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Italy · Tuscany

Florence travel guide

Renaissance art, a famous dome and the Tuscan hills on the doorstep

The Duomo and the rooftops of Florence. Photo: Gary Campbell-Hall, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2hflight from London
FLRnearest main airport
23° in Julwarmest month
2° in Jancoolest month

Florence is where the Renaissance began, and it's packed into a small, walkable centre. Brunelleschi's dome, Michelangelo's David and the Uffizi's Botticellis are all a few minutes apart.

Beyond the art, it's a city for long lunches, leather markets and sunset over the Arno from Piazzale Michelangelo. It also makes a good base for Siena, Pisa and the Chianti wine country.

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What Florence is known for

  • Renaissance art

    The Uffizi, the Accademia and frescoes in almost every church.

  • Brunelleschi's dome

    The red-brick dome of the cathedral, with 463 steps to the top.

  • Bistecca alla fiorentina

    A huge T-bone steak, grilled rare and shared at the table.

  • Chianti

    Vineyards and hill towns begin just south of the city.

Top things to do in Florence

  1. 1

    The Duomo

    Climb Brunelleschi's dome or the bell tower for views over the terracotta rooftops. Dome climbs need booking.

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  2. 2

    The Uffizi Gallery

    Botticelli, Leonardo and Raphael in one of the world's great galleries. Book a timed ticket.

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  3. 3

    Michelangelo's David

    The original statue in the Accademia, taller and more striking than any photo.

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  4. 4

    Ponte Vecchio

    The medieval bridge lined with goldsmiths' shops over the Arno.

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  5. 5

    Piazzale Michelangelo

    A short climb for the classic sunset view over the whole city.

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  6. 6

    A Chianti wine day

    Tours run from Florence to wineries and hill towns such as Greve and Castellina.

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See all tours and tickets in Florence

Where to stay in Florence

Find a hotel in Florence

Best time to visit Florence

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. April, May, September and October: mild and pleasant, while July and August are hot and crowded.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
2.2 C2°J2.9 C3°F6.3 C6°M10.2 C10°A14.5 C14°M19.7 C20°J22.8 C23°J22.4 C22°A17.3 C17°S12.6 C13°O7.6 C8°N3.4 C3°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Florence, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 2h from London to FLR, and flights from most UK airports.

The centre is small and best on foot. Trams link the airport to Santa Maria Novella station in 20 minutes, and fast trains reach Rome in 90 minutes and Venice in two hours.

Find flights to Florence (FLR)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome climb well ahead in spring and summer.
  • Most of the centre is a limited traffic zone, so don't drive into it in a hire car: fines are automatic.
  • Many restaurants serve the steak by weight, often a minimum of 1kg for two.
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Florence FAQ

How many days do you need in Florence?

Two days covers the main art and sights. Add a third for a Tuscany day trip.

Can you do Pisa from Florence?

Yes. Trains take about an hour, so it's an easy half day.

More places in Italy

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