A short history of Florence
The David in Piazza della Signoria always draws a crowd, but it's a copy. Michelangelo's original was placed in front of Palazzo Vecchio in 1504 and has stood in the Accademia since 1873. The city itself is much older. Florentia was founded as a Roman colony on the Arno in 59 BC, and today's Piazza della Repubblica sits on the site of the ancient forum. You can still spot the old grid in the straight streets around it.
In the 15th century the Medici were both the city's bankers and its de facto rulers. Cosimo de' Medici returned from exile in 1434, and Brunelleschi's cathedral dome was consecrated in 1436. Work on the Uffizi began in 1560 to Vasari's design, as offices for the state.
Florence was capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871. On 4 November 1966 the Arno burst its banks and badly damaged libraries and churches. Look at the walls around Santa Croce, where some plaques show how high the water rose.
Florence neighbourhoods
At the covered market in Sant'Ambrogio, Florentines shop for vegetables and cheese in the morning, and at lunchtime the stalls serve simple, cheap plates. If you plan to make your own breakfast, stock up here.
The Cascine, stretching along the Arno, is the city's largest park. The big Tuesday-morning market sells everything from clothes to kitchenware, and most of the city's runners end up here sooner or later.
For greenery and cooler air, head for the hills. Fiesole is about half an hour away by bus, with a Roman theatre and a view over the valley, an easy half day. Settignano to the east is quieter still, a village known for its stone quarries, where Michelangelo is said to have spent his childhood.
Where to stay
- Duomo / Centro Storico: The cathedral, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio are minutes away, so it's crowded but very central.
- Santa Maria Novella: The main station and the airport tram are here, which makes day trips easy.
- Oltrarno / Santo Spirito: Across the river, with artisan workshops and neighbourhood bars, it feels calmer and more authentic.
- Santa Croce: Restaurants and nightlife around the basilica, within a short walk of the centre.
- San Lorenzo / Central Market: Near the Central Market and the leather stalls, with plenty of mid-range hotels.
- San Niccolò: A small, quiet quarter at the foot of Piazzale Michelangelo.
When to visit Florence
On Easter Sunday the Scoppio del Carro takes place in front of the Duomo, when a decorated cart is set off with fireworks. April-June and September-October bring days of 18-27 °C, the most comfortable time to explore.
Between November and February the temperature drops to 3-12 °C. In return the queues outside the Uffizi and the Accademia shrink, and rooms are easier on the wallet.
Florence sits in a bowl, so in July and August it reaches 33-36 °C with high humidity. Some local restaurants close for holidays in mid-August. In June, Piazza Santa Croce hosts Calcio Storico, a costumed ball game, with the final on 24 June, the feast of the city's patron saint, San Giovanni. When the Pitti Uomo fashion fair is on in January and June, hotel prices jump, so check the dates before you book.
Food culture in Florence
Florence's cheap and much-loved lunch is lampredotto, a hot sandwich made from part of the cow's stomach and served from market stalls. Bistecca alla fiorentina is the other extreme. It's cut thick, served rare and priced per kilo or per 100 grams on the menu, so ask about the weight when you order.
In winter, ribollita, a bread and vegetable soup, hits the spot, and in summer it's tomato-based pappa al pomodoro. Have a Chianti alongside and finish with cantucci dipped in vin santo. A few of the little wine windows in old walls, the buchette del vino, are selling glasses again.
Lunch is 12:30-14:30 and dinner 19:30-21:30. Some of the old trattorias only open at lunchtime. A coperto goes on the bill, and a few coins are plenty as a tip.
Florence trip budget
Since you'll walk almost everywhere in Florence, transport barely costs a thing. Hotels and museum tickets are where the money goes. Daily costs in 2026, accommodation included, look roughly like this: 70-110 € with a backpack, 150-240 € in a mid-range hotel, 350 € and up if you want comfort. A nightly tourist tax is paid separately at the hotel.
A 90-minute bus or tram ticket is about 1.70 €. A full Uffizi ticket is around 25 € in high season and cheaper in winter. The Accademia, home of the David, is about 16 €, and both need a timed reservation.
The Duomo is free inside, while the dome and bell tower are ticketed. The view from Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato al Monte on the hill above and an evening stroll over Ponte Vecchio are all free.
Prices are approximate as of October 2026.
Build your route on the Florence map
More guides for Italy
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