Florence Travel Guide: 10 Things You Should Know when Visiting Florence

Traveling to a foreign city can be confusing, but a little bit of common sense will go far. This Florence Travel Guide will help fill in the gaps on Florence customs that may be a little surprising to a foreigner. Learn when to tip, how to greet, and the right time for that delicious, little cup of coffee.

1. Learn some phrases.

Though English is widely spoken in Florence, a little bit of Italian will go a long way. Here are a few phrases that you won’t be able to go without:

• To greet someone, you can simply say “Ciao!” (hi)
• When leaving, you can say, “Arrivederci” (Ahrreevaydayrchee, goodbye)
• Be sure to not forget to say “Per favore”(Payr fahvohray, please) and “Grazie” (Grahtzeeay, thank you)
• You’re bound to run into someone in the hustle and bustle of the city so keep “Scusa” (Skoohzah, excuse me) in your back pocket
• If you really need help and all else fails though, just say “Aiuto” (Ayootoh, help)

With these key phrases, you’ll show people that you are trying to speak Italian and you’ll be polite and able to communicate. When asking for directions, ordering food, or greeting someone at your hotel, using these phrases will help bridge the cultural gap and make you – and the Florentines – more at home.

2. Tipping is not necessary.

Any Florence travel guide could tell you that tipping is not necessary, and it is certainly not common for simple services and food such as taxis, coffee, and pizza. Servizio (a service charge) or coperto (a cover charge) is often included in the overall price so don’t feel bad about not tipping. However, if you pay in cash, leaving the change out of convenience is appropriate. For example, if you have a 49€ meal, leaving 50€ (total) would be entirely appropriate.

Don’t make the mistake of tipping; you’ll not only lose money, but sometimes you might even offend the person you’re tipping!

Tips are usually left only for outstanding service at special events such as an anniversary dinner.

3. Opening and Closing times are different for different businesses.

Restaurants, museums, and churches open and close at different times. Often, stores are closed during the afternoon. In busier, more-touristy parts of Florence, you’ll find that shops remain open a bit longer.

Restaurants are usually closed between lunch and dinner times; don’t expect to find a nice place to eat at an in-between-meals time. Usually Italians eat lunch between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and dinner around 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. – some people even eat as late as 9:30 p.m. Be aware of these time differences when deciding where and when to eat.

During holidays, many shops and restaurants are closed. August is the most common vacation month for Italians and, during August, many shops and restaurants will be closed.

If you wish to visit museums while in Florence, check the schedules. Most museums are closed one day a week, and that day is usually Monday.

Overall, just keep in mind that business hours are different. If you are confused when a store, restaurant, or museum will be open, don’t be afraid to find a local Florence travel guide or ask a local.

4. Make sure to buy tickets before you get on the bus or train.

More often than not, tickets are not available for purchase on buses or trains. You must find a tabaccaio (tobacco shop) or edicola (newspaper stand) in order to buy tickets. Since many businesses are closed on Sundays, be sure to buy any tickets for Sunday the day before. This will eliminate the time-consuming and challenging task of trying to find a place to buy tickets when businesses are closed, and you won’t be stuck without a bus pass!

You must also validate your bus and train tickets on the bus. There are usually machines in the buses for marking your ticket. If you are unsure of how to do so, be brave and ask a fellow passenger; asking is far better than being caught with an invalidated ticket.

5. Personal space is much smaller in Italy.

Most Westerners aren’t used to how small the personal space “bubble” in Italy is. In general, Italians are very comfortable sharing their space. It is not unusual for women to link arms while walking through town or men to kiss each other in greeting.

Though many Florentines and even a Florence travel guide may not be aware of the cultural differences in regards to personal space, you don’t need to be worried. If the person waiting in line behind you is too close, take a tiny step away and just be happy that they aren’t cutting (waiting in line is also not an accepted practice by many Italians).

6. Don’t expect to be waited on as much as in English-speaking countries.

Italian waiters’ primary job is to take orders and deliver food. They often work more tables than in English-speaking countries and are not expected to provide “over-the-top” service. They won’t usually ask you how your day is, what else they can do to improve the service, or try to be your Florence travel guide. Instead, you must wave at your waiter if you need something. Remember to be courteous because, even if the aren’t spending as much time with you as you’re used to, they’re still working very hard!

7. Bring your own medications.

Make sure to bring any medications you might need to Florence because it is often hard to find the exact brand you use at home. It is common to find Aspirin in pharmacies, but Tylenol and Advil are rare. A Florence travel guide will list pharmacies, but their products are different than in English-speaking countries.

8. Avoid touching food in markets.

If you have a chance, browsing a Florentine market is an interesting and unique experience. Do not handle the fruits and veggies though because it is seen as rude and unsanitary. In larger supermarkets, you can usually find plastic gloves to pick up the produce you want. If you are on a street market, do not touch the goods! Ask the vendor for what you need, but do not ask for specific pieces of fruit or veggies; this too is seen as impolite.

9. Be aware of different portions for each meal.

Any good Florence travel guide could tell you that lunch is usually a smaller meal than dinner; so do not feel as though you need to order antipasto, primo, and secondo in the middle of the day. Only at larger meals do Italians tend to splurge and eat all three. You can simply decide between primo and secondo.

If you want a smaller portion, you can order a half portion. Half portions are also a great idea for kids; there aren’t kids menus in Italy.

10. Coffee is for the end of the meal at every meal except breakfast.

Though Italians enjoy coffee with their breakfasts, coffee is enjoyed mostly after other meals. A Florence travel guide or hotel can give good suggestions on where to go for coffee. Florentines believe it aids digestion and therefore they can always be found sipping on one once the food is gone. Feel free to have coffee with lunch and dinner, just make sure to wait until the end.