Both are among the 10 most beautiful cities in Italy , but they are completely different destinations.
Florence or Venice, a complicated analysis.
As in any comparison, it was necessary to generalize. For example, when talking about art: Venice has great museums, but they cannot be compared in grandeur and collection to the museums in Florence. The same goes for gastronomy, which despite being extremely rich in both cities, is especially unmissable in Florence. The subject of beauty is also controversial: I myself consider Venice much more beautiful than Florence. In many situations, the opinion will inevitably be personal. So take the information and choose according to your priorities.
Distances and ease of arrival
Florence is 280 km from Rome . Trenitalia’s Freciarossa train is the fastest, making the stretch in just 1h36. Florence has its own airport and is also close to Pizza Airport, which receives flights from cheap airlines such as Ryanair.
Venice is 530 km from Rome. The fastest train travels in 4 hours. Venice has its own airport, Marco Polo (VCE), and cheaper flights arrive at Treviso Airport.
Point to Florence, as it is closer to Rome and better connected to high-speed trains.
attractions
Florence is the cradle of the renaissance and birthplace of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli and Dante Alighieri, among other great painters, sculptors and writers. Its museums are among the most important in Europe, such as Palazzo Pitti, Galleria delle Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia, where David’s sculpture is on display. Other relevant sights are the Old Bridge and the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral.
With its navigable canals and monumental palaces, Venice has been attracting tourists since the 18th century. It also has important museums, such as the Ducal Palace, but its main attractions are open-air, such as the Rialto Bridge and the impressive architectural complex of Piazza San Marco.
Tie, because it depends on the preferences of each one.
Gastronomy
Florence is the best place to try typical dishes from the region, such as Bisteca Alla Fiorentina and Lampredotto. The city has great restaurants and pizzerias. Searching well, you can find good places outside the tourist circuit.
In Venice it is also possible to eat very well. Although it costs a little more. And it is also more likely to fall into traps. It was the only city in Italy where I ate a bad pizza and saw pigeons on the tables.
Point to Florence.
Accommodation
Florence has hotels in the most different standards. From 5-star hotels in historic palaces, like Palazzo Montebello , to budget hostels, like My Friends . In addition to a whole range of hotels in an intermediate standard.
Venice impresses in the luxury segment, in which hotels like the Baglioni Luna stand out . But if you want to spend little, you can end up staying in a joint. Searching now, I couldn’t find any decent hostel in Venice.
Beauty
As I said at the beginning, this is my personal opinion: Venice is much more beautiful than Florence.
The capital of Tuscany, with its Renaissance architecture and grandiose monuments, ranks among the most beautiful cities in Europe.
But competing with Venice is complicated: canals with gondolas passing by, charming bridges on every corner and the view of palaces always with a canal or the sea composing the scenery, make it unbeatable in this category.
- Point to Venice.
Prices
Hotels and restaurants of a similar standard are slightly cheaper in Florence. And as “Firenze” is a city on land, where cars and buses circulate, it is possible to get around more cheaply than in Venice, where a “boat-bus” ticket costs €7.50.
On the other hand, the same water bus in Venice is more than a simple transport, being more interesting than many tourist tours of “normal” cities. And walking around the city, admiring its canals and palaces, is more fun and surprising than any visit to a museum.
- Point to Venice.
Despite being a city with slightly higher prices, especially for accommodation, Venice cost me much less, as the best thing is to walk in the open air, unlike Florence, where visits to the very expensive museums are, in the opinion of many, essential.
After all, traveling to Florence or Venice
The ideal is to get to know both of them. And combining Florence and Venice in the same itinerary is simple, especially if you go by train or car from Rome, as Tuscany is halfway to Veneto. I also recommend including Bologna and Lucca on this trip.
If you only need to choose one:
- Choose Florence if you love paintings and sculptures, and are capable of spending hours in museums, including queuing for them. The gastronomy and the fact that the city is a little less crowded with people and pigeons also weigh in favor.
- But if you prefer to discover a destination unlike anything you’ve ever seen, choose Venice . In addition to being beautiful and romantic, Venice is in serious danger of disappearing. So, enjoy it while it lasts.
Rational x Emotional
If you analyze item by item, Florence comes out ahead. After all, in the capital of Tuscany you eat better, drink better, the museums are renowned and the city, despite being crowded with tourists, is still inhabited and retains a little of its essence. Finally, it is a cheaper destination and closer to Rome.
But Venice, even dominated by mass tourism and doves, remains one of the most impressive cities in the world. With its canals, gondola rides and postcard views down every street, Venice is, in my opinion, far more unforgettable than Florence.