Is Florence Worth Visiting? What I Loved (and Didn't)

Or as my original title said "Firenze - Yay or Nay?"

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, famously known as the Duomo, peeking through the street.

Hello, my adventurous friend!

Florence - the famous Renaissance city & one of the old capitals of Italy (though short-lived). The “home” city of the Medici family. An epicenter for art, architecture, & fashion. The capital of Tuscany. The home of Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, the Boboli Gardens & Pitti Palace, the Bardini Gardens, Piazza della Signoria, and more. Oh, and I have to mention the magical sunsets you can witness from various spots [my favorite is mentioned & shown below]. 🌅

But, with all these wonders, why did Florence fall a bit short for me? Keep reading for my honest take along with some personal recommendations. Find out - is Florence worth visiting?

Firenze: A Little Disappointment in a Big City

Here it comes —Florence has its quirks, and some didn’t sit well with me. First, the streets. Staying in the old city, I found certain streets pretty narrow, though I am aware it is normal in old cities and towns. However, at times they felt as if they were closing in on me — very claustrophobic. And if you deal with anxiety like I do, this can make the experience a bit stressful. 😅😓

Wandering around in Florence

And then there are the crowds. Florence is a major tourist hub, and it shows—especially on weekends. Don’t get me wrong, I love big cities, I do, yet my introverted self often craves space and quiet—two things Florence doesn’t exactly offer. Yet, I love civilization & being able to get everywhere on foot while having pleasant & variable surroundings. It’s a personal struggle I haven’t figured out yet. 

Of course, as with any major city, you’ll also find dirty corners, graffiti, and areas that could use some TLC. That part didn’t bother me as much, but I can’t help but feel the city’s reputation requires a bit more attention from local authorities. 

Practical tip: Always check the opening hours for museums, cathedrals, and other sights ahead of time!⏰ Italy operates on its own rhythm, and opening times vary by day. Save yourself the heartache of showing up to a closed door.🚪

Exploring Beyond the Old City

My second disappointment came when I stayed in the “new city.” Out of curiosity (and convenience), I ventured into the modern parts of Florence. While I’d never discourage anyone from exploring, I found little to inspire me there.

Unless you’re specifically interested in comparing the old and new sides of town, the industrial buildings of the mid- to late-20th century don’t offer much charm. Just my personal opinion, of course! 

A Gelato Love Affair (with a Caveat)

Now, let’s talk about something sweet—gelato! 🍨

I am not that big on ice cream, gelato, or sorbet, but I was in ITALY! How can you not indulge in all-the-gelato-you-lay-your-eyes-upon? I didn’t go overboard, though, & didn’t throw myself at every gelato store in my line of sight, I promise. Instead, I did my research—reading blogs, reviews, and recommendations before choosing my first gelato spot. 

My pick? Gelateria De’ Medici on Piazza Cesare Beccaria. And wow, it did not disappoint. Would highly recommend, 5 ⭐️s. 

Fun fact: Did you know you can tell real, artisanal gelato from the artificial kind? Pistachio gelato, for example, should be a muted, earthy green—not the bright neon shade you might expect. The same goes for banana gelato, which should be light brown, not yellow. (Think of how bananas look when exposed to air—gelato behaves the same way.) Armed with this knowledge [thank you to all the blogs I’ve read about it], I became a bit of a gelato snob, inspecting every shop’s pistachio [because let’s face it, not everyone has banana flavour] before deciding whether to indulge. 

Unfortunately, no other gelato in Florence matched my first experience. Many were overly sweet, which dulled the enjoyment.

The Florence Highlights & Recommendations

The old city of Florence isn’t large, but it’s packed with things to see, taste, and explore. You could easily spend a few days wandering its streets and still leave with a list of places to return to.

A selfie at Uffizi Gallery

I visited in winter, and while the city was still buzzing with tourists [I cannot imagine in the summer], the weather was a pleasant surprise — mild and comfortable — 12-15˚C/53-60˚F during the days; 3-7˚C/37-44˚F in the evenings. During the day, I was fine with a sweater and pants or a dress with a cardigan. In the evenings, a coat/jacket & gloves were enough. No heavy winter gear is needed, you’ll melt in it.

Practical tip: Credit cards [I always recommend travel ccs to avoid paying conversion fees on currency] are widely accepted, but keep a bit of cash on hand for tipping guides or venturing into smaller towns. 💶

And for my fellow sweet-tooth travelers, Florence is a haven for decadent pastries & coffee. 🧁☕️ Every café I tried was a delight. All the meals in general, any food I had in Florence was amazingly delicious. [I’ll share my favorite foodie spots in a future post—stay tuned!] 🤤

Sunset from San Miniato al Monte

And on to my biggest thing - the history, art, and sunsets!

• The art and architecture: From David at the Accademia [get there early or you’ll be standing in a VERY long line] to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Da Vinci’s Annunciation at the Uffizi Gallery, Florence is a treasure trove. Don’t miss the free sculptures at Piazza della Signoria, including Cellini’s Perseus. And, of course, take a moment to admire Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise at the Baptistery of St. John near the Duomo. 🖼

  
  

• The sunsets: My favorite spot? San Miniato al Monte also known as Basilica di San Miniato. Watching the sun dip below the Tuscan hills while the city glows is pure magic. Just wow!

So, Is Florence Worth Visiting?

Is it a “yay” or “nay”? For me, the pros outweigh the cons, making Florence a definite “yay.” I’d love to return to Firenze in early spring or mid-to-late autumn when the crowds and temperature are more manageable.

No city is perfect. Trash, crowds, overpriced souvenirs—every destination has its flaws. But travel is about the experience, your experience. It’s about choosing what to see, feel, and take away from your journey. So, go forth and explore, my friend. Florence is waiting. 🇮🇹✈️🧳