Florence (Firenze) Overview

Thanks to the floods, wars, famine, and Black Death that haunted Europe during the early Renaissance period, sopping-wet, battle-weary, emaciated, and plagued Florence—or Firenze (Fee-REN-zeh; pop. 400,000)—was not a pleasant sight. In the late 14th century, however, Florence was able to etch itself into the history books. Florentines Boccaccio, Dante, and Giotto created trend-setting masterpieces and, in the 15th century, Florence had gained further artistic distinction as the Medici family amassed a priceless collection of works, supporting masters like Botticelli, Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Michelangelo, among other ninja turtles. Rivalries between families, political factions, neighboring towns, and artists led to increasingly impressive shows of power—now yours to enjoy in the resulting art and architecture. Think of it as capitalistic free-market competition, a bit of a rarity in Italy.

Today, you can’t turn a corner in Florence without finding a famous church, museum, or building designed by Arnolfo di Cambio—and the attendant tour groups. The historical center must be one of the most crowded squares in Europe, but venture just a few blocks outside of Piazza della Signoria and you’ll find homey trattorie, artisanal shops, and the block parties that comprise local Florentine nightlife. Cross the river to the hills of the Oltrarno or head to Fiesole to get breathtaking views of the city and the rolling Tuscan countryside. Nowhere else is there so much concentrated beauty, whether man-made or soil-born. There’s definitely something in the water.

when to go

Few would dare call a Florentine spring anything less than heaven. The weather is pleasantly balmy (hovering around 50-70°F), although often rainy, but the tourists haven’t caught on. By June, both the temperature and the tourist industry have picked up considerably. Florentine summer is sweltering (75-95°F) and congested, but you can catch major exhibitions, exciting festivals, and concerts under the stars. When the city gets too oppressive, head to the hills of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. From late July to August, the locals leave town; you may not find as many trattorie or nightclubs open, but the crowds will subside. The trend continues into the fall, when the temperatures drop (45-60°F) and the prices do too. Winter brings cold (expect around 35-55°F), rain, and some of the lowest prices of the year; it also brings the holidays, which are a major to-do.

• Planning Your Trip

  Entrance Requirements  Passport (see next page). Required for all non-EU citizens. Visa. Italy does not require visas for EU citizens and residents of Australia, Canada, Ireland ...more

• Basics

Geographically, Italy lies in a temperate zone and has a predominantly Mediterranean climate. Yet, due to the peninsula’s length, temperatures and weather often vary drastically in different parts ...more

• Practical Information

Informazione Turistica provides information in major foreign languages on tourist attractions, events, directions, available tours, and general emergency information. Offices are run through the City ...more

• Cultural Essentials

As one of the world’s most impressive artistic capitals, Florence offers a lifestyle and culture infused with the Renaissance heritage of some of the most notable writers, sculptors, and painters ...more

• Orientation

From the front steps of Stazione Santa Maria Novella, a short walk down Via de’ Panzani and a left on Via dei Cerrentari leads to the duomo, in the heart of the city. Most streets in Florence lead ...more

• Neighborhoods

Florence is small and manageable, with plenty of large churches to serve as points of reference. In general, neighborhoods have been classified by the large churches and piazze that give them their ...more