Etiquette in Florence

Church dress codes

Florence's major churches — the Duomo, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo — are active places of worship and enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered for both men and women, regardless of the weather. Staff at busier churches will turn away visitors in tank tops or short shorts; carrying a light scarf or shawl in summer avoids the problem entirely.

Dining customs

• Meal times run later than in many countries — lunch from around 12:30–2:30pm, dinner rarely starting before 7:30–8pm at a genuine local restaurant. Arriving at 6pm for dinner is a reliable way to end up somewhere geared entirely to tourists.
• Cappuccino is a morning drink. Ordering one after a meal, especially after dinner, is a minor but noticeable local giveaway — espresso or a digestivo is the norm post-meal.
• Bread on the table generally isn't free in the way it might be elsewhere — it's usually covered by the coperto (cover charge), not billed separately, but don't expect endless free refills either.
• Splitting the bill item-by-item is less common than simply dividing the total evenly among the table — worth clarifying with your group before ordering if it matters to you.

General courtesies

• A simple "buongiorno" (good morning/day) or "buonasera" (good evening) on entering a shop or restaurant is genuinely appreciated and costs nothing to learn.
• Keep voices down in churches even outside active services — many are still functioning places of worship, not just museums.
• Photography is often restricted in specific chapels or in front of particular artworks (flash photography especially) — signage is usually clear, and staff will say something if it's an issue.
• Florence has faced real strain from over-tourism in recent years; being mindful of blocking narrow streets for photos, and supporting smaller local businesses over the most obviously tourist-oriented options, goes some way toward being a considerate visitor.