Is Florence Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion (2026)

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Is Florence worth visiting?

YES. 100%.

And I say that as someone who is usually more drawn to coastal towns and cities because, honestly, I am a water girlie. Give me a beach, a little harbour and somewhere I can swim and I’m happy.

But somehow, I will always love a trip to Florence.

There is just something about this city.

The architecture, the buildings, the history, the atmosphere, the food, the little streets, the Ponte Vecchio area… Florence is just ridiculously charming.

It is also touristy. And it can definitely be expensive.

But for me, Florence is one of those cities where I think you just have to accept the crowds, enjoy the beautiful parts and make the most of it.

So, is Florence worth visiting?

Let me tell you why I think it is.

If you want to turn all of this into an actual itinerary, I’ve put together a guide to the 10 best things to do in Florence with the sights I’d personally prioritise.

So, Is Florence Worth Visiting?

Yes. Absolutely.

Florence is one of those cities where you can walk around for hours without really needing a plan.

Every few streets there is another beautiful building, piazza, church, museum or little café.

And then there is the history.

Florence is basically one giant history lesson, especially if you’re interested in the Renaissance, art and architecture.

You can learn so much just by walking around the city, but there are also SO many museums and historical places to visit if you want to properly dive into it.

And even if you’re not a massive history nerd, I still think you’ll appreciate Florence.

Because sometimes you don’t need to know exactly why a building is important to think:

“Okay wow, this is BEAUTIFUL.”

Florence Is One of the Most Charming Cities in Northern Italy

I know, I know.

Florence is technically in Central Italy rather than Northern Italy.

But because I’ve travelled around so much of Italy and often combine Florence with my Northern Italy trips, I’m keeping it in my Italy travel universe.

And honestly, Florence is one of the most charming proper cities I’ve visited in Italy.

I usually prefer coastal towns.

I love places where you can walk around, find the water, sit somewhere with an Aperol and maybe go for a swim.

Florence obviously doesn’t have that.

But somehow, I don’t miss the water as much here.

The architecture makes up for it.

The old buildings, colourful streets, huge churches and beautiful squares make walking around Florence feel like you’re constantly inside a postcard.

The Architecture Is INSANE

This is probably one of the biggest reasons I love Florence.

You can literally just walk around and look at buildings.

And I mean that genuinely.

The Duomo di Firenze is obviously the big one. That massive red dome is one of the most recognisable sights in Florence and completely dominates the city centre.

But it isn’t just the Duomo.

You have beautiful palaces, churches, historic streets, bridges and piazzas everywhere.

And then you walk towards the Ponte Vecchio and suddenly you’re standing next to one of the most iconic bridges in Italy.

The whole area around Ponte Vecchio is especially beautiful.

It’s touristy, yes.

But also… look at it.

Sometimes places are popular for a reason.

Ponte Vecchio Is One of My Favourite Areas

The Ponte Vecchio area is one of those places where I actually don’t mind the tourist crowds as much.

The bridge itself is packed with jewellery shops and people, but the surrounding streets and views along the Arno are beautiful.

It’s especially nice around sunset when the light hits the buildings and the river.

You can walk across the bridge, wander around the surrounding streets and then just keep exploring from there.

And this is one of the things I love about Florence.

You don’t necessarily need to have an attraction booked every hour.

Just walking around is part of the experience.

Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River in Florence Italy

There Is SO Much History to Discover

If you’re interested in history, Florence is honestly a dream.

This is one of those cities where you can learn something everywhere you go.

The Renaissance is obviously a huge part of Florence’s identity, and you’ll come across famous artists, historic families, churches, palaces and museums throughout the city.

You can visit places like:

  • Duomo di Firenze
  • Uffizi Gallery
  • Galleria dell’Accademia
  • Palazzo Pitti
  • Boboli Gardens
  • Santa Croce
  • Palazzo Vecchio
  • Ponte Vecchio
  • Piazzale Michelangelo

And that’s only scratching the surface.

One thing I really recommend is doing a free walking tour when you arrive.

I did one in Florence and thought it was such an easy way to understand the city and its history.

They’re usually tip-based, and the guides can also give you recommendations for food and places to visit afterwards.

Florence Is Touristy

Okay.

Now for the downside.

Florence is touristy.

Like, very touristy.

You will see crowds around the major sights, especially around the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and other famous attractions.

And during the summer, it can get particularly busy.

But personally?

I don’t think that makes Florence not worth visiting.

Sometimes you just have to accept that you’re visiting one of the most famous cities in Italy.

Everyone else wants to see the Duomo too.

Everyone wants that Ponte Vecchio photo.

Everyone wants to walk around the historic centre.

And honestly, I get it.

I am one of those tourists too.

The trick is to accept the crowds rather than expecting Florence to feel like a hidden gem.

If you want quieter streets, get away from the main tourist routes and explore a little further from the busiest sights.

Florence Can Be Expensive

The other downside is the price.

Florence can get expensive surprisingly quickly, especially when you’re eating out, booking accommodation and paying for attractions.

But I don’t think you need to spend loads of money to enjoy the city.

You can walk around for free, grab food from a supermarket or bakery, sit in a piazza and explore the city without constantly paying for attractions.

And if you’re travelling on a budget, Too Good To Go is your friend.

I’ve used it as a way to save money on food in expensive Italian cities, and Florence is exactly the kind of place where I would use it.

You can also just buy a sandwich, some fruit or snacks from a supermarket instead of sitting down for every meal.

You don’t have to make every meal a €20+ restaurant experience.

Sometimes a supermarket sandwich eaten somewhere pretty is just as good.

Is Florence Good for a Budget Trip?

Yes, but you have to be smart about it.

Florence isn’t the cheapest Italian city, but you can absolutely visit without spending crazy amounts of money.

My biggest budget tips would be:

  • Use Too Good To Go for food.
  • Buy sandwiches and snacks from supermarkets or bakeries.
  • Walk as much as possible.
  • Compare accommodation prices.
  • Book major attractions in advance if you know you want to visit them.
  • Don’t eat every meal directly next to the biggest tourist attractions.
  • Take advantage of free things to do, like walking around the historic centre.

And honestly, Florence is a pretty good city for walking.

You can see a lot without constantly paying for transport.

Florence Is More Than Just Museums

One thing I love about Florence is that you don’t have to spend your entire trip inside museums.

Yes, you can spend hours looking at Renaissance art.

But you can also just wander around.

Have a coffee.

Eat gelato.

Walk along the Arno.

Sit in a piazza.

Go for an Aperol.

Watch the sunset.

Explore the streets around Ponte Vecchio.

Go out for drinks.

Florence actually has a pretty good nightlife scene too.

So if you’re in your twenties and want a city trip where you can combine sightseeing during the day with drinks and going out at night, Florence works really well.

It’s not just a city for people who want to spend three days inside museums.

How Many Days Do You Need in Florence?

I would recommend around 3–4 days in Florence.

You can technically see the main highlights in two days, especially if you don’t want to visit lots of museums.

But I think three days gives you a much nicer balance.

You can see the major sights without constantly rushing, spend some time wandering around, eat properly, go for drinks and actually enjoy the city.

If you have four days, even better.

You could also use the extra time for a day trip into Tuscany.

Personally, I would rather spend three or four days properly enjoying Florence than try to squeeze it into one rushed day.

If Florence is part of a bigger trip around Italy, you can see how I included it in my Northern Italy Travel Guide.

Is Florence Good for a City Trip?

Yes. This is actually one of the things I think Florence does really well.

It has everything I would want from a city break:

Beautiful architecture.

History.

Museums.

Good food.

Cafés.

Nightlife.

Walkable streets.

Pretty views.

And lots of things to discover.

You can have a very cultural trip, a food-focused trip, a party weekend or a mixture of everything.

And because Florence is relatively compact, you don’t spend your entire city trip travelling from one attraction to another.

You can just walk.

And walk.

And walk.

And suddenly you’ve walked 20,000 steps without realising it.

Is Florence Worth Visiting for 3 Days?

Definitely.

Three days is probably my sweet spot for Florence.

You can spend your first day getting to know the historic centre and doing a walking tour.

Then use another day for the Duomo, museums and Ponte Vecchio.

And on the third day, you can slow down a little, explore areas you haven’t seen yet, visit viewpoints or simply enjoy the city.

If you have four days, you can add a day trip or give yourself more time to explore.

What I Love Most About Florence

I think my favourite thing about Florence is simply the atmosphere.

Yes, the buildings are beautiful.

Yes, the history is fascinating.

Yes, Ponte Vecchio is gorgeous.

But it’s the combination of everything that makes me love coming back.

You can spend the morning learning about Renaissance history, have pasta for lunch, wander through tiny streets in the afternoon, watch the sunset and then go out for drinks.

It feels like a proper city trip.

And even though I am very much a coastal-town girl at heart, Florence always manages to win me over.

What I Don’t Love About Florence

I’m not going to pretend Florence is perfect.

The biggest things that can annoy me are:

The crowds

The main sights can get very busy, especially in summer.

The prices

Accommodation, restaurants and attractions can add up quickly.

The touristy feeling

Some parts of the historic centre can feel like they’re built entirely around tourism.

But these are also things I expect when visiting a city as famous as Florence.

And for me, they don’t outweigh everything I love about it.

So… Would I Recommend Florence?

Yes.

If someone told me they were planning a city trip to Italy and asked me if Florence was worth adding, I would absolutely say yes.

Especially if you’ve never been before.

You get beautiful architecture, incredible history, museums, food, nightlife and one of the most charming city centres in Italy.

It is touristy.

It can be expensive.

And it won’t give you the coastal scenery I personally love so much.

But Florence has something completely different.

It’s the kind of place where you can walk around for hours and still keep finding something beautiful.

And honestly, I think that’s what makes a good city.

My Honest Verdict: Is Florence Worth Visiting?

So, is Florence worth visiting?

YES. 100%.

Florence is one of those cities that I would happily return to even though I’m usually much more attracted to places by the water.

The architecture is beautiful, the history is fascinating, there is so much to discover and the atmosphere just works.

Yes, it’s touristy.

Yes, it can be expensive.

But I don’t think you should let that stop you.

Travel smart, use Too Good To Go if you want to save money, grab a cheap sandwich when necessary and don’t feel like you have to spend money on every single attraction.

Give yourself 3–4 days, wander around, eat good food, have an Aperol, explore Ponte Vecchio and actually enjoy the city instead of trying to tick off every single sight.

Because sometimes the best thing you can do in Florence is simply walk around and think:

“Damn, this city is pretty.”

And honestly?

It really is.

Planning Your Trip to Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.

That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.

→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides

OR

START BY AREA

→ Northern Italy Travel guide
→ Rome Travel guide
→ Sicily Travel guide

Related Posts

You May Also Like

More Italy Travel Guides

FAQs: Is Florence Worth Visiting?

Is Florence worth visiting?

Yes, Florence is absolutely worth visiting. The city is known for its beautiful Renaissance architecture, incredible history, museums, food, nightlife and charming historic centre. It is touristy and can be expensive, but I still think the experience is worth it.

How many days do you need in Florence?

I recommend spending around 3–4 days in Florence. This gives you enough time to see the main sights, visit museums, explore Ponte Vecchio, enjoy the food and experience the city without rushing.

Is Florence expensive?

Florence can be expensive, particularly for accommodation, restaurants and popular attractions. However, you can visit Florence on a budget by walking around the city, buying food from supermarkets or bakeries and using Too Good To Go.

Is Florence too touristy?

Florence is definitely touristy, especially around major attractions such as the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. However, I still think it is worth visiting. Exploring quieter streets away from the main sights can give you a more relaxed experience.

Is Florence good for a city trip?

Yes. Florence is an excellent city-trip destination because it combines beautiful architecture, history, museums, food, cafés and nightlife in a relatively compact city centre.

Is 3 days enough for Florence?

Yes. Three days is a great amount of time for a first trip to Florence. You can see the main sights, visit some museums, explore the historic centre and still have time to enjoy the city without rushing.

Is Florence good for nightlife?

Yes. Florence has plenty of bars, pubs and places to go out, making it a good destination if you want to combine sightseeing during the day with drinks and nightlife in the evening.

Is Florence worth visiting if you don’t like museums?

Yes. You don’t have to spend your entire trip visiting museums. Florence is beautiful simply to walk around, and you can spend your time exploring streets, piazzas, Ponte Vecchio, cafés, viewpoints and the Arno instead.

What is the best time to visit Florence?

Spring and early autumn can be a nice balance between pleasant weather and fewer peak-season crowds. Summer is popular but can be very hot and busy. If you want to explore the city more comfortably, travelling outside the busiest summer months can make a difference.

Leave a Reply