Our Budget Guide to Florence, Italy

Florence is the ideal destination for wine drinking, street shopping, and dancing the night away! When we were planning our Italian city tour, we originally did not have Florence on the list. But luckily, a few of our friends talked some sense into us, and we are so glad we added it to our trip! 

It’s smaller than some of the other popular Italian cities like Rome but worth spending a few days to explore all of its charm! 

It can be overwhelming when visiting a new city to know what the must see spots are and where to spend your money. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed guide that includes everything you will need to know in order to travel Florence on a budget.

Before you go, make sure to read our helpful packing hacks so you can bring everything you need.

Getting There

Florence has an airport that you can fly in and out of. However, it’s only a regional airport, so there might be limited options.

We took the train into Florence from Rome. It is an hour and a half direct train ride for $40 (prices vary depending on time).

Once we got to Florence, we were able to walk to our Airbnb from the train station. It’s a small city, so Florence is very walkable!

Where to stay in Florence

While looking into hotels is always an option, you’d be surprised by the abundance of Airbnb and VRBO options to choose from in Florence. Not only is this often the most affordable route, there is something special about being able to see how local hosts style their homes in a culture that may be new to you.

We stayed at this spacious 2 bedroom apartment in Duomo, a central location in Florence within walking distance to the train station. It was the perfect space and prime location being steps away from many shops, restaurants, galleries, cafes, and bars.

Another option we were considering is this chic, contemporary apartment in the heart of Florence. It also fit within our budget and had amazing reviews.

What to Do in Florence

Even though Florence is a relatively small city, there is still SO much to do. You are going to have a hard time squeezing in everything, no matter how long your trip is to Florence; it is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region!

We put together a list of our favorite things that we were able to see and do on our trip. This list is the perfect start for Florence-first timers and allows you to experience so much of it’s charm!

• Piazza Micolangelo/ Giardino Botanical – A bit of a trek to the top of this lookout but absolutely worth it for the view of the whole city! This spot offers the best view of Florence, and you will be able to see the three infamous domes from up there. We also had the best gelato from our entire trip at the top of this lookout!!
• Ponte Vecchio – Florence’s oldest bridge. This is where you will find the many different leather shops, where you can buy genuine Italian leather for really cheap. There are also some fun bars and restaurants located along this bridge, so it’s a great area to spend an afternoon! 

• Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) – This is an iconic and gothic-style church in Florence that stands tall over the entire city. The exterior is covered in a mix of green, pink, and white marble; it’s truly stunning to see! It’s free to visit, but you will need tickets in advance to climb to top of the dome for the view.
• Do a wine tasting class – There are tons of wineries and vineyards to visit on the outskirts of Florence. But if you don’t have time to spend an entire day at a wine tour, you can do a wine tasting right in the city! Visit our friends at La Riserva di Palazzo wine shop & restaurant, and enjoy their amazing wine tasting. It’s a quaint and private experience and was one of the highlights from our entire trip! The unique thing about this restaurant is that the family that owns it lives right upstairs. 26 generations of wine lovers!

• Piazza Santa Croce – This is one of the main plazas located in central Florence with fun shops and restaurants nearby. It’s also across the street from Basilica of Santa Croce which is another stunning building. A great spot to hangout and lounge at between sites.
• Piazza Del Repubblica – We can’t get enough of the plazas in Florence! This is another popular square in the city, lined with shops and restaurants. Highly recommend!!! They also have a picturesque carousel located in the center of the plaza.
• Bar Hop Along the River – Spend some time at the strip of outdoor bars and eateries along the river. Perfect for day drinking and people watching!

Where to eat in Florence

There are too many incredible places to eat in Florence – it’s Italy after all! We’ve listed a few of our favorites – from pizzerias to sandwich shops – to get you started.

• Simbiosi – An organic pizza spot offering small Italian plates. SO GOOD.
• All’Antico Vinaio – This panini shop is popular for a reason! They have a variety of huge sandwiches for only 6 euros, big enough to split! Even though they have multiple locations, it’s a popular spot for locals and visitors, so expect to wait in line. We recommend going to the one near Piazza Della Signoria. They have two locations right across from each other, so the line moves faster.
• Fratellini – No time to wait in long lines? Try this hole in the wall sandwich shop that’s also delicious!
• Trattoria San Pierino – Delicious and affordably priced authentic Italian restaurant near the Piazza Duomo.
• MOYO – A trendy lounge bar to grab cocktails and dance!

Easy Ways to Save Money

• Walk to get around: Florence is a very walkable city, so you should have no problem getting around on foot. Ditch the ride shares and save money while you wander through the beautiful side streets.
• Bargain baby! If you plan to do some shopping at Florence’s Leather Markets, most store owners are pretty flexible with their prices and are open for negotiation. Don’t rip anyone off, but you may be able to save by simply sharing what you are willing to pay for the item.
• Avoid tourist traps: We can’t emphasize this enough! Find bars and restaurants off the beaten path when possible. They are guaranteed to be cheaper and usually tastier too!
• Take advantage of the many free activities: You’d be surprised by the amount of interesting things to do in Florence that cost very little or are completely free! From window shopping to marveling at the incredible architecture of the domes, you don’t have to spend a fortune to experience the charm of the city.

Planning an ultimate trip to Europe? Make sure you check out our budget guides for Rome, Cinque Terre, and Paris as well!