In April 2024 my sister and I, both in our 70’s and not as good at distance walking as we used to be, will be arriving at the Santa Maria Novella station from our cruise ship in Livorno for several hours of independent exploration in Florence. We have both been to Florence a few times before and this is the first time as cruise ship day trippers. On this short visit we’d like to make our way to Piazzale Michelangelo and St. Miniato Church. Would a taxi be our best option? I understand the bus can be slow and the walk sounds interesting but rather daunting. Then coming back if we were to take Bus #12 where would be a good hopping off stop to allow us to stroll past Duomo and other landmarks on way back to train station?
Posted by
112 posts
With your limited time, I'd absolutely taxi (also note that Florence can be rainy in April, so that might make the decision for you). The walk would take you at least 45 minutes and it's a rather steep climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo. I've never used the bus system in Florence, so I can't help with that piece.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8124 posts
A taxi would be more direct, and faster. Usually I like to know what the ride "should" cost before hopping in, but if you ask, and it sounds reasonable, go for it.
Buses look to take 20 to 40 minutes to get there, most require changes. Google maps show a number of options. Probably a solution using bus 12 or 13 would be best, as you get dropped off at the top of the hill the plaza is on
For the Duomo, any of the buses stay well out of the city center, the least walking might be heading back to SMN train station and walking from there.
If you can manage walking down the hill from Piazza Michelangelo to the river, there are some buses that run along the river, you could get off at Ponte Vecchio and walk by the Duomo on the way back to the train station, a bit of a walk, but you will wander past the best of Florence and it would all be level ground.
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3102 posts
We did the walk last Sept. The hill is very steep. if you are walk-challenged, I'd taxi. Note that we are 70 and 74.
Since it is now 4 months from April 2024, you could begin walking 5000-7500 steps/day to enjoy your trip. That was our prep.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6587 posts
Ditto what Paul said. We walked from the Uffizi to Piazzale Michaelangelo, and from there up to San miniato. It was a very pleasant walk, but from the river on, it is uphill. I won't say I was significantly challenged, but I was breathing a little heavily. For the sake of time, I'd catch a taxi. Check the times for St. Miniato for vespers.
IMO, for the way back toward the Duomo, I'd walk it unless you have knee issues. It's downhill and fairly quick. I think it would take more time with the bus unless you happened to time it exactly right.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5494 posts
Also note that San Miniato is up a steep hill from P. Michaelangelo, so it might be a good idea to have the taxi take you there first, and then you can walk down hill to the piazzale. Unfortunately, since you have that train ride back before the ship sails, i don't think you'll be able to experience vesper.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
If you have limited time take a taxi. It won't cost more than 15-20 euro and you'll be there in 10 min.
The bus (no. 12 or 13) is an option for less than 2 euro per person, but it will take you 30 min.
The walk is way too long and uphill too.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1722 posts
The website for Florence bus lines is https://www.at-bus.it/en/travel/lines-and-timetables/firenze
At present, both line #12 leaves from Rotonda Barbetti (the circular building near the wider end of the triangular piazza/road named "Il Prato") and #13 from the T1 tram stop at Porta a Prato, so you have to add some time walking and/or changing lines; but this may change in the future (for example, both lines could leave from Rotonda Barbetti; at present a bridge closure prevents #13 to reach that place).
Riding a taxi should be easier, unless big traffic makes difficult to find one. In this case board a T1 tram at Via Alamanni (direction Villa Costanza) and get out at the next stop, Porta a Prato; the #13 bus leaves in front of the huge carpet shop named "Sherazade" (you could not miss it).