Wheelchair Accessible Florence, Italy: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Back in 2021, I visited Italy for the first time. On that trip, I was able to explore Rome and Venice, both of which were incredible, but I ended that trip yearning to see more of the country. I swore to myself that I would return to Italy one day and it actually happened faster than I thought it would! As I started planning the 2025 Curb Free Group Trip, my friends at Wheel the World suggested Italy. Immediately, I was all in.
Over the course of eight days, our group (consisting of 4 power wheelchair users, four able-bodied companions, and tour guides) traversed Rome and a new-to-me city, Florence. I was so excited to visit Florence for the first time and my expectations were extremely high, but I really think that it managed to surpass them.
From eating delicious food (and tons of gelato!) to seeing iconic sights like the Duomo and the Statue of David, and even taking a day trip to Pisa and Lucca, I absolutely loved my time in Florence as a wheelchair user. Sure, the city is certainly bumpy with cobblestones in some areas, but I fully believe that it’s worth visiting and I would go over all of the bumps again for another trip to this stunning destination.
In this blog post, I’ll start by telling you about some of the best wheelchair accessible Florence attractions and restaurants. Then, I’ll tell you all about my day trip to Pisa and Lucca, and then I’ll end by letting you know about the great accessible hotel I stayed at in Florence. By the time you finish reading this blog post, you’ll be ready to plan your own accessible vacation to Florence!
Wheelchair Accessible Florence Italy Attractions & Things to Do
Our group was only in Florence for a few days, but we managed to pack a lot into that time. And honestly, one of the best things to do in Florence is just walk/roll around the city. It is such a small city that you can walk/roll pretty much anywhere, which I loved. But here are some of the best wheelchair accessible Florence attractions that you should be sure to check out –
Go inside the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (AKA the Duomo!)
Visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Duomo as it is better known, was such a cool experience. Undoubtedly, it is Florence’s most iconic landmark and as soon as I saw it, I completely understood why. From the outside, it is just unbelievably impressive with pink, white, and green marble. I could have just sat there for hours staring at it, but the best part was actually getting to go inside.
The Duomo is wheelchair accessible, which was a huge relief. They have a special entrance for wheelchair users on the right side of the building and I got to completely skip the massive line! It felt like I was getting a VIP pass. On top of that, it was totally free to get in, which was an awesome bonus. The staff were all so nice and helpful, making the whole entry process a total breeze.
Once you’re inside, you just can’t help but be in awe. The space is massive, with these huge ceilings that make you feel so tiny. Even though you can’t go up into the dome or the bell tower in a wheelchair, seeing the main part of the cathedral from the ground level is more than enough. The stained-glass windows are gorgeous, and it was an experience I won’t forget.
It’s amazing to think about the history behind the Duomo as well. Construction started way back in 1296, but they hit a huge snag because nobody knew how to build a dome that big without it collapsing. It was almost a century later, in the 1400s, that a guy named Filippo Brunelleschi came up with a groundbreaking design using a double shell. His dome was so revolutionary that it was the largest ever built at the time, and it’s still the biggest brick dome in the world. Knowing that made me appreciate the incredible vision and engineering that went into making this masterpiece.
Meet David in the Accademia Gallery
The Accademia Gallery in Florence was an absolute highlight of my trip. Everyone knows it’s the home of Michelangelo’s David, and seeing the statue in person was a total showstopper. The statue is so much bigger and more detailed than I ever imagined, and it’s incredible to be there and take in all the intricate details from every angle. It’s a completely different experience from just seeing pictures of it in a book or online.
What made the visit even better was how accessible the gallery was for my wheelchair. The entrance was easily wheelchair accessible with a ramp and I was able to get around all the different rooms inside without any issues. You can fully enjoy all of the exhibits here, but be prepared for lots of people, especially around David.
While David is the undisputed star, I was surprised by how much other cool stuff there was to see in the Accademia Gallery. The gallery has other Michelangelo sculptures that are fascinating, especially the unfinished “Prisoners” where you can really see the figures fighting to emerge from the marble.
The collection of other Renaissance art, from paintings to sculptures, was also amazing. The whole experience of being surrounded by so much history and art, all while having a smooth and easy visit, was just perfect.
Visit the Medici Chapel
Visiting the Medici Chapels was an incredible experience that really connected me to Florence’s powerful history. The opulence and scale of the place are mind blowing. Every room is filled with breathtaking art, and being able to move between these spaces so easily in my wheelchair made for a wonderful experience.
The accessibility here was top-notch. They have an entrance that’s perfect for wheelchair users, so getting in was easy. Once inside, there was a lift that made it simple to get from one floor to the next. The staff was incredibly helpful, guiding us to the lift and making sure we could access all the main rooms. It’s so great when historic sites make the effort to be inclusive.
Thinking about the history made the visit even more meaningful. The chapels were built as the final resting place for the powerful Medici family, who basically ran Florence for centuries. The project started in the 16th century with Michelangelo, who designed the New Sacristy.
The larger, jaw-dropping Chapel of the Princes was built later to showcase the family’s immense wealth and power. It’s a real testament to their influence and a fascinating look into the lives of one of history’s most important dynasties.
The Medici Chapels are one of Florence’s most underrated attractions, but in my opinion, this place is a must-visit. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also very wheelchair accessible, so it should certainly be added to your itinerary of things to do in Florence.
Take in the views from Piazzale Michelangelo
Florence has beauty everywhere you look, but for the best views of the city, head to Piazzale Michelangelo. You can see all the major landmarks, like the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, from this perfect vantage point. It’s one of those spots where you just have to stop and take it all in.
Piazzale Michelangelo is completely wheelchair accessible as well. The piazza itself has wide, smooth pavement, making it easy to roll around and find a great spot to enjoy the view. The square is up a pretty big hill though, so you will need to get there by taxi or an accessible bus. I booked an accessible bus with the company Disabled Accessible Travel and they took us here during our day trip to Pisa and Lucca. It’s so worth the trip to see the city in all its glory.
Beyond the incredible view, the square also has a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. The whole piazza is a beautiful spot to relax, take photos, and just soak in the atmosphere of Florence from above. It’s a must-do for anyone visiting the city, and it’s great that everyone can enjoy it.
Try a variety of foods (and shop) at the San Lorenzo Market
I always love visiting local markets when I travel and the San Lorenzo Market was a definite highlight of my trip to Florence. It’s a two-part experience with a lively outdoor street market and an incredible indoor food market and food hall.
The outdoor market is a bustling maze of vendors selling everything from leather goods to souvenirs. It’s so much fun to just roll along, soak up the energy, and see what you can find. It really gives you a feel for the city’s lively atmosphere.
What’s great is how accessible the market is for wheelchair users. To get into the main indoor hall, there’s a convenient ramp right at the entrance, which made it easy to get inside.
On the lower level inside, it’s a feast for the senses! This is where you’ll find all the traditional market stalls. Vendors are selling fresh meats, beautiful cheeses, colorful produce, and so much more. It’s a fantastic place to see locals doing their shopping and to truly experience the daily life of the city.
The highlight of my time inside was a food tasting organized by Wheel the World. We got to try a wonderful variety of Tuscan specialties, and it was delicious. I especially fell in love with the truffle olive oil and an amazing pistachio cream. They were so good that I just had to buy some to bring back home with me!
There’s also a handy elevator that takes you right up to the second floor. That’s where the amazing food hall is, filled with different stalls offering everything from fresh pasta and pizza to gelato. It was a foodie’s dream and a perfect spot to grab a bite and people-watch.
Dine in delicious accessible restaurants
Of the destinations I’ve visited in Italy so far, Florence is my favorite for food! Every single thing that I ate in Florence was absolutely delicious, so here are some wheelchair accessible Florence restaurants I’d highly recommend –
Ristorante Il Paiolo – By far, this was my favorite meal in Florence and I still think about it daily. Il Paiolo had a step to enter at the main entrance, but when the staff member saw me, he said they had a side entrance that would be accessible with their portable ramp. It worked perfectly and I was able to enter within just a couple minutes. The dining room was beautiful and to start, we had bruschetta with fresh tomatoes. For my entree, I had potato ravioli with fresh truffle in a cream sauce. It was probably the best pasta of my life, no exaggeration. If you’ll be in Florence, do yourself a favor and eat at Ristorante Il Paiolo.
Giglio Rosso Ristorante – One night, we were trying to find an accessible restaurant and stumbled into this place by accident, but I’m so glad we did. It was easily wheelchair accessible with a smooth entrance and from where our accessible table was, I could see the kitchen as they cooked our food. I had lasagna, which was homemade and perfectly cooked. I have eaten a lot of lasagnas in my day and this one was just absolutely delicious! It was everything I wanted it to be, and I cannot recommend Giglio Rosso Ristorante enough!
Obicà Mozzarella Bar – For our last night in Florence, our entire group decided to have a farewell dinner together at Obicà Mozzarella Bar. The restaurant was easily wheelchair accessible and the design was beautiful. Here, they have the freshest mozzarella, plus a plethora of other options on their menu. I enjoyed the “burrata e pomodorini” pizza and it was delicious. It was quite different from most other pizzas that I had in Italy, but I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend dining at Obicà Mozzarella Bar in Florence.
All’Antico Vinaio – This sandwich shop is considered the “home of the world’s best sandwiches” and after trying it out, I can totally understand the appeal. The shop isn’t wheelchair accessible, as it has a step to enter, but wheelchair users can skip the long line and order at the side door. It was easy, and I actually told the worker to surprise me and just give me whatever his favorite sandwich was. Honestly, I’m not sure what kind of meat was in it, but it was so good on the freshly baked Tuscan schiacciata bread. If you’re looking for a quick meal on-the-go, you can’t go wrong with a sandwich from All’Antico Vinaio.
Watch my short video below about my time in Florence, Italy!
An Accessible Day Trip to Pisa and Lucca
Our day trip to Pisa and Lucca was an incredible experience, and it was made possible thanks to the fantastic folks at Disabled Accessible Travel. They arranged everything for us, including a wheelchair accessible van with a ramp and tie-downs to secure my chair. It was so reassuring to know that the transportation was taken care of, making the hour and a half drive from Florence to Pisa a breeze.
Arriving in Pisa, the iconic Leaning Tower was the first thing that caught our eyes. We spent a good chunk of time just taking it all in and, of course, getting all the classic tourist photos. It was a blast trying to get the angles just right. The area around the tower was buzzing with energy, filled with plenty of souvenir shops and little eateries. It was the perfect spot for some fun photos and to soak up the lively atmosphere for about 45 minutes.
After all that excitement in Pisa, it was time for a change of scenery. The drive to Lucca was a quick one, only about 15 minutes away, which was really nice. Our first stop was lunch at a wonderful restaurant called Buca di Sant’Antonio. We were so happy to find that it was completely wheelchair accessible, which made getting in and settled super easy.
The food at Buca di Sant’Antonio was absolutely terrific. I had some great pasta there, and their homemade bread with olive oil was amazing. The restaurant had such a great atmosphere, and it was the perfect place to relax and cool off after being out in the heat in Pisa. It felt great to escape the sun for a little while and enjoy a delicious meal.
After lunch, we spent a couple of hours exploring Lucca by walking/rolling around. The city is famous for its charming streets, and while many of them are cobblestone, I found it to be pretty manageable in my power wheelchair.
We did some shopping and exploring, and even though many of the shops had a step to get inside, I was still able to find some great accessible shops and cafes to check out. I loved the more relaxed, intimate feel of Lucca compared to the bustling crowds of Pisa.
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As we headed back to Florence, our driver took us on a scenic route through some beautiful areas, and we were able to see some stunning Tuscan vineyards. The rolling hills and picturesque landscape were a perfect ending to our day trip. The views were simply breathtaking and a great final memory before arriving back at our wheelchair accessible Florence hotel.
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Where to Stay: Hotel degli Orafi
Staying at the Hotel degli Orafi in Florence was a real treat, and I couldn’t have picked a better place! The location was just fantastic. It’s right in the heart of the city, which meant we could get to all of Florence’s best sights with just a short walk/roll. Being so close to everything made exploring the city so much easier and more enjoyable.
My wheelchair accessible room was perfect. It was spacious and comfortable, with two single beds that were 24 inches tall. There was also plenty of clearance underneath the beds for a hoyer lift. The room was a great home base for our adventures, and it was so nice to know we had a comfortable and accessible space to come back to.
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The bathroom was also really well thought out. It had a pull-under sink, which is a huge plus, and a roll-in shower. The shower did have a small lip to enter, but my shower wheelchair handled it pretty easily, so it wasn’t a big deal at all. It’s always a relief when you get a hotel room where the accessibility features actually work the way they’re supposed to.
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All in all, my experience at Hotel degli Orafi was wonderful. The convenience of the location combined with the truly accessible room and bathroom made our time in Florence so relaxing. If I ever find myself back in this beautiful city, I would absolutely love to stay here again. If you’d like to learn more about Hotel degli Orafi or book a stay of your own, just click here.
Florence is a city that manages to be both a living museum of incredible art and history, and a modern destination with amazing food and a welcoming atmosphere. My high expectations were not only met, but they were surpassed in every way. From visiting iconic landmarks to hidden gems, it was an unforgettable adventure and I’m already looking forward to my next trip back! If you have ever had a desire to visit wheelchair accessible Florence, I would highly recommend making a plan to experience this incredible city for yourself.
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