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Florence City Breaks

Florence City Breaks

A city that is bursting with culture, packed full of renaissance masterpieces and world-famous art galleries, Florence makes an ideal city break or holiday destination. One of Europe’s most long-standing and important centres for art and architecture, Florence also has plenty to offer aside from that.

Visitors will also have plenty of time to make the most of the area’s wonderful wine, Hearty Tuscan cuisine, exceptional gelato and fantastic shopping. From the best places to visit, to where to stay and how to get around, plan your Florence city break with us.

Best Places to Stay

Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio
Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio

If you’re intent on sleeping right amongst Florence’s most famous Renaissance treasures then staying in the historic centre is the answer. Visitors staying here will pay a premium for the prime location, but you’ll also have sights like the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery on your doorstep.

Once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, it’s time to make the most of the neighbourhood's superb shopping opportunities. Head to the impeccably stylish Via Tornabuoni for luxury Italian designers.

Florentine Hills
Florentine Hills

The ideal retreat for visitors planning a city break to Florence in the summer months, staying in the hills just outside the city is a relaxing way to beat the heat.

The area is home to some of Florence’s most prestigious hotels and, while it appears to be a countryside idyll, it’s just a few minutes drive from the centre of town.

Expect to stay in lavish Renaissance villas with sprawling gardens, swimming pools and lovely outdoor terraces for drinking and dining.

Oltrarno
Oltrarno

With a name that translates as ‘beyond the Arno,’ this bohemian neighbourhood is populated by craftsmen and artists. It is also home to attractions like Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.

The area around Piazza Santo Spirito is full of intriguing independent boutiques and enticing workshops, where everything from furniture restoration to bookbinding takes place.

Santa Croce
Santa Croce

Piazza Santa Croce is the focal point of the neighbourhood, and this lively square is known for its excellent restaurants and bars, as well as its leather boutiques.

Landmark wise, there’s plenty to see in the form of the Basilica of Santa Croce, which houses the tombs of local luminaries such as Machiavelli and Dante and is decorated with frescoes by the likes of Gaddi and Giotto.

You’ll also be staying within easy distance of the Bargello museum and the Sant’Ambrogio area which is loved by both locals and visitors alike for its authentic Florentine food and drink and vibrant market.

Things to do

MARVEL AT SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE

Better known as Florence’s spectacular Duomo, this cathedral is one of Florence’s most iconic sights. The Duomo is the world’s third-largest church and has been the focal point of the Tuscan capital since its completion in the 15th century. Initially designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the construction of the Duomo took decades, and its distinctive dome, which was created by Filippo Brunelleschi was added in 1437, also a century after the initial building was finished.

The elaborate exterior was painstakingly crafted with white marble from Carrara, green marble from Prato and pink from Maremma. As it’s also located in Piazza del Duomo, make a pit stop at Giotto’s campanile, if you’re fit you can climb the 414 steps to the top of the tower to enjoy the citywide views.

Santa Maria Del Fiore

PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA

A centre of power in Florence for centuries, Piazza della Signoria is the ideal place to come if you’d like to combine a bit of historical sightseeing with a cappuccino or aperitivo, depending on the time of day.

The stately Palazzo Vecchio, the medieval city hall, dominates the square and, to the right of that, you’ll find the exquisite Loggia dei Lanzi, a 14th century outdoor gallery which includes sculptures such as the bronze Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini and Seven Virtues by Agnolo Gaddi.

Piazza Della Signoria

UFFIZI GALLERY

The world’s most impressive collection of renaissance art, be prepared to book well in advance if you intend to visit Florence’s Uffizi Gallery. Housed in the 16th century Palazzo degli Uffizi, which formerly served as government buildings, the Medici family gifted an unbelievable horde of masterpieces to the Uffizi in the 18th century on the proviso that it would always remain in Florence.

To truly appreciate the artistic treasures of the Uffizi, visitors should allow at least a few hours to explore the gallery. Highlights are too many to mention, Caravaggio’s Medusa, works by Duccio di Buoninsegna, as well as famed Florentine painters Cimabue and Giotto and the Adoration of the Magi by Gentile da Fabbriano.

Uffizi Gallery

MICHELANGELO’S DAVID

Florence’s Accademia Gallery is best known for one particular exhibit, a sculpture of a man carved out of a five-metre block of solid Carrara marble. Better known as Michelangelo’s David, this iconic statue is hard to miss as it’s housed in the tribuna of the gallery and there’s normally a steady stream of people circling this artistic marvel.

However, the gallery also has plenty of other worthwhile exhibits, and it would be a shame to miss out on these. Whilst you’re there, look out for the four slave sculptures, also by Michelangelo, and an intriguing collection of ancient and historic musical instruments.

Michelangelo's David

WINDOW SHOP ON THE PONTE VECCHIO

Built in 1345, the distinctive Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s oldest bridge and connected the opposing sides of the city at the river Arno’s narrowest point. The bridge has always been used as an area for local artisans to showcase their wares, but it originally began with a collection of leather tanners, butchers and blacksmiths.

This went on until the 16th century when Ferdinando banned these trades from the bridge on account of the malodorous scents they produced. In their place, Fernando recommended that jewellers move in remains today. Pretty but pricey, visit the bridge very early in the morning to soak up the unique surroundings without the crowds.

Window Shop on the Ponte Vecchio

SAIL DOWN THE ARNO

A wonderful way to see a different side of Florence, take to the city’s river Arno for a tour in a traditional wooden barchetto boat. These charming barges were originally intended to haul building materials into the city but now serve as an atmospheric vessel for a Florentine river tour.

Whilst on board, you’ll glide past renowned sights like the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio and gain local insights from your English speaking guide. Visitors looking for a romantic option can opt for the sunset tour which also includes an aperitivo.

Sail down the Arno

Best Ways to Get Around

THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL AROUND FLORENCE

Florence is a relatively small city, so the best, and most economical, way to get around it is on foot. It’s entirely possible to walk across the city from end to end within half an hour or so.

A word of warning on footwear - Florence is dominated by charming cobbled streets which look very pretty but don’t mix well with high heel footwear. For that reason, it’s worth sticking to a decent pair of comfortable walking shoes for a day of exploring.  If your energy levels start to flag, there is the ATAF bus system, tickets available in most corner shops from around €1.50.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • With the amount of architecture and sculptures on display in Florence, it would be fair to say that city is a living, open-air art gallery. However, the city also has a seriously impressive array of art museums, most notably the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia.

    Yet there’s plenty more to see aside, Bargello Museum and Medici Chapels are certainly worth visiting, for a taste of contemporary art amongst the Renaissance splendour, head to Palazzo Strozzi.

  • Three days is a great amount of time for a Florence city break. As Florence is a easy city to walk around, you can take your time and really enjoy all the delights that the city has to offer, from medieval frescoes to the famously juicy Fiorentina steaks.

    One possible itinerary is to spend your first day of your Florence city break exploring the Piazza della Signoria, where you can visit the magnificent Palazzo Vecchio before heading on to the nearby Piazza della Duomo to marvel at the Basilica and Baptistery. Break for lunch and then make your way to the renowned Uffizi Gallery for a few hours of artistic magic rounded off by a walk across the Ponte Vecchio.

    On your second day in Florence, wake up and stroll to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. Whilst here, you’ll be well placed to stop by Opificio delle Pietre Dure, a very special art museum which is dedicated to the ancient practice of making artful mosaics using semi-precious stones. If you’re hungry for more showstopping art, the San Marco Museum, which occupies a 15th-century convent, is just a few minutes walk away.

    After lunch, make your way into the San Lorenzo neighbourhood to the famed Medici chapels, where the tombs of the powerful Florentine family are located in addition to a sacristy designed by Michelangelo. Treat yourself to a trip to Italy’s most famous pharmacy, the ancient Santa Maria Novella, which offers exquisite beauty products, and a browse around San Lorenzo’s market.

    Your third and final day in Florence could either be used for a day trip to a nearby Tuscan town such as Siena or Montepulciano or, remain in Florence and get to know the artistic Oltrarno neighbourhood.