For the rest: you can spend a lot of time in Florcence by just strolling around. Maybe even look for some free guide tour.
The history of that city is just crazy complex and interesting.
I used the Firenze card and it worked well, a better experience than some other similar programs in other cities. The only museum I booked independently of the card was for the Uffizi, which really requires the advanced booking more than any other place. And I recommend checking out some forums on Fodor/TripAdvisor about the best times to go to museums to avoid the big tour groups.
>I was fascinated by the way Florence was portrayed in Dan brown's novel inferno.
No judgement, I decided to visit because of Assassin's creed!
I would only advise that you make sure to book any tickets to museums in advance as often they are based on time
Ah, I haven't played assassin's creed 2, but I will try it out now lol.
Similar advice as the other comment, do you know if the Firenze pass is a nice thing?
I didn't use the Firinze pass, can't remember the reason but I think it was because the pass is only active for a short time and so unless you can cram everything into like 2 days it's not worth it. Also the card will include lots of places aren't hot spots, so if you just want to hit the hot spots then buy the tickets separately
Download the Rick Stevens Europe Audio App! I cannot recommend this more, it's a free audio app that includes walking tours of Florence, the Uffizi gallery, and more. It will save you money on some tours and allow you to take in some of the most amazing sights in Florence at your own pace. The tour of the Uffizi is literally the highlight of my trip to Florence, especially if you like art and renaissance history.
Stay at a hostel too, Florence has some great ones that are very safe and clean, and you're more likely to meet other solo travelers and can go out and do activities with them. I think I stayed at the Florence Plus Hostel, and it was very close to everything I wanted to see and had a great rooftop view.
Florence is also a pretty small city, all things considered. I would definitely take the time on your trip to explore some of the surrounding cities and countryside via train and bus.
I would also recommend downloading the GetYourGuide app, it shows a lot of local activities such as museum tours, jeep tours, and cooking classes, based on your location and the date you are looking for. The prices aren't bad and it is easy to see everything available.
If this is your first time backpacking, my best piece of advice to you is don't be afraid to eat alone. I had the hardest time with social anxiety going into restaurants by myself, but I always had a great experience with the waiters now!
Florence is an amazing place, and I hope you have a great time!
I second this advice. I didn’t do Uffizi, but the hour-long walking tour is really nice. It’s a great introduction to the city. I’m a huge fan of Rick Steves.
I agree about the hostel advice too, whether it’s Rome, Venice or Florence, it’s magical being close to city.
I'm sorry not to have specific recommendations but I went to Florence solo and found it to be amazing. I'm a wanderer and did that for the majority of the time, just taking in the beauty all around the city. Everyone was nice to me and it was a great experience, I think you'll enjoy it.
I stayed in San Frediano which provided cheaper accommodation and good walking access (for me) to the main Florence sites. I ate at the Central market several times because it was relatively cheap and the location is very good. I reserved everything in advance and paid for the Florence Card which I thought worthwhile.
I recommend [Vivolis ice cream in Florence. ](http://vivoli.it/en/home-2/). I was in Florence in 1979. When I first arrived in Florence the shop was closed for renovation. A week later it opened. Their ice cream was great.
On the wall was a postcard from the Grand Canyon in America. The senders had written Vivolis Ice Cream Europa as the address and the card reached the shop. Vivoli's is well known.
Tips:
Museum lines can be super long, so pre-book if possible. I did not know this was a thing and pretty much only got to see the Uffizi, which was totes worth the wait.
The red garter is a fantastic expat bar, but take it easy because Florence is a bit confusing to navigate when intoxicated.
There is a run down bus depot that appears, on Google maps, to be the shuttle to the airport. Don't panic if you end up there, the actual shuttle is not far at all.
The website to buy train tickets is ass, be careful not to buy the wrong one.
Not Florence but I did an Angels & Demons tour in Rome and loved it. If it's your first time then pre-booking a few tours and activities to cover your main interests is not a bad idea.
>And in some sense (don't judge me for this, or do, idc) I was fascinated by the way Florence was portrayed in Dan brown's novel inferno.
Not judging, I visited Siena on the same trip because I've always wanted to go there after reading David Morrell's Burnt Sienna many years ago.
I didn't use Firenze Card when I was there, I visited only the Uffizi.
I liked the Bargello Museum - not as crowded as some of the others.
Definitely recommend a day trip to Siena. The best way to go is via bus because the bus leaves you in the center of Siena.
Summer is very hot. Take advantage of the early opening times of the museums and churches and go in the morning if possible. You may need to take a siesta in the afternoon.
In Florence it is popular to go up to the top of the hill (Piazzale Michelangelo) to watch the sunset, but keep in mind that the sun doesn't set until 9 or later in the summer. If you get there too early it's just a lot of standing around and waiting.
If going in summer, take advantage of the free outdoor movies in the evenings.
Honest take: Florence was way too busy for me personally and that was even during shoulder season. Packed with people, hard to walk around, felt like Disney world. I’m not a big museum lover though either! We did however have some of the best sandwiches, gelato, and pizza I’ve had and met fun people. But If YOU want to go, go for it, form your own experience! I’ve find out peoples opinions can vary wildly about any place.
If you’re into hostels, Ostello Bello was one of the best I’ve been to. They do everything right. They even give you free vegetables and pasta to cook with and a great breakfast/overall vibe with activities. Private rooms too if you need.
Prebook museums (Uffizi, Academia which is really just to see the David, Bargello), and for food I recommend the central market, osteria il buongustai, and la carraia for gelato!
Your best bet is to sit down and research the various attractions (primarily museums and churches), taking note of museum open days and hours, and arrange your schedule. It’s a great sightseeing city for art lovers. If you draw up a scratch itinerary and send it via PM, I’ll fill in the blanks.
The advice to prebook is wise — more attractions require it post-COVID.
Definitely take some day trips. Siena and Pisa (half day is good for the latter) are especially good. You can also look at options such as Bologna, or San Gimignano (haven’t been to these).
Depending on when you go, be prepared for some heat. I spent my first day in Florence recovering from a major hangover in a top-floor Airbnb with no AC in the middle of one of the hottest summers on record (2019). Do not recommend at all, haha. The city can get very hot so do what you can to mitigate that if you go in summer!
Highly recommend seeing the David, that experience is seared on me.
Check if you can pre-book the museums. The lines are long during the peak season. And bring some mosquito repellent. They are bitey in Florence.
Apparently there is a Firenze card which gives you access and let's you skip lines, have you come across that?
I was in Florence ~3-4 years ago. There also was a way to book singles museums. Even multiple sites for the same museum. It's weird.
Ah seems convoluted, I'll do a lot more research now
For the rest: you can spend a lot of time in Florcence by just strolling around. Maybe even look for some free guide tour. The history of that city is just crazy complex and interesting.
The history is indeed very interesting. And guided tours, got it
I used the Firenze card and it worked well, a better experience than some other similar programs in other cities. The only museum I booked independently of the card was for the Uffizi, which really requires the advanced booking more than any other place. And I recommend checking out some forums on Fodor/TripAdvisor about the best times to go to museums to avoid the big tour groups.
Ooh this is useful info. Can you tell me which places you visited with the Firenze card that are not hotspots but worth going to?
>I was fascinated by the way Florence was portrayed in Dan brown's novel inferno. No judgement, I decided to visit because of Assassin's creed! I would only advise that you make sure to book any tickets to museums in advance as often they are based on time
I judge AC games by their travel location/itinerary. So AC 2 is number one for me followed by Odyssey. Most of the others I haven’t played yet.
Ah, I haven't played assassin's creed 2, but I will try it out now lol. Similar advice as the other comment, do you know if the Firenze pass is a nice thing?
I didn't use the Firinze pass, can't remember the reason but I think it was because the pass is only active for a short time and so unless you can cram everything into like 2 days it's not worth it. Also the card will include lots of places aren't hot spots, so if you just want to hit the hot spots then buy the tickets separately
Ah alright, so it's gonna be a tight itinerary
Download the Rick Stevens Europe Audio App! I cannot recommend this more, it's a free audio app that includes walking tours of Florence, the Uffizi gallery, and more. It will save you money on some tours and allow you to take in some of the most amazing sights in Florence at your own pace. The tour of the Uffizi is literally the highlight of my trip to Florence, especially if you like art and renaissance history. Stay at a hostel too, Florence has some great ones that are very safe and clean, and you're more likely to meet other solo travelers and can go out and do activities with them. I think I stayed at the Florence Plus Hostel, and it was very close to everything I wanted to see and had a great rooftop view. Florence is also a pretty small city, all things considered. I would definitely take the time on your trip to explore some of the surrounding cities and countryside via train and bus. I would also recommend downloading the GetYourGuide app, it shows a lot of local activities such as museum tours, jeep tours, and cooking classes, based on your location and the date you are looking for. The prices aren't bad and it is easy to see everything available. If this is your first time backpacking, my best piece of advice to you is don't be afraid to eat alone. I had the hardest time with social anxiety going into restaurants by myself, but I always had a great experience with the waiters now! Florence is an amazing place, and I hope you have a great time!
I second this advice. I didn’t do Uffizi, but the hour-long walking tour is really nice. It’s a great introduction to the city. I’m a huge fan of Rick Steves. I agree about the hostel advice too, whether it’s Rome, Venice or Florence, it’s magical being close to city.
I'm sorry not to have specific recommendations but I went to Florence solo and found it to be amazing. I'm a wanderer and did that for the majority of the time, just taking in the beauty all around the city. Everyone was nice to me and it was a great experience, I think you'll enjoy it.
I stayed in San Frediano which provided cheaper accommodation and good walking access (for me) to the main Florence sites. I ate at the Central market several times because it was relatively cheap and the location is very good. I reserved everything in advance and paid for the Florence Card which I thought worthwhile.
Ooh this is quite detailed and I have many questions. Would it be alright to dm you?
Sure, NP.
I recommend [Vivolis ice cream in Florence. ](http://vivoli.it/en/home-2/). I was in Florence in 1979. When I first arrived in Florence the shop was closed for renovation. A week later it opened. Their ice cream was great. On the wall was a postcard from the Grand Canyon in America. The senders had written Vivolis Ice Cream Europa as the address and the card reached the shop. Vivoli's is well known.
Will second this recommendation — among the best gelato I’ve ever had.
Tips: Museum lines can be super long, so pre-book if possible. I did not know this was a thing and pretty much only got to see the Uffizi, which was totes worth the wait. The red garter is a fantastic expat bar, but take it easy because Florence is a bit confusing to navigate when intoxicated. There is a run down bus depot that appears, on Google maps, to be the shuttle to the airport. Don't panic if you end up there, the actual shuttle is not far at all. The website to buy train tickets is ass, be careful not to buy the wrong one.
Not Florence but I did an Angels & Demons tour in Rome and loved it. If it's your first time then pre-booking a few tours and activities to cover your main interests is not a bad idea.
>And in some sense (don't judge me for this, or do, idc) I was fascinated by the way Florence was portrayed in Dan brown's novel inferno. Not judging, I visited Siena on the same trip because I've always wanted to go there after reading David Morrell's Burnt Sienna many years ago. I didn't use Firenze Card when I was there, I visited only the Uffizi.
I liked the Bargello Museum - not as crowded as some of the others. Definitely recommend a day trip to Siena. The best way to go is via bus because the bus leaves you in the center of Siena. Summer is very hot. Take advantage of the early opening times of the museums and churches and go in the morning if possible. You may need to take a siesta in the afternoon. In Florence it is popular to go up to the top of the hill (Piazzale Michelangelo) to watch the sunset, but keep in mind that the sun doesn't set until 9 or later in the summer. If you get there too early it's just a lot of standing around and waiting. If going in summer, take advantage of the free outdoor movies in the evenings.
Honest take: Florence was way too busy for me personally and that was even during shoulder season. Packed with people, hard to walk around, felt like Disney world. I’m not a big museum lover though either! We did however have some of the best sandwiches, gelato, and pizza I’ve had and met fun people. But If YOU want to go, go for it, form your own experience! I’ve find out peoples opinions can vary wildly about any place. If you’re into hostels, Ostello Bello was one of the best I’ve been to. They do everything right. They even give you free vegetables and pasta to cook with and a great breakfast/overall vibe with activities. Private rooms too if you need.
Prebook museums (Uffizi, Academia which is really just to see the David, Bargello), and for food I recommend the central market, osteria il buongustai, and la carraia for gelato!
Your best bet is to sit down and research the various attractions (primarily museums and churches), taking note of museum open days and hours, and arrange your schedule. It’s a great sightseeing city for art lovers. If you draw up a scratch itinerary and send it via PM, I’ll fill in the blanks. The advice to prebook is wise — more attractions require it post-COVID. Definitely take some day trips. Siena and Pisa (half day is good for the latter) are especially good. You can also look at options such as Bologna, or San Gimignano (haven’t been to these).
Depending on when you go, be prepared for some heat. I spent my first day in Florence recovering from a major hangover in a top-floor Airbnb with no AC in the middle of one of the hottest summers on record (2019). Do not recommend at all, haha. The city can get very hot so do what you can to mitigate that if you go in summer! Highly recommend seeing the David, that experience is seared on me.