The highlights of Florence

Florence from Corsica: the ferry as a gateway to Tuscany

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Florence (Firenze in Italian) is the capital of Tuscany and one of the richest cities in art and history in the world. Cradle of the Italian Renaissance, it attracts more than 10 million visitors every year. From Corsica, the easiest connection is via the Cors'Express ferry to Livorno: the Bastia-Livorno crossing takes about 4 hours, and from Livorno, Florence can be reached in 1.5 hours by train. You can also reach Florence from Genoa in about 2 hours by train.

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To get around Florence, walking and public transport are the best options — a car is not recommended in the historic center. THE Florence Official Tourism Office offers maps, guided tours and online tickets to help you organize your stay.

The highlights in Florence

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The Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo

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La Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is one of the largest art museums in the world, with masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Booking online is essential — queues can exceed 3 hours in high season. A 10-minute walk away, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and its Brunelleschi dome dominate the entire Florentine panorama.

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Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno

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Ponte Vecchio, with its jewelry shops balancing above the Arno River, is the most iconic image of Florence. Crossing the Arno, you enter Oltrarno, a more local and less touristy neighborhood, ideal for discovering Florentine crafts and authentic trattorias. Don't miss the attenuating Giardino di Boboli at Palazzo Pitti.

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The Accademia Gallery and Michelangelo's David

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La Accademia Gallery houses Michelangelo's famous David, an original 5.17-meter marble sculpture. Book online to avoid lines.

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Excursions from Florence

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Siena, Pisa and Chianti

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Florence is a great base for exploring Tuscany. Discover The highlights of Siena, 1.5 hours away by train. The Chianti region, between Florence and Siena, is ideal to explore by car. Also consult our guide to Pisa, accessible in 1 hour by train. For accommodation, compare on Booking.com Florence.

How to get from Livorno to Florence?

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Florence is the flagship destination of Tuscany, located about 100 km from the port of Livorno. After disembarking from Cors'Express, you have two options to reach the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.

Option 1: The train, direct line

It is the most popular solution for travelers, as it avoids the limited traffic zones (ZTLs) in central Florence.

• Logistics: A bus or a taxi will drop you off in 10 minutes at the station of Livorno Centrale.
• Journey: Direct regional trains run every hour to the station in Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN).
• Travel time: Environ 1:20.
• Advantages: You arrive directly in the heart of the city, just a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral.

Option 2: Rent a car and stay autonomous

Ideal if you are traveling in a group or if you want to discover the Tuscan countryside in passing.

• Logistics: Several rental companies are located around the port of Livorno for quick support.
• Itinerary: Take the free expressway SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno (Fi-Pi-Li) which connects the coastline directly to the Tuscan capital.
• Travel time: Environ 1:15 (depending on traffic).
• Advantages: The freedom to plan a stop in Pisa on the way back to your ferry.

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