Florence, Italy is ranked among the world's to the highest degree scenic cities, and is well known for its story, art, culture, way, and wealth. Spend just one twenty-four hours strolling the cobblestone streets flanked by the many beautiful churches, synagogues, and temples, and you'll agree! Between the illustrious statue of David aside Michelangelo and the domed cathedral of Saint Nick Maria del Fiore, often referred to as The Duomo, these 2 sights alone in the heart of Firenze are enough to take your breath away. If you'Ra headed to Italy, Firenze is one of those places you'll want to summate to your list!  It is handily located betwixt Venice and Rome , fashioning it a perfect sightseeing stop along the way. Continue reading to find out more about the must sees in Florence Italia!

The summer before I moved to Italy, I took a group of my high school students abroad finished EF tours. Our commencement stop was in Switzerland, where we spent a few days exploring the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne. Venice was the second stop happening our tour, and you can read about that trip here! Florence was the next stop on our adventure. Yet during July, a peak tourist flavor for Italy, Florence had so much to offer.

A guided walking tour was the very first affair we did in for each one city. With so much to see, it can personify hard to figure tabu where to start. These types of tours are designed to help you get your bearings and prioritize what is important to you or what places are must sees on your list! Below you will find totally of my favorite floater on our tour – where we stayed, what we ate, and where we went to have the best views of the City!

Where to Stay in Firenze

We stayed a few kilometers right of the city at Hotel Villa La Stella. It was perfect for our gossip with extraordinary views and a fabulous breakfast. We tied went dead and walked on the roads to check our number 1 Tuscan sunset. If you'atomic number 75 looking for someplace closer to downtown, head on terminated to Booking.com using my code here!

What to Do in Florence, Italy, Hotel Villa La Stella
Hotel Villa Atomic number 57 Stella, Florence (pic from Google)

Houses of Hero-worship

Churches, synagogues, and temples are prominent in Florence. The most famous is Santa Maria del Fiore, considerably-known for its domed cathedral (referred to arsenic the Duomo). Its dome can be seen from cold away equally one of the tallest structures in the city. Santa Maria del Fiore was completed in 1436 aside Brunelleschi, and the out-of-door is covered with stunning marble in shades of pinko, K, and white person.

The Must Sees in Florence Italy, Santa Maria del Fiore
Santa Maria del Fiore
The Must Sees in Florence Italy, the Duomo
The Duomo, as seen from the top of the bell tugboat

Just beside the Duomo, you'll find Giotto's Bell Tower. For 18€, you can climb 414 stairs to the top of the buzzer tower for an improbable view of the city and the dome. While my claustrophobia and fear of darkness were tested to the limits during this upgrade, there were many levels along the way where one can stop and view the city from different heights before proceeding advance. Once at the top of the buzzer tower, you can walk all the way of life around for a full 360 view that is worth every step.

What to Do in Florence, Italy
Blue skies above Giotto's Chime Tower

What to Do in Florence, Italy

The Must Sees in Florence Italy, Giotto's Bell Tower
View from inside of Giotto's Bell Tower

Basilica di Santa Croce is the interment place of some of the almost illustrious Italian artists, including Michelangelo and Galileo. You will find this church service few hundred meters from the Duomo with a beautiful piazza (straightarrow) in front of it. One of my favorite gelato shops faces the basilica, and you will find former cafes and stores in the piazza.

What to Do in Florence, Italy
Basilica di Sante Croce

Top Tourist Attractions

Situated in the Genus Galleria dell'Accademia (Accademia Gallery), you leave find the renowned statue of David by Michelangelo. The firm marble statue was created in the 16th century and stands tall at 14 feet. As this is one of the top tourist attractions in Florence, there will inevitably follow a line, only it was worth it to us to get there early in the day and wait only an hour. At the time, we paid 8€ to walk through with the artistic creation gallery where you will too find out many other brilliant pieces of work.

What to Do in Florence, Italy, Statue of David
Statue of David in Galleria dingle'Academia

What to Do in Florence, ItalyA warm summer day is a perfect time to grab some gelato along the Ponte Vecchio (bridge over) that crosses the Arno River. From here you dismiss admire views of Florence and gondolas mobile along the river. The bridge is covered with shops and we were lucky enough to see a stripe playing American songs spell we were visiting.

What to Do in Florence, Italy, Ponte Vecchio and Arno River
Arno River from Ponte Vecchio

Standing in Piazzale Michelangelo, you testament discover an incredible panoramic prospect of Florence. On that point, you leave also find a bronze replica statue of David. This is a great location for snapping pictures of the city, and for selfies of course!

What to Do in Florence, Italy

The Must Sees in Florence Italy, Piazzale Michelangelo
A bronzy replica of David in Piazzale Michelangelo

Escape to the Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens) for some much-needful console from the con and bustle of city life. Walk among the blooming flowers, around the ponds, and to the transcend of the gardens for views of the Tuscan hills and Florence. This was one of my favorite parts of Florence, as it provides peace and tranquility in a beautiful city.

What to Do in Florence, Italy
Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Gardens)

What to Do in Florence, Italy, Boboli Gardens What to Do in Florence, Italy What to Do in Florence, Italy, Boboli Gardens

Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence and overlooks indefinite of the main squares, Piazza Della Signoria, where you will yet again find a replica of David. It's a beautiful palace worthy of photographing! Grab a bite patc you're at the square, piece a table outside, and enjoy the social scene with the castle in the background. How very European country-esque!

What to Do in Florence, Italy, Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio

Florence Solid food

Ristorante Rubaconte is a wonderful European nation restaurant where we dined, located really close to the Accademia Gallery. Enjoy a virtual feast with a first course, second course, sweet, and naturally, a cappuccino or espresso to top off your meal. I extremely urge this put for dinner.

Osteria dei Baroncelli, also an Italian eating place, is located closer to the Arno River aside Ponte Vecchio. They had pleasing meats and pasta along with wine-colored. Both of these restaurants were very helpful with the large group that we had.

Lanthanum Ménagére is, to this date, unitary of my favorite cafés! Non only are they incredibly friendly, but the atmosphere is ideal, there is a flower shop/garden inside the café with so many types of beautiful bouquets, and it's situated in a great speckle. Information technology's not placed right in the midst of the city square, indeed you'rhenium not paying outrageous amounts for a drink. You'll find this cafe closer to Accademia Drift, thus information technology makes a perfect stop on your room to or from beholding the statue of David!What to Do in Florence, Italy

Shopping

Florence is a great come in to shop for leather. Start with a leather presentation at Leather Leonardo to learn Thomas More about how leather is made and determine how to tell whether leather is unquestionable or not. After a presentation, you will have a chance to browse their leather selection, where you will find anything from purses, leger bags, and jackets, to notebooks, wallets, and much Thomas More. If you'atomic number 75 more of a barterer, head over to Plaza del Mercato Nuovo where you will likely find tents abounding of leather products. Using what you just learned from Leather Leonardo, determine for yourself if the leather is genuine, then piece away! My favorite and most carried bookbag is from these tents, which I got for only 70€! (and yes I bartered my manner down from 95€ by paying in cash!)

Right beside Place del Mercato Nuovo and along Via Calimaruzza you will find H&M among many easily-known shops. Being that I'm non a huge shopper, I father't take in the Top-quality recommendations for shopping, only there are batch of stores for that surrounding the town center!

Other Tips

You will often see the symbol down the stairs around the City, which is referred to every bit the iris (flower of the Lilly). IT is the crest of the city of Florence… and a beautiful cardinal at that!

What to Do in Florence, Italy, Fleur de lis
The fleur-de-lis (flower of the lilly) is the top of the metropolis of Firenze

Another helpful confidential information – arsenic with any city in Europe, be careful of pickpocketers! They are notable in Florence imputable the fact that it is a wealthier city. Remember non to give anyone your phone to take a picture of you, and keep your belongings close down to your side at all multiplication. I would feel 100% good traveling to Florence solo, merely I am forever cognisant of my milieu and father't embark down dark alleyways!


The Must Sees in Florence Italy

Spell there is practically to construe in Florence, we only tired two days hither, and were able to find out all the in a higher place! If you like a more relaxed visit, I would recommend spending few extra years in Florence. Remember that Florence is in the heart of the Tuscany region, so you are within an hour's drive of many famous Tuscan villages and incredible wineries. For recommendations on where to stay and what to do in Tuscany, visit my post here for more entropy, and an excellent winery recommendation.

I hope that you'll attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Florence to your list of places to visit, or if you're already planning to travel to, this manoeuvre will assist you decide on where to go and the must sees in Florence Italy!

Own you been to Florence? Did I miss anything? Let ME cognize your experiences in the comments below!

XOXO, Summer Rae

What to Do in Florence, Italy

Must Sees in Florence Italy #florence #firenze #italy