Florence

Florence's museums, palaces, and churches house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo's architectural genius. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the "newest" area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Be sure to set aside time to see the vast and varied art collection housed in the Pitti Palace. When you grow weary of museums and monuments, head outdoors. Spend a day at the Boboli Gardens or climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte to experience an enchanting view of Florence, Italy. Florence and its magnificent treasures await your visit!

Things to Do

The city of Florence used to be one of the wealthiest cities during the Renaissance period and is home to some of the most ancient structures that have beautiful architecture, art from the Renaissance era as well as the modern period and scenic landscapes that tell us how magnificent the city really is. Some of Italy’s best museums and cathedrals have been established in this beautiful capital of Tuscany. Whether you stroll around quaint streets, ride a bicycle on cobbled roads or buy gold on the Old Bridge, the things to do in Florence are too many in number.

What to See

1. Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore

Florence's main church stands on the city with its magnificent Renaissance dome, designed by Brunelleschi. The cathedral was built on the ruins of the 7th-century church of Santa Reparata. On its right side, you can admire Giotto's Bell Tower, whereas the Baptistery of San Giovanni stands opposite the cathedral entrance. This remarkable historic landmark can be considered a summary of the entire city as the point of convergence of the greatest artists of the glorious Italian Renaissance period.

2. Ponte Vecchio

Built very close to the Roman crossing, the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, was the only bridge across the Arno in Florence until 1218. The current bridge was rebuilt after a flood in 1345. During World War II it was the only bridge across the Arno that the fleeing Germans did not destroy. Instead they blocked access by demolishing the medieval buildings on each side. On November 4, 1966, the bridge miraculously withstood the tremendous weight of water and silt when the Arno once again burst its banks.

3. Palazzo Pitti

The Pitti Palace houses different types of museums and temporary exhibits. The basis of the current palace dates back to 1458 when it was the residence of the powerful bank man Luca Pitti. It was then bought by the Medici family one century later and employed as the official residence of the ruling family of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In connection with Palazzo Pitti, you will find the Boboli Gardens, which are among the most beautiful and ancient royal gardens in Italy.

4. Galleria dell’Accademia

This gallery is mostly famous for its sculptures by Michelangelo: The Prisoners, St. Matthew and, above all, the magnificent statue of David. Accademia houses works by the greatest Italian artists, such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, and many others. A great part of the collection belonged to the powerful Medici family, who, at the end of their domination, donated it to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany so that this treasure could be preserved and enjoyed by everyone.

5. Galleria degli Uffizi

Uffizi Gallery is one of the biggest museums in the world. It houses important masterpieces dated back from the 13th to the 19th century. Among its works, it boasts Botticelli's "Birth of Venus", probably the most famous painting in the history of art, after the Mona Lisa. The museum is also historically important for being one of the firsts to open its doors to the public during the 18th century. A reservation far in advance is necessary.

6. Mercato Centrale: Florence's Food Market

If you have begun to worry that Florence is just one giant open-air museum, it's time to meet some Florentines as they go about their daily routines. There's no better place to find them than in the enormous food market, Mercato Centrale.

To get here, you may have to run a gauntlet of street stalls selling everything from cheap plastics to "authentic Italian crafts" that are mass-produced, mostly in Asia. But once inside and immersed in the fragrance of fresh herbs, flowers, and garden produce, you'll rub elbows with women shopping for ingredients for today's dinner.

Don't overlook this as a source of welcome gifts to take home, including fine Tuscan olive oils, olives, candied fruits, and luscious nougat.

What to Eat

You might have had Italian, but not the best of it until you try the famous Florentine dishes of the city. One such famous and a must-eat snack is the ‘Panino con lampredotto’, a delicious local sandwich with exquisite flavors. You can try the same at San Lorenzo near the food market or find it at lampredotto stalls at every popular city square.

What to Buy

Florence's two central streets - via Tornabuoni and via della Vigna Nuova - are the best places to head for when it comes to the most exclusive boutiques, leather goods, and stylish shoes. Here you can find internationally known Italian fashion brands such as Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Ermanno Scervino.

Besides shops, Florence is rich in open-air markets. If you want to buy leather goods or clothes, go to the market of San Lorenzo in the old town or to the Market of the Porcellino, sheltered under the sixteenth-century Loggia del Porcellino.

When to Visit

Summer in Florence brings the best weather, but also draws massive crowds (and battling through hundreds of people to see Botticelli's Venus isn't the best way to enjoy its artistry). Instead, try March and April, when Florence warms up, or late September and October.

How to Reach

By Air

Situated on the north-west outskirts of Florence in Peretola is the Florence Airport (FLR), which was formerly known as Amerigo Vespucci is the closest from the center of the city and is 4 km away. This airport is connected to various other European cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, Bucharest, London, Munich, Paris and many others by major airlines. FLR also has flights coming from different parts of Italy itself like Bolgna, Turin, Milan Malpensa, and Palermo amongst other cities. Once you reach the airport, you can take a shuttle bus from the airport to the city that will cost 4 Euros. Booking a cab from the airport is also an option, but it is more expensive; you can easily get to the center of the city from this airport by a cab in about 20 minutes by paying a fare of 20 Euros.

By Road

If you are coming from Milan, which is located in northern Italy, you can take the A1 autostrada that starts from the northern region of Italy and passes through Bologna to reach Florence. The distance from Bologna is about 120 km and the roads are etched with absolute scenic beauty. If you are driving from the French Coast or Genoa, you can take the A12 autostrada that goes towards Viareggio and then drive up A11, which goes to Florence. If you are driving from Rome, you can take the A1 autostrada northward towards Florence. Throughout the country, you can find picturesque views that tell you more about the Italian culture.

By Rail

There are a number of stations in Florence, but the prime one is the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station, situated in the middle of the city. Various trains from different parts of Europe ply to this train station, making it the most important one in Florence. The Firenze Campo di Marte is the second most important railway station serving the city of Florence; trains from here ply to different places in Italy as well as Europe. In fact, there are many small train stations that can be used to reach Florence, depending on which direction you are coming from.