Empoli (Italian pronunciation: [ˈempoli]) is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany, Italy, about 30 km (20 miles) southwest of Florence, to the south of the Arno in a plain formed by the river.

Archaeological finds have revealed that Empoli was already settled in the early Roman Empire times, and continued to exist until the 4th century AD.

The river acted as a communication way for the trade of agricultural products, together with the local amphorae.

In the Tabula Peutingeriana of the 4th century Empoli is called in portu ("in the port") as a river port on the Roman road Via Quinctia, which led from Fiesole and Florence to Pisa.

In 1260, after the Battle of Montaperti, Empoli was the seat of a famous council in which Farinata degli Uberti opposed the destruction of Florence.