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Things to Do in Florence
Florence is renowned as one of the most cultural and historical cities in the world. This Renaissance city is located in Northern Italy’s Tuscany region. Florence proper is the capital of Tuscany and has a population of 383,000. If you count the surrounding metropolitan area the population surges to over 1.5 million. This delightful city lies in the central region of Italy and is connected to the north and south and to Pisa, and Bologna with a strong rail network.
After the Roman Empire fell, Florence evolved into a flourishing medieval commune during the Dark Ages. Yet, Florence is also hailed as the origination of the Renaissance development of art, architecture and culture. Through the 12th, 15th, and 16th centuries Florence established itself as one of the most significant cities in the world. Today, the travel industry is the most substantial part of the economy of Florence with an annual average of over 13 million tourists visiting the city every year.
Why Visit Florence?
Florence is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its Italian Renaissance style architecture featuring Terracotta tiled roofs. The beautifully preserved architecture is picture perfect with historical buildings and stunning art every step of your holiday. At last, it is the way of life of hospitality and the generosity of the Italian individuals that make you never need to leave.
Food and Wine in Florence
Although Italy is generally recognized as a culinary delight with its incredible food and wine, yet Italians will say it’s Florence that stands out as the city who does it best! With both traditional dishes and modern chefs making fusion cuisine and minimal ingredients are gaining notoriety. True Italian cuisine features top-notch fresh ingredients which make the dishes explode with taste and energy with every bite.
What is the Best Time to Visit Florence?
The summers can get hot and the tourists flock to Italy and Florence is generally one the stops on their travel itinerary. The shoulder season months of April, May, June, September, and October are the best months to visit Florence. The travel costs are less than the summer high season and the spring and fall weather is very pleasant. The real bonus of traveling during the shoulder season months is that you can avoid the summer tourist crowds. However, also consider the winter months for the very best travel bargains as low season travel cost much less than the summer high season.
How to Visit Florence, Italy
Florence is centrally located in north central Italy and easily accessible by train from France, Switzerland and Germany and Europe. We’ll give all of you the data about how to arrive at Florence and its transportation choices.
Via Airplane: Two air terminals serve Florence with daily flights to the significant European, the Middle East, and African nations, the two advantageously connected to the downtown area and its surroundings.
By Rail: You can get to Florence effectively via train from all Italy and Europe. There are a few railway stations in the city; however, the most significant are Florence Santa Maria Novella, Rifredi, and Campo di Marte.
Favorite Activities in Florence
Florence Cathedral
Perhaps the most important church building in the world, the Duomo as it is just known in Florence, is the gem of the city. It was at first built-in 1436, yet the surprising front facade wasn’t finished until the 19th century.
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, also called the Duomo di Firenze, is the centerpiece of the city. In case you’re not yet tired, head to the nearby Giotto’s Campanile for another fabulous view of the city and the Duomo itself.
Uffizi Gallery
The Galleria Degli Uffizi holds the world’s most significant collection of Renaissance artistry. It is fundamental to purchase reservation tickets before going to stay away from the long queue. Trust me on this one, the line can be hours, as they permit such small number of individuals in the museum at one time. However, it is worth the wait to get in the museum as you will see works from Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, da Vinci, and Raphael.
Boboli Garden
On the opposite side of the Arno River, you will discover Giardino di Boboli, a beautiful and rambling English style garden on a slope behind the Pitti Palace. It is a lovely place to slow down and appreciate the greener side of Florence.
Walk the Halls of Santa Croce
Santa Croce, in Piazza Santa Croce, is the biggest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of a few significant Florentines, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Moreover, the tremendous inside contains some exceptional stained glass windows and frescoes, including one of Brunelleschi’s most significant works, the Cappella deiPazzi.
Go Shopping Around Town
Florence was probably the best shopping in Europe, offering everything from leather goods and excellent food to gems, gifts, and compelling artwork. Whether you need to visit a luxury retailer or high style boutique or explore some outdoors markets selling nearby products and antiques, there are a lot of approaches to shop in Florence all year.
Ponte Vecchio
Florence is loaded with famous buildings, and the Ponte Vecchio is a very renowned and old scaffold. Spanning the waterway Arno, the Vecchio Bridge is noted for the number of shops that are incorporated with the sides of the bridge. Its decorated history and the plenty of shops that line the central walkway. History records date the bridge as right on time as 996; however, its actual birthplace is hazy. Walk onto this incredible structure and take a look at the different shops and sellers – You will discover jewelers, artistry vendors, and souvenir shops.
Baptistery of St. John
Finishing the trio of buildings related to the Cathedral of Florence, the Baptistery sits before the fundamental veneer of the Duomo and is a separate building. The three sets of bronze doors are especially noteworthy and portray different religious scenes and human ideals. Inside the Baptistery, a dazzling brilliant Byzantine-style fresco covers the roof and upper walls and depicts the last judgment and unusual stories from the Bible and Genesis.
Final Thoughts on Florence
A lot of what makes a vacation for us, particularly to spots this way, is having the option to sit out on a terrace at our adept or at an outdoor cafe and keeping in mind that away the hours. We’d happily pay extra to be in a season that has more sunshine than not!