Few cities instantly steal your heart. Florence is definitely one of them! With 16 million visitors per year, its clear that this is a city that appeals to almost everyone.
This the heart of the Renaissance. Florence boasts two of the world’s premier art galleries, the Accademia and the Uffizi. The Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s famous statue, David. The Uffizi is one of the world’s oldest galleries (1581) and houses Sandro Botticelli’s most famous work, The Birth of Venus. Between these two galleries you will enjoy works by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, Andrea del Sarto, Allessando Allori and Orcagna amongst others. This is truly an art lovers paradise. I highly recommend tickets be bought well in advance, and I can arrange skip-the-line tickets (which I highly recommend, since lines can be hours long at peak periods)
The historical city centre is where you will find most of the attractions. Probably the most famous landmark of Florence, is the Duomo, or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This can be seen from almost anywhere, and even if you’re not looking for it, you will stumble upon it at some point. Access into the Cathedral is free, however there is a single admission ticket giving you access to Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum. Give yourself a few hours to spend here, as there will be a line.
Florence has so much to see, and the best way to do it is by bicycle. It is not a huge city by any means, but there are amazing things to see on both sides of the river and going by bike is just more fun! I highly recommend a bicycle tour, as you will get a dedicated guide to teach you the amazing history, as well as show you the best sites. You can revisit them again later, but its a great way to orient yourself to the city.
If you are looking to escape the crowds of the historical downtown, then cross the river at the Ponte Vecchio (the old bridge) and head to the Santo Spirito area. This is where a lot of locals live, and you can find cute little markets as well as great shops. Florence is known for its leather industry, and the products are of very high quality and quite attractive.
Florence would also not be Florence without its amazing gelato! I consider myself a gelato aficionado and have to say…they have the best gelato that I have come across in Italy. I have tried the gelato all over Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Venice, Milan, Genoa and Rome. Nothing quite compares to Florence! My favourite was just after the Ponte Vecchio on the Spirito Santo side of the river. Chocolate hazelnut for the win!
However, most people come to Italy for another reason….the food! And Florence has some regional delicacies that I highly recommend. Generally in Italy, each city or region has a certain number of local dishes, and you will find them nowhere else in Italy except for that region. Italians are very proud of their heritage and place high importance on eating regionally. That is why, when in Florence, you must try the following:
- I coccoli co il crudo e burrata, which means “fried dough with ham and burrata cheese”. Simply delicious!! You basically get a plate of dough fritters, with a side of burrata and prosciutto that you basically eat with a knife and fork. I recommend trying this at I Ghibellini. Not super touristy and delicious!
- Pappardelle in Wild Boar Ragu. Wild Boar is local game in Florence and many restaurants make this hearty ragu on homemade pappardelle (thick) noodles. For the best version, go to Borgo Antico Firenze in the Spirito Santo square. Its a local restaurant in a great area where you can enjoy the nightlife for hours after you’re done your meal.
- Pizza – Florentine style. Pizza is different in every region you visit in Italy. And here in Florence, they like to use a focaccia style. Tasty, thick-ish crust with a variety of vegetable and meat options available. They don’t use a lot of cheese, however just the right amount to bring out the cheesy taste while enhancing the other flavours on the pie. One of the best pizza places I’ve found is Gustarium. Here they start the morning with a certain amount of dough and make pizza until the dough runs out. This could be at 5pm, it could be at noon, so go early to make sure you get a slice!
If you’re sick of pizza/pasta and looking for something more interesting, there is actually a great Mexican Margarita bar called Il Margaritaio Cantina. This place has amazing cocktails and margaritas, along with Mexican snacks and has a great happy hour from 3-7pm. Its in the basement of a 14th century building so you still feel like you’re in romantic Florence while you enjoy some amazing drinks.
Another fantastic option if you’re looking for more variety is the Mercato Centrale. Its right downtown and easy to access, though you have to know where it is in order to find it, as the outside of the building is non-descript with no signage. However, upstairs you will find many tasty food stalls, great wine and beer bars and a small offshoot of Eataly if you’re looking to take some items home. This is a hotspot with locals, and I highly recommend you stop by.
Finally, a trip to Florence is not complete without a trip up the hill to the best vantage point in the city, the Piazzale Michelangelo. You can take and Uber or bus up and its a great way to see the city, especially at night. Many people go for sunset, and its definitely touristy, however you really cannot beat the view.
Florence is a must-see destination. I work with a number of reputable tour companies and amazing hotels in the city. I can get you exclusive perks that you cannot find yourself by booking online, so Contact me today to get started planning your next trip to Florence!
