Florence may be best known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, but for the devoted groundhopper, it’s also a hidden gem in the Italian football map.
Fiorentina’s passionate purple-clad fans bring energy to every match at the historic Stadio Artemio Franchi, but the real joy for a football lover comes in what lies beyond — a network of lower-league clubs scattered across Tuscany, where football is still fiercely local, raw, and proudly community-based.
From medieval hill towns to coastal ports, Tuscany offers an unforgettable mix of cultural depth and football soul.
You can sip Chianti in the countryside and then stand shoulder-to-shoulder with ultras in Pistoia or Arezzo, all within 90 minutes of Florence.
With convenient train links, scenic settings, and underrated football stories, Florence is an ideal base for a weekend groundhopping escape.
Groundhopping options from Florence
Serie A
- ACF Fiorentina (Stadio Artemio Franchi) – Grand old stadium with a passionate fan base and strong footballing tradition. Matches against Roma, Lazio, or Juventus offer an incredible atmosphere. (REMEMBER AT THE MOMENT THE STADIUM IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION SO THERE’S A REDUCED CAPACITY).
- Pisa SC – About 1 hour by train. Iconic leaning tower nearby, and a vibrant set of ultras at the Arena Garibaldi.
Serie B
- Spezia Calcio – 2 hrs west by train. Coastal club, recently relegated from Serie A but still popular.
- Modena – Just over 1.5 hrs by train. Well-supported and historic northern club.
- Carrarese – A coastal club with deep regional roots.
Serie C
- Arezzo – 1 hr by train. Great stadium, passionate fans, and charming medieval town.
- Lucchese – About 90 mins by train. Strong tradition and a great city wall to walk pre-match.
- Livorno – Who returned to Serie C last season – worth visiting this port city and for fish lovers you should try cacciucco.
- Grosseto – Around 2 hrs, southern Tuscany — passionate fans and a proud history.
Serie D
- Scandicci – Just outside Florence. Low-cost, local, and intimate.
- Pistoiese – 40 minutes from Florence; fiery support and classic Tuscan rivalry potential.
- Prato – Historic club rebuilding in the lower leagues.
- Sangiovannese (San Giovanni Valdarno) – Real Tuscan football atmosphere, around 1 hr by train.
Cultural things to do in and around Florence
Florence is an open-air museum — compact yet overflowing with art, history, and architecture.
Combine football with:
- The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) – Climb the dome for incredible city views.
- Uffizi Gallery – Botticelli, Michelangelo, and da Vinci all under one roof.
- Ponte Vecchio – Iconic bridge with historic shops and views over the Arno.
- Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens – Cross the river and explore Medici-era grandeur.
- Santa Croce & San Lorenzo – Beautiful churches with tombs of famous Florentines like Galileo and Michelangelo.
Day Trips from Florence:
- Siena – Gothic beauty and medieval charm (~1.5 hrs).
- San Gimignano – Towers and wine in the Tuscan hills.
- Lucca – Roman walls and relaxed charm, especially good if visiting Lucchese.
- Chianti Region – Wine tastings, vineyards, and traditional Tuscan cuisine.
What local food should you try?
Tuscany’s cuisine is rustic, rich in tradition, and best enjoyed slowly with a glass of red wine.
Must-eat dishes:
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina – Massive T-bone steak, rare, and chargrilled.
- Ribollita – Hearty bread and vegetable soup; perfect in colder months.
- Lampredotto – Traditional Florentine sandwich; found at street stalls.
- Pappardelle al cinghiale – Wide pasta with wild boar ragu.
- Cantucci with Vin Santo – Almond biscuits dipped in sweet wine to end your meal.
Where to Eat:
- Trattoria Mario – Packed and old-school; legendary bistecca.
- Zaza – Next to Trattoria Mario. Well worth visiting but make sure you sit inside and enjoy the cool interior.
- Antica Trattoria da Dito – A great place for steak and pasta.
- Da Nerbone (Mercato Centrale) – Famous for lampredotto.
- Tripperia Vegana TAN8 – One for the vegans .. award winning vegan lampredotto. You need to order in advance.
- Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori – Cozy, traditional, and beloved by locals.
Airports serving Florence and nearby alternatives
Florence Peretola Airport (FLR)
- Located in Peretola, just ~4 km from the city centre — the closest and most convenient option.
- Operated by Toscana Aeroporti; compact and easy to navigate.
Alternative airports within about 70–85 km (1–1.5 hrs by train)
- Pisa International Airport (PSA) — about 69 km, served by Ryanair and useful for budget fares.
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) — around 83 km, better choice for more frequent connections.
Airlines operating flights from the UK & Ireland
To Florence Peretola (FLR)
- British Airways (from London Heathrow, Gatwick, London City).
- Vueling Airlines (from London, usually via Barcelona connection).
- Swiss, Lufthansa, Air France, ITA Airways, KLM, Iberia, SAS, and Air Dolomiti all offer flights with one stop from Dublin to Florence through European hubs.
Getting to central Florence from the airport
- Tram Line T2 – Direct to Santa Maria Novella station in 15 minutes (€1.50).
- Taxi – Fixed fare of ~€22–€25 to city centre.
- Airport Bus – Less frequent now due to tram, but still an option (~€6–€8).
If you’re travelling from Bologna or Pisa then you get the monorail (Marconi Express and Pisa Mover respectively) to the main station then you can get the train to Florence. Alternatively there are options using the bus from both locations.
Conclusion: Why Florence is the thinking fan’s football escape
Florence may not be the first name that springs to mind when people talk about football pilgrimages, but for the curious and committed groundhopper, it’s one of Italy’s richest and most rewarding bases.
The blend of top-tier football, fiercely proud lower-league clubs, and world-class culture is unmatched.
You can stand in front of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus in the morning, sip a Chianti on a medieval piazza at lunch, and cheer on a fourth-tier Tuscan side by afternoon.
It’s football with soul, surrounded by cities that feel like living museums. Whether you’re chasing the Viola at the Franchi or chanting with diehards in Grosseto or Arezzo, Florence offers something truly special: a football weekend steeped in history, flavour, and authenticity.
