13 Tips for a FANTASTIC Trip to Florence

One of the most beautiful and historically significant cities in the world…join me as I help you decide what to do, where to go, where to stay, and what to eat in stunning Florence.

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Thanks to Audrey Kennedy for the help! If you need a travel agent, she's the best!

FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
How to Get into the City:
- From Pisa Airport (Gallilei Gallileo Intl Airport): Take the Pisamover to Pisa Centrale Station, and buy a ticket to Florence (Santa Maria Novella Station)
- From Florence Airport (Peretola)
Cheapest option is the new Tram from T2 to Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence.
Or just hop in a cab)

How to Skip The Lines:
(VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID SPENDING HOURS IN LINES!)
- The most user friendly website for reserving skip the line reserved ticket times (for the Uffizi Gallery and the Academia Gallery (Michelangelo's David) is:
(But you’ll pay more of a fee…but it is user friendly)
- The official ticketing website for the Uffizi Gallery and The David is B-ticket:
(Less user-friendly, but a cheaper ticket price…and it’s not that hard to figure it out)
- The official site for reserving a climb for the Duomo is here (this will also include entrance into all of the attractions of the Duomo):

- You can also call to book a time at the Uffizi and David by calling this number from a US phone:
011-39-055-294-883
- Or this number from an Italian phone:
055-294-883

You can also sometimes book through your hotel (if you’re staying at a hotel)
Or go with a small group tour like ArtVivia (more expensive, but highly recommended):

Food:
- All’Antico Vinaio
- Gustapizza
- Le Volpi e L’Uva
- Trattoria Mario
- Trattoria Za Za
- Zeb
- Cibrèo Trattoria
- Osteria Santo Spirito
- L’Osteria di Giovanni
- Trattoria Giovanni

Gelato:
- Venchi
- Vivoli
- Gelateria La Carraia
- Gelateria Artigianale La Strega Nocciola
- Gelateria Santa Trinita
- My Sugar
- Gelateria Dei Neri (one of my two favorites)
- Perché No (my favorite)

Neighborhoods/Piazzas/Sites:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Ponte Vecchio (Make sure to climb to the top)
- Oltrarno (Across any of the bridged on the other side of the Arno River)
- San Frediano
- Santo Spirito
- Walk along the Arno River

Markets:
- Mercato Centrale
- Mercato di San Lorenzo
- Loggia del Mercato Nuovo
- Sant’Ambrogio Market

Michaelangelo’s David:
Galleria dell’Accademia
(Again…make sure to book an advanced entrance time)

Other Museums/Art/History:
- Uffizi Gallery (BOOK AHEAD)
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Palazzo Pitti

Churches:
- Duomo di Firenze, also the Crypt below, the Baptistry, and Giotto’s Bell Tower (though as I said in the video…you’ll get as a good a view of the city from climbing the Palazzo Vecchio with FAR FEWER crowds)
- Basilica di Santa Croce (burial site of famous Italians)
- Medici Chapel (also the family tomb for the Medici)

Parks/Nature:
- Boboli Gardens (Beautiful impressive huge park)
- Giardino Bardini (My favorite park in the city)
- Rent a bike and ride through the hills above Florence. Best route (in my opinion) Head across the Ponte all Grazie (Bridge), and bike up the hills above Piazzale Michaelangelo.

Views of the City:
- la Rinascente (4th floor…up the green stairs)
- Rooftop bar of the Westin Excelsior
- Watch the Sunset on the St Trinity Bridge

Tuscany:
(I rented a car…I think it cost me around 50 Euros for the day)
- Day Trip/Wine Tour of Tuscany (There are many options for tours…I loved the small group half/day tour with Prestige rent…I found it on Trip Advisor (linked here):
- Siena (if you only visit one town in Tuscany…make it Siena. Also take the bus, not the train)
- San Gimignano (Can be seen on the same day as Siena as they’re close by)
- Pisa

PLACES I DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO FEATURE:
Restaurants:
- Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori (VERY POPULAR spot. Reservations are a must)
- Bella Donne (fantastic meatballs…or “polpettine”)
- Hostaria Il Desco (great little hidden gem near the Ponte Vecchio in a winding alley)

Other things to see/do:
- Bargello Museum
- Strozzi Museum
- Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (The Duomo’s museum)

MY EQUIPMENT:
- Main Camera: Panasonic GH5 (w/ Metabones Speedbooster adapter, and an XLR shoe mount for my lav mic)
- Second Camera (For Studio shoot): Sony FS5 with Canon 24-70 2.8
- Lenses: Panasonic Lumix 12-35 2.8, Panasonic Lumix 35-100 2.8, Sigma Art Lens 18-35 1.8, Canon 24-70 2.8
- Gimbal: DJI Ronin S
- Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
- Camera Slider: Rhino ROV Pro

[katekatims]

We just got back from Florence. We were lucky enough to have Matt as a guide ( full disclosure, he is our son), and I can tell you he is as much fun to travel with as to watch. I highly recommend following his tips; it was the most memorable trip ever. Thanks Matt! 😘

[Chewbroccolii]

Finally someone who makes a travel blog the correct way. Funny, informative and makes me want to be there. Thank you so much. Don't stop posting as I love being constantly inspired.

[simonemesseri]

As a young man born and raised in Florence, i can't do anything but praise you for this amazing video. You perfectly captured the essence of a trip in our town and indicated some really wonderful locations and activities that even specialized guides often forget. Thank you so much, next time you'll be here i'd be honored to show you many other great attractions and places 💪💪

[SBT-dmot]

Never have I watched a travel video and smiled. THANK YOU FOR THIS!

[jamesmcgregor]

Matt is right, The David is the single most amazing piece of art I have ever seen. If there is one thing you must see it is this!

[lantran]

This is the BEST Florence guide out there . I hope you will come back sooon!!

[HowToWatchMovies]

Trying to figure out why this video is so good. I think it’s the writing. So many YouTube travel videos neglect it, but your writing made this video come ALIVE.

[rarespapuc]

Hey Matt,
Just wanted to say this is one of the best travel videos I have ever seen: informative, funny and full of passion. It made me fall in love with the city even more. Are you planning to post some new travel videos?

[gregschulz]

You are awesome at this. I love your travel videos. The only downside is that now my desire to travel and list of places to see far outstrips my budget. Damn details...

[saradeglinnocenti]

I'm from Florence and can feel the love that you have for the city, thank you 😊

[paulr]

Planning a trip to Florence in May and basically watching every You Tube travel guide - most are just awful but this one is great! Only one that prompted me to actually leave a review. Great job Matt, will definitely look into your recommendations!

[VicodinElmo]

I sincerely hope you continue to produce these videos post-COVID. Your videos are wonderfully informative and you really capture the essence of a place! Would be a shame to lose that kind of talent on YouTube amidst the culture of aesthetics and Instagram!

[NurseCentral]

Watch a lotta travel videos and yours are simply my favorite. Awesome work.

[brucefielder]

My wife and I were in Florence in early May 2019. Your tips and suggestions are all spot on IMO. Getting advance reservations for three major sites is the only way to bypass standing in lines to see the Accademia Gallery, the Uffizi Gallery and climbing the Duomo. One excellent and much less crowded museum to see is the Musee de Opera which is right next to the Duomo. No lines at all and it has many art works related to the Duomo including the models that were used by the dome architect, Brunelleschi and even his death mask. It also has the last Pieta carved by Michelangelo which he wanted to be used as part of his burial plot. He used his own face for the Nicodemus part of the statue. Keep up the excellent videos!

[francescabenedettabaroncel]

This video is simply amazing!! I'm from Florence and I love it...and I'm in it, with my little dog, in the part where you are talking about my neighborhood, Oltrarno.🤣🤣

[Liverpoollassie]

When we were in Florence we went to this beautiful and delicious restaurant called trattoria gozzi and trust us you won’t regret it

[jimhuntcartoons]

Absolutely LOVE this page! My wife and I viewed the Florence tips and they were invaluable. The past few days we did our own food tour of several recommended spots. They were spectacular, spot on recommendations. My wife practically cried over the sizzling gnocchi :) Can’t wait to return here next winter and eat at the places we didn’t catch this time.

Heading back to Rome for a few days before flying home to Philadelphia. Thank you Matt!

[laurieross]

I just watched your Florence, Italy video today while traveling from Venice to Florence, then went to one of your recommended restaurants for dinner, Trattoria Giovanni. You're right - it's exceptional! Thanks for the entertaining video and the terrific dinner recommendation.

[iamhere]

Man! Just discovered your video in preparation for my husband and I's trip to Florence April 2024. Fantastic video. We loved it because it's packed with -value-added tips about several subjects. We took written notes, and without a doubt we'll hit most of the things you described. Wait a second! Are you a tour guide?

[eynat]

Finally! Thank you for making an informative video that doesn't go on and on about nonsense or how much wine someone drank. The humor in your videos is so engaging! I'm hooked!