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Your 2022 Guide to Visiting Florence for a Day

Written by Qasim Hussain · 3 min read >

Florence is one of the most popular travel cities in Italy – and for good reason! For one, the city boasts immaculate Renaissance architecture and art. Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by beautiful scenes. 

Furthermore, this city is one of the best cities for foodies in all of Europe. In fact, much of the culture here is built on food. Florence cuisine is so beloved that people from all over the world travel here to try its food. 

There are also a number of exciting activities and experiences to have in the city. There are an endless amount of clubs, bars, museums, and stores to visit in Florence. If you plan on going to Florence, it is smart to create an itinerary for your trip. This way, you can make the most of your time and avoid getting lost. 

You should also plan on finding luggage storage in Florence; especially if you’re only visiting for a day. The last thing you want to do is carry your luggage around when you are exploring the city. 

For your next trip to Europe, make sure to make a stop in this legendary Italian city. Even if you only have a day to stop by, it is more than worth it. To make things easier on you, here is a 2022 guide for visiting Florence for a day! 

Typical Costs To Expect

There are few cities in Europe that share an international reputation as big as Florence’s. For that reason, it is one of the most expensive places to travel to in the continent. It is particularly costly to go to Florence in the summertime. 

However, if you plan wisely, it certainly is possible to visit Florence on a budget. You just have to know where to go and what to do. Avoid eating out at expensive restaurants, buying overpriced drinks, and booking lavish hotel rooms. 

When traveling in Florence, you need to know how to avoid tourist traps and spot potential rip-offs. Do some research before you go out on what spots are worth visiting and which ones are just going to drain your pockets. 

Regardless of the price, Florence is still an amazing place to visit. There is a reason why so many people clamor for this famed city; because it is that special.

Eating and Drinking Smart

For food, try to eat at places outside of the city’s center. This is where most of the exorbitant food is found. Generally, if you stick to osterias and trattorias, dishes will be as low as 8-9 euros a piece. Also, groceries are very cheap in Italy, so it might pay off to eat a few meals from home. 

As for drinks, it is pretty much unavoidable to pay high prices if you go to a bar or club. However, you can get liquor for cheap in local shops. Drinking in public is legal in Italy so feel free to enjoy a drink while you roam the streets. 

One tip that will save you a lot of money is to bring your own water bottles. You will learn that water bottles are extremely expensive at most shops in Florence. Instead of paying $5 or more for a single water bottle, bring your own! 

Finding a Place to Stay  

Instead of booking a hotel room, you might be better off booking a hostel. For a little over $20 a night, you’ll be able to stay right in the heart of Florence. Otherwise, you will be paying $60-100 a night at an average hotel. 

At a hostel, you will be sharing a room with many other people. In terms of theft, it is a little more risky. However, it is a fraction of the cost of a hotel. 

If you want to save as much money as possible, do not book a hotel in the historical center. It is highly convenient because of its close proximity to the city’s main attractions, but it is very expensive to stay there. 

Some alternative neighborhoods to stay in include Santo Spirito, Santa Maria, Annuziato, and Sant’Ambrogio. These destinations are more cost-friendly, but still nice. 

This city is very crowded. If you are looking for a quiet, secluded place to get away to, this is not the place you want to go to! The city is constantly flooded with tourists, especially college students. 

Getting Around

Florence is a walking city. For the most part, you can get around pretty comfortably by foot or public transportation. 

The city is fairly small, so no matter where you stay, you should not have an issue getting around. Most of the biggest attractions are a 15-minute walk away from each other. 

One way to explore and learn about the city is to find a free walking tour. There are a ton of these offered around the city. Just look up “free walking tour” on your GPS and find the nearest one. 

General Things to Know

Some travelers prefer to stay away from the touristy areas of the places they visit, so they can get a better sense of how the locals live. If this sounds like you, try to avoid the central areas of Florence like San Marco, Duomo, and Santa Croce. This is where most of the tourists go. Yet, it is also where the best shops and events are. 

If you plan on going to a lot of different places in Florence, you may want to buy a Firenze Pass. This is essentially an all-access pass to many of the top museums in the city. It costs 72 euros and about 82 US dollars. Some museums cost almost that much by themselves to visit, so if you plan on touring museums, this one is a no-brainer. 

Florence is known for its prestigious collection of museums. Using a Firenze Pass can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Just remember that you will have to make reservations for some museums, such as Bruneleschi’s Dome.

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