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From Rome to Florence, we took a fast train — super easy and convenient. You can find my Rome guide right here. Many people told me that Florence would end up being my favorite city of the whole trip, and honestly, I get why.
Florence is incredibly walkable; you can cross most of the city in about 30 minutes, yet there’s still so much to see, do, and buy. It’s also one of the best places for souvenir shopping thanks to the many local artisans. The entire city feels rooted in art, with the Duomo right in the center — one of the most breathtaking landmarks you’ll ever see.
You can check out my previous article about Rome for more Italy tips and tricks, but this one is all about the fast train and everything to eat and do in Florence. The high-speed train ride from Rome to Florence takes about an hour and a half, and there’s also an airport in Florence if you prefer to fly out from there. In hindsight, I probably should’ve flown out of Rome instead, since I’ve heard their customs process is much smoother—especially for tax refunds. Florence’s, on the other hand, was noticeably slow.
Just like in Rome, I’d stick to using taxi services here. There are plenty of taxi stands around the city, though Florence is so walkable that you might not need rides often. No need for Uber. I also highly recommend making reservations ahead of time—this city is incredibly popular with tourists, and honestly, I felt like I saw even more visitors here than in Rome.
When we visited Florence, we stayed at an Airbnb that was really lovely. It was brand new and spacious enough for four adults and one baby. The check-in process was a bit lengthy, but if you’re interested in that Airbnb, you can click here. It was also located right next to the Duomo, which made for an amazing view and a super convenient area to walk around.
Stick around till the end if you're curious about the VAT REFUND~
Map of Everything We Did!
First, we’ll start with the places we ate, and then we’ll move on to the attractions. Without further ado, here are the spots we dined at and recommend in Florence.
Osteria Del Cinghale Bianco
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco came highly recommended in Florence, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We were able to make a reservation by phone without too much trouble—although they didn’t answer the first couple of times, they eventually picked up, and the process was easy. I highly recommend reserving ahead, as the restaurant gets very busy. We started with the onion flan, which was very unique and something I’d never tried before, but I personally loved it. We also ordered the Florentine steak, and even though this isn’t necessarily what they’re best known for, it ended up being one of the best steaks I had on the entire trip. The portion was generous and relatively affordable, in my opinion. The suckling pig is also a must-try. While I really enjoyed the boar ragù, my friends found it a bit heavy. To finish, they served one of the best desserts I had in Florence—the fruit panna cotta was easily the best panna cotta I’ve ever had. Overall, I highly recommend this spot, and if you could only dine at one restaurant in Florence, this would be my pick.
Perche No Gelato
Perche No Gelato is one of the spots that many people recommend in Florence. I personally tried their pistachio gelato and thought it was good, but I wouldn’t say it stood out compared to the gelato I had in Rome.
IGirone De Ghiotto
Although many people call I’Girone de’ Ghiotti a hidden gem, I wouldn’t really describe it as “hidden,” as the line can easily stretch from 30 minutes to an hour during peak lunch times. It’s often considered a great alternative to All’Antico Vinaio, which many people now view as a tourist trap. This small, humble sandwich shop is located nearby and turns out sandwiches that are very similar, if not better, than All’Antico. It was so good that I ended up stopping by twice. If you visit during off-hours, the line is minimal, and they’re also open relatively late. We ordered four different sandwiches, each costing around €8. My favorite was the Suicida, made with porchetta and sun-dried tomatoes, which paired perfectly with the crunchy bread. They toast each focaccia slice right before serving, giving it a satisfying crisp with every bite, and the portions of meat and spreads are very generous.
Procaccio 1885
If you’re looking for the perfect spot for aperitivo, this is a go-to place in Florence. Although they don’t take reservations, the patio seating is quite large and tables turn over quickly. Whether you stop by for a glass of wine or even just water, there’s plenty to enjoy thanks to their small panino bites—essentially mini hot dog–style rolls filled with options like caviar, truffle, egg, or various meats. Overall, it’s a great choice for both people who love to drink and those who love to eat. After all, where else can you get butter and caviar on a bread roll for just $13?
All Antico Vinaio
I know it’s touristy, but All’Antico Vinaio is arguably one of the most accessible and relatively affordable bites you can get in Florence. They have locations all over the city, including near the train station, so whether you’re arriving, departing, or just wandering around, there’s almost always one nearby. If you visit one of their original, more tourist-heavy locations, the line can be very long and the wait can take some time. However, if you go outside of peak lunch hours, the line is much shorter and moves quickly. Overall, despite its touristy reputation, it’s still better than most focaccia sandwiches you’ll find around the world. The one you definitely want to order is the Paradiso, made with stracciatella cheese, pistachio pesto, mortadella, and arugula—it’s their most popular sandwich for a reason.
Vivoli Gelato
This is one of those rare spots where the TikTok hype actually matches the quality of the food. What you’ll want to order here is the affogato—easily one of the best you’ll find in the city. You can choose between pistachio gelato or classic gelato, which they scoop along the sides before pouring the espresso over it. Be quick, though—it melts fast. Snap your Instagram photo, then enjoy what’s easily one of the best gelatos and coffee drinks you’ll have, all in a lively, touristy setting
La Giostra
You’re going to see a lot of mixed reviews about La Giostra, largely because it’s known as a celebrity hotspot whenever famous visitors are in Florence. It’s extremely popular, and the owner—often wearing an impressive amount of jewelry on his arms and around his neck—walks around the restaurant greeting guests. Reservations typically need to be made months in advance. While it might be possible to walk in, I wouldn’t recommend it, as the restaurant gets very crowded. When you sit down, La Giostra starts you off with a complimentary platter of crostini, and the service is genuinely excellent. As for what to order, the Florentine steak is a must—it was technically the best one we had during our entire trip. I also tried the osso buco, which was fine but skippable. The pear ravioli is non-negotiable, and we also really enjoyed the octopus carpaccio. The large platter of crostini that accompanied the meal was also worth mentioning. That said, while this was the best Florentine steak we had across three different spots in Florence, it was also the most expensive.
Ginos Bakery
This is a quick stop near Ponte Vecchio where you can grab a really good cannoli.
Mercato Centrale Firenze
I have so many amazing things to say about Mercato Centrale. Florence actually has a couple of markets, with Mercato Centrale being the most popular and slightly touristy. There’s also a smaller, less touristy market a bit further from the city center.
If you visit Mercato Centrale, the first stop should be upstairs at the pasta vendor, Famiglia Micheli’s. They make a variety of fresh pastas right in front of you. The must-tries here are the pomodoro pasta with a mozzarella ball and their mushroom fettuccine—which is honestly the best mushroom pasta I’ve ever had.
Another highlight is the burger spot. The Florentine burger is a must-try, featuring high-quality Chianina beef, and it’s hands down one of the best burgers I’ve ever had.
On the downstairs level, there’s a fruit stall serving fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice, which I highly recommend. Many people also line up at Bambi, a stall serving lampredotto—a traditional Florentine dish made from chopped cow stomach. It might sound intimidating, but it’s delicious, especially with the crunchy bread and spicy sauce they serve on top.
There are plenty of other options in the market, but these are the ones I’d personally recommend
Attractions
Uffizi Art Gallery
If you’re visiting Florence, there are a number of attractions to see, but the most famous is probably the Uffizi Art Gallery, home to the iconic The Birth of Venus painting. You can purchase tickets online, and while the line wasn’t too bad even during tourist season, it’s still wise to plan ahead. We went through a third-party service, but if you buy directly from the official website, you can likely just walk right in.
Piazza Del Duomo
This is actually one attraction we didn’t get to visit inside, but if you’re in Florence, it’s definitely worth seeing from the outside. As soon as you enter the city center, it’s one of the first sights that will hit you—and trust me, it’s absolutely stunning. We tried to visit, but the line was incredibly long even before opening, and it didn’t seem worth the wait once they opened. If you want to go inside, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes to an hour early. I didn’t see any option to purchase tickets online.
David - Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
If you’re really into art—or just want to see one of the most incredible pieces ever—make sure to book tickets to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see David by Michelangelo. The entire statue was carved from a single slab of marble, and it’s massive. Honestly, the statue alone is the main reason to visit—it’s that impressive.
Scuola del Cuoio S.r.l.
If you’re into shopping, Florence is a great place for leather goods and jewelry, and the School of Leather is definitely worth a visit. I wouldn’t call it particularly affordable—standard bags typically range from $300 to $600, while wallets are around $60 to $80. Personally, I’d go back just to buy a wallet. If the bag you want isn’t in stock, they can custom-make it for you, but you’ll need to cover any tariffs, which can make it quite pricey. That said, it’s definitely worth visiting to watch the artisans at work and to experience the rich history of leather-making in Florence.
Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
One of the most notable places is Officina Profumo‑Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, which is not just a shop but also a historic space dating back to the early 13th century. It began as a Dominican friars’ pharmacy and is considered one of the oldest perfume and botanical product makers in Europe. You can walk through rooms filled with beautifully displayed jars, vials, and historic instruments that give the place a museum‑like feel, and it’s worth seeing even if you’re just browsing. Inside, you can explore a variety of tinctures to smell different perfumes and colognes. Keep in mind that the fragrances aren’t necessarily geared toward women—perfumes tend to have stronger scents, while colognes are lighter—so I actually recommend checking out some of the colognes. One of my favorites was Angels of Firenza, which I ended up buying for my sister. They also offer soaps. If you’d rather skip the line or the original location, they have other branches throughout the city.
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio is an iconic spot in Florence, perfect for enjoying stunning views of the Arno River and browsing its famous gold jewelry shops. That said, many of the gold shops along the bridge are owned by the same group, which can result in consistently high prices—so don’t expect to find a bargain. Some reviews have mentioned that certain pieces were tested and found not to be genuine, though I can’t verify that. Even so, the bridge itself, with its history and picturesque views, is absolutely worth a visit.
Medici Chapel
Visiting the Medici Chapel was surprisingly easy. We didn’t purchase tickets online or in advance—my friend simply walked up to the side entrance and bought tickets on the spot for €9 each. The visit is fairly short, as the main draw is the chapel itself and the stunning artwork on the ceilings. It’s a quick stop, but definitely worth checking out.
The Gold Corner
If you’re a fan of shopping in Florence, this is the gold shop I ended up visiting. I looked at several, and this one offered the best prices. I found a piece I couldn’t leave without, and not only did they give me a generous discount, but they also shared tips on how to get a tax refund for an even bigger savings to fit my budget. I’m very happy with the quality of the ring I purchased and highly recommend checking them out.
VAT REFUND
Make sure to carry your password around and gather your recipets to do this! the business will provide you the paperwork.
If you’re flying out of Florence Airport and plan to do the VAT refund process there, be prepared for it to take quite a bit of time. The VAT office doesn’t open until around 4:30 AM, and it’s located just outside customs and check-in. When you arrive, you first go to the office and wait. Once it opens, they review your receipts and then direct you to another office across the hallway, where you have to stand in an additional line. That second office doesn’t open until around 5:00 AM. By that time, there can already be a line of 50–100 people.
There’s also a QR code you can scan to join the line, but it doesn’t seem strictly enforced. The key takeaway is that you need to arrive very early if you want to complete the process at Florence. For comparison, the VAT refund process at Rome’s airport is reportedly much quicker, so it might be worth considering flying out of Rome instead.
