There is no doubt that Venice and Florence are two of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Deciding between Venice or Florence can be a daunting task. Here is the ultimate guide to whether you should visit Venice or Florence.
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Venice or Florence Overview
Venice
Venice is a city spread out over 118 small islands located in Northeast Italy. It is known all over the world for having picturesque canals and bridges. The city is often referred to as the “City of Water”, “City of Masks”, and “City of Bridges”. For centuries it has been seen as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In recent years, over 60,000 tourists visited the city every day making it extremely overcrowded. They now have restrictions on the number of cruise ships that can dock there.
Florence
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy. During medieval times, it was the center of trade and finance for all of Europe. The city is known for its spectacular architecture found throughout the city. Florence is referred to as the “Heart of the Renaissance” with Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Botticelli all calling it home for an amount of time. History in this city runs very deep. Today, Florence is known for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, its art, and also for being one of the fashion capitals of the world.
Places to See
Venice
St. Mark’s Square is one of the most famous squares in the world. This is a must for any trip to Venice.
Doge’s Palace is a Venitian Gothic palace that was the former residence of the Doge of Venice.
St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous of the churches in Venice. It is known for its beautiful gold mosaics.
The Grand Canal is the equivalent of the main road in Venice.
Murano is an island within the Venitian Lagoon that is just a short boat ride from the main island of Venice.
Florence
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. The exterior is made of white marble and it has the largest brick dome ever constructed.
Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence.
The Statue of David is held in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. It was one of Michelangelo’s greatest works. The museum draws over 2 million visitors a year.
Piazzale Michelangelo is a city square that offers one of the best panoramic views of Florence. image
Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge with shops built into it. It is one of the most iconic bridges in Europe.
Food
Venice
Being the “City of Water”, seafood has always been a staple in the diet of Venetians. Sarde in saor was a dish that was originally made to last long periods of time at the sea. Today, Sarde in saor is still a popular appetizer. Moleche is another popular dish here. Moleche are small crabs found that are usually deep-fried. Basically, when you visit Venice you should try to have some seafood! Baicoli are Italian biscuits that originated in Venice and are still eaten with a cup of coffee.
Florence
Bruschetta, also known as the original garlic bread, originated in Tuscany. It is often topped with tomatoes, meats, and cheeses. Bistecca alla Fiorentina is the T-bone of Tuscany. It is typically a thick cut of meat from a young steer. It is believed that the world-famous gelato originated in Florence. You need to find yourself some gelato when you are here.
Getting Around
Venice
Since the main island of Venice doesn’t have cars, you will probably be taking the Vaporetto boat. Vaporetto boats are larger passenger boats that travel down the Grand Canal and they will also take you to other islands within Venice like Murano, Lido, and Torcello. Most of the main island can easily be explored by foot.
Florence
The public transportation network in Florence is primarily dominated by a large network of buses. Most of the historic city center can easily be explored by walking. If you want to go to sights such as Piazzale Michelangiolo and Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte, you might want to hop on a bus to save yourself some time.
Nightlife
Venice
The main island of Venice is not known for being a great place for nightlife. There are quite a few bars but you also might want to find a restaurant and get some drinks there. If you want a better nightlife scene you might want to consider staying in Lido. Lido is just a boat ride away and it has a lot more options when it comes to bars and clubs.
Florence
Florence has quite a few universities and it is a major hub for students from all over the world which is part of the reason why the nightlife is so lively. Italians have late dinners so the absolute earliest you can expect the nightlife to start. There are many bars scattered throughout the city. If you want to dance or go clubbing, Space and Tenax are two of the most popular clubs in the city. YAB is another popular club here but make sure you dress up before going there or they won’t let you in.
Day Trips
Venice
Verona is only a little more than an hour away from Venice. If you have a day or two to spare, you should definitely make the trip to Verona.
Venice Lido is a 7-mile barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon. If you want to escape the city for a day on the beach, Venice Lido is a great option.
Vicenza is a city with rich history and culture, less than an hour from Venice.
Florence
Siena is just an hour south of Florence. The famous horse race, Palio di Siena, is held in the city square twice a year.
Pisa is just a little over an hour away from Florence. It is home to the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Volterra is a small town to the southwest of Florence. It is known for its beautiful setting and medieval architecture.
Florence is only three hours away from Rome so if you have to the time to do so, definitely take the time to explore Rome.
Overall
Venice and Florence are two of the most famous cities in all of Europe. Though both cities are in Italy, they offer very different experiences. You can explore Venice in 2-3 days but if you choose Florence, you might want 3-4 days. There is more to see and do in Florence. If you’re trying to decide between visiting Venice or Florence, you definitely have a tough choice ahead of you. You should definitely try to explore both cities if you can.