Florence - I know nothing!

[TeenWhisperer]

We are visiting Florence for 3 nights in October, taking dd to see a uni there. This isn't strictly in my comfort zone, as I tend to holiday in the UK. Does anyone have any tips on what we should try and see, accommodation or transport? We are flying directly into Florence, but haven't booked accommodation yet. I also need to get my head around her living there on her own. Is it a safe city? She is a clever, beautiful young lady, but not streetwise at all.

Well, what interests you? My own preferred sights in Florence are pretty much entirely art-related, but you’d find them very dull if you’re not interested in Renaissance art! I don’t remember which hotels we stayed in — standard Italian offerings. Respectfully, you also sound very anxious. Assuming your daughter is an adult independent-minded enough to be considering university abroad, surely you ‘getting your head around it’ isn’t really the point of this trip? I’ve only visited, but I have friends who’ve spent extended periods there, and no one was the victim of more than a pickpocketing (rife in touristy areas, but can be combated with the reasonable precautions you’d take in any city). It’s got a significant population of foreign students.

What degree is she hoping to study?

How lovely, what a fabulous opportunity. Florence is gorgeous. It's also a very small walkable city so if you are flying to Florence rather than Pisa, just get a cab to your accommodation and back to the airport.

It's admittedly 10 years since I was there but it felt perfectly safe even very late at night. Lots of people live in the city centre so it's bustling quite late and has a lot of outdoor tables for restaurants and bars [less so in October I imagine] and is busy and friendly.

There is loads to see and do. Some world famous museums, churches, a huge market, lots of leather markets which the city is know for etc but perhaps focus on maybe doing one thing and getting a feel for what it would be like to live there? Visit the area that has most student accommodation which may not be the city centre and wander about, get lunch etc. If she goes to uni there, you'll get an opportunity to visit again and do some more of the touristy stuff. Some museums only open on certain days so worth checking.

Too long ago to make referrals on accommodation and restaurants but a recent guide+trip advisor+airbnb would give you a good idea
This website has some fairly deluxe self catering accommodation but I would plan to eat out a fair bit if you are only there for 3 days. The food is amazing and there are not a lot of large supermarkets in the centre.
www.plumguide.com/search?adults=3&checkIn=2025-10-03&checkOut=2025-10-05&datepickerType=calendar&flexCheckIn=7&location=Florence--Metropolitan-City-of-Florence--Italy&placeId=ChIJrdbSgKZWKhMRAyrH7xd51ZM

Thanks all - @PondUnderTrees I don’t think I’m any more anxious than most parents who have a school age dd heading to a foreign country for uni; you should look at the education chats!
we are into renaissance art so would definitely like to try and get to the Uffizi and maybe the Accademia, but not sure about the passes or how busy to expect October to be.
it’s reassuring to hear the people who feel it’s a safe city. My ds is in London for uni, so I’m pretty sure Florence must be ok!

I went too long ago to recommend hotels or restos, but do pre-book the Uffizi & everything else you want to see.

Florence is a lovely city, easily explored on foot with fantastic architecture, art galleries and places to eat. I'd advise your daughter to learn some Italian, enough to travel, order food, book accommodation etc. Italian is quite an easy language to learn and Italians love foreigners who make the effort to speak their language. Safety wise I don't regard Florence as a dangerous place per se but like any city your daughter should be mindful of pickpockets and other scammers.

@TeenWhisperer Is this for 3 years in Italy? Why? Not just 1 year as part of a degree? Is this an art degree? Italian unis tend to be chaotic and you will need to find accommodation via a student accommodation web site. My DDs went for a semester in a South African school at 13. I didn’t worry. At 18 they are adults. Not quite sure what the worry is.

More of a worry will be visas and proficiency in Italian. Other MFL/year abroad posts in HE articulate this.

Florence is full of tourists. Italian unis and cities are safe but women of course need to be wary. Avoid madness of football matches. Stay around other students. Mainly question - why Italy?

Thanks for the tips @TizerorFizz Yes, it will be for 3 years. I never actually said I was worried! Just that I was out of my comfort zone (I've only been to Italy once some time ago) and dd has never been and that I was getting my head around it. But, the actual uni bit all looks really straightforward. I was actually just posting about our little city break to see if there were any tips on getting the most out of a few days, bearing in mind that it might well be the city dd studies in. I don't want to give too much info on dd's studies as it could well be outing.

Yellowhostel is brilliant
The square behind has a lovely family pizzeria. Best I had.
On Monday the uffizi etc close so make sure your few days take care of that.
Public transport from the airport is super easy, just use your contactless bank card on the tram, tap in and out.
If you can, get a train to Ferrara. It's a small city which feels much more authentic italy and hosts the oldest wine bar in the country.

I went to Florence in May, it was very busy then, I would suggest if there are any museums you want to visit to pre book before you go, we could not get into the Accedemia as it was fully booked when we went. We stayed in a hotel in the centre which was very expensive for what it was and I would not recommend it, it is a very expensive city. We did take a golf buggy tour which took us to Piazzale Il David where you get great views over Florence which was great for us with limited mobility.

We go a fair bit for work . Always stay at the Michelangelo Florence hotel as I don’t like fussy Italian style much - prefer modern - I won’t suggest restaurants as it’s a really individual thing but the area up behind the duomo where the big indoor food hall is is a good area to wander and pick - been to a few nice ones over the other side of the river too - I’m not really into renaissance art but it’s a really nice city in itself just to potter in - although very very busy - and check prices before you buy anything such as ice cream off street vendors or into the street windows- there are some real rip offs to be had .

@TeenWhisperer I would probably do the normal tourist things (art and buildings) and check out where the university is. I’m not sure how being a tourist will help dd at uni though. They are very different experiences.

Many Italian students study at their home uni so it’s not the same as in the uk. They go to university already knowing people and in friendship groups. DD found breaking into that quite difficult. If it’s a course with lots of international students, it will be easier. They need friends.

Thanks @TizerorFizz I think we all would just like to gain some familiarity with the area. It will be a very international course. Here’s hoping it goes well!

Definitely pre book Gallery tickets, easily done on line. Visit the Pitti Palace on the South Side of the Arno, an easy walk from the Ponte Veccio. it was the Medici’s palace and the surrounding Bobolis gardens are beautiful.
Also the restaurants on the South side are cheaper than the ones within the city.

@TeenWhisperer Look at the pages on the uni site that give info to international students. Most won’t live in a touristy area. If you want some idea of student life, you need to do some research as to where that is. What do you think of the area? Look at student accommodation web sites. Where are the properties suitable for that uni?

I went on my own end of September 2 years ago and had a great time. I felt absolutely safe, it's a very walkable city.

It's a popular time to go so I would sort out a hotel as soon as possible. Also, you need to pre-book galleries and museums.

Take very comfortable shoes and enjoy, we will go back next year September and I can't wait.

Florence is beautiful I would definitely rebook the Galleries. We also enjoyed the Pitti palace much quieter than the others.
Thd only time it felt slightly dodgy was crossing the duomo square at night where there were men wanting to shake your hand. Do not accept the hand shake they want to steal your watch. DP did not wear his watch in the evening for this reason.
The central market upstairs in great for lunch time food. If you are gluten free there are several amazing options in Florence including Cibo for sourdough pizza.
We walked everywhere as the city is very small and then as others have said taxi to and from the airport.

Thanks so much all! Will try and book accommodation today and have in mind to try and book the Uffizi, Accademia and maybe Duomo? But might not be able to squeeze all that in! Also, Ponte vecchio- anything critical I’m missing?

It’s a wonderful place. I believe the museums and galleries are shut on Mondays (which I found out to my cost) but I had the best gelato of my life on the Rialto Bridge which is a glorious place to be. Will never forget that!

My DH and I visited Florence for three days a month ago.
Super easy to get from the airport into town by tram.
We stayed at a pretty expensive (for me) place, but I loved it.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1385593767997829492?sourceimpressionnid=p317505893388P3QmQRA9NlSt4CwA

They rent out 4 rooms, there's a shared kitchen and a shared terrace.
We had one of the two rooms out front which was gorgeous.

Somebody who worked there recommended two places to eat which we LOVED.
Alla Vecchia betolla - we went for lunch and it was about 1/4 tourists and 3/4 Italians on their lunch break. You share tables and it's lovely and informal
The other place il Santo bevitore - had another amazing meal here. Highly recommend. When we went you had to pre book restaurants in the evening (or be prepared to wait in line), which I didn't like that much, but maybe October will be less busy.

Roughly - on one side of the river you have the Uffizi, academia, duomo, the place where we stayed, etc which is gorgeous but very touristy.
The other side of the river (where both those restaurants are) still has a fair share of tourists, but feels a bit more like "this is where people actually live"
I would think staying on that side of the river you get better deals on hotels.

We pre booked Uffizi and academia which was great. Duomo is stunning from the outside, but not so spectacular on the inside. We climbed the Giotto tower next to the duomo which was fun. I think the climbing the actual dome of the duomo, rather than just going inside must be really interesting (we didn't get a ticket for that)

I never felt unsafe, but equally was careful with my things.

What an amazing thing for your daughter to do. Have a great time!

Just a quick question about costs, if anyone can help. Would you say it’s about the same price range as London for eating out etc?

@TeenWhisperer Yes. In the more tourist areas. Look at Time Out or Lonely Planet for recommendations. Conde Nast Traveller and The Telegraph are good at recommendations.