Florence

Florence is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell’Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. Stay on this page and you’ll see what you can do, what you can see and where you can taste the amazing food and the delicious wine of Tuscany region.

A Taste of Italy

10 days guided tour

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Things To Do in Florence

Uffizi

Uffizi Gallery

Plan ahead and make the most of your visit to the world-famous Uffizi Gallery in Florence with a guided tour. Bypass the long wait at one of the city’s most popular attractions, and head straight inside the historic galleries with an expert guide who will lead you straight to must-see highlights like Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ and Caravaggio’s ‘Medusa,’ plus hidden treasures you might miss on your own. After this insightful art history tour, continue exploring the museum at your leisure.

Dome

Florence Duomo

Hear the fascinating history behind the dome before beginning the ascent up its 463 steps. Expect a steep climb, as the trip can take approximately 45 minutes. As you travel up, admire the frescoes from Renaissance artists like Zuccari and Vasari on the two shells of the dome. Then, arrive at the top and enjoy the reward for all your hard work. Stroll along the cupola’s balcony to soak up 360-degree views of Florence and the Tuscan hills stretched out below. Your guide will provide insightful background on Filippo Brunelleschi, the architect behind this Renaissance masterpiece.

The Old Bridge

Old Bridge

The historic Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Florence after Brunelleschi’s soaring red dome topping the Duomo. The three lower arches of this 14th-century bridge span the Arno River at its narrowest point between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace, and a stretch of the famous Vasari Corridor runs along its top. Situated on street level, the Ponte Vecchio is lined with pocket-sized jewelry shops and packed with locals and tourists taking a stroll or snapping photos of the colorful palazzi lining the river bank.

How to Get to There

The Ponte Vecchio crosses the River Arno just a block from the Uffizi Gallery, linking the historic center to the Oltrarno neighborhood.

Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are among Italy’s most famous gardens, and a popular attraction in central Florence as they offer a respite from the crowded city streets. Visitors can stroll along tree-lined paths on a private tour—or, for those traveling with kids, a family-friendly garden tour—to admire the expanses of manicured lawns, Renaissance fountains, classical grottos, nymphaea, temples, and an amphitheater with an Egyptian obelisk at its center. Tickets to the Boboli Gardens include entrance to the Porcelain Museum, inside the garden’s 18th-century Palazzina del Cavaliere, and the neighboring Bardini Gardens. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month.

How to Get There

The Boboli Gardens are located between Palazzo Pitti and Porta Romana in Florence’s central Oltrarno neighborhood. The main entrance on Piazza de’ Pitti can be reached in 30 minutes on foot or 15 minutes by bus from the Santa Maria Novella train station.

Pitti Palace

This massive stone palace was once home to the ruling Medici family, then to the Austrian House of Lorraine, and finally to the House of Savoy—until Victor Emmanuel III donated the palazzo and its contents to the nation of Italy in 1919. A full 140 rooms, housing a number of important museums and galleries, are open to the public. The Palatine Gallery, which holds an impressive collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including works by artists Raphael, Titian and Rubens, is the most famous. Visitors can also tour the sumptuous Royal Apartments, Silver Museum, Porcelain Museum, Carriage Museum, and Costume Gallery. The palazzo even houses a Modern Art Gallery, highlighting Italian painters from the 18th to early-20th centuries.

How to Get There

Pitti Palace is on the southern bank of the Arno River in the Oltrarno neighborhood, reached via the Ponte Vecchio bridge near the Uffizi Gallery.

The David

The DAVID

At the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, you can visit the famous DAVID of Michelangelo. The tickets are usually sold out, I advise to buy it some months before your visit

Santa Maria Novella

Piazza di Santa Maria Novella was built in the late 13th century and quickly became a center of Florentine life. Over the centuries, a number of festivals and tournaments were held here, and the two large obelisks sitting atop four bronze turtles by Giambologna that still decorate the square’s center were erected in the 1500s as marks for chariot races. One of Florence’s most beautiful churches, Santa Maria Novella, dominates this busy square, which is also home to the former Hospital of San Paolo, famous for its loggia decorated with majolica reliefs by Andrea della Robbia.

How to Get There

Piazza di Santa Maria Novella is in the historic center of Florence, just across the street from the city’s main train station that shares its name.

Central Market

Central Market

A few steps from the Duomo, there is the Central Market where you can find nice clothes (leather too) with amazing prices. You can also buy cheese, wine and tipical products from this beautiful reagion.

Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI, Italia

Website: www.mercatocentrale.com

Restaurants in Florence

Trattoria 4 Leoni

They serve a typically Tuscan cuisine made up of seasonal dishes prepared using genuine raw materials, but their menu could never be without the great classics like bistecca alla fiorentina (T-bone steak), tripe, ossobuco (braised veal shank), a fried chicken, rabbit, and vegetables platter, stewed beans, baccalà codfish, and grilled octopus, or the bread soup pappa al pomodoro, oven-baked lasagne, taglierini with white truffles, and their famous pear-stuffed pasta in a sauce of taleggio cheese and asparagus.

And to wind up on a sweet note, Maurino’s fantastic cheese cake made according to an exclusive 4 Leoni recipe and the tiramisù of the house.

INFO

Via de’ Vellutini, 1r 50125 Firenze, Italia

Tel +39055 218562

e-mail: info@4leoni.com

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Osteria Santo Spirito

Here you can breathe the Florence of the artisans. On the corner of Santo Spirito square, the Osteria Santo Spirito is a reminder of the meeting of the food passions present in its well-stocked menu that offers people who want to eat well the exchange, dialogue and love for this wonderful square, for traditions , for the culture . My favore dish are the GNOCCHI with cheese, AMAZING!!!

INFO

Piazza Santo Spirito, 16/R, 50125 Firenze FI

Tel +39 055 2382383

email: osteriasantospirito16r@gmail.com

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Osteria all'Antico Vinaio

For who loves the street food, this is the best in Florence. Their best sold is the SCHIACCIATA, it’s not a sandwich, it’s not a focaccia, it’s something unique that you have to try ! There is always a long line but don’t be afraid, it moves fast….

INFO

All’Antico Vinaio
Via Dei Neri 65 R,
50122 – Firenze (FI)

Tel. +39 055 23 82 723

infoprenotazionianticovinaio@gmail.com

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Outside of Florence

Pisa

In less than a couple hours from Florence (by train or by car) you can visit Pisa and the unique tower.

With its remarkable height and slim body, the Tower of Pisa was in fact perfectly visible from every part of Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracles Square) and probably also from the river Arno. The problem of the inclination is one that has most fascinated and intrigued visitors, art lovers, and experts over the centuries. It is the feature that has made Tower of Pisa so famous all over the world. Adding to the appeal is the fact that the reasons for the inclination of the building are still fairly mysterious.

How to arrive in Pisa

From Florence is really easy, you can take the train to Pisa from Santa Maria Novella train station.

Siena

Siena is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, where they play the PALIO, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown.

You can arrive in Siena from Florence with the public bus.

The Mall Shopping Area

Departing from Florence, enjoy stress-free transportation to Prada Space and the Mall, each offering 30 to 50 percent on high-end clothes and accessories. Try on your favorite names from Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Prada and more, before traveling back to Florence after a fun day browsing.

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