. Was my most expensive clothes purchase ever but is still my go to 10 years later and is still amazing. On a whole just do Europe in winter. Xmas markets, mulled wine, ice rinks, no crowds, locals etc. It just paints everything in this magical light that you just don't get in the overcrowded heat of August.
My family and I are heading to Florence in 2 weeks. Thank you for the tips. I'm hoping it's not too warm, but anything is better than this Arizona heat.
Very nice video! l am from Florence and l agree with all you say, just two remarks: at 7pm you can definitely eat in a restaurant just do not expect a crowd, therefore it can be kind of weird but nice. Not earlier though. Food specialties: you forgot my favorite one, tipical of Florence, thr Pappa al pomodoro (or pappa col pomodoro). Do not miss it 😉
I would like to tell everyone that the light rail t2 from Florence airport to the city center has been built. It takes less than half an hour to get there. The ticket price is 1.5 euros
Thank you for your video. I was trying to decide between two good places, one in Oltrano and the other in the historical district. Now I will choose Oltrano.
Heading to Italy with my wife for our 30th wedding anniversary. Our first time to Europe. Visiting Florence, Rome, and Positano. Your videos and blog posts are very helpful. Thanks!
visiting Florence in a few weeks. Can't wait, thanks for the tips. Was wondering where you got the different city prints on top of your shelf. They are fabulous.
Great video! I am visiting Florence for about week in July and I've never been to Europe. Thanks for the tips. Really hoping to find some more information about non-touristy gems.
Hey Chelsea, awesome! Glad it was helpful. I have a couple of blog posts on my website that will start you off, with more coming next week: loveandlondon.com/category/europe-tips/europe-travel-tips/italy/ If you signed up to the waitlist for my Florence 101 course then I'll send you emails when more Florence content gets published (link in description)
Regarding transfers from Pisa airport to Florence: You can no longer take the direct coach to the center of Florence. They broke that once very convenient and comfortable transfer into several steps (in order to get more money out of tourists I suppose). You now need to take a train shuttle (takes literally two minutes and obviously costs money) to the new, external coach stop. Then you take the usual coaches to Florence. But surprise: it drops you outside the center - actually not far away from Florence airport - where you then need to take the tram (stuffed with people and super slow) or pay for a taxi. Great!
Just came back from Tuscany and Florence and you are absolutely right on all 10 points. Unfortunately I only saw your video just now when we returned ;-)
Regarding the airports, Pisa airport no longer has train tracks, they've been ripped up. There is a shuttle bus going between the airport and Pisa Centrale. I usually prefer to use Florence airport though, much more convenient, and you can get some good deals if you book early.
Since when? I fly to London every month, but for just over a year I've been using Peretola only, so it must be quite recent. Last time I went through Pisa it was June 2017 and there were no tracks.
There is the Pisa mover. This is a service that runs from the airport to Pisa centrale train station it costs €2.50 and takes about 5 minutes. I've used it every time I've visited.
There is also the Firenze card. If I was going anytime other than winter I would just get it. It is a museum pass. You don’t wait in line with it. I know you are talking about Pisa but I always fly into Florence. It is around 20-25€ for a taxi. If you are flying from Europe look into flying into Florence. When I flew from the states our connection was through Frankfurt and then to Florence. I fly from Paris direct to Florence and also some carriers will connect through Rome. I also try to go to Florence once or twice a year.
I once layed over in Frankfurt too! I got a good deal on the flight because I was a student but after that, I only found those flights to be sooooo expensive. Generally speaking, Pisa will be cheaper to fly into.
Love and London what I do now is fly to Paris and then fly to Florence. From Aspen I pay RT $587 and that is dirt cheap or from Denver $509 or less. Then I book another airlines to Florence RT for $180 or less including a checked bag. This is way less expensive than booking direct to Florence for me at least.
Hi..I plan to do the same. Will land in Rome around 1 pm, then i'll take train to Florence via trainitalia. Can u advise if I should book my tickets in advance or I should buy one when I reach Roma termini. I am little confused.
Going to Milan and Florence. Staying in Milan best way to get to Florence? How much money to bring to shop coming from US? What area do they sale the handbags at the street markets? Videos of prices, food, food area, popular your spots, and transportation
Hi Jaymi, then you flew into Florence's Peterola airport, not the Pisa one I'm talking about. It's much smaller so most people end up flying into Pisa.
Omg yes! Me and my cousin missed our train that we booked in advance and it was so cheap. So when we found we had to pay $56 (basically more than the price for BOTH our original tickets) each for a new ticket. Then we understood that it’s best to get them in advance and try getting there on time
Don't stay at Hotel Delle Nazioni, it's very noise it's close the train station, you'll hear trains going by every few minutes. It doesn't have any parking either.
I’m traveling to Florence next month, so much appreciate the tip about taking the bus instead of train from airport😀 where can I get good grilled sea bass, etc in Florence. As a diabetes the pasta and bread are not a good option for me
Florence doesn't do seafood as specialities usually since it's not near the coast but if you eat meat try the Bistecca Fiorentina. Also this video is super old so I think there is now an easier train to get to Florence from Pisa airport, so double check on that! Have a great time and thanks for watching!
You don't mention the great food and drink at the mercato centrale. You can eat early and sit amongst people from around the world. A must do visit for travellers to Florence. Not posh but good value and fun.
Hi and thanks for the weather hot tips. I've travel to Europe before and some of the places don't have a/c . this doesn't seem to bother most Europeans because they are used of the cold and heat without proper modern equipment so be aware if you travel to Europe. This June I 'm traveling to Cinque Terra and it will be hot but I'm staying in the upper hills less humid.
Going soon, getting off plane in FLR which 15 by taxi. I called hotel and asked directly. And also I have been using Rick Steves Book. But taking all info from everyone I can. First trip overseas and doing solo. I'm going to visit Tuscany, Lucca and use Florence as home base. Stay where ever I can find cheapest place wherever I Travel by train for,the day that I look at and want to stay an extra day. Cheapest place, have you stayed in a hostile? Or any suggestions on inexpensive? Not interested in the museums, old churches and architecture.. FYI you can stay in convents🌻
Love Florence so much. Took the train from Rome and stayed right on the Ponte Vecchio. Love Florence the most. great sights and wonderful people. (not my favorite food in the tourist area). Take the little busses. Very cheap or free. (Locals don't pay.)
Thanks for this great video i am planning to visit italy next month & florence one of the cities i will visit can you help me to tell me the most attractive places to go
Ahmad Samir. I would recommend: The Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) The Duomo (Cathedral), the Uffizi (art gallery) Fiesole (town older than Florence in the hills overlooking Florence), Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza Della Signoria, Galileo's House, Dante's House Museum, Boboli Gardens.
i'm a woman traveling solo, going to florence in march for three nights....any tips for eating alone/nightlife? i like authentic places. my hotel is not in city center but they have free rides into the city, which is great. i'd really appreciate your advice!
Hi. Great video and advice. Planning on taking the family to Italy in June (yes I know it will be hot, but schedules are not going to allow us to go in the cooler months). Looking to spend 3 days in Florence, 3 in Rome and 2 at the Amalfi Coast. Any suggestions for sites to see outside the cities?
First of all, thanks for your incredibly informative and helpful videos. One thing I am really nervous about is getting trains and buses right. We are flying into the Rome Airport (we used miles and this was the only way to make the amount we had squirreled away and extra fees manageable). We had thought taking a train straight from the airport was possible, but there seem to be only two and our arrival time seems to eliminate both as options. Since we would rather avoid extra stops from an already heavy travel day, we were instead thinking about the newer Fiumicino Express bus. Do you know anything about this and especially whether or not these need the same kind of validation stamps the train requires? Also, would you know if these can be pre-purchased from the US before going? Again, thanks so much for your insights and insider tips; they are enormously helpful and I've already learned a ton, thanks to you!
Hey Adela! I believe there's still a direct train from Fiumicino to Rome's main terminal. It will be quicker than the bus, but cost more. No validation needed for the bus but you'll have to check on the bus website to see if you can buy online, last time I used it, you could easily buy tickets at counter. Hope that helps!
Thank you for sharing. Do you see any issue with taking the city bus with luggage from Santa Maria 20 minutes to the East side of the city? One carry on and one larger bag. early Afternoon weekday