Prato is a town of 198,327 inhabitants in the province of Prato, in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of its province.
The municipality covers 97.59 km², with a density of 2,032 inhabitants per km².
The nearest airport is Florence (FLR), about 12 km away as the crow flies. Read our guide to the airport.
Things to see in Prato
Textiles and contemporary art
Prato, just north west of Florence, is the second city of Tuscany and one of the great textile centres of Europe, with a long tradition of recycled wool. Behind its medieval walls lies a rich and surprising historic centre.
What to see
The cathedral has a striped façade with Donatello's outdoor pulpit, where the Holy Girdle of the Virgin is shown, and inside Filippo Lippi's frescoes of Salome. The Castello dell'Imperatore, built by Frederick II, is unique in northern and central Italy. The Textile Museum, in a former factory, tells the story of the city's fabrics, and the Pecci Centre is one of Italy's main contemporary art museums. Santa Maria delle Carceri and the Palazzo Pretorio museum complete the visit.
Food
The cantucci, hard almond biscuits to dip in Vin Santo, mortadella di Prato, sedani ripieni, stuffed celery, and the pesche di Prato, sweet "peaches" filled with custard.
Around Prato
The Medici villa of Poggio a Caiano, a UNESCO site, Carmignano and its wine, the Bisenzio valley, Florence 20 minutes away by train and Pistoia. Florence airport is 20 minutes away.
Prato on the map
Nearby towns
Where to stay in and around Prato
Tours and activities nearby
Offers from GetYourGuide. Some links are affiliate links: if you book we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.