Florence - the Cradle of the Renaissance
Duomo di Firenze - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
For me Florence embodies perfectly the Dolce Vita with the smell of freshly brewed Espresso, strolling along winding streets with history around every corner and enjoying local food. Florence is more than a destination; from the astonishing dome of the cathedral to the timeless elegance of Michelangelo’s David, Florence offers a journey through the annals of art and human achievement. I invite you to join me as we explore Florence’s winding streets, discover its best-kept secrets, and savour the flavours of authentic Tuscan cuisine. No matter if you’re a seasoned traveller or it’s your first trip, come along as we unravel the magic of Florence, one piazza at a time.
Travelling to Florence
By far the best and easiest way to get to Florence is by train. The main train station is Santa Maria Novella to the north end of the historical city centre Centro Storico and walking distance to most of the central hotels. Florence has frequent trains from Rome, Milan and Venice. There are also some international and night trains.
If you’re not yet in Italy, there’s a good chance you will fly in. The airport Amerigo Vespucci Airport is fairly close to the city centre too and well connected by tram from the main train station. There are frequent domestic and international flights, including a good selection of intercontinental flights.
Another option to get to Florence is by car or long-distance bus. Especially if you’re planning to explore Tuscany then car might be a good option.
Statue of David in Piazza della Signoria
What to do
There’s no wonder that Florence is one of the most popular cities in Italy for tourist. It’s compact, but still offers so many interesting and awe-inspiring things to do and see.
Whether it’s your first time or you’re a retuning visitor you can’t and shouldn’t miss Piazza del Duomo. Make sure you set aside enough time to explore the Florence Cathedral (Duomo), Baptistery, and Giotto’s Campanile. Climb to the top of the dome for breathtaking city views. If you want to see the dome as well a good alternative is to get up Giotto's Bell Tower, it’s also a bit cheaper. Tickets are all now timed, so make sure to book them well in advance especially during summer months.
Walking south from the Duomo you’ll reach Piazza della Signoria. For me this is the true highlight of Florence’s old town. I can spend hours wandering through this historic square, home to the Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi, featuring famous sculptures. In front of the Palazzo you have not only a copy of David, but also the Neptune fountain and an impressive status of Hercules and Cacus by Baccio Bandinelli. Loggia dei Lanzi is a ceremonial building with wide arches and an open-air gallery of Renaissance sculptures from the 14th century.
As the cradle of the Renaissance, it shouldn’t be a surprise that you have some of the best old masters’ galleries in the world, especially the Uffizi Gallery and the infamous Galleria dell’Accademia with the original David from Michelangelo. The Uffizi was originally built to be the administrative offices of the Medici family and over time was used to display the art collection of the family. The most famous painting in the collection is the Birth of the Venus from Botticelli. As for the Duomo the tickets are timed, and you need to make reservations to visit the galleries. Book well in advance, the first two time slots come with a discount, just make sure you get up early as they’re between 8.am and 8.15am. Give yourself enough time, it took me 4 hours and I still had to skip some rooms.
Passing the Uffizi and walking down to the Arno River you have a great view on Ponte Vecchio. Walk along the river and then stroll across this medieval bridge lined with jewellery shops and enjoy views of the river. The better and more iconic view though you have from Ponte Santa Trinita. Make sure you pass by at night too, as the bridge looks majestic.
Walking across Ponte Vecchio (from the old town), you’ll get to Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. Discover the grand palace and its extensive gardens, offering a tranquil escape and stunning city views. When building the palace, the Medici family included the Vasari Corridor, a kilometre long passageway connecting the building with the Uffizi. Today this corridor is a museum, separate from the Uffizi.
The neighbourhood bordering the Pitti Palace is called Oltarno District. It has some of the best restaurants frequented by locals and some cozy cafés. Most famous though is the area for the artisan workshops and boutique shops. It makes for a great escape from the hustling and bustling of the old town. Santo Spirito is a vibrant square and includes a Brunelleschi-designed church, often overlooked by tourists.
If you really want to get out and relax a bit with great views make your way up to Piazzale Michelangelo. Visit this famous lookout point for panoramic views of Florence, especially beautiful at sunset. In the parking lot you also have a bronze statue of Michelangelo’s David. You can either take the bus up there or walk. I recommend walking as you get some scenic views and can stop at some great cafés. In the summer though be careful, as Florence gets very hot and humid, take along enough water and sun protection.
View on the Duomo from Giotto's Bell Tower
Foodies and those who come to town to experience the authentic Tuscan food will love Mercato Centrale. You can experience Florence’s vibrant food market, perfect for sampling local delicacies and buying fresh produce.
Art lovers will love to visit some more of the lesser known, but equally impressive museums like Bargello Museum and discover important sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello, and others. Or Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, a museum dedicated to the history of the Florence Cathedral and see original artworks from the Duomo complex.
Besides the Duomo you have plenty of other important and beautiful churches. San Miniato al Monte is a Romanesque church situated on a hilltop, offering spectacular views and a peaceful atmosphere. Or explore the Gothic Santa Croce church, the final resting place of notable figures such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
After few days in Florence, you probably want to get a bit out of town and wind down. There are plenty of options. Fiesole for example is just a short bus ride away. This ancient Etruscan town offers archaeological sites and stunning views over Florence. Another great option, especially for wine lovers, is the Chianti Region. Enjoy a scenic drive or tour through the famous wine region, visiting vineyards and tasting local wines. San Gimignano is a medieval town known for its well-preserved towers and charming streets. And not to forget Siena: visit this historic city with its stunning cathedral and the famous Piazza del Campo, home to the Palio horse race.
As you can see Florence offers a mix iconic landmarks, hidden treasures, and local experiences, ensuring a memorable and well-rounded visit for both new and returning visitors.
Where to stay
The historic centre (Centro Storico) is ideal for first-time visitors and close to major attractions like the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery. For those seeking a more authentic, less touristy experience with a local vibe look for hotels in Oltrarno. Santa Croce is perfect for those interested in historic sites and lively nightlife. San Lorenzo on the other hand is convenient for those wanting to stay near the central market and train station, with easy access to other parts of the city.
Food & Drinks
As mentioned before the Mercato Centrale is perfect to explore the local and regional food. But there are plenty of other options for those looking for great Italian food. For me one of the best areas is Piazza di Santo Spirito which has some great restaurants and bars. I particularly enjoyed Tamerò, which offers some of the best pasta in town. In the more touristy Centro Storico (old town) I had some delicious food at Bella Italia Ristorante-Osteria.
You can’t go to Italy, especially during summer, and not have some authentic Gelato. In Florence I always make sure to pass by La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Artigianale - Firenze Ponte Vecchio. It has some quite unique flavours and is perfect after a visit to the Uffizi or Palace Pitti.
Travelling around Florence
Florence itself is quite compact and walkable, especially the old town Centro Storico. For the other parts of the town, you can either use the trams or the bus. They’re quite convenient and reliable.
Best Photography Spots in Florence
For the best view over the city head up to Piazzale Michelangelo, either take the bus or walk. For a view of the old town from above climb up Giotto's Bell Tower. The dome is impressive as well but from the tower you will have the copula in your photos. Loggia dei Lanzi has quite impressive and dynamic sculptures, make sure you get them from different angles. Close by you have as well the Neptune fountain, a David statue and Hercules and Cacus.
View from Piazzale Michelangelo with Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo
I hope with all the above, I could help you planning your next trip to Florence.
Here a link to my Florence site which hopefully gives you some ideas what to expect.
