Florence is a must visit if you’re exploring the beautiful northern parts of Italy. Filled with history, charming architecture, mouth watering food, and scenic views, Florence has something for everyone, even those of us traveling on a budget!
As a travel addict who appreciates traveling more for less, I’ve visited Florence multiple times and found the best free and cheap things to do in Florence so you can admire what this city has to offer without breaking the bank. Here is how to visit Florence on a budget.
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Free + Cheap Things to Do in Florence, Italy
1. Visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria el Fiore
Budget: Free
Add-Ons: Duomo & Bell Tower (Find Tickets Here)
You can’t visit Florence without admiring the stunning Cattedrale di Santa Maria el Fiore. This cathedral is Florence’s biggest draw with the famous Duomo you can climb up to. The cathedral itself is free to enter, and you can add on tickets for the Duomo and bell tower if you want to.
2. Stroll Across Ponte Vecchio
Budget: Free
One of the best free things to do in Florence, Italy is to stroll across the Ponte Vecchio. This medieval bridge has enclosed shops along it and sits across the Arno river. It’s the only bridge that survived World War II. I recommend both walking across it and heading up the river to snap some scenic photos of the bridge from afar.
3. Hike to Piazzale Michelangelo
Budget: Free
Add-Ons: Bike Tour with Visit to Piazzale Michelangelo
One of the best viewpoints in all of Florence is at Piazzale Michelangelo. Admire the architecture of the city rolling towards the mountains with the duomo and bell tower prominently displayed in the middle. Many people go to Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset, which I highly recommend, but arrive early to beat the crowd.
★ Read Next: Staying in Florence on a Budget
4. Wander Down the River
Budget: Free
Add-Ons: Walking Tour of Florence
The Arno river flows through Florence as a natural attraction. If you want to spend time outside admiring the city’s stunning architecture and natural beauty, the best place to begin is by the Arno. Stroll down the river, stop at a cafe for a cappuccino, snap some photos, and take in Florence.
5. Relax at Boboli Gardens
Budget: From $13 USD per person
Purchase: Boboli Gardens Entrance Tickets
One of the most gorgeous places to enjoy the outdoors in Florence is at Boboli Gardens. This historical park boasts what was originally designed for the Medici but opened to the public in 1766.
This classic Italian garden sprawls over acres and offers a variety of sections from lemon trees and ponds to sculptures and fountains. You can purchase your tickets at the entrance or online.
6. Cool Down With a Gelato
Budget: $3-5 USD
Italian cities are dotted with gelato shops and Florence has a great variety. A scoop of gelato is generally two or three euros and provides the perfect tasting of one of Italy’s best treats. Opt for a single scoop so you can try a variety of flavors throughout your day of exploring Florence. Passion fruit, pistachio, and stracciatella are my favorites.
Pair of scoop of gelato with a stroll down the Arno river or up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a quintessential Florence adventure.
7. Admire the Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria
Budget: Free
Add-Ons: Walking Tour of Florence
One of the best free things to do in Florence is visit the piazzas, and Piazza della Repubblica is an iconic one. This is known as the “ancient heart of Florence” where scholars would meet in the early 20th century.
Another one of Florence’s best is Piazza della Signoria. Known as the most famous piazza in Florence, Piazza della Signoria is a popular filming location, the gateway to the Uffizi Gallery, and also the headquarters of the municipality of Florence.
8. Walk to the Porta di San Frediano
Budget: Free
If you enjoy admiring the architecture in Florence, make your way to the Porta di San Frediano. This gate sits on the western side of the city and marks the route towards Pisa. As you walk over to Porta di San Frediano, you’ll also get to see parts of Florence you otherwise would not.
9. Admire the Art at Pitti Palace
Budget: $18 USD per person
Purchase: Pitti Palace Tickets
Museums are plentiful in Florence, and with good reason as many Renaissance art masterpieces call the city home. If you’re up for a museum visit, Pitti Palace is a great choice as it’s cheaper than some yet still offers a wonderful look into Florence’s Renaissance art period, and you can also combine it with a visit to Boboli Gardens.
You can purchase tickets for the Pitti Palace at the entrance or online if you would like. Combo tickets for Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens are available here.
10. Visit the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
Budget: $18 USD per person
If you’re an art fan, museum lover, or history buff, make sure to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. Home to Michelangelo’s famous “David” statue, the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze houses some of the most prized Renaissance art in the city. If you only visit one museum in Florence, let it be this one.
★ Read Next: What to Pack for Florence in Spring
How to Save Money in Florence
If you’re visiting Florence on a budget, here are some money saving tips so you can enjoy the charm of this Tuscan city without breaking the bank.
Visit During Off Season If Possible
Summer in Italy is super popular, which means prices skyrocket from June through August. To find the best deals on accommodation and enjoy Florence with smaller crowds, plan to visit during the off-season or shoulder season.
The off-season in Florence is from December to February; this is the coldest time of year here, but also the cheapest and least crowded. For decent hotel prices and manageable crowds, visit Florence between March and April or October and November (the shoulder season).
Don't Pay for Water
It’s easy to fall into the trap of paying for water every time you go out in Florence, but it’s easy to avoid this cost. Bring your own reusable water bottle and drink the tap water; it’s perfectly safe here.
You can even bring your own water bottle when you go out to eat. Most places won’t care if you bring your water, and it’s an unnecessary cost to rack up.
Walk - It's Free Transportation
One of my favorite things about most Italian cities is how walkable they are, and Florence fits the bill. The city center of Florence is rather small, and this is where most attractions are.
If your hotel is nearby, you can easily walk to all the museums and famous cathedrals in the city center. If you need to venture out further, opt for a local bus or a train for any long distances. Using the trains in Italy is easy, cheap, and convenient!
Taxis are the most expensive mode of transportation in Florence, and frankly, most of Italy. I recommend skipping a taxi here.
First Sundays Are Free at Museums
The first Sunday of every month is a free day at many of Florence’s best museums. If this fits into your Florence visit, you can visit places like Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia, and Pitti Palace for free!
If you won’t be in town on a first Sunday, no worries. Many museums and attractions are cheap or free in Florence, especially compared to those in the US, like museums in Chicago (though many are still worth it).
Dine Like a Local
- Enjoy your espresso standing
- Buy wine at the grocery store
- Eat street food for lunch
While I recommend splurging on a couple of restaurants in Florence, you can save a lot of money by eating like a local here. Enjoy your coffee standing at the bar; if you sit down at a cafe, you’ll be charged a service fee nearly everywhere in Italy.
A glass of wine or two is nice to enjoy if you’re dining out, but you can find a delicious bottle for the same price at the grocery store. Spend 5€ on an entire bottle and enjoy your Italian wine on a piazza or the banks of the River Arno.
And lastly, eat street food to save big on dining in Florence. The panino are incredible in this region of Italy, and to-go food is much cheaper. Grab a pizza to-go and a bottle of wine for the ultimate Florence picnic dinner.
Where to Eat in Florence on a Budget
Florence is a great city for foodies to explore. We all know Italian food is top-notch, and Florence in particular offers a wide variety of restaurants and cafes.
Enjoy all the gelato you can, and devour pizza and pasta every day. Here’s where to eat in Florence on a budget.
I’Pizzacchiere (Pizza)
La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale – Firenze Duomo (Gelato)
I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti (Sandwiches)
Trattoria Il Contadino (Pasta, meat, etc.)
Mister Pizza (Pizza)
Lunetta Café (Breakfast)
Staying in Florence on a Budget
Enjoy all that Florence has to offer even if you’re keeping your budget tight. Learn more about where to stay in Florence on a budget in my ultimate travel guide. It covers the most highly rated cheap accommodations in the city.
Below are my top three picks of where to stay in Florence on a budget.
- Hotel Dali | 8.6 rating
- Soggiorno Arcobaleno | 8.4 rating, Budget Price
- Residenza Le Rondini | 8.4 rating
★ Read Next: Where to stay in Florence on a Budget
Recap: 10 Cheap + Free Things to Do in Florence
Visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria el Fiore
Stroll Across Ponte Vecchio
Hike to Piazzale Michelangelo for the View
Wander Down the Arno River
Relax Outside at Boboli Gardens
Cool Down With a Gelato
Admire the Piazza della Repubblica
Walk to the Porta di San Frediano
Admire the Art at Palazzo Pitti
Visit the Galleria Accademia Firenze
Wander down picturesque Italian streets, learn about Renaissance art and history, admire the stunning architecture, and eat delicious foods while visiting Florence on a budget.
With these fun, cheap and free things to do in Florence, Italy, you’ll be hitting the ground running to enjoy all this city has to offer. Get ready for your trip with the ultimate Italy packing lists (summer and fall editions).
