Street Numbering

In Florence, street numbering follows a unique system, particularly in the city center. The city uses a double numbering system: shops and businesses are marked with an ‘r’ after the number (e.g., 16r). The ‘r’ stands for ‘red’ and indicates a commercial property. Private residences are numbered in black (e.g., 16). This system may cause confusion, as two places could share the same number but be far apart. Although this practice has been phased out in newer buildings, it still applies to the older streets.

Opening and Closing Times

Churches: Most churches open early in the morning and close for a break around noon (12:00–12:30). They reopen in the afternoon and close by 7:00 PM or later.

Museums: Opening times vary and change with the seasons, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule before your visit.

Shops: Most shops open from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and then again from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. However, times may vary depending on the season and the type of shop.

Banks: typical banking hours are:

Morning: 9:00 AM – 1:15 PM
Afternoon: 2:30 PM (or 2:45 PM) – 3:30 PM (or 3:45 PM)

Some banks open on Saturday mornings. Currency exchange services are available in the city center, but make sure to ask about commissions before exchanging cash or cheques. Many restaurants and shops also accept credit cards.

Post offices: are generally open Monday to Saturday from 8:15 AM to 1:30 PM. However, a few locations, including the main post office at Via Pelliceria 3 and the one at Via Pietrapiana 53, stay open all day (8:15 AM – 6:00 PM).

Personal Security

Florence is generally a safe city, but taking a few simple precautions will help ensure your safety:

Avoid carrying large sums of money.

• Don’t bring all your credit cards at once or store them with your passport, cash, and other valuables.
• Use a secure bag that closes properly and don’t leave your wallet exposed.
• Never leave valuables like phones, iPods, or cameras unattended in public.
• Stay aware of your surroundings, and consider leaving expensive jewelry at home when out and about.

📞 Useful Numbers & Emergencies in Florence

• General emergency / Police: 113

• Carabinieri: 112

• Fire brigade: 115

• Medical emergency / Ambulance: 118

• Roadside assistance (ACI): 116

• Local police (municipal police): 055 328 333

• Questura (Police HQ): 055 49771

• Prefecture: 055 27831

Note: In many areas of Italy, the European emergency number 112 acts as a unified emergency line. Other numbers (113, 115, 118) still work, but 112 is always a safe option.

🚓 Reporting thefts or lost items 

If you need to report a theft or loss and don’t speak Italian, you can find assistance at:

Commissariato di Polizia S. Giovanni

Address: Via Pietrapiana 50r
Phone: 055 203 911

Questura (Police Headquarters)

Address: Via Zara 2
Phone: 055 497 71

Carabinieri – Provincial Command

Address: Borgo Ognissanti 48
Phone: 055 248 11

🏥 Hospitals & Emergency Rooms

Careggi University Hospital

Address: Viale Morgagni 85
Phone: 055 427 7111

Santa Maria Nuova Hospital

Address: Piazza S. Maria Nuova 1
Phone: 055 275 81

CTO – Orthopedic Trauma Center

Address: Largo Palagi 1
Phone: 055 427 7111

IOT – Tuscany Orthopedic Institute

Address: Viale Michelangelo 41
Phone: 055 657 71

Meyer Children’s Hospital

Address: Via L. Giordano 13
Phone: 055 566 21

S. Giovanni di Dio Hospital (Torregalli)

Address: Via Torregalli 3
Phone: 055 719 21

S. Maria Annunziata Hospital (Ponte a Niccheri)

Address: Via dell’Antella 58 – Bagno a Ripoli
Phone: 055 249 61

👩‍⚕️ Medical Services

Misericordia di Firenze (Medical Assistance)

Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 2pm–6pm (March–October)
Service: Fee-based (€23.50)
Address: Vicolo degli Adimari 1 (near Piazza Duomo)
Phone: 055 212 221

24-Hour Medical Service

Languages: English, German, French
Opening hours (clinic): Monday–Friday, 11–12 and 17–18
Service: Fee-based
Address: Via Lorenzo il Magnifico 59
Phone: 055 475 411
Fax: 055 474 983
Email: medserv@tin.it

💊 Pharmacies 

Farmacia Comunale 13

(open 24 hours)
Location: Inside Santa Maria Novella Train Station
Phone: 055 289 435

Farmacia Molteni

(open 24 hours)
Address: Via Calzaiuoli 7r
Phone: 055 289 490

Farmacia All’Insegna del Moro

(open 24 hours)
Address: Piazza S. Giovanni 20r
Phone: 055 211 343

Farmacia Paglicci

(open 8pm–9am)
Address: Via della Scala 61
Phone: 055 215 612

Farmacia di Rifredi

(open 8pm–9am)
Address: Piazza Dalmazia 24r
Phone: 055 422 0422

🧾 Other Useful Contacts

Lost & Found Office

Address: Via Circondaria 17b
Phone: 055 328 3942 / 055 328 3943

Vehicle Removal Service (towed cars)

Open 24/7 — accepts cash, ATM, credit cards
Locations: Via dell’Arcovata 6 / Via Circondaria 19 / Viadotto all’Indiano
Phone: 055 783 882

ℹ️ Tourist Information Offices in Florence — Updated 2025

Main Info-Point — Via Cavour 1R

• Address: Via Cavour 1 R, Florence

• Phone: 055 290832

• Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 09:00–19:00, Sunday & holidays 09:00–14:00

• Services: maps, brochures, transport info, museums, events, and multilingual tourist assistance

Info-Point — Florence Airport “Amerigo Vespucci” (Peretola)

• Phone: 055 315874

• Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 09:00–19:00, Sunday & holidays 09:00–14:00

• Ideal for arrivals by plane and quick tourist info

Info-Point — Florence Train Station (near Santa Maria Novella)

• Address: Piazza Stazione 5

• Phone / Contact Center: 055 000

• Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 09:00–19:00, Sunday & holidays 09:00–17:30

• Great for first-time visitors needing maps, tickets, or guidance

Other offices

• Smaller offices exist, for example at Via Manzoni 16 or Borgo Santa Croce 29R, useful for hotel info, local services, and provincial tourist information

How to Reach Florence
Florence is easily accessible from both Italy and Europe, whether you are traveling by plane, train, or car.

By Plane
Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport (also known as Peretola) is small but well-connected, with direct flights from major European cities. However, for more flight options, Pisa’s Galileo Galilei International Airport is a popular choice. It is only 80 minutes by car or train from Florence.

Airport Transfers
If you arrive at Florence Airport, the city center is just 15 minutes away by taxi. Alternatively, the SITA/ATAF “Vola in Bus” shuttle service connects the airport to Santa Maria Novella central station in about 20 minutes.

By Train
Florence is well-connected by train to the main cities of Italy. From Milan, high-speed trains take you to Florence in about 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the journey from Rome Termini takes just 1.5 hours. For train schedules, visit www.trenitalia.com
Once you arrive at Santa Maria Novella station, you can easily reach your accommodation by bus or taxi.

By Car
Florence is located along the A1 motorway, the main route connecting northern and southern Italy. From the north, take the Firenze Nord exit, and from the south, take the Firenze Sud exit. Both exits lead to the city center and Santa Maria Novella station.

⭐ If you are a non-EU citizen

Before coming to Italy, you’ll need health insurance that follows a few basic rules:

• It has to cover you for emergencies and urgent hospital care.

• It must be valid for your entire stay.

• It needs to include medical repatriation (meaning they can send you back home if something serious happens).

• It must be in English or translated into Italian, and sometimes it must be officially validated at the Italian Embassy/Consulate.

• It has to be valid in all Schengen countries, not just Italy.

In the past, there was a very cheap option through INA-Assitalia, but that policy is no longer available, so most people now use private international insurance or Italian public health coverage.

If you’re not sure what to choose, you can always ask Monnalisa for guidance — they know the most common and reliable options for students and visitors.

⭐ If you are an EU citizen

Before leaving your country, make sure you have one of these:

• EHIC (European Health Insurance Card):
  Perfect for stays up to one year. It covers any healthcare that becomes “necessary” during your stay.

• S1 form (previously E106):
  Needed if you’re planning to stay in Italy for more than a year. It lets you access the Italian public health system like a resident.

Just sort this out at your local health office before you travel, and you’ll be covered.

🏥 Medical Help in Florence — Easy Tips

• For small issues (cough, headache, allergies…), pharmacies are super helpful. Staff are trained and can tell you what’s best to take.

• If your country has a consulate in Florence, they can point you to doctors who speak your language.

• Tourist info points in the city usually have lists of multilingual doctors as well.

• And of course, Monnalisa can help you find reliable doctors, clinics, and health services if you need them.

If you already know you have specific medical needs, it’s a good idea to prepare any documents or prescriptions before leaving home.