Florence In May Is The Best Time For A Visit

Italy, the land of pizza, art, and exquisite culture is always worth a visit. Thanks to today’s low-budget airline era, jetting off to Italy has never been easier. The opportunity for me to book another trip came during the Spring Bank Holiday. This time, I would travel to Florence in May. It was a perfect time, as the weather was warm and sunny and ideal for exploring.

Ever since I watched the adaptation of Dan Brown’s bestseller, I’ve been inspired to visit Florence. The film is a mystery thriller and basically a 2h advertisement for the city. I loved the stunning locations and how the beauty of Florence was captured. Its charm really spoke to me and drew me in.

My chance to visit Florence in May came around last year. For four days, I would indulge in food heaven and feed my mind with culture and art. I’d say four days is a good amount if you visit Florence for the first time. It’ll give you a great taste and feel for the city. The atmosphere is incredible and there’s lots to do and see. I’ve left out a few sights so that I have a good reason to come back to Florence one day.

The Best Time For Visiting Florence Is In May

From my trip to Rome in late autumn, I was aware that Italy in the high season of summer might be suicide. The perfect timing seems to be shortly before summer kicks in. The temperatures in Spring are ideal for exploring and sightseeing. At 26 degrees strolling around Florence is pleasant and you can enjoy warm summer evenings. Surprisingly, Florence offers a wonderful opportunity for stargazing.

How To Get To Florence From London

Florence is part of the UNESCO world heritage and boasts historical buildings & finest Italian culture. The city aims to preserve its charm and cultural heritage. Therefore, air traffic is a huge source of noise and pollution and needs controlling. Most of the incoming traffic is restricted to avoid disturbance. Florence has a small airport outside the city and direct flights are more pricey. A great alternative which I would advise using instead is Pisa airport. Flights from London to Pisa are regular and take 2h. From Pisa, you can easily reach Florence by bus. The 1h journey is straight forward and services run frequently.

Pisa is a small and slightly chaotic airport. It would be best to head straight to the exit and hop on a bus to Florence. There are different operators and the average price for a return ticket cost around 12€. The journey is fast and uncomplicated. Plus, you’ll get to see a bit of the Tuscany countryside.

Once you arrive in Florence, you’ll actually notice how peaceful the city is without constant air traffic. For me, it was an experience that enhanced Florence’s charm and untouched character. Did you know Florence was voted as one of the best cities to visit in Italy? I personally can see why. Here are my top tips for a first-time visit to Florence:

What To See & Do In Florence In May

Oh, where to start! There’s so much to do and see in Florence. I promise you, you won’t be bored at all. My four-day stay went by in a heartbeat.

Even though Florence is one of the most visited cities in Italy, it has certain corners which are still very unspoiled. I loved its atmosphere and authenticity. Inspired by the Inferno film, I wanted to check out all the film locations. On top of that, I got to enjoy some amazing experiences which are part of the Florentine lifestyle. Those included:

1. Palazzo Vecchio: inside is the Hall of 500. It’s an impressive hall with magnificent frescos and ceiling work, which will leave you speechless. In the Inferno film, this is an iconic scene where the assassin gets killed and falls through the ceiling.

2. Boboli Gardens: the garden is huge and in some parts left very natural. It’s a joy to wander around in its maze-like hedges and get lost in them. The garden has three main parts that spread over the surrounding hills. This includes a hidden rose garden and Parco Bardini.

3. Uffizi Gallery: this is a MUST for any art lover. Uffizi is next to the MOMA in New York or the Louvre in Paris a top art gallery. You can’t come to Florence and not appreciate fine Italian art. You’ll see Botticelli’s Venus, Spring, and other Italian treasures in this highly curated art museum.

4. Right by the Uffizi Gallery is a small tourist information centre. It sells combi tickets. The tickets cost 38€ and include entrance to the Boboli Gardens, Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Pitti. Valid for three consecutive days, this gives you enough time to cover your sightseeing.

Please note, some sights in Italy are closed either on the first or last Monday of the month.

5. Florence Duomo: I left out Florence’s major landmark but I’m keeping it for a second visit. The Duomo is THE tourist attraction and booking tickets in advance is advisable.

6. Indulge in Florence’s diverse culinary scene: there are tonnes of lovely restaurants, cafes, and gelateria. Literally, you can spend an entire day just going from one place to another and eat your weight in delicious Italian cuisine. La Dolce Vita at its best!

7. The little narrow streets around Mercato Centrale Florence & Mercato di San Lorenzo: seemed with street sellers and souvenirs, this is a spot for browsing. Furs and fine leather goods are sold by locals and the atmosphere is similar to bazaars in Marrakech. It is a great hustle and bustle, as there’s lots to see, smell, and of course to eat. Inside the market hall is a huge food market. Here you can get local produce and taste Italian finger food which makes this place ideal for a quick lunch/afternoon snack.

8. As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is also known as one of the most romantic spots in the world. It is a daily evening activity to watch the sunset from any of the many bridges in Florence. Hundreds of people – tourists and locals alike – gather to watch the spectacle. They sit down with their ice cream or beer and simply enjoy the calming sight of the sun setting in the West. It’s a huge part of the Florentine lifestyle and a wonderful tradition to finish another day in this beautiful city.

9. The absolute spot for sunset watching is Plazza Michelangelo. It is high up in the hills and offers an unspoiled panoramic view over Florence. Stargazing from up there is an insane experience!

10. The surrounding hills of Florence offer some fantastic scenic routes. In particular, the gardens are all linked and there are some lovely villas to spot. Here is an example of a walking tour in the Florentine Hills.

Walking Tour In the Hills of Florence

• Start at the Ponte Vecchio and cross the bridge from the North to the South. You’ll end up on the Via de Bardi. Follow the road East for a good while until it becomes slightly narrow and residential. Eventually, you’ll reach a huge wooden door on the right which is the entrance to the Parco Bardini. It is almost unassuming so you can easily walk past it. If the park is closed, turn right and walk a few meters back. To your left should be a small street going uphill called “Costa Scarpuccia”. Be warned it is very steep.
• At the end of Costa Scarpuccia, turn left into “Costa S. Giorgio” which will lead you to the main entrance of the park. I would advise walking up further.
• Costa S. Giorgio will split into “Via del Forte di S. Giorgio” which is a small, narrow street. You’ll notice a lovely romantic cottage that will lead you to the entrance of the Boboli Gardens.
• If you stay on the Costa S. Giorgio, follow it to its end and then turn left onto the “Via di Belvedere”. This is a wonderful country road with olive trees and wild vegetation. It goes downhill and can be a little steep. Follow it for around 20 mins and then it will lead you to “Via Bastioni”.
• Turn right to “Via del Monte alle Croci” which is again, a bit steep as it has lots of stairs to climb up another hill. On the left is a rose garden for a little break. Continue to walk up the hill and you will end up in Plazza Michelangelo which is THE spot for breath-taking views over Florence and a superb spot to watch the sunset and do some stargazing.

Where To Eat & Dine In Florence

Wherever you go in Florence, you won’t starve! The city has a rich food and dining scene and during my entire stay, I had some of the best food in Italy. The places I went to were:

Breakfast: Paszkowski located on the Piazza della Republica in the city centre serves a lovely continental breakfast. It can come with pancakes. There are of course eggs, beans and ham for the British and freshly pressed orange juice at affordable prices. I came here twice.

Another breakfast spot can be found down the road. Caffe La Posta on Via Pellicceria offers European breakfast for 10€. This includes coffee, orange juice, and the choice between pancakes or eggs, bacon, and a croissant. It’s a great deal for a quick and uncomplicated breakfast.

Lunch: Via S. Miniato in the area close to the rose garden has some lovely little restaurants seamed closely next to another.

Se Sto on Arno Rooftop Bar & Restaurant at the Westin Excelsior Hotel has unrivalled views over the river and the dome. It’s pricey but lunch is definitely doable at around 30€ per person. It’s a high-end restaurant and you have to dress appropriately. Be aware that they do charge a compulsory 22€ per person in the evening. This is a standard fee regardless of whether you only want to enjoy one drink or make use of their buffet.

Plazza Santo Spirito on the Southside of the river is another area for fine al fresco dining. In the evening the square transforms into a buzzing chaos. People will go out for drinks and food. Ristoranti Ricci was my choice one evening for a much-needed pineapple pizza.

Dinner: Il Borro Tuscan Bistro on the North side of the river is a fine-dining bistro. It has a daily changing menu with some lovely Florentine creations. The place is very stylish and elegant serving quality, fresh food. I tried risotto with goat’s cheese foam and pine nuts which was exquisite.

Florence is popular for its succulent Florentine steak. I ordered mine at Trattoria 13 Gobbi in Via del Porcellana. The award-winning restaurant is THE place in town for the traditional Florentine dish. The steak is huge and usually comes on its own.

TOP TIP: there’s another lovely rooftop bar called La Terrazza Continentale on top of the Continentale Hotel. The hotel is located at Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli. The entrance is a bit hidden and you have to specifically request to go up to the roof bar. Space up there is limited and so far, the rooftop bar is still kept as an insider tip. It’s tiny but offers fantastic views over the river, Plazza Michelangelo, and the Ponte Vecchio.

Get Your Gelato Fix: get your ice cream from Venchi, which is one of the cheapest Italian chains I’ve known. If you want to support the locals I can recommend Gelateria La Carraia, Gelato Artigianale, and Cantina del Gelato.

FAQs about a Visit to Florence in May

I understand this is quite a lengthy post and you may have some quick questions about your trip to Florence in May. You can, of course, always come back to any section of my post and read in more detail what you’d need for your trip. If you have questions or need help, please get in touch and I’m happy to assist. 

Is Florence a solo travel friendly city?

Yes, Florence is a solo friendly city. I personally found it safe to explore. I also loved the diversity of activities. The culture as well as the many sights and gardens will keep you engaged and occupied. The locals are not overly friendly towards travellers and tourists – a general atmosphere which is quite common in Italy.

How many days should you consider for a visit?

Florence can be explored easily within 3 to 4 days. Please note, some museums are closed on Mondays, therefore it’ll be best to plan accordingly and check opening times of the sites and places of interest that you’d like to visit.

Thanks so much for reading. If you’d like to support my blog & research you can do so via Buy Me a Coffee.

Till next time,
Carolin

You may also enjoy reading about my other travel adventures in Europe:

• My Athens Itinerary For A First Time Visit
• 10 Adjectives to Best Describe Sightseeing In Rome
• Two Weeks & Three Locations Itinerary For Your Solo Holidays in Spain
• How To Spend One Day In Madrid