Florence
Florence rewards both planning and spontaneity. Its Renaissance masterpieces, historic architecture, and museums deserve their place on a first itinerary, but some of my favorite memories came from everything surrounding them—aperitivo before dinner, artisan shops tucked along side streets, walks across the Arno, and evenings spent watching the city from above.
For a first visit, I'd plan the experiences that matter most to you and resist filling every hour around them. Florence is compact enough to explore largely on foot, which makes it easy to pair its major sights with long meals, neighborhood walks, shopping, and the unexpected places you find along the way.
This collection brings together everything I'd recommend for a first trip to Florence—from building your itinerary and deciding where to eat to finding the city's best viewpoints and making time for its shops and artisan traditions. Use these guides to plan the experiences worth reserving for while leaving enough space to simply enjoy the city.
A First-Timer’s Guide to Florence
Everything I'd recommend before your first visit to Italy's Renaissance city.
Where to Eat in Florence
The restaurants, cafés, aperitivo spots, and sweet treats I'd happily enjoy again.
The Views Worth Climbing For
The rooftops, terraces, and viewpoints that made me slow down and see Florence differently.
