5 Useful Travel Tips for Florence, Italy

This article complements our post Top 10 Things To Do in Florence, Italy.

Here are five simple, yet helpful tips to help you  better enjoy your time in Florence.

Currency Exchange – How to get a better deal?

Don’t wait until the last minute to buy Euros for your trip.

Monitor the prices in advance and always check and compare currency exchange rates from different sources so you can get a better deal.

The newspaper, your local bank, and online sites are great sources to keep an eye on currency rates.

Once in Florence, there are several places to exchange money, but be forewarned they are incredibly expensive and charge outrageous commissions. My suggestion: avoid them completely, especially the airport and the exchange booths around the historic area.

If you must buy Euros while in Florence, you will get the most reasonable rates at local banks.

Watch SeeTen in your hotel or apartment

SeeTen is a great 24-hour TV channel in both English & Italian that features excellent travel advice focused on Florence and the beautiful Tuscan surroundings.

This fun, dynamic channel teaches you a lot about Florence’s history, arts, and culture.

Star reporter Chiara Valentini will give you the latest information on museum exhibits, itineraries, and other fun activities to do around Florence.

Shopping: What to buy?

Since Florence is such an artistic city, buy art. There are many art galleries that offer beautiful sculptures and paintings. Some of the popular styles are Italian Renaissance and Tuscan landscapes.

Florence is also known for its top quality leather goods.

The open markets are very popular and you can find all types of leather products such as bags, shoes, belts, purses, boots, and jackets.

Don’t be afraid of bargaining, it is expected. But bring cash since most open markets don’t accept credit cards.

There are also small boutique shops and brand-name stores for those looking to dress la Moda Italiana.

Where to stay?

There are many options in Florence and knowing where to stay might just depend on how long you are planning to be there.

If you are visiting Florence for one or two days, book a hotel.

However, if you are visiting for a week or more, I strongly suggest renting an apartment.

Renting an apartment might save you money since you can buy groceries and cook at home instead of dining out all the time. Most apartments are fully furnished with everything you need in the kitchen.

A Great Restaurant – il Porcospino

If you are celebrating a special occasion, I recommend dining at Trattoria & Wine Bar il Porcospino, located in the historic center and specializing in Tuscan cuisine.

They also have a very good selection of the best Tuscan wines like Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, and Nobile di Montepulciano… but their vino della casa (house wine) is very good and reasonably priced.

If you have been to Florence and have more tips, please comment here. Or if you have any questions regarding your trip, please let us know. We’ll be happy to help you in any way we can. Buon Viaggio!