Comparison · Florence vs Milan · Italy
Florence vs Milan
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Florence for Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome; choose Milan for Duomo di Milano, The Last Supper and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 249 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 249 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Florence
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Milan
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Florence | Milan | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Known for | Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and Michelangelo's David | Duomo di Milano, The Last Supper and Fashion |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $180–$330 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 30°C (86°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 11°C (52°F) | January, 6°C (43°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | FLR, PSA, BLQ | MXP, LIN, BGY |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Florence for…
Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome. Florence fits the Duomo, the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David and the Ponte Vecchio into a historic centre you can cross on foot in about 25 minutes. Most visitors stay between Santa Maria Novella station and Santa Croce, with the Oltrarno across the Arno for…
Choose Milan for…
Duomo di Milano, The Last Supper and free sights. Italy's business and fashion capital is more about substance than postcard looks, but its centre holds some of the country's great sights: the Gothic Duomo with its walkable roof, the glass-domed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala opera house and…
Top sights compared
| # | Florence | Milan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence Cathedral (Duomo) | Duomo di Milano and its rooftop terraces |
| 2 | Uffizi Gallery | The Last Supper |
| 3 | Galleria dell'Accademia | Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II |
| 4 | Ponte Vecchio | Sforza Castle |
| 5 | Piazzale Michelangelo | Teatro alla Scala |
Food compared
| Florence | Milan |
|---|---|
| Bistecca alla fiorentina | Saffron risotto |
| Lampredotto | Breaded veal cutlet |
| Ribollita | Ossobuco |
| Schiacciata | Mondeghili |
Which is cheaper?
Florence and Milan cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Florence and $180–$330 in Milan (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Florence on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Florence and Milan are about 249 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Florence and 3 in Milan.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Florence or Milan cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Florence and $180–$330 in Milan (estimates).
+Is Florence or Milan better for a first trip?
Pick Florence for Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome, or Milan for Duomo di Milano, The Last Supper and free sights.
+How far is Florence from Milan?
About 249 km in a straight line.