Do you want to know how to see Florence on a budget? Then look no further. Keep on reading.
Florence is our favorite city. It offers something for all types of tourists. Are you a foody who wants to see the bounty that Italy has to offer? It’s got plenty of street-food and fine-dining experiences, some of the best in Italy. Are you a person who cares about history? Check out any one of the many museums the city has to offer. Do you love architecture? There’s countless public spaces with beautiful buildings ranging from the city’s iconic Duomo to the castle in Piazzo Veccio. If art is your thing, there are few cities in the world that offer more priceless originals than Florence. Do you just want to relax? Sip a cappachino early in the morning at Riviori.
Where to Stay in Florence on a Budget
If you are in Florence, you have plenty of options for staying the night, ranging from five-star hotels to hostles. If you are staying in Florence and trying to see the city on a budget, we have a few tips.
As with real-estate, location is key. Make sure that you stay in the main part of the city, the location on northeast of the river.
The reason why location is so important in Florence is because there’s little in the realm of public transport. The central part of the city is blocked from car traffic, except for the garbage cleaners and a few others. The best way to see Florence is, therefore, on foot! And with the age of the city, there is little that won’t grab your attention each step. We’ve been traveling to Florence for nearly a decade. On each trip, we find something new.
The Best Cheap Hostel in Florence
The best cheap hostel in Florence is the Guesthouse L’Aranceto. It is affordable, clean, has nice amenities, is within walking distance to the train station and all the major attractions.
Another option is to go the AirBnB route. This is a great way to get close to the city center without breaking the bank. We managed to find a studio apartment right next to the Palazzo Vecchio for only €75 per week in the height of season! We highly recommend the company Keys of Italy. They have great deals and good locations.
What Museums are a MUST in Florence?
If you are on a budget and you are in Florence, you probably want to see some key museums, but not break the bank. There are a few tips we can provide to those budget friendly tourists.
Florence offers a museum pass called The Ferenzie Card. Ferenzie is the Italian name for Florence. This card is a little pricey at €85 (as of April 2020). It used to be a lot cheaper and it used to be a way tourists could skip certain lines, specifically those at the Uffizi and Accademia, the two most-visited museums in Florence. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.
Older guidebooks will still recommend this pass. Unless you don’t mind the wait times and want to see most of the museums in Florence, you may be better off skipping the card and simply paying for each museum.
If you are planning to visit a museum in Florence, call in advance and secure a reservation. This will ensure a timely visit. If you are only in Florence for a few days, make sure you set aside time for the Uffizi and Academia, if nothing less.
The Best Food in Florence
When it comes to food, no one will go hungry in Florence. Even the most cost-savy tourist can find a delicious and filling meal! If you are cost-savy, then check out the best street food we’ve had anywhere in the world, a small sandwhich shop called Panini Point Firenze. It offers a sandwhich for any taste. These sandwhiches are cheap at around €6 each. They are also MASSIVE!
One sandwhich can easily feed two hungry tourists, making it the cheapest meal for two in Florence at €3 per person. It’s also an experience, reminding one of the Soup Nazi from the iconic Seinfeld episode, but with a little less anger. We eat here every day for lunch in Florence to save money. We also buy a €3 bottle of wine to accompany our lunch.
The Best Budget-Friendly Activities in Florence
You can spend a lot of money in Florence, or, if you want to see Florence on a budget, you can do some free and cheap activities.
Go for a walk
Florence is a walking town. If you don’t like walking, you better start. The only way to properly see Florence is by walking. There is little about Florence that is unsafe. Walk the ancient streets and get lost for an afternoon. Every corner has something new to offer. You may stumble into a medieval castle converted to a condo, or find Dante’s home. There is no such thing as a bad walk in Florence, but if you want the best path, begin at the Duomo, move to the Palazzo Vecchio, then south across the jewelry bridge (Ponte Vecchio), and keep following the road (with curious detours) until you arrive at the southern gates.
Best Budget Friendly Morning Activities in Florence
We cannot stress this enough, plan to relax in Florence. If you are go-go-go, you will miss the beauty that this city has to offer. On at least one morning, wake up early and walk to Riviori to grab a morning espresso or cappuccino at the counter. Unlike most American coffee houses, Riviori offers two options. You can either take your coffee at the counter (cheaper) or sit outside at a table (more expensive).
We recommend to do this, if you can, both ways. One morning enjoy the hustle and bustle and enjoy getting slowly moved to the end of the counter as the locals pay the low cost of €1.50 for a cappachino. On the next morning, experience the tourist-life a bit more and sit outside and pay the price of €5 for that same cappacino. Why the price? Because you will have breathtaking views of the Piazzo and be able to watch the city come to life, while sipping your coffee and staring at the statute of David (breath-taking even as a to-scale replica).