Historic centre
400 m from Piazza della SignoriaThe streets between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, with most sights on your doorstep. Very convenient, but crowded by day.
- Population
- ≈ 360,000
- Language
- Italian
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Best time
- May – Jun, Sep – Oct
- Nearest airport
- FLR, 6 km
Start in the square: Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Florence
Piazza della Signoria has been the political heart of Florence for centuries. The tower of Palazzo Vecchio rises over the square, and the open arches of the Loggia dei Lanzi shelter a free gallery of statues. A copy of David stands at the palace door. The Uffizi is right next to it.
Within a short walk
- UffiziPiazzale degli Uffizi 6, 50122 Florence200 m
- Palazzo VecchioPiazza della Signoria 1, 50122 Florence100 m
- Florence Cathedral (Duomo)Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Florence400 m
- Ponte VecchioPonte Vecchio, 50125 Florence300 m
- Accademia GalleryVia Ricasoli 58-60, 50122 Florence800 m
- BargelloVia del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Florence200 m
- Santa CrocePiazza di Santa Croce, 50122 Florence600 m
- Palazzo PittiPiazza de Pitti, 1, 50125 Florence700 m
Where to stay in Florence
Santa Croce
500 m from Piazza della SignoriaThe area around the church of Santa Croce, east of the centre, with leather shops, wine bars and a local food market at Sant'Ambrogio.
Santa Maria Novella
600 m from Piazza della SignoriaClose to the main railway station and the church of the same name. Practical for day trips by train, with many hotels at all prices.
Oltrarno
700 m from Piazza della SignoriaThe quarter across the Arno, with artisans' workshops, the square of Santo Spirito and evening bars. A more local feel, still within walking distance.
San Frediano
1.1 km from Piazza della SignoriaThe western part of the Oltrarno, an old working-class area with small restaurants and craft shops. Quiet and relaxed.
Things to do in Florence
Uffizi
Piazzale degli Uffizi 6, 50122 Florence
One of the world's great art museums, with Botticelli's Birth of Venus and many works by Leonardo, Raphael and Titian. Book a time slot online.
Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria 1, 50122 Florence
The town hall since the 14th century, with painted state rooms and the huge Hall of the Five Hundred. Climb the tower for a view over the roofs.
Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Florence
A vast cathedral with a marble front in white, green and pink, under Brunelleschi's dome. Entry is free; the climb up the dome needs a booked ticket.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Florence
A medieval bridge over the Arno lined with small jewellers' shops. Cross early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Accademia Gallery
Via Ricasoli 58-60, 50122 Florence
The home of Michelangelo's original David, and his unfinished prisoners straining out of the stone. Book ahead; queues are long.
Bargello
Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Florence
A former prison and police headquarters, now a museum of Renaissance sculpture with Donatello's bronze David. Usually less crowded than the Uffizi.
Santa Croce
Piazza di Santa Croce, 50122 Florence
A large Franciscan church with the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, and chapels painted by Giotto.
Palazzo Pitti
Piazza de Pitti, 1, 50125 Florence
A huge palace of the Medici family across the river, now holding several museums with paintings, costume and royal apartments.
Boboli Gardens
Boboli Gardens, 50100 Florence
Terraced gardens behind Palazzo Pitti with statues, fountains and views over the city. Bring water and good shoes for the slopes.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo, 50125 Florence
A large terrace on the hill south of the river with a view over the whole city. Popular at sunset; walk up through the San Niccolò gate.
Getting there
Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR)
50015 Sesto Fiorentino
6 km from the city centre
Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station
Piazza della Stazione, 50100 Florence
Main railway station, 1 km from Piazza della Signoria
When to go
Average daytime high and night-time low per month (2005–2024). Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
- 6°Jan
- 8°Feb
- 11°Mar
- 16°Apr
- 20°May
- 26°Jun
- 30°Jul
- 29°Aug
- 24°Sep
- 18°Oct
- 12°Nov
- 7°Dec
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 6 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 24 | 18 | 12 | 7 |
| Low °C | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 57 | 64 | 62 | 52 | 65 | 48 | 29 | 40 | 63 | 81 | 95 | 69 |
| Rain days | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 |
| Daylight h | 9.3 | 10.4 | 11.8 | 13.4 | 14.7 | 15.4 | 15.1 | 14 | 12.5 | 10.9 | 9.6 | 8.9 |
The year in Florence
The biggest events that come back every year, starting with the next one.
Late NovemberSport
Florence Marathon
A marathon through the historic centre that finishes in Piazza Santa Croce. Streets close for the morning.
Easter SundayHoliday
Scoppio del carro
An old cart full of fireworks is set off in front of the cathedral, lit by a dove-shaped rocket from the altar. Arrive early for a place.
SpringMusic
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Italy's oldest music festival, with opera, concerts and ballet, mostly at the modern opera house near the Cascine park.
JuneMusic
Firenze Rocks
A big rock festival over several days, with international bands on an open-air stage at the Visarno Arena.
June, final on 24 JuneSport
Calcio Storico
A rough, historic mix of football, rugby and wrestling played in costume on Piazza Santa Croce by teams from the four old quarters.
7 SeptemberFestival
Festa della Rificolona
On the evening before the feast of the Virgin's birth, children carry paper lanterns through the streets to Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
Practical information
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- 1 EUR = 1.11 USD = 0.84 GBP (ECB, 28 October 2026)
- Language
- Italian
- Plugs
- Type C and F and L, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 112, 113, 115, 118
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
- Country calling code
- +39
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
Public holidays in the next 12 months
Shops and museums may close or keep Sunday hours on these days.
- All Saints Day (Tutti i Santi)1 Nov 2026
- Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione)8 Dec 2026
- Christmas Day (Natale)25 Dec 2026
- St. Stephen's Day (Santo Stefano)26 Dec 2026
- New Year's Day (Capodanno)1 Jan 2027
- Epiphany (Epifania)6 Jan 2027
- Easter Sunday (Pasqua)28 Mar 2027
- Easter Monday (Lunedì dell'Angelo)29 Mar 2027
- Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)25 Apr 2027
- International Workers Day (Festa del Lavoro)1 May 2027
- Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)2 Jun 2027
- Assumption Day (Ferragosto o Assunzione)15 Aug 2027
- St. Francis of Assisi's Day (San Francesco d'Assisi)4 Oct 2027
Florence FAQ
When is the best time to visit Florence?
May – Jun, Sep – Oct, when the average daytime high is between 18 and 26 °C.
Which airport is closest to Florence?
Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR), about 6 km from the city centre.
What currency is used in Florence?
The euro (EUR).
What plugs are used in Florence?
Type C and F and L, 230 V.
What are the biggest yearly events in Florence?
Florence Marathon (Late November), Scoppio del carro (Easter Sunday), Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Spring), Firenze Rocks (June), Calcio Storico (June, final on 24 June), Festa della Rificolona (7 September).
Nearby cities
All guides in Italy →Emilia-Romagna · 80 kmBolognaPopulation ≈ 390,000
Tuscany · 68 kmPisaPopulation ≈ 110,000
Umbria · 118 kmPerugiaPopulation ≈ 120,000
Tuscany · 52 kmSienaPopulation ≈ 54,000
Last updated 29 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.