Florence Travel Tips: Practical Know-How for 2026
Updated: Oct 27
Updated October 2026
I learned Florence the hard way: a closed Uffizi on a Monday, a ZTL camera I nearly drove past, a downpour with no umbrella. These are the practical tips I wish I had on day one, from booking museums to how the city works day to day.
For the classic errors, keep my list of What Not to Do in Florence handy. For short answers, see the Florence faq.
Book the big museums in advance
Uffizi and Accademia. Both are closed on Mondays. Book timed entry online, especially from spring to autumn.
Brunelleschi's dome. The climb is 463 steps, with no lift, and your dome time slot is fixed and mandatory. The bell tower is 414 steps.
Vasari Corridor. Reopened in December 2024. Visits need a separate timed booking.
Getting around
Walk. The center is compact. For the tram from the airport and when to use buses, read Florence airport to city center. One ticket covers tram and bus for 90 minutes, and you can tap a contactless card to pay.
Driving? Do not drive into the center. The limited traffic zone (ZTL) is camera-enforced on weekdays and Saturday daytime.
Beat the crowds
Start early. The Duomo area is calm before 9am and again after 7pm. My guide to beating the crowds in Florence has more timing tricks.
Dress codes and packing
Churches expect covered shoulders and knees. Bring comfortable shoes for stone streets, and if it is even slightly cloudy, bring the umbrella. I learned that one the wet way. More in my guide to what to wear in Florence.
Everyday know-how
Coffee. Standing at the bar is the Florentine way. Table service is slower and costs more.
Water. Refill at the public fontanelli fountains for free.
Shop hours. Many small shops close for a long lunch and on Sunday or Monday morning. Plan errands for late morning or after 4 pm.
Greetings. A buongiorno or buonasera when entering a shop goes a long way.
Sitting on monuments. Eating on church steps and monuments can bring a fine. Find a bench.
Where to stay for a first trip
The Duomo area keeps everything within walking distance. See where to stay near the Duomo.
Timing your days like a Florentine
Florence runs on a rhythm, and once you know it the city gets easier. Breakfast is a cappuccino and a pastry standing at the bar, usually before 10.
Lunch is from about 12:30 to 2:30. Aperitivo is from 6 or 7, and dinner rarely starts before 7:30, with most locals sitting down closer to 8:30. Restaurants that serve all afternoon exist, but they are mostly aimed at visitors.
I plan my sightseeing around that rhythm. Museums first thing, when I am fresh and the lines are short. A long lunch. A slower afternoon with a church, a walk or a rest at the hotel.
Then out again for sunset and dinner. Trying to pack a full museum into the hottest part of a July afternoon is the fastest way to burn out.
Museum passes and tickets
Firenzecard. The city museum card is valid for a set number of days and covers many civic and state museums. It suits travelers who want to see a lot quickly. Check the official site for the current list, because some sites need a separate reservation even with the card.
Duomo passes. The cathedral complex sells its own passes, which include different combinations of the dome, the bell tower, the Baptistery, the crypt and the museum. Only the passes that include the dome come with a fixed climb time.
Free first Sundays. State museums open free on the first Sunday of the month. The lines are very long. I avoid those days unless I am happy to wait.
Official sites only. Buy from the museum's own website or its official ticket partner. Resellers outside the big museums are rarely a good deal.
Staying safe and comfortable
Florence is a safe city by any measure, but crowded places attract pickpockets. I keep my phone in a front pocket, wear my bag across my body and stay alert on the airport tram, at Santa Maria Novella station and on Ponte Vecchio. Emergency number: 112.
Pharmacies, marked with a green cross, are everywhere and the pharmacists are excellent for minor problems. There is always at least one open at night. The one inside Santa Maria Novella station is a reliable choice.
Language and manners
A few words of Italian change how you are treated. Buongiorno until mid afternoon, buonasera after that. Per favore, grazie and scusi. In shops, do not handle fruit or vegetables at a market stall without asking.
In churches, keep your voice down and do not take photos during a service. And tipping is modest: rounding up or leaving a little for very good service is plenty, since bread and service are usually already on the bill as coperto.
Weather, season by season
Florence sits in a bowl of hills, so summers are hot and still and winters can be damp and chilly. July and August regularly bring days in the mid 30s Celsius. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots, with mild days and cooler evenings.
November is the wettest month, and the city is wonderfully quiet. Whatever the season, wear shoes with good grip, because the stone paving gets slippery in the rain. My month-by-month guide to Florence goes into detail.
Day trips and trains
Florence is a superb base. High-speed trains reach Bologna in about 40 minutes and Rome in about an hour and a half. Regional trains go to Pisa and Lucca, and buses run to Siena. Validate a paper regional ticket before boarding, or buy a digital ticket in the app. My guide to day trips from Florence covers the best options.
For more planning tools, my Plan Your Trip to Florence page pulls everything together.
Health and pharmacies
Pharmacies, marked by a green cross, are the first stop for minor problems. Pharmacists are trained to advise and can sell many medicines without a prescription.
A few pharmacies stay open overnight, including the one inside Santa Maria Novella station; a sign on every pharmacy door lists the nearest one on duty. For emergencies, call 112. Bring prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.
Restrooms
Public restrooms are scarce in the center. Museums have the cleanest ones, and cafés expect you to buy something before using theirs. The station and the Mercato Centrale have public toilets. I plan coffee stops with this in mind.
Opening hours that surprise people
Many smaller shops close for a few hours in the early afternoon and on Monday mornings. Restaurants serve lunch until about 14:30 and dinner from around 19:30, with kitchens closed in between. On Sundays and on 15 August, the Ferragosto holiday, many family-run places close. Museums mostly close one day a week, often Monday.
Water, heat and comfort
Refill a bottle at the public fontanelli, which offer still and even sparkling water. In summer, wear a hat and plan museums in the afternoon heat. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything; Florence's stone streets are hard on feet.
Most of all, slow down. Florence rewards travelers who give it time.
FAQ
What day are museums closed in Florence?
Monday, for the Uffizi and the Accademia. Plan churches, markets and walks that day.
Do I need to book the Duomo dome?
Yes. The dome climb requires a pass with a fixed time slot.
Can I drive in Florence?
Not into the ZTL without a permit. Park outside it.
Is Florence safe for tourists?
Yes. The main risk is pickpocketing in crowded spots like the station, the tram and Ponte Vecchio. Keep valuables in front pockets.
How many days do I need in Florence?
Three full days covers the highlights. Five lets you add a day trip and a slower pace. See my 3 days in Florence guide.
About the author
I'm Jason GaNung, and I write every guide on Florence Life. I have spent extensive time in Florence over many trips, and I have stayed in many of the hotels and villas I cover, so my picks come from my own stays, not press releases. More about me.
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