Best things to do in Florence

I am a travel expert in Low Cost Vibes and have spent the best part of my days roaming the paved streets of Florence, Italy. It is a Renaissance museum of art and architecture, and Italian hospitality is crowded into a small walk-in centre that makes the city cheap to visit. Florence is a playground for the senses, from the soaring Duomo to the main square, Piazza del Duomo, the lavish patternings of the Uffizi, and the lively colors of the Trattorias.

It is an ideal weekend city getaway for UK travellers who want a break from the routine, to be immersed in art and culture, and to leave their wallets smiling. The city’s transportation is also simple; there are many free attractions, and the city’s food culture offers delicious, very affordable options. I have listed my own top tips for the best things to see in Florence, along with insider tips to help you enjoy the city’s treasures without emptying your wallet.

Between the Arno River, the Northern and the Southern parts.

The very heart of Florence is only a little north of the Arno, with the terracotta-tiled dome of the Duomo soaring in the skies and the front of the Uffizi across the river. It is free to stand on the arches of the Duomo and have a panorama view of the rooftops of the city and beyond the valley of Serchio. When you need to get acquainted with Florence’s history at a low price, it is best to walk to the nearby Piazza della Signoria. A living sculpture garden, the square consists of busts of Michelangelo David, and an open-air theatre, which is ideal for people-watching. 

The city hall, Palazzo della Signoria, houses a free museum of civic art that tourists often miss. A brisk stroll will take you to Santa Croce, where you will be able to observe the fragile frescos and, with luck, will have an opportunity to see the famous tomb of Brunelleschi. On the other side of the road, the Gothic front of Santa Maria Novella is free and accessible, with a serene cloister which resembles a garden in secret. For the low end traveller, most of these treasures are free, or a small donation is requested, and the walking distance allows a person to jump from site to site of interest as they enjoy the local cafes and bakeries sprinkled along the streets.

Museums and Galleries.

Among the museums in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery is the masterpiece of Renaissance art. An admission ticket is never complimentary, but when you make the reservation early, you can get a discount, and you will still not end up without masterpieces, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and the Annunciation by Leonardo. Another place of interest that cannot be left out is the Accademia Gallery, where Michelangelo created his legendary statue of David. Its entrance fee is relatively small, but the large, intricate marble statue is worth the extravagance. 

Should you be seeking a real art experience at a low cost, visit the street-level street art and graffiti of the city, particularly in the Oltrarno quarter. These are the underdogs, featuring new voices that converse with the Renaissance of Florence. Most museums offer free entry on some days or after 7 p.m., so you can visit the galleries without spending a pound. During your stay, a mere walk along Via del Corso or Via de Calzaiuoli will enable you to fit in with boutique shops, have a taste of the gelato, and enjoy the bustling street life that makes Florence an activity of the first order in Italy.

Southern of the river Arno (Oltrarno) tour, Palazzo Vecchio tour, Pitti Palace collections, Boboli Gardens, Piazza Santo Spirito, Piazzale Michelangelo

On the other side of the Arno, Oltrarno is a treasure trove. The Palazzo Vecchio, situated in Piazza della Signoria, offers a historical tour that immerses visitors in the political gossip of the Florentine Republic. The guided tour is usually cheaper than the normal entrance fee, and you will be taken through the Hall of the Five Hundred, the gilded throne room, and the cathedral bell tower. A short distance away, at one stone’s throw, is the Pitti Palace, a large complex of museums including the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments, and the Costume Gallery.

Although there is no free entry, there is a small fee, and the assortment of paintings, furniture and textiles is unparalleled. Below the palace is the Boboli Gardens, an extensive Baroque garden that offers a welcome relief from city life. Go through the well-maintained law, find secret fountains and ascend the grottoes to have a panoramic view of Florence. During the evening, go to the Piazza Santo Spirito, a bustling square with artisan stores and outdoor cafes, where one can taste the local food without breaking the bank. Last but not least, taking a quick walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, you are rewarded with a stunning view of the sunset on the rooftops of the city, with Arno framing the scene. The walk takes approximately an hour, and the free, panoramic path is one of the best spots to see Florence from a different perspective.

Ponte Vecchio shop and bridge of Florence within the city

Florence tourist attractions Ponte Vecchio is the most photographed bridge in Italy and is also a must on the Florence travel itinerary. Though crossing the bridge is free, the various goldsmiths, jewellers, and art dealers along the walkway offer a great insight into the city’s mercantile history. The perspective on the bridge is incredible: the soft stream of the Arno below, the medieval roofs and the huge dome of the Duomo in the background. 

When you have a smaller budget, cross the bridge, walk down it, then head to the neighbouring Mercato Vecchio, where you can taste fresh Tuscan cheeses and cured meats without spending a lot. To have the most free experience, the upper walkway of the bridge offers the ideal spot to sit, sketch, or observe locals and tourists in their natural habitat. The minor cafes at each end of the bridge offer cheap cappuccinos and other pastries, so one can easily take a nice break before going to the next sightseeing place.

Food & Drink.

Florentine food is a taste treat, and the city has numerous inexpensive restaurants to serve the low-end traveller. The Mercato Centrale is a foodie’s heaven, with stalls selling fresh pasta, ribollita, homemade pastries, and handmade cheeses, among other items. A snack here will be as good as eating in an expensive restaurant, and the fresh food will guarantee you a taste of the true flavours of Tuscany. When you are in the mood for a laid-back atmosphere, you can go to any of the numerous casual cafes in the city, which sell cappuccino and a slice of panforte at just a couple of pounds each. 

As a sample of local wine at non-tourist prices, visit the wine windows (cantine) that run along Via dei Benci and Via dei Draghi, where most are offering cheap wine samples, and you can even buy a bottle to take away. Even now, those who would like to dine at the top restaurants in Florence should seek establishments that offer traditional Florentine steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) or Tuscan truffle pasta; in many cases, a simple menu or lunch offers high-quality food at a fraction of the price of the regular dinner menu. Pair your meal with a glass of Chianti or a spritz, and you will have an entirely authentic, low-cost dining experience in the art capital of Italy.

Day Trips in Florence, Siena, and other nearby beauties

A short train ride or bus will transform your city break into a mini-adventure when you have a bit of free time. Another place of interest is the medieval town of Siena, just an hour away, and it has no entry fees like the exterior of the Siena Cathedral, the old walls of the city, and the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica, where you are welcome to listen to some street musicians and taste the local pastry. Seeking less noise, the Chianti countryside is a 30-minute drive away and features rolling vineyards, old farmhouses, and art galleries. 

The area has several towns that are free to walk, and you can taste the local wines at the small, family-owned wineries at no tourist price tag. Another treasure that a train and a bus can get one to in a few hours, not costing one ten per cent of the price of a personal trip, is the Val d’Orcia, with its hilltops that are basked in the sun, its quaint old villages, and its scenery that would be recognised anywhere in the world as Tuscan. These day trips from Florence are ideal for the UK traveller who wishes to expand their schedule without draining their wallets.

Practical Travel Advice for UK Visitors.

As a Low Cost Vibes travel specialist, I discovered that a visit to Florence can be both cheap and memorable. Even flights on one of the main UK airports, such as London, Manchester, or Birmingham, can be booked with a few hours of stopover, particularly when you reserve well in advance or when you happen to find a low-cost airline. There are two airports within the city: Florence Airport (Peretola) and the larger Pisa International Airport, both within a short bus or train ride. 

The city transport is cheap and user-friendly when you are in Florence: with only a ticket on a bus or a tram, you can reach any part of the city, whereas the daily ticket allows commuting without restrictions. When travelling short distances, walking is the most appropriate, as it is visible and saves on transport costs. To evade the masses, go in the shoulder seasons (end of spring or the beginning of autumn) when the weather is nice, and the flow of visitors is down. 

To keep in touch, buy a prepaid SIM card with one of the local companies in the city; data packages are cheap and effective. Lastly, study some simple Italian phrases, e.g., Buongiorno, Grazie, Quanto costa, to not only enjoy the experience but also to respect the locals and make your budget trip both rewarding to the mind and unproblematic.

Final Thoughts

Florence is a gem of Renaissance art, architecture, and culture, making it a great budget city-break destination in the UK. As you stroll around the streets north of the Arno, you will find places of interest such as the Duomo and the Santa Croce. Still, you will only have to take a short walk before encountering them, so you can avoid expensive taxi fares and experience the city in all its street life. 

In Florence, the Uffizi and Accademia can be entered on these days at reduced admission fees or free, and the art on the streets of Oltrarno is a free sample of modern-day imagination. A walk along the Ponte Vecchio will provide a free-of-charge sight of the Arno, and the cheaper and affordable food items, such as the Mercato Centrale, to the simple cafes will allow you the opportunity to enjoy the Florentine cuisine and avoid spending a fortune. 

Day trips from Florence to nearby Artistic Gems, such as Siena or the Chianti Hills, can be included in your itinerary to offer you a better sample of Tuscany at a fraction of the cost of a personal Tour. Some practical advice for visitors to the UK, including cheap flights, transportation, and a cheap SIM card, will ensure you can spend your time exploring rather than worrying about logistics. As a Low Cost Vibes travel expert, I strongly suggest Florence to the UK traveller who needs to explore culture, art, and cuisine in a low-cost, quintessential way. Result: Go, grab your walking shoes, take a camera, and let the lost-in-time beauty and welcoming streets of Florence be your next Italian sojourn.

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