Florence event weekends: what to do between sessions

The Renaissance in one compact city: the Duomo, the Uffizi and David, with Chianti vineyards and Tuscan hill towns on the doorstep.

Events we cover in Florence

Arriving

Florence airport (FLR) is linked by tram T2 to the centre in 20 minutes. Pisa (PSA) is 1 hour by train.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Plus Florence
• Mid-range: Hotel Spadai
• Splurge: Hotel Lungarno

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• All'Antico Vinaio Giant schiacciata sandwiches
• Mercato Centrale Food hall
• Trattoria Mario Lunch-only trattoria
• Gelateria dei Neri Gelato
• Buca Mario Bistecca alla fiorentina

With kids

• Boboli Gardens.
• Museo Galileo.

Rainy-day backups

• Uffizi and Accademia.
• Palazzo Pitti.
• Bargello.

Free things to do

• Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset.
• Ponte Vecchio.
• Santo Spirito square.

Getting around

• The centre is walkable; buses and trams for the edges.
• Mugello circuit is 45 minutes north; shuttles run on MotoGP weekend.
• Trenitalia Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains link Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice; book ahead for event weekends.
• Validate paper regional train tickets before boarding; contactless works on most city metros.