Florence, Italy, is an absolute must-visit when traveling through the beautiful country of Italia. With a blend of lively city vibes, rich history, stunning architecture, and massive structures that seem to pop up around every corner, you are signing up for an exceptional travel adventure when visiting Florence. 

Is Florence Affordable?

Surprisingly, yes! Florence is very budget-friendly. Between accommodations and taking the train to get into the city, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much you can experience here without breaking the bank.

Transportation: Getting to Florence

The best way to get to Florence affordably is by flying into Rome and taking the high-speed train, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Flights into Florence tend to be pricier, so the Rome-to-Florence train is usually your best bet. Just be warned: Italian trains sometimes run late (ours arrived an hour behind schedule), so be flexible with your travel plans!

Where to Stay in Florence

When choosing accommodations, stay inside the city center, you’ll want to be right in the heart of the action. We stayed at an apartment on Via dei Servi, just a short walk from the Duomo and the main square. It was perfect and extremely affordable, especially split between four people! You can find plenty of hotels, apartments, and Airbnbs at different price points.

What to do in Florence:

Florence is located in the Tuscany region, which means you will be neighbors with some of the best vineyards that line the valleys of the region. So obviously this means you have to book a wine tour. My friends and I did a wine tour that brought us to two vineyards, served delicious food, and we enjoyed more than enough glasses of wine. Although on the pricier side, this included food, drinks and transportation, and we couldn’t have asked for a better time!

If you’re a steak lover, this is non-negotiable. Florentine steak (bistecca alla Fiorentina) is a point of pride here. Located near the Duomo, my friends and I set out for a steak dinner, and we wandered a while trying to find a reasonably priced steak menu. And we did! Locanda Fiorentina had a great menu, allowing us to share a big portioned steak with one another, and for a reasonable price, (they do it per pound). 

Tip: Order your steak rare and ask for a hot plate to cook it to your liking. Our waiter’s suggestion, and it was genius!

The Duomo, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is the crown jewel of Florence. You’ll pass it daily, whether you’re sightseeing or heading home after a night out. You can climb to the top for panoramic views, but honestly, I found that the Duomo itself is the view. If you still want amazing city views, I recommend heading to Piazzale Michelangelo instead. Regardless, at least go inside the Duomo, it’s breathtaking. 

Head to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best sunset views over Florence, gather some friends, grab a bottle of wine, and head up to Piazzale Michelangelo. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the Duomo, but there’s also a bus if you prefer.

Ponte Vecchio, the “Old Bridge,” crosses the Arno River and is lined with luxury jewelry shops. Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, it’s worth visiting for the dreamy views of colorful riverside buildings, especially during sunset.

Florence is home to various flea markets, where you can score high-end secondhand clothes for great prices. We visited a market, here just over the Ponte Vecchio. There are several throughout the city, some notable here:

• Piazza Annigoni Market
• Sant’Ambrogio Outdoor Market
• Mercato delle Cascine

Hidden Gem: It was so hot we actually found a swimming pool for the day, with a bar. Le Pavoniere is worth it all but you need a swimming cap to go into the water. They will charge you extra when you get there if you don’t have one 

Where to eat: 

• Locanda Fiorentina: Must for steak lovers
• Ristorante Il Granaio: Wine bar with some of the best pasta I’ve ever had
• All’Antico Vinaio: Famous sandwich shop with crazy long lines (we didn’t get to try it, but it’s at the top of my list for next time)
• Osteria Pastella: Known for it’s signature truffle tagliatelle served in a cheese wheel. It is not over hyped, I promise the food is as delicious as it looks!

We did a lot of day trips from Florence, so many of our meals were outside the city, but Florence’s food scene is fantastic if you have time to dive deeper.

Going out in Florence:

Florence has a casual but lively nightlife scene, especially popular with college students and young travelers.Here were some of my favorites: 

• The Lion’s Fountain Irish Pub
• Pink Street Club
• View on Art Rooftop bar. 

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Day Trips from Florence:

There are plenty of easy day trips from Florence by train, perfect for exploring beyond the city’s walls. From the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa to the colorful villages of Cinque Terre along the northwestern coast, there’s no shortage of Italian adventures waiting for you.

Tip: Use Train Line for finding the best trains deals!

Pisa: 1 hour 10 Regional Train (REG) 

• OR 45 Minute Semi – High-Speed Train (Frecciargento/FA)

Rome: 1 hour 30 Regional Train (High Speed) 

Castiglioncello: Visit this coastal town from Pisa to lounge on the public beach.

• Pisa to Castiglioncello: 45 Minute Train 
• Florence to Castiglioncello: 2 Hour and 30 Minute Train

Cinque Terre (Vernazza): 2 Hours and 30 Minutes 

• Florence to La Spezia: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes (FA Semi High-Speed Train)
• La Spezia to Monterosso: 12 Minutes 
• Monterosso to Vernazza: 5 Minutes (Cinque Terre Train I like to call it)
  • Stops at the different villages in Cinque Terre