Ultimate Florence Honeymoon Guide

Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

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In July and August, the city is busy with visitors, and the temperatures are baking reaching highs of 30s°C / 90s°F.  Florence and more widely in Italy, have suffered from intense heat waves in summer. If you can travel outside of these peak months, you’ll be doing yourselves and the locals a favour!

During the winter from November to March temperatures are cool, averaging 6°C/ 44°F and you should expect some rain.

There’s just 13 quirky rooms which feature eclectic antique furniture and bespoke art.

This is one of the best honeymoon hotels in Florence for couples who want to step back in time.

A member of the Leading Hotels of The World and located by the Arno River with views from their River View suites.

Plus, it’s home to Caffè dell’Oro where you can watch the world go by on the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

Helvetia & Bristol Firenze is one of the best honeymoon hotels in Florence for couples who love classic luxury.

This 19th-century aristocratic residence, once hosting notable figures like Princess Eugenia, wife of Napoleon III and Tchaikovsky, has been meticulously restored.

This architectural marvel in Piazza del Duomo is the third largest church in Europe and construction began in the 13th century, almost 1000 years ago!

The complex includes the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower (aka Giotto’s Campanile) and is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb to the top of the bell tower for awe-inspiring panoramic city views. Inside, marvel at the intricate frescoes depicting heaven and hell.

A skip the line ticket is a must – even when we were in Florence recently in October the queues were considerable!

The adjacent Opera del Duomo Museum showcases historical art and artefacts, and is worth exploring if you’ve more time on your Florence honeymoon.

The extensive collection of Renaissance art, including works like Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and marvels by Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Caravaggio to name a few.

Stroll through its halls to witness the artistic genius that flourished in Florence. Book a ticket in advance and if you can go first thing in the morning you’ll beat some of the crowds.

Uffizi is adjacent to Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall and the interior is adorned with magnificent frescoes.

Take the secret passages tour, revealing hidden corners of this medieval palace and the rooms of the Medici Family. Outside on Piazza della Signoria you can see the replica of the Statue of David.

The panoramic views of Florence, especially at sunset, is one of the highlights of the city (although any time of the day is magnificent).

It’s just a 20/30 minute walk from the historical centre but in the heat it can be a lot so jump in a taxi if you’re there during summer.

You can book a photographer too, to get that perfect Florence honeymoon shot.

Carved from a block of marble over 500 years ago, over 4000 people come to see it every day the Galleria dell’Accademia is open so booking head is essential. You can also see the replica at Piazza della Signoria (where it originally stood).

This gallery, though smaller than the Uffizi, has other sculptures by Michelangelo and late Renaissance art work.

You may think that boat tours are just the preserve of Venice, but you can also take a sunset cruise along the river in a barchetti, a sort of Florentine gondola.

There’s only a few left in the city so grab a glass of Tuscan wine and admire the views and stories from a unique perspective.

The highlight is the Palentina Gallery and if you want to get away from the crowds on your Florence honeymoon, take a stroll through Giardino di Boboli.

The Medici family established the layout of the gardens, creating the Italian garden style that would become a model for many European courts.

Originally, they were used by aristocratic families to sell wine directly from their vineyards to the public, bypassing taverns and middlemen.

This method of sale became particularly crucial during times of plague as it allowed for contactless transactions (and recent years have shown that never goes out of style!)

Bookmark this map so you can find the nearest wine hole in the wall!

If you have time you can even head out to a Tuscan farmhouse for a truly authentic Italian experience.

One of the world’s most famous landmarks, so a skip the line ticket is an absolute must. Don’t forget to join the crowds taking the shot of you holding up the tower! 

But, if you are short on time (let’s say having come from Cinque Terre or maybe you don’t/won’t drive in Italy), then a wine tour from Florence is an essential addition to your Florence honeymoon list.

The vineyards and wineries probably need no introduction but just so you know Chianti is a region that produces its famous wine and is spread across 3 Tuscan provinces, ​​Florence, Siena and Arezzo.

There are countless tours but here are our top picks:

This one visits Siena & San Gimignano (two highlights of Tuscany a little closer to Florence) 

This one goes from Montalcino to Montepulciano (and you get to visit the iconic Val D’Orcia)

This Vintage Sunset. Wine Tour is a really fun option

This half day tour is ideal if you’re short on time

Their picturesque settings against the backdrop of the Mediterranean are breathtaking, and while it’s a longer day trip, we think it’s totally worth it.

You can visit the Gucci Gardens home to Gucci Osteria, Museum, Bookshop and a limited-edition store and Museo Salvatore Ferragamo is a tiny haven for shoe lovers.

If your taste (or budget) is more modest, you can check out discounted prices at The Mall Firenze or Barberino Designer Outlet, around 30-45 minutes from the city and buses go regularly from Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station.

Italy is a great place to pick up leather goods and you’ll find shops dotted around the city. There are many jewellery stores that line the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

One of our top picks for shopping on your Florence honeymoon is AquaFlor Firenze where you can create your own scents, a truly unique, albeit spendy, souvenir.

Don’t miss Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Not a pharmacy but one of the most ancient shops in Florence selling all things fragrance.

There’s markets, too, like Mercato di Santo Spirito for picking up trinkets.

But without a doubt, Florence honeymoon shopping is about the food. You can pick up truffles, pastas, olive oil and of course, wine!

Visit Florence’s unique museums like Museo Galileo,  dedicated to astronomer Galileo Galilei, is housed in the 11th-century building, Palazzo Castellani, and is one of the world’s major collections of scientific instruments, including the original instruments of Galileo himself.

Museo Stibbert is another, home to an impressive collection of ancient armour. If you’re not maxed out on Renaissance art, then Museo di San Marco is a must. The Dominican Convent building is worth the visit alone.

For contemporary art lovers, Palazzo Strozzi often hosts cutting-edge exhibitions, blending the old with the new in a fascinating way. 

Cappelle Medicee aka The Medici Chapels are one of our top picks for couples planning a Florence honeymoon with more time. The lavish mausoleums including Michelangelo sculptures give you a peek into the wealth of Florence’s most influential family.

The best way to discover the best of Florence’s foodie scene is to start with a street food tour. Visit Mercato Centrale Firenze and get the insider track on everything you need to know! Try panino al lampredotto and seek out Pizza Romualdo Rizzuti.

For traditional Tuscan fare, Buca Mario, nestled in the historic Palazzo Niccolini, is a must. Buca Lapi is the place to try bistecca alla Fiorentina. La Bussola, famous for its pizzas, merges Tuscan and classic Italian dishes.

Le Cappelle Medicee, Cammillo Trattoria and Ristorante Brandolino are some gems to look up, too.

B.O.r.G.O. presents a modern twist on Florentine cuisine, with a menu rich in creativity and seasonal ingredients. L’Ortone, is a Bib Gourmand recommended bistro to add to your list.

One of our top picks is GustaPizza an absolute must. Expect a queue but it’s worth it (and they do take-away). We regularly dream about their pesto pizza!

For ice cream head straight for either Antica Gelateria Fiorentina or Vivoli (or both)

For an extraordinary dining experience, Enoteca Pinchiorri, a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant, and renowned as one of the best restaurants in the world.

Founded in 1733, Caffe Gilli is Florence’s oldest café with with wood-panelled walls and chandeliers, a must for history lovers.

Book on TheFork and get our discount!

Good To Know About Florence

Today, the city is renowned for its stunning architecture and priceless art, thrives as a modern metropolis. Florentines today are custodians of their rich heritage, balancing the preservation of their historical treasures with the dynamics of modern urban life.

Despite the influx of tourists, Florence retains its enchanting character. Its streets, lined with masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. This harmonious blend of historical magnificence and current-day Florentine culture makes a honeymoon in Florence an experience steeped in beauty and history.

• Weather: Summers in Florence can be intensely hot. Not exactly the kind of weather for romantic strolls around the streets of Firenze. Be cautious about what time of year will suit both your comfort and energy levels.
  
  
• Overtourism: The influx of visitors to Florence during the summer can lead to not just long lines, but also crowded attractions, particularly at famous sites like the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo. Try to book early slots on the skip the line tickets if you can (we promise it will be worth getting up early one or two mornings of your honeymoon to beat the crowds!)

Map of Florence

If you are planning a Florence honeymoon we’d love to hear from you. Let us know if this guide was useful or if we left out any essential information!

Check out more of our Ultimate Honeymoon Guides series. We’re always adding new guides and please contact us if there is somewhere you’d love to see on The Honeymoon Guide!

Happy Planning x