Florence Travel Guide

Practical Info

Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy and lovingly nicknamed the City of Lilies. It was once the heart of the Renaissance and regular stomping ground of illustrious names like Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. To this day Florence is one of the world's foremost culture capitals, with nearly a third of the world's art treasures residing within the city. It's 123 miles from Venice, which we've also been to - check out our Venice travel guide.

If your time in Florence is brief it's easy to miss out and we think it helps to get the lowdown on some of the city's hidden secrets like how women travelling alone can get discounted taxi fares, where to get the best views and how hand gestures can make all the difference in a conversation.

So grab your camera and phrasebook, and come with us on a whistle-stop tour of art, culture, delicious food and Florentine charm!

Do you need to be able to speak Italian to enjoy Florence?

English is spoken and understood throughout Florence, particularly in the tourist hot spots. To survive here you don't need to be fluent in Italian, but it certainly helps to learn a few key phrases and words. The effort will be appreciated by locals, and it's a good chance to show off your skills to friends and family!

Some useful phrases

• Hello - Ciao (informal) or Buongiorno (formal - meaning 'Good Morning')
• Goodbye - Ciao (informal) or Arrivederci (formal)
• Yes - Sì
• No - No
• Please - Per favore (formal)
• Thank you - Grazie
• Do you speak English? - Parla inglese?
• don't understand - Non ho capito

Hand gestures when speaking Italian

It's a common stereotype that the Italian language is very animated and emotive. Much of this stems from the use of hand gestures in the language, which is believed to have derived from competition for attention in busy cities. When used correctly, they are a fun way of emphasising what you want to say.

Cosa Vuoi (what do you want?) - Fingertips together and wagged towards face

Delizioso (delicious) - Rub finger into cheek

Where to eat in Florence

Trying some of the delicious local cuisine was one of our favourite things to do in Florence. You can't do much better than sampling what's on offer in the city's multi-storied central market (Mercato Centrale), in the recently renovated old centre of Florence.

What to find on the ground floor of Florence's Central Market

On the ground floor you'll find loads of stalls, offering a wide range of local foods. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try some authentic Tuscan delicacies, such as pig's feet, giant sheets of tripe and whole chickens with every appendage still attached - including the head.

For the less adventurous palate, there's also a range of cheeses, cured meats and olives, as well as cluster of seafood stalls in the northern corner, where you can find fresh, local fish and shellfish. Our favourite stall was Da Nerbone. Founded in 1872, it's a cafeteria style eatery offering a choice of traditional sandwiches and salads perfect for a light lunch. Da Nerbone can get swamped at lunchtime so expect to queue for their culinary delights.

What to find on the first floor of Florence's Central Market

A trip to Florence's central market isn't complete without checking out the magnificent food hall upstairs from the ground floor market. Recently reopened in 2014, there's no shortage of restaurants and bars offering an authentic Florentine experience. You can also rest assured that most dietary requirements will be catered for, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

Art and culture in Florence

If there's one aspect of Florence that epitomises the city, it's art and culture. Housing a third of the world's art treasures (according to UNESCO), Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and is a must for art aficionados or those curious about culture. With so many things to see and do in Florence, it can be tricky to know where to look first.

To help you get started, here are some of our favourite places to enjoy art and culture in this unique city:

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery museum houses the Medici family's art collection, and is packed to the rafters with Renaissance masterpieces. Visitors can see Botticelli's incomparable 'Birth of Venus' among other great works.

Galleria dell'Accademia

There are few works of art more famous than Michelangelo's statue of David, which is housed in Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia. The 14 foot, marble statue stands inside the gallery, but you can also find a smaller replica on display in its original location at the Palazzo Vecchio.

Il Duomo di Firenze

Florence Cathedral, known locally as il Duomo di Firenze, is the city's most famous basilica. Inside you can find Vasari's fresco of the Last Judgement, or climb the 463 steps to the top for panoramic views of the skyline. We loved all the art in Florence, but we can't think of anything more stunning than seeing arguably its best work of art - the city itself.

Ponte Vecchio

The famous Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is a medieval construction that stretches across the Arno River near the Uffizi gallery. Interestingly, it was the only bridge in Florence to survive the German retreat during World War II, as even Adolf Hitler declared that it was too beautiful to bomb.

Ponte Vecchio is also noteworthy for the fact it's one of the last bridges in Florence to still house shops and merchant stands. It's a great place to pick up a souvenir.

Should I book a tour?

For an expert, insider view on all of Florence's hidden treasures we recommend booking a tour with touringflorence.com. Local knowledge is invaluable when visiting somewhere new, so dive in, book a tour and experience Florence with a pro.

How to make the most of your money

So far we've established how to get to Florence, as well as the wealth of culture, places to eat and things to do during your Italian holiday, but to enjoy all of these things it helps to know how many euros to bring.

How much money should I take to Florence?

Like the rest of Italy Florence's currency is euros. Prices in the city's tourist hotspots can be pretty high so we think it's a good idea to purchase tickets to attractions before your holiday to spread the cost and avoid carrying a lot money.

If you're unsure about carrying cash on you through the busy Florentine streets, we recommend picking up a currency card like the Caxton FX card before you leave. You can load the card up with your travel money before you set off for Florence, meaning all your funds are ready when you are.

The exchange rate is set there and then at the best rate so you can travel with peace of mind, knowing you're protected from the volatility of the currency market.

Where to get the best prices in Florence

As with most popular destinations, you can expect to pay a lot more sitting out on the main squares of Florence. For the best prices, walk just a few streets away from the main tourist spots and you'll be amazed at how quickly the price drops!

If you're looking to visit Florence's bars and clubs, be prepared to pay €3-4 for a beer and €8-10 for a cocktail in some of the trendier haunts. We think Piazza Santa Croce is definitely worth a visit on a night out. Saluti!

You'll also find many restaurants in Florence offer a service called Aperitivo, from 6/7-9pm, where you buy a glass of wine (or equivalent drink) for €7 and get an all-you-can-eat buffet included in the price. A reasonably priced, authentic Italian experience!

How much did we spend?

Here's a breakdown of some of the costs* of our Florence trip:

• Lunch - €8 (£7)
• Coffee - €2.50 (£2.20)
• 4 Bed apartment - €109 per night
• Toilets - €1 (90p)
• Uffizi Gallery - Adults €25 (£22), 18-25s €20 (£7.70), Under 18s Free
• Galleria dell'Academia - Adults €20 (£17.70), 18-25s €15 (£13.30), Under 18s Free
• Il Duomo di Firenze - Free