Florence Travel Guide

City Facts

Location

Tuscany, northwest Italy.

Time Zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs or three-pin plugs are in use.

Language

Phrases Yes - Si No - No Hello - Buon giorno / Buona sera (after 1500) Goodbye - Arrivederla (formal) / Arrivederci (informal) Please - Per favore Thank you - Grazie My name is … - Mi chiamo … How are you? - Come sta? I’m very well - Sto molto bene I feel ill - Non mi sento bene How much does it cost - Quanto costa? Do you speak english? - Parla inglese? I don’t understand - Non capisco Where is …? - Dov’è …? Entrance - Entrata Exit - Uscita Danger - Pericolo Open - Aperto Closed - Chiuso Toilets - Bagno / Servizio Doctor - Medico Hotel - Albergo Restaurant - Ristorante Beer - Birra Wine - Vino Menu - Menù Today - Oggi Tomorrow - Domanì Monday - Lunedì Tuesday - Martedì Wednesday - Mercoledì Thursday - Giovedì Friday - Venerdì Saturday - Sabato Sunday - Domenica One - Uno Two - Due Three - Tre Four - Quattro Five - Cinque Six - Sei Seven - Sette Eight - Otto Nine - Nove Ten - Dieci Twenty - Venti Thirty - Trenta Forty - Quaranta Fifty - Cinquanta Sixty - Sessanta Seventy - Settanta Eighty - Ottanta Ninety - Novanta One Hundred - Cento One Thousand - Mille

Cost of Living

Special Events

Florence Carnival
March/April
Lively pre-Lenten procession held during the week of Shrove Tuesday, which includes a street festival.
Central Florence
Website: www.invernoafirenze.it

Diladdarno
April/May
A three-week celebration featuring music, exhibitions and street festivals.
Altrarno
Website: www.diladdarno.it

Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart)
March/April
A colorful procession of ox and cart taking place on Easter Sunday, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display when the cart is exploded in Piazza del Duomo, lit by a mechanical dove.
Central Florence

Settimana dei Beni Culturali
April
State museums throw open their doors for free.
Citywide
Website: www.beniculturali.it

Festa del Grillo (Festival of the Cricket)
April/May
Bizarre ancient ritual on Ascension Day in which live crickets in hand-woven cages are given to loved ones.
Parco delle Cascine

Fabbrica Europa
May
Avant garde artists and performers create performances and artworks in a former station on the western edge of the historical center.
Stazione Leopolda
Website: www.ffeac.org

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Florence May Music)
April/July
Despite the name, this music festival lasts several months, and features international stars, including renowned orchestras, smaller groups and dance companies performing works by composers such as Wagner and Schubert.
Teatro Comunale & Teatro Goldoni
Website: www.maggiofiorentino.com

Fiesole Summer Festival
June/September
Dance, music and theater performances.
Fiesole Roman theater
Website: www.estatefiesolana.it

Calcio Storico (Football in Costume)
June
Mass football game in medieval dress, as part of celebrations for the city's patron saint, St John. It was cancelled in 2007 after excessive violence, but the celebrations resumed in 2008.
Piazza Santa Croce
Website: www.calciostorico.it

Festa di San Giovanni (St John's Day)
June
Another aspect of celebrations for the saint's day, involving a ceremonial procession from Palazzo Vecchio, while there are large fireworks displays at night.
Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo.
Central Florence

La Rificolona (Festival of the Lanterns)
September
A torchlight procession dating back to the days of religious pilgrimage to celebrate the Virgin's nativity, with children carrying lanterns all over the city.
Citywide.

Firenze Marathon (Florence Marathon)
November
Annual Florence marathon through the city center.
From Piazzale Michelangelo to Piazza San Croce
Website: www.firenzemarathon.it

Oleovagando (Olive Oil Festival)
November/December
Celebration of the new olive oil season with tours, tastings and openings of olive oil presses in and around Florence.
Various locations
Website: www.oleovagando.it