Florence is known for its breathtaking and beautiful views, what Florence is to Italy is what Monaco is to France, it is seen as a holiday resort, it is also known as the art capital of the world.
Are you traveling to Florence or have plans of visiting Florence anytime soon? Well, we are here to give you a guide on some of the things you need to know about Florence to make your journey to the city more exciting. Due to the city’s rich artistic history, millions of tourists travel to Florence year in and year out.
So, for a first-time visitor, you should consider the following:
Pre-book your Accommodation:
Yes, you have to pre-book your accommodation because Florence receives a lot of tourists every year – about 13 million visitors annually. Plus, considering that most of the visitors opt to stay at the city center – you might not even get any space if you don’t book ahead of time.
If you want to enjoy the sights and sounds of Florence from your lodging, you need accommodation in the heart of the city.
While at it, you may also consider staying in a suite with jacuzzi in Florence to enjoy a long soothing bath after trekking under the sun to different tourist sites.
Also, from the city center, all the tourist attractions are within walking distance – which means you can cover a lot of sites quickly.
Understand the best season to visit Florence
Summer is usually hot in Florence; it makes locals flee the city for colder weather. The best time to visit Florence is during April, May, and September, during these months the weather is usually warm, unlike the summer when the weather is hot.
Hence, you can be sure to have plenty of fun stuff to look forward to. Also, it’s the perfect time for sightseeing, open-air dinner, street walking. However, keep in mind though, that there’d be a lot of visitors at this time too.
Book your visit to the museum ahead
Florence is known as the world art capital with 60 percent of the world’s most famous artworks based in Italy, with one of the world’s most famous museums located in Florence.
Museums like the Galleria dell’ Academia and the Uffizi Gallery are located inside the historical building of the city; therefore, museum officials limit the number of visitors that can be inside the museum at a given time.
So, for you to enjoy your visit to the museum, you have to book your ticket ahead to avoid spending the better part of your day queuing up for a pass.
Best time for Shopping
During summer and winter sales there’s always discounts. Discounts can range from 30 to 50 percent off many items.
The inter sales commence immediately after the New Year holiday which is in the early January till everything is sold. Meanwhile, the summer sales are around July and August.
Always Validate your Train Tickets
As a first-time visitor to Florence if you have to need to make use of the train, always remember to validate your train ticket.
Tickets are being checked on almost all the trains and defaulters are fined. So, before you board a train, make sure you time stamp the ticket in the yellow machine at the station.
Places to Visit
When traveling to Florence, some exciting places have to be on your must-see list, though it all depends on your budget and duration of your visit to Florence.
Some of the places include the Uffizi museum, which is one of the world most famous museums, containing fantastic artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and others.
It is one of the most visited museums in the world. Also, the Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce churches, they are the two significant churches in Florence. Climbing the Brunelleschi Dome (Duomo) which has 463 steps to the top is also an adventure on its own.
Where and When to Eat in Florence
In Italy, dinner starts much later than you are likely used to; most restaurants stay closed till 7 or 8 pm before opening, though you can find few restaurants that may be opened around 6 pm for tourists.
For dinner, here are some nice places to check out: Santa Elisabetta Luxury Restaurant, All’ Antico Viniao, Ristorante Terrazza Brunelleschi, Osteria Santo Spirito.
Schedule your Movement
Yes, you can’t catch all the excitement in Florence in one day, if your vacation is a short one, focus on the few places you can visit quickly.
Avoid overworking yourself trying to visit all the places before going back, in trying to catch the fun and adventure of the city remember your body needs rest.
Get Travel Insurance
Be sure to get an international travel insurance coverage that covers your health and loss of property.
That way, you can rest easy and enjoy your holiday; knowing that, should anything happen – like say, you lost your baggage, gadgets or any valuable, you don’t have to pay again out of pocket.
