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Florence

What to see & discover

My Top 3

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01 A late-discovered gem

Florence's landmark is the cathedral. You can always see its large dome peeking through between the houses. Probably the best view of this imposing dome is from the roof terrace of the Rinascente department store.

However, such a view from the top usually costs a bit more. At least that's what we thought. When we felt like a little refreshment before we left, we still thought the terrace was the best place for a drink. And we were surprised! The drinks were no more than €1 more expensive than anywhere else. A small price to pay for an amazing view and a great end to a beautiful day in Florence!


02 The heart of the city

If there's one thing you have to see in Florence, it's the cathedral! Because “Santa Maria del Fiore” is the heart of the city.

That's why you'll meet all the tourists here. So I would recommend coming early. Then you might have the square in front of the cathedral to yourself alongside a few Florentines on their way to work. Even if you want to see the cathedral from the inside, it's a good idea to arrive early!

Incidentally, you can visit the cathedral itself for free. However, the prices for the dome and the terrace are all the more expensive. But decide for yourself whether it's worth the price!


03 Effort is worthwhile

For the famous view of Florence from above, you'll have to make a small effort and venture up to Piazzale Michelangelo. I promise you that it will be worth it for the view! The square is named after the famous artist Michelangelo, whose sculpture watches over the city from up here.

After a short breather in the square with a magnificent view of Florence, you can then walk a little further. The church of San Miniato al Monte is just a few steps away from Piazzale Michelangelo. From there, the view over Florence and the surrounding mountains is even more spectacular and the church is a sight to behold!


What else to explore

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Probably the most famous sights (besides the cathedral and Piazzale Michelangelo) are the Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery. The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge over the Arno. What makes it so special are the many small shops that line the path across the bridge. Where butchers used to sell their meat, all the city's jewelers have now set up shop. The Uffizi Museum is comparable to the Louvre in Paris. Many of the most famous paintings in the history of art have found their place here. Originally, the Uffizi housed the private art collection of the Medici family, once the most powerful family in the city.

The Mercato Centrale is a great place for a stroll. Local traders offer all their delicacies here! If you happen to be there at lunchtime, treat yourself to lunch right here! While you wait for your pasta, you can watch the in-house pasta production through a window. Simply great! And what tastes better than fresh, home-made pasta in Italy?

If you need some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can relax in the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace. Thanks to its numerous sculptures, fountains and grottos, the former garden of the Medici family is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your ticket for the Boboli Gardens, you can also visit the neighboring Gardino Bardini. So you'll find plenty of nature for a break in the city!

Florence is the place to go for lovers of Renaissance art. There are plenty of museums here and you can see gigantic sculptures all over the city. Probably the most famous of these is Michelangelo's statue of David. You can marvel at it in the Galleria dell'Accademia. However, you can also find a copy of Michelangelo's masterpiece in front of the Palazzo Vecchio.

Otherwise, simply stroll through the city. Walk over one of the many bridges, past the church of Santa Croce and take a look here and there at the many little shops.


 

I have put together a list of all the places on Google Maps.

You can find the list here.