💰 This page covers what you need on the ground: card acceptance by neighborhood, ATM locations, transport payments, and day trips. For the full breakdown of Italian banks, Euronet warnings, DCC scams, and tipping norms:
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Some. Florence has more cash situations than Rome or Milan because of its street markets and artisan culture. Most restaurants, museums, and shops accept cards, but the leather markets, street food carts, and smaller churches still run on cash. Budget €30–50 per day in small bills.
Where You Will Need Cash
San Lorenzo leather market: outdoor stalls are mostly cash-only. Bring €50–100 if you plan to buy leather goods. Sant'Ambrogio market: produce vendors and lunchtime trattorias prefer cash. Lampredotto carts and porchetta stands near Mercato Centrale. Churches: candles, donation boxes, and €2–3 entry at smaller churches. Tipping: must be left in cash (the coperto is not a tip). Tiny gelaterias with a €5–10 card minimum.
Where Cards Work Fine
Restaurants and trattorias in the Centro, Oltrarno, and Santa Croce. Museums (Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti Palace, Duomo complex). Shops and boutiques. Hotels. Buses and trams. Mercato Centrale upstairs food hall (fully card-friendly). Florence is compact enough to walk everywhere, so transport spending is minimal.
Paying by Card in Florence
Italian law requires all businesses to accept cards. In practice, most restaurants, museums, and shops accept Visa and Mastercard without issue. Contactless works at most modern terminals. Amex is accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants but rejected at many smaller trattorias.
Duomo & Piazza della Signoria
The heart of Florence around the cathedral, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi. Every restaurant, cafe, and museum accepts cards. The Uffizi, Accademia Gallery, and Duomo complex (Brunelleschi's Dome, Baptistery, Campanile) all accept cards and online pre-booking. Souvenir shops lining Via dei Calzaiuoli take cards.
Santa Maria Novella
The area around Florence's main train station. Hotels, restaurants, and shops on Via de' Tornabuoni (Florence's luxury shopping street, with Gucci, Ferragamo, and Prada) accept all major cards. The SMN Farmacia (one of the world's oldest pharmacies) takes cards. Restaurants near the station cater to travelers and accept cards universally.
Santa Croce
The neighborhood around the Basilica di Santa Croce. Restaurants along Via de' Benci and Piazza Santa Croce accept cards. The leather school inside the basilica (Scuola del Cuoio) accepts cards for purchases. The area has fewer tourist traps than the Duomo zone, with better-value restaurants that still take cards.
Oltrarno (Pitti Palace side)
Across the Arno from the historic center. Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens accept cards. The artisan workshops along Via Maggio and Borgo San Frediano increasingly accept cards, though a few traditional craftsmen still prefer cash. Restaurants in Santo Spirito square accept cards. This is where locals eat, so prices are lower.
San Lorenzo Market
Florence's famous outdoor leather market surrounding the Basilica di San Lorenzo. The outdoor stalls selling leather bags, belts, scarves, and souvenirs are predominantly cash-only. Cash also gives you bargaining power. Inside the Mercato Centrale (upstairs food hall), all vendors accept cards and contactless. The ground floor produce market is mostly cash.
Ponte Vecchio
The iconic bridge lined with jewelry shops. The established gold and silver shops on the bridge accept cards for purchases (these are not cheap souvenirs). Street vendors near the bridge approaches are cash-only. The views are free, and you do not need to buy anything to walk across.
Sant'Ambrogio Market
A local morning market east of Santa Croce, far less touristy than San Lorenzo. Produce vendors, butchers, and cheese sellers primarily accept cash. The small trattorias inside the market building are cash-preferred for lunch. This is a local market, not a tourist attraction, so come with euros in your pocket.
ATMs in Florence
For details on which Italian banks charge the lowest fees and how to avoid DCC, see the Italy guide. This section covers where to find ATMs in Florence.
Look for these logos on the street. These banks offer fair rates with no DCC tricks.
Intesa Sanpaolo
UniCredit
BNL
Postamat
Best ATM Locations by Area
Duomo area: Intesa Sanpaolo on Via de' Martelli, just north of the Duomo. UniCredit on Via dei Calzaiuoli. Both are inside bank vestibules. Avoid the standalone machines in souvenir shops along Via dei Calzaiuoli.
Santa Maria Novella / Station: Multiple bank ATMs inside and near the train station. Intesa Sanpaolo has a branch on Piazza della Stazione. Use these before heading out for the day.
Oltrarno: Intesa Sanpaolo on Via Guicciardini between Ponte Vecchio and Pitti Palace. UniCredit on Via Maggio. Fewer ATMs than the north side, so withdraw before crossing the river.
Santa Croce: UniCredit branch near Piazza Santa Croce. A quieter area with fewer tourists competing for the ATMs.
⚠ Euronet ATM Hotspots to Avoid
Euronet machines cluster around the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and along Via dei Calzaiuoli. They push Dynamic Currency Conversion and charge fees that Italian bank ATMs do not. Florence is compact enough that a bank branch ATM is always a short walk away. The Italy guide explains how DCC works and how to avoid it.
Paying for Buses, Trams & Taxis
ATAF City Buses
Florence's bus system is run by ATAF. Most visitors never need a bus because the historic center is entirely walkable (about 20 minutes from Santa Maria Novella station to Piazzale Michelangelo). A single ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 90 minutes. You can buy tickets at tabaccherie (tobacco shops), newsstands, or directly on the bus using contactless Visa or Mastercard. The T1 tram line to the airport also accepts contactless payments.
Taxis
Florence taxis are white and must be booked by phone, app, or picked up at a taxi stand (you cannot hail them on the street). The main number is 055 4242. All taxis are required to accept card payments. A ride from SMN station to Piazzale Michelangelo costs about €12–15. Fixed fares apply from Florence Airport (Peretola) to the city center (€22 flat rate, €25 on Sundays/holidays).
Airport Transfer
Florence Airport (Peretola/FLR) is only 5 km from the city center. The T2 tram connects the airport to the center in about 20 minutes and accepts contactless cards. A taxi costs €22 flat rate. If flying into Pisa Airport (PSA), the PisaMover shuttle + train to Florence SMN takes about 80 minutes total. Buy tickets online or at machines with a card.
Tipping in Florence
The Italy guide covers general Italian tipping norms. Here are the Florence-specific details.
Florence Tipping Specifics
Restaurants: The coperto (€1.50–3/person) is a cover charge, not a tip. Check for "servizio" (service charge). If not included, leaving €1–2 per person in cash on the table is kind but not expected.
Wine bars (enoteche): No tip expected for wine by the glass. If you have a full tasting experience, €5 is generous.
Tour guides: For Uffizi, Accademia, or Duomo tours, €5–10 per person for a private guide, €2–5 for group tours.
Cooking classes: Popular in Florence. A €5–10 tip for the instructor is appreciated for a half-day class.
Prices in Florence
Florence is slightly cheaper than Rome for dining but can be more expensive for accommodation, especially in high season (April to October). Prices drop noticeably in the Oltrarno and away from the Duomo.
| Item | Price (EUR) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso at the bar | €1–1.30 | $1.10–1.45 |
| Cappuccino | €1.50–2 | $1.65–2.20 |
| Pizza by the slice | €2–4 | $2.20–4.40 |
| Gelato (small cup, 2 flavors) | €2.50–4 | $2.75–4.40 |
| Lampredotto sandwich | €4–5 | $4.40–5.50 |
| Pasta at a trattoria | €10–16 | $11–17.60 |
| Bistecca alla fiorentina (per kg, feeds 2) | €45–60 | $49.50–66 |
| Dinner with wine (per person) | €35–55 | $38.50–60.50 |
| Glass of Chianti Classico | €6–12 | $6.60–13 |
| Bus / tram ticket | €1.50 | $1.65 |
| Taxi to airport | €22 | $24 |
| Uffizi Gallery | €20 | $22 |
| Accademia Gallery | €16 | $17.60 |
| Duomo dome climb (combined) | €30 | $33 |
| Wine tasting in Chianti | €15–40 | $16.50–44 |
USD estimates based on approximately €1 = $1.10. Rates fluctuate. Stand at the bar for the local coffee price; sitting at a table costs 2–3x more near landmarks.
Day Trips from Florence
Chianti Wine Country
The rolling hills south of Florence, reachable by car or organized tour. Tour companies (Walks of Italy, Get Your Guide) charge your card online. At wineries, most accept cards for tastings and bottle purchases, but some small family estates prefer cash. Bring €30–50 as backup. Restaurants in Greve in Chianti and Castellina accept cards.
Siena
About 75 minutes by bus from Florence's SITA bus station (next to SMN train station). Buy tickets with a card at the station or on the Tiemme app. Siena's Piazza del Campo, the Duomo, and restaurants throughout the city accept cards. A card-friendly day trip with no cash surprises.
Pisa
A quick 50-minute train from Florence SMN. Buy your Trenitalia ticket with a contactless card at the station machines or online. The Leaning Tower, Baptistery, and Campo dei Miracoli ticket office accept cards. Restaurants near the tower accept cards but are tourist-priced. Walk a few blocks toward the Arno for better value.
Cinque Terre
Reachable by train in about 2.5 hours via La Spezia. Trenitalia tickets can be purchased by card. Inside Cinque Terre, the villages are small and mostly card-friendly at restaurants and shops. The Cinque Terre Card (for hiking trails and trains between villages) can be bought by card at La Spezia or Levanto stations. Bring €20–30 in cash for small beachside cafes.
Florence Quick Reference
A quick look at what to carry depending on your plans for the day.
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duomo / Uffizi area | ✅ Everywhere | Coins for churches | Book museums online |
| San Lorenzo leather market | ❌ Rarely | €50–100 for shopping | Cash helps with bargaining |
| Mercato Centrale (upstairs) | ✅ All vendors | Not needed | Great food hall, all cards |
| Oltrarno / Pitti Palace | ✅ Mostly | Small amounts for artisans | Some craftsmen prefer cash |
| Sant'Ambrogio market | ❌ Rarely | €20–30 | Local market, cash preferred |
| Chianti wine day trip | ✅ Most wineries | €30–50 backup | Small estates may prefer cash |
| Siena / Pisa day trip | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Trains accept contactless |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the San Lorenzo leather market cash only?
Mostly. The outdoor stalls around the Mercato Centrale are predominantly cash-only. Vendors selling leather bags, belts, and souvenirs expect euros. A few larger stalls have mobile card readers, but cash gives you bargaining leverage. Inside Mercato Centrale's upstairs food hall, all vendors accept cards.
Can I use a credit card at the Uffizi Gallery?
Yes. The Uffizi accepts cards for ticket purchases at the entrance. Pre-booking online with a credit card is strongly recommended to skip the line (the queue can be 2–3 hours in summer). The museum bookshop and cafe also accept cards. The same applies to the Accademia Gallery, Pitti Palace, and Boboli Gardens.
Do I need cash for gelato in Florence?
Most quality gelaterias now accept cards, including popular spots like Vivoli, Gelateria dei Neri, and La Sorbettiera. A few tiny artisan shops on side streets may have card minimums of €5–10. Gelato costs €2.50–4 for a small cup, so having a few coins avoids any awkwardness at places with minimums.
How do I pay for Florence city buses?
ATAF buses accept contactless Visa and Mastercard. Tap on the reader when boarding. You can also buy paper tickets at tabaccherie for €1.50. Florence is very walkable, and most visitors rarely need a bus within the historic center. The tram to the airport also accepts contactless.
Are there Euronet ATMs near the Duomo?
Yes, several Euronet machines cluster around the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio. They push Dynamic Currency Conversion and charge high fees. Walk a block to find an Intesa Sanpaolo or UniCredit branch ATM instead. The Italy guide has more detail on avoiding DCC.
Do I need cash for a day trip to Chianti wine country?
If booking an organized wine tour, the company charges your card online. At individual wineries, most accept cards for tastings and bottle purchases. However, some small family-run estates in rural Chianti prefer cash. Bring €30–50 as backup. Restaurants in Greve in Chianti and other towns accept cards.
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