Is Florence Wheelchair Accessible? My Complete Travel Experience

Getting There and Where to Stay

The train ride from Rome to Florence is straightforward – just about an hour of smooth travel. I've got a complete guide on booking accessible Italian trains if you need the specifics, but the short version is that it's easier than you'd think.

Florence Santa Maria Novella Station

Florence's main train station is much larger than it appears from street level. There's an entire underground level with shops, restaurants, and services that I didn't even realize existed until we were walking through to leave! If you're staying at Hotel Baglioni like we did, there's actually a tunnel from the hotel's parking area that connects directly to the station without having to cross any roads – a hidden convenience that makes transfers incredibly easy.

The station itself is fully accessible with elevators, assistance services, and clear signage. Staff are available to help with boarding and platform access.

Hotel Baglioni

We stayed at Hotel Baglioni, which sits practically on top of the train station. You can see it the moment you walk outside. The hotel is gorgeous (wait until you see the rooftop dining area with stunning Florence views). Our room was definitely smaller than what we had in Rome, but we made it work. Keep in mind that they can only hold 2 people per room here. 

Accessibility

• Spacious bathroom with roll-in shower and grab bars
• Handheld shower head 
• Wide doorways throughout
• Staff automatically walked with us to elevators since buttons are mounted high
• Ramped front entrance with large sliding doors

Exploring the City

After arriving and settling in, Jordan and I decided to venture out  to explore. The sidewalk right next to our hotel was absolutely brutal. The rough, uneven stones forced me to creep along at a snail pace. I genuinely worried the entire city would be like this. Luckily, it wasn't. That spot turned out to be the worst terrain we encountered, which is kind of ironic. We also found alternate routes to avoid that area so we didn’t hit it much afterward.

Most of Florence is surprisingly manageable once you get past those initial rough patches. The cobblestones vary quite a bit – some areas are smooth and well-maintained, others require slower navigation. The big advantage is minimal car traffic in the historic center, so rolling in the street alongside pedestrians is completely normal.

The main area of Florence is fairly flat, but I spotted this uphill alleyway that looked super cute and happened to be the route to the botanical gardens I'd heard were beautiful. I convinced Jordan and JC to try it with me, but we quickly realized how bad of an idea this was. It was a steep grade, narrow, cobblestone road with a blind curve, and no shoulder.

A couple walking by even asked if we were okay because they looked genuinely worried about us. We turned around and made it back down safely, though honestly I probably would have kept going if Jordan and JC hadn't been the sensible ones.

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Major Attractions

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo)

The moment you turn a corner and see Florence's cathedral for the first time is pretty special. The Gothic and Renaissance details with pink, white, and green marble are so intricately crafted they look almost too perfect to be real.

We spent time in the surrounding plaza learning about Brunelleschi's dome, completed in 1436 and the largest in the world for centuries. Our tour guide mentioned that you can go inside and that it's wheelchair accessible with a special entrance on the side of the building, skip-the-line access, and free admission. However, she recommended against it, explaining that the interior is intentionally plain – the focus was meant to be on the altar and worship rather than ornate decoration. Given our limited time, we took her advice and admired the incredible exterior instead.

Galleria dell'Accademia (Michelangelo's David)

This was genuinely a highlight. David is much bigger and more detailed than you'd expect from photos, and seeing Michelangelo's other works, including several unfinished sculptures that show his creative process, was fascinating. Looking up at David, I kept thinking about how this same guy also painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling. It’s almost unfair that one guy got blessed with so much talent!

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible entrance via ramp at exit door on right side of building (main entrance has a step)
• Free admission for wheelchair users and one companion (must show disability documentation)
• All galleries and exhibition spaces fully accessible with lifts to upper floors
• Large accessible restroom (ask gift shop staff for the key)
• No steps encountered throughout visit

Pro Tip: Our tour guide mentioned that the museum is usually packed, but we got lucky with surprisingly light crowds. The priority access for wheelchair users definitely helps, but crowd levels can vary unpredictably.

Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels)

This chapel is the epitome of “if they wanted to, they would” in terms of accessibility. We had made it upstairs via elevator when we encountered another set of stairs. I figured we'd have to skip whatever was down there, but then a staff member pressed a button and this lift rose up out of the ground and extended over the stairs. I've never seen anything like it. It's proof that old buildings can be made accessible when there's actual commitment to doing it.

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Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Elevator to reach second floor
• Stair lift system
• Staff familiar with accessibility features and very helpful

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Learning about the Medici family's 300-year influence on Florence added context to everything else we saw. These banking dynasty members funded the Renaissance, supporting artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli. Their legacy is everywhere in Florence.

Ponte Vecchio

This medieval bridge is lined with tiny jewelry and gold shops, and it's definitely worth seeing. The bridge itself is accessible, but shopping is complicated. During busy periods, the sidewalks become impossibly crowded, forcing you into the street. I never found a good opportunity to browse the tiny shops, but the views and atmosphere are worth the visit. 

Piazza della Repubblica

This large, square offers a nice break from the narrow medieval streets and provides some of Florence's best people-watching. We spent time here watching the vintage carousel spin and listening to a street performer's live music, which added a lovely soundtrack to the evening. The piazza is surrounded by restaurants with outdoor seating, and you'll often find street vendors selling various goods.

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Food Scene and Dining

Florence has a solid food scene. It was here I learned what the three types of dining establishments meant:

• Ristorante: Formal restaurants with full service and higher prices
• Trattoria: Family-run establishments serving traditional regional cuisine
• Osteria: Casual wine bars serving simple, hearty food

Market Experience and Food Tour

Part of our itinerary included a guided food tour through the central market. We sampled aged cheeses, various cured meats, truffle products, olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and plenty of wine. I'm not usually a mushroom person, but the truffle samples weren't as overwhelming as I expected (though I managed to grab the piece of bread with the most truffle on it, naturally). I bought a 10-year-aged balsamic that I'm guarding like liquid gold. 

Accessibility

• Convenient ramp at main entrance to indoor hall
• Elevator to second floor food hall
• Wide aisles accommodate wheelchairs easily

Restaurant Recommendations

Ristorante Pizzeria La Piazzetta di Lorenzo

Jordan and I found this charming restaurant that sold me with their cute decor. It’s honestly not hard. I tried Gorgonzola pasta for the first time which was pretty good! Jordan ordered pizza that reminded him of his favorite from home, except it was apparently terrible and had pieces of hot dog on it. You win some, you lose some.

All'Antico Vinaio

This famous sandwich shop draws massive lines for their enormous, delicious sandwiches. There was definitely a crowd when we arrived, but the staff member saw us and told us to come around the side to order directly from him since the main entrance has a step. I ordered the Caprese and it was so fresh. The bread, called schiacciata, was crispy on the outside, but so soft on the inside. The sandwiches are huge and meant for street eating aka there are no tables or seating.

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‍Vineria del Re

Our family had dinner here one night. They have an outdoor patio in the Piazza della Repubblica, but there was a fairly steep ramp to get up. Jordan and I made it in with a push, but JC had quite a difficult time. We were about to call it and go somewhere else when the waiter also came over to help pull/push. Teamwork makes the dream work. I remember the food being good, but to be honest all I can remember is the best chocolate soufflé of my life. Look at all this chocolate!

Obicà Mozzarella Bar

On our final night in Florence, we had one last group dinner at the Mozzarella Bar. It was a cute, casual restaurant that specializes in buffalo mozzarella. We had plenty of room for all of us and enjoyed one last meal together before parting ways the next day.

Sweets

Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato

This massive chocolate and gelato shop feels like stepping into a candy wonderland. They have a chocolate wall flowing through their store. I definitely went overboard buying chocolates, but I couldn’t decide. I felt a bit like Miss Honey from Matilda with all her fancy treats. I also got some delicious gelato here that promptly melted all over me.

The place has a small step at the entrance, but a kind gentleman noticed me struggling and helped out. Turns out he'd stayed at the same hotel as us in Rome! Small world! Surprisingly that happened to us twice which is crazy to me. 

La Strega Nocciola Gelateria

I had my heart set on getting an affogato from Vivoli Gelateria, only to find out they were closed on our last day. I was so sad!! We found another recommended gelateria with a step, but the owner noticed my disappointment and came outside to take our order. Jordan and I enjoy gelato with the Duomo as our backdrop.

Wine Windows

Throughout the city, you'll spot historic "wine windows" – tiny openings where wine was once sold directly from buildings during plague times. We saw a few but never stopped for a taste, which I kind of regret now.

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Shopping in Florence

Florence is a shopper's paradise, famous for leather goods, art, handmade paper, and gourmet food items. The city offers everything from high-end boutiques to charming local artisans. Shopping accessibility in Florence's historic center is a mixed bag. Many traditional shops have small steps, but plenty of stores are level with the street. 

What Florence Is Known For

• ‍Leather goods: Florence has a centuries-old leather tradition, with everything from handbags to jackets available throughout the city.
• ‍Art and crafts: Local artisans create everything from hand-painted ceramics to intricate mosaics.
• ‍Handmade paper: Traditional Florentine paper-making creates beautiful journals, stationery, and art supplies.
• ‍Gourmet foods: Take home aged balsamic vinegar, truffle products, premium olive oils, and local wines.

My Shopping Adventures

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Street vendors: I found a street vendor selling small pendants that were like miniature mosaics. They were all so beautiful and I wish I bought myself more! These were perfect for gifts. I was very happy that I found a piece of jewelry to come home with!

Il Papiro (Paper Store): This tiny shop specializes in handmade paper items, and I have to admit I have an obsession with journals (ask Jordan - he'll tell you I can never resist the stationery aisle at Target). Since I've been really into watercolor lately, I went in asking about watercolor paper or journals, thinking it would be such a fun travel memory. They had exactly what I wanted, and the store lady talked me into a little journal too. The shop was cramped but the woman was helpful navigating the tight space.

Subdued (Juniors Clothing): I bought a few cute summer shirts here, though apparently it's designed for super tiny people - the biggest size I could find was a 6, but that worked for me.

D.VERS@: We stumbled across this random shop with lots of locally made art of all varieties. If you want to find something truly unique, this is the place! We bought a Christmas ornament that I can't wait to put on our tree.

Pro Tip: Shopping in Florence is perfect for wandering and discovering. Don't plan specific stores - just stroll around and see what catches your eye. The best finds often happen by accident.

Final Thoughts

I had no expectations, but high hopes for Florence and she didn’t disappoint. I hope sharing my honest experience gives you a realistic picture of what to expect. If you're considering Florence as a wheelchair user, I'd say go for it. Just pack some patience for the cobblestones and maybe bring an extra suitcase for all the chocolate and souveniers you'll inevitably buy.

Planning your own Italian adventure? Check out my guides to booking accessible trains in Italy and wheelchair-accessible Rome for the complete picture. If you're interested in guided accessible tours, be sure to also check out Wheel the World.