When Americans plan their ultimate Italian getaway, Rome is almost always the default starting line. It is a cultural heavyweight, home to the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican. But with Italy currently seeing record-shattering tourism numbers, starting your trip in the capital also means bracing yourself for shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and exhausting, chaotic energy.
While Rome undeniably has the history, it isn’t always the city that steals travelers’ hearts.
Travel + Leisure released the results of their 2026 World’s Best Awards, and when the dust settled, Rome didn’t take the crown. The title of the best city in Europe went to the sun-drenched capital of Tuscany: Florence.
Here’s why hundreds of thousands of travelers are skipping the chaos of Rome to lose themselves in Italy’s most incredible city this year.
The Perfect Blend Of Culture And Quality Of Life
Florence—or Firenze as the locals call it—is widely known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, but its appeal goes way beyond just looking at old paintings.
Despite being a major global destination, it’s significantly smaller and more manageable than Rome. You don’t need to figure out a complicated subway system here; the entire historic center is a highly walkable, maze-like masterpiece of narrow cobblestone alleys and wide-open piazzas.
⚜️ Florence: Europe’s #1 City
Voted the best city in Europe for 2026, Florence is stealing travelers’ hearts over Rome. Here is why you should visit. Click to reveal.
The Pace: Unlike Rome’s overwhelming chaos, Florence offers a deliberate Tuscan pace. The compact, maze-like historic center means you never need a subway.
The Scene: Spend afternoons in the Oltrarno district watching independent artisans hand-bind books and craft leather just as they have for centuries.
The Duomo: The massive red dome of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore dominates the skyline, featuring an unforgettable green, pink, and white marble facade.
Ponte Vecchio: The medieval bridge spanning the Arno River is packed with jewelers and goldsmiths, making for an incredibly romantic sunset walk.
The Heavyweights: See Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo’s flawless 17-foot David at the Galleria dell’Accademia.
Editor’s Tip: Do not show up without a pre-booked ticket. Book timed-entry slots weeks in advance for the early morning to avoid hours-long standby lines and massive tour groups.
The Feast: A bistecca alla fiorentina—a thick-cut T-bone served rare over a wood fire—is a non-negotiable culinary event for meat eaters.
Wine Windows: Ring the bell at a 16th-century buchette del vino built into a historic palace wall to have a glass of Chianti passed right out to you on the sidewalk.
According to locals, it’s this compact size and high everyday quality of life that keeps travelers coming back. While Rome can feel like an overwhelming metropolis, Florence moves at a more deliberate Tuscan pace. You can spend your morning marveling at world-class art and your afternoon simply sitting at a cafe in the Oltrarno district, watching independent artisans hand-bind books and craft leather goods just as they have for centuries.
A Skyline Dominated By History
You can’t talk about Florence without talking about the Duomo.
The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore sits in the absolute center of the city, and its massive red dome—the Cupola del Brunelleschi—dominates the skyline. Standing in the Piazza del Duomo and looking up at the intricate green, pink, and white marble facade is a core travel memory you will never forget.
Just a short walk away, you will hit the Arno River, which is cut by the iconic Ponte Vecchio. This medieval, closed-spandrel arch bridge is famous for having shops built right along it. Today, it’s packed with jewelers and goldsmiths, and walking across it as the sun sets over the water is arguably the most romantic experience in Italy.
To be honest, this bridge was the entire reason I wanted to visit Florence in the first place, and it didn’t disappoint!
Unmatched Renaissance Art
If you want to see the works that literally changed the course of human history, Florence is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
- The Uffizi Gallery: This is the big one. It houses an unbelievable collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and works by Da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio.
- Galleria dell’Accademia: This gallery holds what is arguably the most famous sculpture on the planet—Michelangelo’s David. Seeing it in textbooks does absolutely no justice to the sheer scale and flawless detail of the 17-foot marble statue in person.
Tip From The Editor (me): Don’t even think about showing up to the Uffizi or the Accademia without a pre-booked ticket. The standby lines wrap around the buildings for hours. Book your timed-entry tickets online weeks in advance, and try to get the earliest morning slot available before the massive tour bus groups arrive.
The Ultimate Food & Wine Destination
Tuscany is legendary for its culinary scene, and Florence is the beating heart of it all.
If you are a meat eater, ordering a bistecca alla fiorentina is non-negotiable. It is a huge, thick-cut T-bone steak traditionally sourced from Chianina cattle, grilled over wood or charcoal, and served rare. It is an event just as much as it is a meal.
For something uniquely Florentine, keep your eyes peeled for the buchette del vino, or wine windows. These tiny, arched hatches are built directly into the stone walls of historic palaces across the city. Dating back to the 16th century, wealthy families used them to sell surplus wine directly to the working class without opening a storefront. Today, many have been reopened, allowing you to ring a small bell and have a glass of incredible Chianti passed right out to you on the sidewalk.
Between the walkable streets, the unbelievable art, and the world-class food, it is no wonder travelers have crowned Florence the king of Europe in 2026.
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