Comparison · Florence vs Venice · Italy
Florence vs Venice
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 Venice for Grand Canal, Gondolas and beaches. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 204 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 204 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Florence
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Venice
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Florence | Venice | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Known for | Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and Michelangelo's David | Grand Canal, Gondolas and St Mark's Basilica |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 11°C (52°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | Lido di Venezia |
| Airports | FLR, PSA, BLQ | VCE, TSF |
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 Venice for…
Grand Canal, Gondolas and beaches. Venice is built on more than a hundred small islands in a lagoon at the top of the Adriatic, laced with canals and linked by some 400 bridges. There are no cars: you walk through narrow calli and campi or ride the vaporetto water buses along the Grand Canal…
Top sights compared
| # | Florence | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence Cathedral (Duomo) | St Mark's Basilica |
| 2 | Uffizi Gallery | Doge's Palace |
| 3 | Galleria dell'Accademia | St Mark's Square |
| 4 | Ponte Vecchio | St Mark's Campanile |
| 5 | Piazzale Michelangelo | Rialto Bridge and Market |
Food compared
| Florence | Venice |
|---|---|
| Bistecca alla fiorentina | Cicchetti |
| Lampredotto | Sarde in saor |
| Ribollita | Baccalà mantecato |
| Schiacciata | Squid-ink pasta |
Which is cheaper?
Florence and Venice cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Florence and $200–$350 in Venice (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Florence on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Florence and Venice are about 204 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Florence and 3 in Venice.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Florence or Venice cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Florence and $200–$350 in Venice (estimates).
+Is Florence or Venice better for a first trip?
Pick Florence for Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome, or Venice for Grand Canal, Gondolas and beaches.
+How far is Florence from Venice?
About 204 km in a straight line.