Florence vacations: Escape to the heart of Tuscany

🌸 Spring: With warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, this is one of the best times to be in Florence. It's technically in between the peak and off-peak seasons, so not only will you have better prices, but the city's green spaces will look gorgeous.

☀️ Summer: Florence's summer months are filled with events and festivals. Prices are at their highest, and the attractions are busy. Keep in mind that it'll be very hot.

🍁 Fall: Even though the weather is cooler, it's still pleasant, with September and October being popular months to visit Florence. Plus, the Tuscan region is busy with olive and grape harvests, allowing you to see a different side of Italy.

❄️ Winter: Snow is rare in Florence, and despite the cold, vacationers flock to the city for its Christmas markets, New Year's Eve and other festivities.

Florence at a glance

• Flight duration (from New York): 11 1/2 hours

• Main airport: Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola

• Population: Almost 400,000

• Languages: Italian

• Currency: Euro (€)

• Socket type: Type C and F (adapter required)

• Time zone: Central European Time (CET); 6 hours behind of the New York (EST)

Getting to Florence

With a flight time of over 11 hours, Florence is a popular destination for American families to go on vacation. There are plenty of airlines that offer cheap flights to Florence. There are also many that fly direct from New York to Florence, including American Airlines, Delta and United.

Getting around Florence

Unlike larger cities found elsewhere in Italy, including Rome and Milan, Florence is small and easily navigated on foot. Most of the city's attractions are clustered within walking distance of each other in the historic center.

To give you an idea, a walk from Ponte Vecchio to Florence Cathedral (with its famous dome) takes less than 10 minutes. And to get from one side of the historical center to the other only takes 20 minutes. If you'd like to explore further, you'll be happy to hear that there are buses and taxis available, but for something a little different, rent a bike instead.

For first-time visitors, you can't really get better than staying within the heart of Florence: Centro Storico. This means that you won't have to venture too far to get to the city's biggest attractions, but you will have to contend with the fact that it gets busy, especially in peak tourist season (which is almost all year round!).

You may want to consider staying in Florence Italy hotels near the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria or Ponte Vecchio. These are popular spots due to their proximity to other attractions, as well as restaurants, fashion stores and other local shops. If this sounds like a good fit, try to book well in advance.

The Santa Maria Novella area is another good choice, especially for those on a budget. You'll be close to the train station (a must for day trips), and if you base yourself near Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, you'll be very close to Mercato Centrale.

Things to do in Florence

For such a small city, there is a staggering amount of things to do in Florence. Yes, the city may be especially known for its art galleries and cultural attractions, but there is a surprising variety on offer, catering to different tastes and interests.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Florence.

Top things to do in Florence

• Climb the 400+ steps to the top of the Duomo (it's so worth it).

• Marvel at world-famous artworks at the Uffizi.

• Visit Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David sculpture up close.

• Arrive hungry at Mercato Centrale.

• Try Gelateria La Carraia and Gelateria dei Neri for divine gelato.

• Take a pasta-making class.

• Admire Ponte Vecchio, Florence's most beautiful bridge.

• Pay a visit to Palazzo Vecchio to see opulence at its finest.

• Enjoy a peaceful stroll through Giardino Bardini.

Food and drink in Florence

Around Piazza della Repubblica, you will find a selection of coffee shops, restaurants and gelato stores. For those who prefer something more authentic, take a walk across the Santa Trinita Bridge to the other side of the river. The Oltrarno district is home to traditional osterias and trattorias, especially along Via dello Sprone.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate tip: The aperitivo is an Italian institution. It simply refers to the cocktail, glass of wine, or beer that you start to drink at around 6 pm. Many bars in Florence will also offer some affordable appetizers to accompany your drink of choice. If you're looking for a wider variety of appetizers, check out Moyo near Ponte Vecchio.

Best day trips from Florence

For most vacationers, Pisa is the first-day trip that springs to mind. With a short train journey of under an hour, it really is a no-brainer. By all means, head straight to the Leaning Tower of Pisa for your photo opportunity, but linger to see other attractions like the Baptisterium and Cattedrale di Pisa.

Other options include the extensive beaches at Viareggio, which are only an hour and a half away by train or car. Or pay a visit to the medieval town of Siena, which is also an hour and a half away by train.