More about: Day Trips to Florence from Rome
Florence is an essential stop on that trip to Italy that you have been promising yourself for so long. Strolling through its Cathedral, its squares, its markets and other charming corners that you won't find in Rome makes this excursion a great plan. If you feel like visiting on an organized tour so you don't have to deal with the logistics and waiting for public transportation, read on:
Florence and Pisa Day Trip from Rome
Visit Florence and Pisa in an organized tour
Perfect if you are looking forward to visiting these emblematic cities of Italy without having to worry about organizing the trip. You will be accompanied at all times by a specialized guide.
This tour to Florence and Pisa not only takes you to see the most unforgettable sites of Florence, but also passes through Pisa to see the iconic leaning tower that has made the city so famous.
A local guide, an expert in the history of both cities, will take you to see everything you can't miss: Florence's Duomo square, the Palazzo Strozzi, the Ponte Vecchio, which has survived natural disasters and wars and is therefore one of the symbols of the city, the Galleria dell'Accademia, home of Michelangelo's famous David, and in the visit to Pisa, the famous tower.
Recommended if... you want to see two of Italy's most famous cities in one day, without having to worry about trains, maps or schedules. Ideal for making the most of your stay in Rome.
Florence Day Trip from Rome by High Speed Train
Florence in one day with express train and English speaking guide
Travel by AV train from Rome and see the best of Florence with a guide and without queues. Ideal if you prefer small groups and moving fast.
This excursion to Florence by high speed train is perfect if you want to make a day trip from Rome without wasting time on the road. The AV train ride is fast and comfortable, and once there you'll take a small group guided tour of the city's must-see sights. You will see the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria... and if you choose the option, you can enter the Uffizi without queuing up.
You will also have free time to discover Florence at your own pace, take pictures, have a drink or just let yourself be carried away by its streets full of history.
Recommended if... you like to go with a guide but without the hassle of a large group, and you prefer to move by train to make the most of the day.
Florence and Pisa Private Day Trip from Rome with Leaning Tower Tickets
Your day in Florence: 1st class train and guide just for you
A private getaway with premium train, guided tours and entrance fees included. You set the pace.
The private excursion to Florence from Rome is the most comfortable and personalized option. You will travel in 1st class, you will have a guide just for you during the main tour and direct access to places like the Accademia Gallery, where Michelangelo's David awaits you. All without queues, with free time to explore and with a more relaxed approach.
If you like to do things at your own pace, without depending on anyone and with an exclusive touch, this is your best option.
Recommended if... you want a more intimate experience, without rushing or groups, and with all the details taken care of.
How to book the excursion to Florence
When you make your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email at the address you provided. You do not need to print anything, just show up at the meeting point, greet your guide and show him/her the voucher included in the email from your cell phone.
The guides narrate the tour in several languages, including English and Spanish. Most importantly, the guide will make sure you don't miss any of the highlights of the city.
What to see and do on your excursion to Florence
Marvel at the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo)
Florence' s grandiose cathedral is a proud symbol of the city and its dome, a testament to the artistic and technical greatness of Brunelleschi, who devised a new architectural structure to create a double vault, which can be visited on a tour of the Duomo.
The interior of the Cathedral is a place like no other, and conveys a sense of infinity as you lose your eyes in the stunning fresco on the dome.
The Duomo in its entirety is the most important visit you can make in Florence, to admire the cathedral, baptistery and bell tower as a whole.
Breathe history at the Palazzo and Ponte Vecchio
Visiting the Palazzo Vecchio is a worthwhile activity only for the well-known Salone dei Cinquecento, a spectacular picture gallery where paintings by Vasari are preserved and you can admire the grandeur of Florence at the time of the Medici. This room would host the court of Duke Cosimo I, his Council, consisting of five hundred members.
Not only in the Salone dei Cinquecento you will find works of art that will leave you with your mouth open, the entire Palazzo contains an overwhelming artistic collection and rooms of great interest such as the Hall of Geographical Maps, and you can find unique artifacts in the world, such as the death mask of the poet Dante Alighieri.
Of course the exterior of the Palazzo Vecchio and its surroundings offer an unforgettable walk, especially along the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge that throughout its history has been an important commercial hub in the city of Florence, and which during World War II was left intact by the German artillery, according to legend, by express orders of Adolf Hitler.
Visit to the David in the Galleria dell'Accademia
I don't know anyone who has traveled to Florence and missed a visit to Michelangelo's David. Not only is it one of the most important sculptural works of the Renaissance, it is also a very good excuse to visit an impressive museum dedicated to this historical period. That's why you can book an excursion to Florence and Pisa from Rome with tickets to the Accademia Gallery included.
In this gallery you can see numerous works of art such as religious triptychs, a lush sculpture room full of busts and even admire original musical instruments of the time.
Stroll through Piazza della Signoria
This is Florence's most important square, the center of the city's public life, where you will find a multitude of stores, bars and restaurants, and sculptures (including a copy of Michelangelo's David, right where the original sculpture originally stood).
The Fountain of Neptune is another architectural marvel located in the square, along with major buildings such as the Court of Goods, the Uguccioni Palace or the Loggia della Signoria, a Gothic-style portico that today serves as an open-air museum sheltering the sculptures in the square.
Be sure to visit Santa Maria Novella
This Latin cross church concentrates much of its beauty in its facade, one of the most important architectural works of the Florentine Renaissance. Inspired by one of the oldest basilicas in Tuscany, San Miniato al Monte, the church of Santa Maria Novella elevates the two-color marble motif to unparalleled beauty.
Inside the church, you can admire a number of Renaissance paintings and visit the Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella, the oldest in Europe, built in the early 13th century.
Tips for your excursion to Florence from Rome
Enjoy the sights along the way
Whichever method of transportation you choose to travel to Florence from Rome, the views you will enjoy are unparalleled. You'll be able to see the Tuscan mountains and pass through some of the region's major cities such as Assisi and Orvieto.
Climb the Dome of the Duomo if you have time
If you get the chance, I recommend climbing the dome of the Florence Cathedral. Not only the views are breathtaking from the top, but also during the ascent you will find frescoes and paintings of great beauty resulting in a very complete experience.
Taste the local gastronomy
Florence also elevates gastronomy to the status of art, so keep your eyes peeled as you pass through the city's markets and restaurants. Florentine bread, and in particular Schiacciata, a kind of focaccia, are amazing. And you've probably heard of Florentine steak, a dish you won't want to miss with a good Tuscan wine.
Try the best coffee in Florence
If you want to have a coffee after lunch or at sunset, visit the Caffetteria delle Oblate: it is a coffee shop on the rooftop of a public library with a beautiful view of the Cathedral.
Get around on foot
Don't even bother using public transportation: Florence is a perfect city to walk around, especially if the walk ends at the Ponte Vecchio from where you can see a wonderful sunset over the Arno River. Since you are going to walk, remember to wear comfortable shoes: you will be thankful you wore sneakers.
Visit the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens
If you have time to spare in Florence, I recommend stopping by the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens behind the palace, where you will see an open-air theater, a fountain dedicated to Neptune and numerous statues.
Wear warm clothes in winter
I recommend wearing warm layers especially if you visit Florence in winter (between November and April) and although in summer the weather is very warm it can get a bit chilly in the evenings. In general, the temperature in the city is usually not very changeable.
Other activities that may interest you
Taking advantage of your stay in Rome, you can make a number of excursions to other cities and regions. Before deciding on one, I recommend you read our tips here: 8 Best Day Trips from Rome.
And if you are the type to have things clear, I recommend you not to look around and take an excursion to Pompeii, where you can see the ravages of Vesuvius and peek through a window to Ancient Rome. Read all about this experience here: 5 Best Day Trips to Pompeii from Rome.
Now, let's enjoy Florence! It's a city that has a lot to add to your trip to Italy and the perfect complement to Rome, and walking its charming streets will leave you with some memories you won't forget.