11 Keys to Success for Wheelchair Accessible Travel to Florence
By John Sage
Handicapped Accessible Travel to Florence – To get the most out of your accessible trip to Florence, you’ll need to travel smart. Because Florence is covered with cobblestones and has hills on the south side of the city, you’ll need to make sure you use accessible routes to get between tourist sights. Florence has great accessible experiences to offer, and the Keys to Success below will help.
1. Florence with a View – When you see views of Florence in movies and TV shows, it’s almost always shot from Piazzale Michelangelo. John Sage’s overview video above was filmed at Piazza Michelangelo. The magnificent overlook is on the south side of the river on a hill, and disabled tourists will need to take a taxi or bus to reach it. Make sure you’re there an hour before sunset!
2. Santa Croce Church – While many tourists only visit the Duomo because it’s the most prominent and centrally located church in Florence, the most interesting Florence church interior is found in the Santa Croce church. It’s the burial place of the most famous of Florence’s historical figures and has a wheelchair entrance on the left (north) side of the building (shown in the photo on the right).
3. Florence Accessible Walking Tour – Florence is home to one of the top walking tours in all of Europe. The entire fascinating history of Florence can be told by visiting several buildings in the very center of Florence, and slight modifications to the route allow it to be step-free.
4. Accessible Travel to Florence and Beyond – Florence is the top city in Tuscany, but there is so much more to see. A side trip to Pisa, Siena, or one of the Tuscan wineries is a must-do event on your trip!
5. Dov’è un bagno handicappato? – Know where the accessible bathrooms are located in each neighborhood before you get there. You’ll be able to spend more time visiting tourist sites (and eating gelato!) instead of searching for a bathroom.
6. Buy something on Ponte Vecchio – Looking for an experience that you’ll always remember? Buy some jewelry on the wheelchair accessible Ponte Vecchio and you’ll forever have something to remind you of your amazing trip to Florence!
7. It would be a Pitti to miss the Palace – The Pitti Palace is located across the river from the other major tourist attractions, and it’s a shame that many Florence tourists miss it. It’s one of the most opulent palaces you’ll find in Italy, and it’s accessible by an elevator.
8. Be sure that you are staying in a truly accessible hotel – To make your trip as comfortable as possible, make sure that your Florence wheelchair accessible hotel room has all the accessibility features you need. You may want to also make sure that there is a step-free entrance that doesn’t require going through the trash room (which was the case at one of the hotels we visited).
9. Don’t overpay for a hotel – Some accessible hotels in Florence cost over 500 euro a night, but you can find several accessible hotel options that are under 150 euro per night.
10. Accessible Shopping – Florence has several areas for accessible shopping including a couple of outdoor markets. Be sure you build in time (and money) to pick up some Italian fashion.
11. Just in case – Know where the pharmacies and clinics are located, particularly near you hotel, before you get to Florence.
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Read about:
Florence Accessible Travel – main page
Pros and Cons of Florence Disabled Access
11 Florence Wheelchair Travel Tips
11 Keys to Success for Florence Disabled Travel
Accessible Guided Tours in Florence
Accessible Shore Excursions from Livorno & La Spezia
How to get from Livorno to Florence with a Disability
Tuscany Accessible Van Transfers
Florence Mobility Scooter Rentals
Best and Worst Aspects of Disabled Travel in Italy
Top 10 Experiences for Disabled Visitors to Italy
12 Wheelchair Travel Tips for Italy
Travel Insurance for Disabled Travelers
Florence Accessibility Guide by John Sage
Florence Trip Planning by Sage Traveling – Travel with Ease!
Contact our Florence accessible travel consultants