Food icon

Enjoy local delights

as you explore trattorie and street markets

Vector art of vase behind rope drawn in bold and gold line art

Meet artisans

and learn about their intricate crafts

History icon

Step back in time

in Florence's museums and galleries

The birthplace of the Renaissance

Surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills, the beautiful city of Florence is one of Europe’s most enchanting and historically influential cities. If anywhere in the world can claim to have shaped modern Western consciousness, it is Florence’s grand piazzas and palazzos.

Florentine art and architecture flourished throughout the Late Medieval period. One powerful banking family, the Medicis, rose out of this time to become de facto rulers of the city and were central to ushering in the Renaissance proper. Keen to display their wealth, they were patrons to scholars who scoured the libraries of Europe for Greek and Arabic works of natural science, philosophy and mathematics, and commissioned pieces by locals such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli.

Today, the marks of this great epoch cannot be missed in Florence. The world’s greatest Renaissance artworks and sculpture can be found at every turn in the historical centre, an area that can be traversed on foot in under an hour but would take infinitely longer to properly explore.

Centred around the Piazza della Signoria are the crenellated walls of the Palazzo Vecchio, the arches of Loggia dei Lanzi, under which one can find restored Roman sculptures and Cellini’s bronze Perseus, and the vast Palazzo degli Uffizi, home to the Medici’s collections.

Nearby is the Piazza del Duomo, flanked by the famous cathedral, Giotto’s towering Campanile, and the octagonal Florence Baptistery. The Bargello National Museum safeguards Italy‘s most comprehensive collection of Tuscan Renaissance sculpture, and to the north, the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze houses Michelangelo’s David. Cross the Ponte Vecchio to the quieter south bank of the Arno River to reach the Medici family palace and stroll through the sprawling Boboli Gardens. Pisa is also an easy day trip from the city, while the vineyards and villas surrounding are a destination in themselves.

Combined with a constant thrum of tourists, Florence can be overwhelming. Let our experts craft your time in this incredible city, with privately guided tours sculpted around your interests and passions, off the beaten track excursions and hand-picked hotels. We can also get you into our favourite restaurants, whether fine dining affairs with sweeping views or a hidden local gem tucked away from the crowds.

Highlights

Delve into the romance of the Renaissance as you visit the Duomo and Giotto’s Campanile along with the Academia Gallery, home of Michelangelo’s incredible David.

Discover the secrets of Italian cooking with a class led by an expert chef

Explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside and its scattered Medieval towns.

Marvel at the leaning tower of Pisa and ascend to the top of this incredible structure.

It’s one of the world’s most exciting cities for artistic and cultural richness and yet so unimposing. Florence is dotted with first-class restaurants, chilled out bars and a lot of fun for people of all ages. Make sure you head up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for the best view over the city!

Melania Siriu headshot

Melania Siriu

Senior Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Florence

There are many incredible places to stay in Florence. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

Personalised design illustration image

Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

Authentic experiences illustration image

Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

Responsible travel illustration image

Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Florence tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Where to go

Capri thumbnail

Capri

This is the island that charmed both Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius, America’s Hollywood darlings and this century’s international jet set.

Discover more
Emilia Romagna thumbnail

Emilia Romagna

Home to pretty coastal towns, elegant cities and is considered by many to be the country’s foodie capital.

Discover more
Lake Como thumbnail

Lake Como

Picturesque towns and grand villas are scattered around the lake and exploring them is easy thanks to the ferry service.

Discover more
Matera thumbnail

Matera

Matera is the jewel in Basilicata’s crown, a jumble of houses and churches perched on a plateau with deep canyons either side.

Discover more
Milan thumbnail

Milan

Milan is Italy’s financial and industrial heart, a thoroughly modern European city with a great history not far under the surface.

Discover more
Piedmont thumbnail

Piedmont

Nestled in the north west of the country and fringed by the French and Swiss Alps, Piedmont is one of Italy‘s most naturally beautiful regions.

Discover more
Portofino and Cinque Terre thumbnail

Portofino and Cinque Terre

Portofino, perched on its own peninsular, is Liguria’s glamorous heart and one of the most perfect fishing ports in the Mediterranean.

Discover more
Puglia thumbnail

Puglia

Puglia feels very different to the rest of the country and is the perfect place for those looking to get off the beaten track.

Discover more
Rome thumbnail

Rome

Unmatched heritage blends across the ages to make a stroll through Rome endlessly surprising.

Discover more
Sardinia thumbnail

Sardinia

Sardinia has its own unique identity, and its inhabitants are fiercely proud of their island which is as intriguing as it is beautiful.

Discover more
Sicily thumbnail

Sicily

Sicily has long been a melting pot of Mediterranean culture, a ruggedly beautiful island surrounded by sparkling seas.

Discover more
The Amalfi Coast thumbnail

The Amalfi Coast

Draped along the cliffs on the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, between Salerno and the city of Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast is dramatic and glamorous.

Discover more
The Dolomites and the Alps thumbnail

The Dolomites and the Alps

Soaring peaks, tooth-like crags and lush verdant slopes, the Dolomites are some of Italy’s most dramatic scenery.

Discover more
Tuscany thumbnail

Tuscany

Tuscany has long drawn enamoured visitors, each after culture, wine, fine food and tangible history.

Discover more
Venice thumbnail

Venice

An extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building may contain works by some of Europe's greatest artists.

Discover more
Verona thumbnail

Verona

In the historical centre, modestly grand piazzas and a maze of streets are dotted with quietly humming cafes, artisan shops and high couture boutiques.

Discover more

Meet your Europe team

When to visit

Italy is a year-round destination. Summers can get very hot and crowds do swell, so spring and early autumn are great times to visit. The best time to visit Tuscany is during the early autumn months of September and October, and the late spring months of April and May. During these periods temperatures are comfortable, and the rolling hills are peaceful. It’s an ideal time to visit vineyards, go bike riding and wander the streets of Florence.

Towns and cities main icon

Towns and cities

April–October

 History and art main icon

History and art

September–October

 Coast and countryside main icon

Coast and countryside

May–September

When is the Best Time to Go to Italy?

When is the Best Time to Go to Italy?

Read more

Plan your trip to Florence

Whatever you want from your adventure in Florence, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Plan with peace of mind

When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

Find out more
Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline