How much does a day in Florence cost?

Roughly $60-95 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $140-220 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Florence?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Florence without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Florence travel guide

Italy

The cradle of the Renaissance packs Brunelleschi's dome, Michelangelo's David and the Uffizi into a compact centre. Florence is small enough to walk end to end, and the Tuscan hills are never far away.

Essentials

Language: Italian; English is common in hotels and at the main sights
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Plugs: Type C, F and L, 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Many bills include a coperto (cover charge) or a service charge; beyond that, rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is plenty.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $60-95, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $140-220, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Florence

Oltrarno: across the river, home to artisan workshops, the Pitti Palace and local trattorias.
Santa Croce: a lively square and basilica with bars and restaurants around it.
San Lorenzo: the leather market and the Mercato Centrale, close to the main station.

Getting around Florence

The historic centre is walkable and largely closed to private cars. Buses cover the outskirts, and a tram line runs from the centre to the airport.

Best time to visit Florence

April to June and September to October; July and August are hot and very crowded.

Top things to do in Florence

Book a timed slot at the Uffizi to see Botticelli's Birth of Venus
Climb the 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi's dome
See Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia
Wander the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace
Eat lunch at the Sant'Ambrogio market, smaller and more local than the Mercato Centrale

What to eat in Florence

Bistecca alla fiorentina: a thick T-bone steak grilled rare and sold by weight
Lampredotto: slow-cooked tripe in a bread roll with green sauce, sold from street kiosks
Ribollita: a thick soup of bread, beans and cabbage
Schiacciata: a flat, salty bread split and filled with cured meats and cheese

Day trips from Florence

Siena: a medieval city built around the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, about an hour and a half by bus
Lucca: a walled town you can cycle around on top of its ramparts, about an hour and a half by train
Fiesole: a hill town with a Roman theatre and views back to Florence, around 20 minutes by bus

Local etiquette

Shoulders and knees should be covered to enter churches, including the cathedral. Eating on church steps and in some main squares can bring a fine.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from TIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad need your passport to register, eSIMs are widely available, and Wi-Fi is standard in accommodation.

Staying safe

Pickpockets work the crowds around the cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio and Santa Maria Novella station, so keep bags closed and in front of you. Ignore anyone pressing a petition or a bracelet on you in the street.

A local tip

Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo, or the quieter San Miniato al Monte just above it, for sunset over the city.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Florence on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Florence for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Florence, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Florence

What currency is used in Florence?: Florence uses the Euro (EUR).
What is the emergency number in Florence?: In Florence, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Florence?: April to June and September to October; July and August are hot and very crowded.
How much does a day in Florence cost?: Roughly $60-95 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $140-220 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Florence?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Florence without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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