.. have the “ticket restaurant” or “pass” stickers on the window (red circle-blue letters). These ones address mainly to locals that work in the area and serve satisfying portions with very good raw materials

.. dozens of water fountains. You should only bring an empty bottle with you.

… Around the prominent attractions, there is the trap of the quick access (skip line). They ask you to pay so as to get you inside earlier. Ignore them and find the entrance on your own.

.. the city without the bustle of the Michelangelo Square, go to the church of San Miniato al Monte. It is a little higher and offers an equally beautiful view!

… exit through the right back door and sidestep the 3+-hour line for St. Peter!! Have your own “Skip Line” with a tip that you will find almost nowhere!

Like any other mysterious city, Florence hides quite a lot of dangers and traps. However, Tips for Florence will make your travel life easier. It is best to know everything before you arrive, such as how to move around, when do restaurants close, as well as the tourist traps/mishaps!

General ?️

• Follow the narrow streets outside the tourist crowds…! There lies all of the city’s beauty.
• Inside the city there are dozens of water fountains. You should only bring an empty bottle with you.
• Walk around in comfortable, sports shoes. The cobbled streets of the city center and the endless steps are not suitable for heels.
• Roam the alleys of the of the Oltrarno district. There hides the traditional Florence charm..
• Enjoy the sunset from one of the bridges. The reflections and colors will stay in your memory forever.
• If you would like to enjoy the view of the city without the bustle of the Michelangelo Square, go to the church of San Miniato al Monte. It is a little higher and offers an equally beautiful view.
• Use Italian words such as Ciao, Buongiorno, Prego, Grazie, Biglietto and other small words, they will appreciate it greatly.
• In August, most shops are closed for holidays!
• The Florentines are not the greatest English speakers, but they are more than willing to attend to you even with the use of body language.

 
 
Weather ?️

• Do not forget that you are in central-northern Italy, so you should carry an umbrella, no matter the season.
• Sunshine is present in the city almost on half the days of the year.
• The average temperature in the city is 17°C.

 
 
Transportation 

General

• You can move around by bus, taxi and tram.
• Routes after 10 pm are very scarce.
• Mega tip: Download the Move It app to better organize your transportation means.

 


• On rainy days, transportation in the city (with the means of public transport) gets very difficult.
• Many parking meters issue bus tickets at the regular cost.
• Tickets issued inside the vehicles of the means of public transport are 60% more expensive and are issued by the drive.
• The best and most comfortable solution to move around the city is to rent a scooter.
• You should always have a ticket, as the excuse that you are a tourist will not save you from getting fined.

 
Amerigo Vespucci Airport- City Center

• By the special Volainbus: Leaves every 30’ for the Santa Maria Novella central train station / Cost of one-way ticket 6€, round-trip ticket 10€.
• By taxi: 15’ from the city center / Trip costs 22€ / +1€ for every large suitcase

 
Car

• Check for the ZTL signs (restricted traffic zones). You will see them in the historic center, and only residents are allowed to drive there.
• The fine is around 80€.
• Parking is allowed wherever there are white lines and the cost is 1€ per hour.
• Within the blue lines, only residents are permitted to park.

 
Buses:

• Buy the tickets before entering the bus, as the driver might be out of tickets and their price is higher.
• With the Firenze Card+ you get free transportation for 72 hours.
• One ticket is valid for 90’.
• Notice! The ticket from the parking meter is valid for 90’ from the time of issue.
• Always enter from the front and rear doors and exit through the central door.
• You will find tickets in all of the tobacco shops and in authorized stores that carry the ATAF sign.
• Ticket via SMS at 4880105 / cost 1,50€.
• In the historic center run only the mini buses of the C lines.

 
Taxi

• 3,30€ tariff / 5€ minimum fare.
• Many taxis stop to pick you up from wherever you are, as long as you are not near a taxi rank.

 
 
Sights ?

General

• Mega tip: Take a walk late at night (after 01:00) in order to enjoy and photograph all the sights comfortably and without people. Florence is a city swarmed with tourists. This tip will help you see the real beauty of the capital of Tuscany.
• Get the Firenze card and the Firenze+! It is necessary as it provides access to 72 museums and attractions, Skip Line (so you don’t have to wait in lines for endless hours) and free transport for 72 hours.
• In many museums-attractions bags and carry-ons are not allowed. But they provide free coat check.

 
Wine tour:

• You should make reservations at least 1 week prior to your visit, otherwise you might not find a spot or –even worse- pay double for the tour!

 
Vasari Corridor:

• It is the best experience in the city. It includes art, mystery, wonderful images and plenty of history!
• The price for the Secret passage is around 65€/ person, but if you book the package for Ufizzi guided tour + Vasari Corridor you will only pay 60€!!
• Book your tickets at least 2 months before your visit.

Ognissanti Church:

• Botticelli’s tomb is in the first chapel, on the right.

 
Santa Maria del Fiore (DUOMO) & More:

• Visit the monuments early in the morning so as to avoid long lines.
• Visit them in the following order so that you avoid any hardship. 1) Baptistery of San Giovanni (08:15) 2) Giotto’s Bell Tower (09:00) 3) Opera Duomo Museum (10:30) 4) Cathedral (11:30) 5) Cupola del Brunelleschi (12:30, it requires booking so there is always the same number of people no matter when you visit it

 
✔️ Bell tower:

• There are three spots on three different levels where you can rest and take your photos.
• Visit it early in the morning. Later on the crowds of people make the ascent even more difficult.
• SOS Tip: Many times there is not a separate Skip Line for those who have the Firenze Card. Get in the front and demand the priority you deserve.

 
✔️ Cupola del Brunelleschi (Dome):

• SOS: In order to go up to the dome you must have made reservations for the day and time that you want (the reservation must take place at least 2 days before the visit). The same applies even if you have the Firenze card. You can choose the booking time only at the ticket offices.
• Be at the back of the line among your group, so that the others can walk around a bit and leave. Then you will have plenty of time to take photographs and enjoy the view (before the next group arrives).

 
Stibbert Museum:

• The last tour does not include all the floors of the museum and it only lasts 45’.
• The ticket booths close 1 hour before the last tour.
• The bus line with the nearest bus stop is No4 and starts at the San Marco Square near the Galleria dell’ Accademia.

 
Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens:

• There are two entrances to the gardens: 1st from Palazzo Pitti and 2nd from the Belvedere fortress
• SOS In order to enter from the Belvedere fortress, you should enter at least one of the museums of Palazzo Pitti! Otherwise you will have to go around (20-minute walk) and enter from Palazzo Pitti.

Basilica of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce):

• Entrance is allowed only in modest attire. Otherwise you give a 1€ deposit for a scarf. The deposit is returned at the exit.

 
Palazzo Vecchio:

• With the Firenze card you have the option to Skip Line to get your ticket, so even if there is not a second line, go in the front…You have priority.
• You can skip the ancient theatre (it is not that interesting) and go straight for the Hall of the Five Hundred!
• In the Hall of Maps behind the map of Armenia hides the secret door to the Vasari Corridor.
• Prefer the morning hours when there are fewer people.
• In case of rain, access is allowed only on the first floor of the tower!

 
Ufizzi Gallery:

• If you have a Skip Line ticket (Firenze card), look for the red spot to get inside right away.
• At the entrance, choose to go through the first security check (straight ahead from the entrance) and not the one on the right. You will waste 15-20 minutes!
• The secret door that leads to the Inferno path (Vasari Corridor) is located between the numbers 35-45 (do not try to open it).
• You are not allowed to have food with you.
• Do not miss the chance to have a cup of coffee on the gallery’s balcony with a view of the tower of Palazzo Vecchio.
• Buy a guidebook so that you have more information about what you see.
• Do not buy an audio guide from the museum, it is not worth it.
• Avoid visiting on a Tuesday as it is packed, due to the fact that every Monday the gallery is closed!
• We suggest that you only carry small umbrellas, as the large ones are not allowed. If you have a large one, you will have to leave it at the museum’s locker.
• Prefer the days that it closes late at night.

 
Mercato Centrale:

• After 10:00 the market is full of people.
• Make sure you visit the 1st floor, on which you will find food heaven.

 
Artemio Franchi Stadium:

• In order to watch a Fiorentina football match, buy your tickets ONLY from the official –collaborating- website of the team.

 
 
Food ?

• Prefer the cafés in the small streets of the city. They are usually cheaper and of higher quality.
• Look for restaurants that have the “ticket restaurant” or “pass” stickers on the window (red circle-blue letters). These ones address mainly to locals that work in the area and serve satisfying portions with very good raw materials!

• For fresh pasta choose the Oltrarno district or the restaurants that make it in front of you.
• Avoid the shops that have “Ice cream” signs. Here there is only gelato.
• Prefer shops where the gelato has a creamy texture.
• When it comes to popular restaurants, make sure you have made a reservation, otherwise you should be there early (19:00-19:30.
• Prefer the local wine varieties. They are always cheaper and better in quality (besides, Tuscany is famed for its wines).
• Tipping is not necessary but it is appreciated by waiters/waitresses.
• SOS Gelato: Pick seasonal flavors to be sure that they are made with real fruits-products and not off-the-shelf jelly!
• Avoid restaurants-trattorie with plastic chefs at the entrance and menus written in 5+ languages!
• Service in the city is not at satisfying levels, so you might come across many a case of rudeness and indifference.
• For good quality food, stay away from the tourist crowds, prefer the Oltrarno district (similar to Travestere with only a small number of tourists).
• Avoid the businesses (bars, cafés and restaurants) in front of and around the Duomo. They are all tourist traps.
• Take a pizza with fresh dough (Gusta Pizza) and sit at the Santo Spirito Square in the company of dozens of Italians to enjoy it.
• Almost all restaurants hang their ladles during noon and open again in the afternoon.
• In Italy there are restaurants that have on their menu pasta, meat, soups, fish, pizza etc.! It is a general rule that you cannot be good in everything! Avoid these restaurants.
• Be absolutely sure to try bistecca alla fiorentina. It may cost 45-60€ per kilo, but it is worth the taste experience.
• Avoid the restaurants that open 17:00-18:00 in the afternoon. They mostly address to tourists. Italians eat after 20:00 at night.

 
 
Tourist Traps ⚔️

• Do not buy tickets from street sellers and “guides” that promise skip line.
• Do not buy souvenirs, umbrellas, selfie sticks etc. from street sellers. If you get caught supporting the black market the fine amounts to 7,000€.
• Be careful with your personal belongings in crowded places and inside the means of public transport.
• Be careful with the “authentic” leather products in cheap markets.\
• SOS: Do not walk around the city with your group signs or wearing the Firenze card around your neck. You become no1 targets for pickpockets.
• If you are at some ticket machine and someone approaches you to help you, decline politely. The gangs help the tourists get their tickets, while their accomplice steals their wallet or valuable object.

When in Rome, you should be extremely cautious! Many people might try to take advantage of you in order to make some money, selling you tickets to attractions that have a free entrance, promising you the Skip Line option without it being offered or setting road traps! Read the Tips for Rome, which include much useful information that will help you stay unscathed!

General:

• There are drinking fountains with free cool water everywhere. You just need a bottle and it will get you through the whole trip.
• The city center is full of free parking spaces for motorbikes.
• Keep your litter until you find a garbage bin. Many tourists throw it in the street, and as a result they litter this beautiful city.
• Do not throw coins in every fountain you come across. Only in Fontana di Trevi!
• Wear comfortable shoes. The cobbled streets and uneven ground render walking in the city difficult.
• Do not opt for the Termini station for accommodation. The crowds of tourists make for 30-40 minutes of waiting for the means of public transport!

Notice:

• Always carry some cash, as some stores do not accept credit card payments.
• Avoid the unofficial tourist guides that will stop you to offer you help.
• Avoid the Termini central station late at night. The station is swarmed by undesirable people, while security is very low.
• There are pick-pockets going around in the busiest lines.

Weather:

• Rome is a warm Mediterranean city with the sun being front and center more than 230 days a year.
• The best month to visit Rome is in late September. 1) It is sunny enough-yet you don’t get fried. 2) It is fairly crowded-but people are not on top of each other. 3) There are lines-but you won’t have to wait for 4 hours!
• Avoid visiting in July. The heat and endless lines might turn your trip into an unpleasant experience.
• In August, most shops close for holidays!

Transportation:

• A ticket is valid for any means of public transportΜ
• There are standard, 24/48/72-hour and 7-day ticketsν.
• With the Roma Pass transportation, it is free.
• Transportation is free for children under 10 years old.

Ciampino Airport-City Center:

• The fastest way
  By train: You take the bus from the airport for 1,20€ (+1,20€ for the suitcase) and in 5 minutes you are at the Ciampino station. From there, you are transferred to the Termini in 5 minutes for 1,50€.
• The easiest way
  By coach: They are at the airport’s entrance and for 5-9€ you are transferred to the Termini in 30-45.
• The most expensive way
  By standard or private taxi: 1) Standard: 30€ fare day and night, fixed with luggage, 30’ to the city center. 2) Private: 50€ for transportation to the hotel.
• The best way
  By metro: Bus for 1,20€ and stop at Agnanina (15’) and from there you take the metro to the city center for 1,50€ (20’)

Buses:

• Operating hours 05:30 to 00:30
  Be mindful when using line no.64 (Termini Station-Vatican), many thefts have been reported.
• Night bus lines:
  20 buses from 00:30 – 05:30
• α) Central stations Termini and Piazza Venezia.
• β) Bus every 30 minutes.
• γ) The stops for the night lines are marked with an owl.
• δ) You can also get tickets inside the bus.

Car:

• Be careful of the ZTL signs (limited traffic zones). You will see them in the historical center, and traffic is only allowed to residents.
• Fines can be as high as 80 euros.
• Within the white lines parking is free. In the blue lines it is charged 1-1,5€ per hour.

Taxi:

• Use only authorized taxis. You will recognize them from their white color, the taxi sign and the license number on their doors (Comune di Roma decals)

Tram:

• Lines from 05:30 to 00:30. At night they are replaced by night bus lines.

Metro (Metropolitana):

• Notice: The metro moves circumferentially of the historical center.
• It has only two lines A (red) and B (blue) that are crossed at the Termini central station.
• Trains every 7-10 minutes, from 05:30 to 11:30. On Saturdays until 00:30

Sights

General:

• Do not book tickets through “secondary” companies that come up at the top of Google searches. You ALWAYS pay more.
• Visit first the Vatican’s museums and then the Sistine Chapel.
• If you haven’t booked a ticket (skip line) for the Vatican’s museums, visit them early in the afternoon. Visit the Sistine Chapel around 17:00. You will get in quickly and meet a far smaller crowd.
• If you haven’t purchased an electronic ticker for the Colosseum–Palatine Hill-Roman Forum, move cleverly. Go to the Ancient Forum’s ticket booths, where there is a small line, and get a combo ticket.
• Women’s more relaxed fashion choices are not that objectionable for the Vatican’s Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
• Photograph the Piazza del Popolo from the balcony underneath the Belvedere Borghese.

Pantheon:

• Download for free the special ‘PANTHEON ROME’ app for iOS and Android and learn some facts about its history. (Available in 8 languages.) .
• Visit it when it starts raining. The rain falling inside the building creates a unique scenery

Sant’Angelo Castle:

• Start the ascent from the spiraling entrance at the basementο.
• Entrance is Free on the 1st Sunday of every month

Colosseum:

• In order to book an evening tour with an official guide, and for the price of just 20€/person, click HERE. Two tours are conducted: at 21:00 & 23:00. Notice: In order to find an available date and time, you should make reservations at least 15 days prior to your visit. Closed on Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday. Tour conducted in groups of 20-25 persons.
• The ticket sent to your e-mail account must be printed and shown at the main entrance of the monument.
• Book the combo ticket for a visit to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill and for a quick entrance (skip line).
• Outside the monument, many people will approach you (even if you have tickets), in order to sell you theirs! They will tell you that the ones you have are not valid…! Ignore them and move to the main entrance where there are three lines. Two of them are for those who have standard tickets (2-hour wait), while with the electronic ticket you will cross the 3rd line (which is empty) and go straight through security check.

St. Peter:

• If you visit it on a weekday 09:30-10:00 you will only wait for about 10-20 minutes. (Do not believe all the myths you hear!)
• Women should dress appropriately; otherwise they will be denied entry.
• Prefer to get to the dome first (with an amazing 360° view) and then visit the church.
• For the dome you will enter through the right entrance. If you opt for climbing the 511 steps on foot, you will pay 2€ less and you will not have to wait in line (for the elevator).
• If you are in the Sistine Chapel, exit through the right back door and sidestep the 3+-hour line for St. Peter. Have your own “Skip Line” with a tip that you will find almost nowhere!

Villa Borghese:

• You can find single/double carts, as well as classic bikes HERE. (5€ per hour/person, 10€ per hour/2 persons.) You can find four-wheeled carts for 2-4 persons HERE. (12€ per hour/2 persons, 20€ per hour/4 persons.)
• Take a boat ride in the Borghese park for 3€/20’

Via Appia Antica:

• See the ideal route on the historic road HERE

Fontana di Trevi:

• Policing might be constant, yet many pick-pockets try to distract whatever they can, taking advantage of the overcrowding.
• Do not trust your cell-phone or camera with anyone asking to take your picture. Soon they will demand that they take a “professional” one with theirs. For a price, of course!

Ancient Roman Forum-Palatine Hill:

• Wear comfortable shoes and take a bottle of water with you (there are fountains for replenishment).
• In order to see the entire Forum more evenly, prefer to enter from the Via dei Fori Imperiali. At its end, on your right, you will ascent for the Palatine Hill. This way, your tour will have more flow.
• In the summer months, a hat or an umbrella is mandatory, as there is no shade whatsoever on the site.

San Pietro in Vincoli:

• Visit the church in the morning hours, as later in the day it gets swarmed by groups of tourists that crowd in to see the sculpture of Moses.

Tourist Traps:

• Quick access scam: Around the prominent attractions, there is the trap of the quick access (skip line). They ask you to pay so as to get you inside earlier. Ignore them and find the entrance on your own.
• Roses scam: A gypsy woman (usually) with her child offer a flower for free, as they will tell you. But in a little while, someone will show up and they will demand that you pay for it.
• Help in trains scam: Do not let anyone help you get your luggage off the train. It is a trick to get you to tip them for their service.
• “Authentic” items scam: Do not buy designer bags, perfumes and sunglasses from the dozens of street vendors. They are always fake and you will be supporting the black market.
• Lost in the city scam: Do not help anyone that stops their car to ask for help in order to find a location. They will want to give you a very expensive gift for the help you offered and ask for a little money (say 5€). When they get it, they will snatch the “gifts” and disappear!
• The porter scam: Do not trust your luggage with anyone. There are men going around in hotels, dressed in formal clothing and claiming that there is some problem with your room, and then they ask to transfer your luggage, so they can steal it.
• Fake taxis scam: There are dozens of fake taxis in the streets, so make sure they always have a charging taximeter.
• Hidden charge scam: Many exchange agencies (mainly in train stations and airports) have a 10% hidden charge. Make sure you ask for any extra charges beforehand.

Food:

• Do not try food/snacks close to any tourist hotspots, such as St. Peter, Fontana di Trevi, the Colosseum, Piazza Navona etc. Extremely low quality-high prices. Advice: Put a Panini in your bag and look for food away from these sites…
• The original carbonara includes egg (hence its yellow color)
• Do not ever sit at restaurants that show their dishes on photographs! This is the mother of all misdirections.

Da enzo:

• Due to its fame, as well as limited spots, Da enzo serves only those that have made reservations*.
• ΕYou must be there at exactly 7:30 pm, when it opens; otherwise you will lose your table. If you haven’t made reservations, you should be there before 7:30 pm, so that you get on the list and be seated at the first table that becomes available.
• It remains closed on Sundays.

*You should book a table at least 3-4 days before visiting.