Florence Solo Female Travel Guide
On
One Day in Florence Solo Female Travel Guide:
Oh, Florence. There’s just so much to love about you. Florence is a great place for solo female travel, it’s out-of-control beautiful, the food is amazing, the attractions are breathtaking, and the city is so compact you can walk everywhere and enjoy life on the streets as you go. I can’t wait to go back to Florence because one day was not nearly enough, but if one day is all you have then use this Florence Solo Female Travel Guide to enjoy your trip.
Planning on seeing more of Italy? Check out the Two Week Solo Travel Italy Itinerary for more information on where to go while in this beautiful country.
When To Go
May-September (High Season)
Daytime Temps: 74F-88F (23C-31C)
Nighttime Temps: 52F-63F (11C-17C)
**Disclaimer: This post contains an Amazon Affiliate/other affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you! **
What To Wear
Pack those cute summer dress, shorts, and breathable tops because you’ll be nice and warm while you explore Florence during the day. At night, the temperatures drop into chilly territory so be sure to have a light jacket on hand. The high season is a comfortable one temperature-wise, not crowd- or price-wise, but at least you’ll be warm!
For more on what to wear check out the Europe Solo Female Travel Packing List!
Accommodations
Hostels (High Season): Prices range from 21 Euro to 24 Euro per night.
**Note: These are the prices for hostels with a rating of 8.0 or higher on Hostelworld.com.**
Hotels (High Season): Prices for budget hotels range from 39 Euro to 43 Euro per night.
What To Spend
Daily Budget:
60 USD/ 80 AUD/ 80 CAD/ 50 EUR/ 40 GBP
*Assuming you’re on a backpacker’s budget. Making use of public transportation, staying in hostels or other budget accommodations and eating out about once a day. For the daily budgets of other destinations check out Round The World Trip Budget next.*
How To Get Around
By Walking
Florence is a walkable city which is one of the things I love about it. While I was in Florence I walked everywhere armed with only Google Maps and a scoop of gelato. The main city attractions like the Piazza del Duomo and Michelangelo’s David are only a six-minute walk from each other. I suggest saving your transport budget for another city and exploring Florence on foot.
But you should keep in mind that slab-paved streets are the norm in Florence and after a while, they can be tough to walk on. Make sure you have on comfortable, sturdy shoes to keep you and your feet happy.
By Bus
If you do opt to ride the bus then Florence’s ATAF buses will service your needs. The cost to ride the bus is 1.20€. A single ticket grants you the right to ride around for 90 mins without paying extra for transfers. If you’re going to be taking transportation a lot while in Florence then you can purchase one of their transport passes. A 24-hour pass costs 5€. A 3-Day pass cost 12€. A 7-Day pass costs 18€.
You can (and should) purchase bus tickets beforehand from newsstands or tabacchi (tobacconists). There are also ticket machines scattered about Florence where you can buy bus tickets that are automatically validated.
Riding with a validated ticket is very important because if you are caught with an unvalidated ticket you will be fined. You can validate your ticket as soon as you step on the bus by using the designated machines. You can also buy tickets from the bus driver but that will cost more at 2€, so it’s better to purchase them in advance.
What To Do In Florence
Piazza del Duomo
According to TripAdvisor, the Piazza del Duomo is the number one attraction in Florence and it’s no wonder why. The piazza is home to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Basilica is one of the largest cathedrals in the world and is an architectural and artistic masterpiece. It’s beautiful all on its own but what draws visitors from all over the world is the dome and the cupola.
The interior of the dome showcases Giorgio Vasari‘s frescoes, The Last Judgement. To see this riot of color, beauty, and culture, you gotta work for it. You have to climb over 46o steps to reach the dome’s interior and see The Last Judgement up close. But the good news is, after all that climbing, it’s only a bit more work to the cupola where you’ll be able to step out and see the most beautiful view of Florence.
Go Shopping
I loved going around the city and popping into different shops. Shopping for souvenirs and sweet treats is a great way to spend your day in Florence. There’s something appealing for everyone at every budget. Whether you’re looking for a new outfit, cruising for gelato or you just want a little memento of a perfect day. I was able to get my hands on all of that and more without breaking the bank. So do a little shopping while bopping around Florence.
Travel and Safety Tips
for Solo Travel in Florence
Taxis
Taxis in Florence are pretty expensive and aren’t really worth it unless you’re weighed down with heavy bags and don’t want to take them on the bus.
Pickpocketing
Pickpockets prey on unsuspecting tourists so you need to be aware. To protect your things, I suggest putting them in an anti-theft bag that will lock your zippers and prevent someone from slipping their hand in while you’re not looking.
Scams are another method of parting tourists from their money so you need to be careful of that too. If a random person approaches you on the street and tries to sell you something that is not only illegal but it may also be a ploy to get you to open up your bag so that they can snatch what’s inside.
Pedestrians Beware
Moped drivers sometimes take to riding on the sidewalk and you don’t want to be in their way when they do. Just be careful and alert while you’re out for a stroll.
For More Travel Safety Tips
Read Solo Travel Safety Tips and Solo Travel Safety Items next.
I hope my Florence Solo Female Travel Guide helps you make the most of your day in Florence. It’s such a beautiful city and is worth a visit even if you don’t have long to enjoy it.
Good luck and Happy Travels!