2024 Florence Visitors Guide
Florence: Culture, art, architecture, fashion and history, Italian style. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has a rich cultural heritage to match. The Tuscany capital is an Italian jewel that allures discerning travelers to its fairytale cobblestone streets, renowned art galleries, whimsical gardens, elegant piazzas, and sumptuous restaurants. Florence is a luxury travel gem offering exquisite apartments, luxury hotels and lavish services that attend to every need so you can soak up the best of this fascinating city.
As the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and the celebrated embodiment of Tuscan culture, Florence is a cultivated beauty. The rich history is abundant with celebrated art masters and boldface names like DaVinci, Dante Alighieri, Machiavelli, Fra Angelico, and Michelangelo. From the breathtaking statue of David to the majestic Duomo that dominates the Florentine skyline, Florence is an artistic kingdom crafted out of elegant architecture, palaces and frescoes.
Armed with golden florins, the Florentines have deeply invested in their sparkling city over the years, creating a strong sense of pride among the locals. At first glance, it’s easy to see what the fuss is all about. Visitors can wander through the halls of the Galleria Degli Uffizi and see Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and other masterpieces commissioned by the famed Medici family. Enjoy an espresso in the museum café and take in the postcard views of the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence‘s Romanesque town hall. Another must-see is the Medici family palace, the Palazzo Pitti, on the south side of the River Arno. Just down from the iconic Ponte Vecchio, the majestic residence was home to the Medicis and the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the 16th century. Today, its impressive galleries and famed Boboli gardens are open to the public, providing visitors a chance to taste the enriched lifestyle of Florentine royalty.
Florence is a walkable city, as most of the sites are scattered around the center and the River Arno. Take a break from the flourishing city and explore the golden Tuscan countryside; visitors can enjoy a savory afternoon of wine tasting or sampling the local cuisine. As the Tuscan capital, Florence is the epitome of the enriched Tuscan culture and overflows with fine restaurants, chic bars, and tantalizing boutiques.
Florence, Italy – Travel and Tourism
Florence, Italy, the capital of the Tuscany region. You will find that Florence is one of Italy’s prettiest and more historical cities. Florence has a colorful past and its history dates many thousand years. Florence is a walking city so come prepared to walk and explore this very popular destination within Italy.
Florence is not cheap for the tourist visiting. You can expect to pay top dollar for meals and lodging. There will be many tourists at most times of the year and during the summer, it is quite busy and packed with visitors. There are abundant restaurants and hotels, all being on the more pricey and expensive side.
Florence, Italy built around the River Arno. The river has many bridges and the best known is Florence’s Ponte Vecchio. The bridge is very unique as it has vendors on the bridge and you can shop as you stroll across it.
One of the more famous sites in Florence would be the Duomo. You will also find that Florence contains several galleries and museums. When visiting Florence you will not have any problem finding something to visit and explore in this very historical city.
Florence has a nice city center and you will find many people dining, shopping and just strolling throughout Florence at any given time of the year, day or night. Walking the center is very popular and the streets are usually full of people walking, talking, shopping or just watching the street vendors and artists.
The city is a major tourist attraction for Italy and if you are going to visit, you might want to think about planning ahead and booking hotel reservations before you go. This can be done by phone, fax, email or online. The city has a good supply of lodging and you can expect to pay a little more for the centrally located, nicer hotel properties.
Things to do While in Florence, Italy
Florence is one of the highlights of a trip to Italy. Whether you enjoy museums, art galleries, eating and drinking Italian food and wine, or simply wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere, you will find that Florence Italy Tourism has something for you.
Easily the most visited square in Florence is the Piazza Della Signoria which is an open-air sculpture exhibit. The Loggia Della Signoria is home to famous statues such as a copy of Michelangelo’s David and the Fountain of Neptune. This square is in the historic center of Florence and is one of the highlights of the city.
Next on the list is the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s most popular cathedral. The outside of the cathedral is made of green, pink, and white marble. Inside you can marvel at Brunelleschi’s Dome masterpiece. Also, by purchasing a ticket you can climb the 463 steps to get to the top of the bell tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the city, which is simply breath-taking. Do note, however, that there is no air-conditioning, so bring water!
Make sure you visit the Galleria dell’ Academia on your visit to Florence. This museum gallery holds some of the most important sculptures and paintings from the 13th to the 16th centuries. Here you will find many of Michelangelo’s original works including the famous David. You can also see many musical instruments from the Medici family.
While in Florence you will also want to visit Italy’s most crowded museum, the Galleria Degli Uffizi. The gallery has one of the most prominent collections of Renaissance art in the world. You can enjoy the thousands of paintings from medieval and modern times, as well as antique sculptures and tapestries. Long lines can be a problem, so if possible buy your tickets ahead and avoid them altogether.
Finally, be sure to take some time on your trip for some shopping. Many consider Florence shopping to be the finest in Europe. From leather goods to paper goods, jewelry to art productions, Florence has it all. There are also plenty of outdoor markets where you can find lots of bargains while enjoying the surrounding architecture.
There is no doubt that Florence has a rich history and many places that you must visit. From the Galleria dell’ Academia to the open-air markets, Florence Italy tourism offers something for everyone!
Sightseeing Florence
Boboli Gardens
With a high number of fountains and statues, Boboli Gardens is a beautiful place just behind the Palazzo Pitti. Made in the 16th century by the Medici family, these gardens passed through several stages of reconstruction work. Today they became an outdoor museum of beautiful garden sculptures and Roman antiquities.
Forte Belvedere
Forte San Giorgio, called Forte Belvedere (nice-seeing) for its wonderful sight, was committed to Buontalenti by Ferdinando I, to protect the city and the Granducal family, that could reach the fortress from Palazzo Pitti crossing the Boboli gardens. During the summer, you find a huge red inflated sofa where you can sit admiring the wonderful panorama! Forte Belvedere can be reached by bus number 13 from Florence central train station S.M.N.
Fiesole
A small village on a hill overlooking Florence (near the city stadium)…it takes only 5 minutes to reach but it seems like a completely different part of the world. Climbing up to San Francesco church (on the top of Fiesole) there is probably the most breathtaking view of Florence. Moreover, you might take another street and go up from the end of Viale Righi (the street is called via del Salviatino)…then you can reach Fiesole through a really impressive panoramic way. Fiesole can be reached by bus number 7 from Florence central train station S.M.N.
Palazzo Pitti
In case you love palaces and you want to visit one, you may consider Palazzo Pitti, a 15th-century building, located on the south bank of the Arno River. Until 1919, Palazzo Pitti was the home of Florence’s rulers, but after that was handed to the Italian state and became a museum complex.
Palazzo Vecchio
One of the most significant and important buildings in Florence is Palazzo Vecchio. It was built in the 12th century and was the residence of the Medici family. For six centuries this was Florence’s supreme governing body. From 1872, Palazzo Vecchio served as the city town hall and after that as a museum. In this beautiful palace, you may find impressive artifacts and artworks like sculptures, intricate carvings, and frescoes, as well as painted ceilings.
Piazzale Michelangelo
This one is pretty famous. A large square with a marvelous view of Florence, on a small hill on the bank of the Arno River (so you can enjoy a sight of Ponte Vecchio). It has a copy of Michelangelo’s David and a lot of cafés, as well as some beautiful gardens named after the flowers like Iris and Rose Garden. Piazzale Michelangelo can be reached by bus number 13 from Florence central train station S.M.N.
Santa Maria Del Fiore
Often called the Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore dominates the panoramic view of Florence. Today it is recognized as the world’s largest masonry dome, this cathedral offering impressive artworks and 600 years old architecture. When visiting this cathedral, you must climb to the top of the building and you will be reward with an amazing view of the city of Florence and the outlying valley.
Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi Gallery is known today as one of the world’s greatest art museums. The gallery is situated near the Piazza Della Signoria. The building was constructed in 1560 with the purpose to house the offices of the city magistrates. After the passing dynasty of the Medici family, the palace homed an impressive collection of Renaissance art treasures. In 1765 the gallery was opened to the public and today the museum offers impressive artworks, so you may find here works by Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Final Word
When visiting Florence you will take a step back in history due to these beautiful and amazing buildings with their impressive artwork and architecture. What is your favorite building in Florence?