Culture
Florence is one of Italy’s greatest gems. Florence, like the rest of Italy, is rich with culture as the Birthplace of the Renaissance and home to some of the world’s greatest in art, fashion, gastronomy, and architecture. What distinguishes Florence, though, can be summed up in two words that perfectly describe what the city has to offer — unmatched beauty.
Art Culture of Florence
Florence’s numerous museums and galleries house some of the world’s most treasured pieces of art. The Galleria dell’Accademia, Galleria degli Uffizi, Bargello Museum, and Pitti Palace are four essential venues to appreciate iconic Italian Renaissance art masterpieces and experience Florence’s history firsthand.
Florence’s architecture
Florence’s architecture is hard to miss. Just walking around can be a moving experience. The city boasts a plethora of architecture in a tight space, giving everyone the opportunity to view many iconic sites. The Piazza del Duomo is Florence’s cultural heart. Here you will see various architectural masterpieces such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of St. John.
Language
The official language spoken in Florence is Italian. In tourist locations, basic English is spoken, but don’t anticipate proficiency from everyone you meet.
Social Greetings
Its always good to know a few basic such as grazie (Thanks) and per favore ( please). Here are a list of social greetings I found the most helpful during my time in Florence.
| Hello | “Ciao” |
| Good day | “Buongiorno” |
| Good evening | “Buonasera” |
| Goodbye | “Arrivederci” |
Must know phrases
If your feeling confident here are some useful phrases you can try out. Italians appreciate when you at least show a little effort to speak their language.
| Hello! How nice it is too see you! | Ciao! Che piacere vederti! |
| How are you? | Come stai? (or Come sta? – formal) |
| Where is the train station? | Dove si trova la stazione ferroviaria? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Dov’è il bagno? |
Climate
The months of June through August will see weather that is hot and humid. You may anticipate hot and muggy afternoons with temperatures reaching into the 90s, and because many establishments do not have air conditioning, you will certainly feel the heat. During the winter, you may experience chilly evenings with temperatures dropping into the thirties on occasion.
Best time to visit
Italy is at its most incredibly beautiful during the spring and autumn seasons. The city never sleeps and exults in a never-ending supply of sunlight.
Common Safety Issues
Pickpocketing and other forms of petty theft are unfortunately a possibility in Florence, despite the city’s reputation as one of the safest in the world. Click here to read more here about how to stay safe while traveling around Florence
Getting Around
By Foot:
The city of Florence lends itself well to exploration on foot. It will take you less than half an hour to walk across the city’s central business district, making foot travel the most efficient mode of transportation available to you.
Driving:
Take it from me, renting a vehicle in this area is not a good idea. If you get behind the wheel, you are going to find yourself trapped in a maze of twisting, crowded streets.
Buses:
The bus system used by the ATAF is user-friendly and effective. You may get all of the information that you need online, or you can just take the bus that is recommended by Google Maps. You may purchase tickets at certain stops, at practically any convenience shop, or on the bus itself with the use of contactless payment (check out the full info on their site).
Taxis
Taking a Taxi was definitely my second choice of transportation after walking by foot. Meter rates begin at 3 euros and go up to considerably higher levels in the evening and on Sundays, making this mode of transportation an expensive alternative for shorter journeys. Although Uber service has been discontinued in this area, taxis are readily accessible on almost every street corner.
