- Why is Florence a famous city?
- What to visit in Florence
- Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo in Florence)
- Piazza della Signoria
- Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace)
- Uffizi Gallery
- Ponte Vecchio
- San Miniato al Monte
- Galleria dell’Accademia
- Basilica di San Lorenzo
- Boboli Gardens
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Palazzo Pitti
- Santa Croce Church
- Loggia dei Lanzi
- Piazza della Repubblica
- Where to eat in Florence
- What secrets and mysteries does Florence have?
- Perseus with the Head of Medusa
- Petrified Head on the northern wall of Church Santa Maria Maggiore
- A mysterious human profile engraved on the wall of Palazzo Vecchio
- Flea market on Piazza dei Ciompi
- Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy
- The Colossus of the Apennines by Giambologna (Villa Demidoff)
- Where to stay in Florence
- Hotels
- Apartments
- How do you get to Florence from the airport?
Why is Florence a famous city?
Florence is the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany and the province of Florence.
Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. In Italian, Florence is called Firenze.
Tourists visit Florence to see the city that hosts pieces by famous artists Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Raphael, and many others.
Florence’s historic center has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to visit in Florence
Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo in Florence)
The Duomo is the symbol of Florence and the main tourist attraction. Santa Maria del Fiore dominates the city’s skyline.
Piazza della Signoria
Piazza della Signoria is a beautiful square located in the center of some of the top attractions in Florence.
Here tourists can visit attractions like the Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Loggia de Lanzi, and the nearby Ponte Vecchio bridge. In this town square are also located sculptures such as a replica of Michelangelo’s Statue of David, the Fountain of Neptune, Hercules and Cacus as well as Perseus with the Head of Medusa.
Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace)
One of Florence’s most significant buildings is the Palazzo Vecchio, a grand palace overlooking the Piazza della Signoria.
The palace is richly decorated with frescoes, sculptures, and other artworks by renowned artists, including Giorgio Vasari, Michelangelo, and Donatello. The Salone dei Cinquecento, one of the main rooms in the palace, features a breathtaking cycle of frescoes depicting historical events and figures.
Uffizi Gallery
Regarded today as one of the world’s greatest art museums, the Uffizi Gallery is located off the Piazza della Signoria.
Ponte Vecchio
Standing the test of time, the Ponte Vecchio remains the most celebrated among the six bridges traversing the Arno River in Florence.
In the present, the bridge hosts shops and houses. You will find jewelry stores here.
The Ponte Vecchio provides beautiful views of the Arno River and the surrounding cityscape. The bridge is a popular spot for tourists and photographers, especially during sunset when the warm light bathes the bridge and the river in a magical glow.
San Miniato al Monte
San Miniato al Monte is the oldest church in Florence and offers panoramic views of one of Italy’s most scenic cities.
San Miniato al Monte is a beautiful basilica and church located in Florence, Italy. It is situated on a hill just south of the historic city center of Florence, overlooking the city and offering stunning panoramic views of the Tuscan landscape. The basilica is dedicated to Saint Minias, an early Christian martyr, and it is one of the oldest churches in Florence.
San Miniato al Monte is renowned for its Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles and is considered a masterpiece of medieval Tuscan architecture. The exterior of the church features a striking facade with green and white marble in geometric patterns, and it is adorned with intricate sculptures and decorative elements.
Galleria dell’Accademia
The Galleria dell’Accademia or “Gallery of the Academy” is certainly the most famous for its sculptures by the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo.
Basilica di San Lorenzo
Situated at the center of the city’s main market district, the Basilica di San Lorenzo is one of the oldest churches in Florence
Boboli Gardens
Located behind the Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens were created by the Medici family in the 16th century.
Piazzale Michelangelo
The Piazzale Michelangelo is a large square located on the right bank of the Arno River.
Palazzo Pitti
The Palazzo Pitti is a large 15th-century palace situated on the right bank of the Arno River.
Santa Croce Church
Santa Croce is the burial place for Michelangelo, Rossini, Galileo and Dante.
Loggia dei Lanzi
A pavilion near Palazzo Vecchio
Benvenuto Cellini’s bronze statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa (Perseus with the Head of Medusa) is a star attraction.
Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica is a prominent square located in the historic center of Florence, Italy. It is one of the city’s main squares and holds historical, cultural, and commercial significance. The square has evolved over the centuries and reflects the changing face of Florence.
Piazza della Repubblica is situated in the heart of Florence, making it a central hub for both locals and tourists. It is close to many of the city’s major attractions, including the Florence Cathedral, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio.
One of the distinctive features of Piazza della Repubblica is the presence of a traditional carousel, which has been a fixture in the square for many years. It adds to the square’s charm, especially for families with children.
Where to eat in Florence
La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant
An old-fashioned bistro offering traditional cuisine and a wide range of fine wines.
Ciro and Sons – Restaurant Pizzeria Firenze
A restaurant with a terrace offering appetizers, pasta, pizza and vegan dishes.
Ristorante Brandolino
Old restaurant, serving elegant Italian cuisine.
I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti
A restaurant that offers sandwiches along with meat & cheese boards, beer & wine.
Gustarium
A great place sampler plates of focaccia-style pizza with creative toppings, sold by weight.
What secrets and mysteries does Florence hide?
Perseus with the Head of Medusa
Cellini’s Perseus is hiding another work. To discover it, you just have to sit behind the statue and look behind it: at the base of the neck and on the back of the headset the artist has created an impressive optical effect, thanks to which you will seem to see the face of a man. It seems that Benvenuto Cellini wanted to carve a self-portrait right behind Perso.
Petrified Head on the northern wall of Church Santa Maria Maggiore
Legend has it that this mysterious stone head belongs to a woman who was petrified by an alchemist.
Most probably it belongs to the same funeral complex in which were extracted the sarcophaguses preserved inside the Baptistery.
So look up when passing through Via dei Cerretani.
A mysterious human profile engraved on the wall of Palazzo Vecchio
Look for the mysterious human profile sculpted by Michelangelo, right at the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio.
Flea market on Piazza dei Ciompi
A market where you can get your souvenirs and antiques.
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy
This pharmacy is considered to be the oldest pharmacy in the world, it is a real gem, the place looks great and here you will find perfumes and other fragrant objects. One of the perfumes you can buy here is the perfume that Caterina de ‘Medici ordered to be created for her wedding (Acqua della Regina).
The Colossus of the Apennines by Giambologna (Villa Demidoff)
Villa Demidoff is an elegant villa with a beautiful garden located a 20-minute bus ride from Florence. The Apennines is a giant statue made of stone and brick and within the rock are several grottos carved out inside. The caves are decorated with frescoes and beautiful geometric decorations.
Where to stay in Florence
Hotels
- Near the city center
- Near Brunelleschi’s magnificent Dome
- Breakfast
- Standard, Deluxe, Triple, Quadruple Rooms
- Near the city center
- Breakfast
- Standard, Deluxe, Junior Suite, Suite, and Family Rooms
Hotel NH Collection Firenze Palazzo Gaddi
- Near the city center
- Breakfast
- Standard, Superior, Premium Family, Junior Suite, Junior Suite with Balcony, Suite, Presidential Suite
Apartments
- My favorite
- Apartments with 2 separate rooms
- Close to the city center
- Balcony
- Great host
- Views of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
- Italian-style breakfast
La Casa Del Garbo – Luxury Rooms & Suite
- Century building
- No elevator
- Close by Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza del Duomo
How do you get to Florence from the airport?
- The distance from Florence Airport to the city center is 6 kilometers
- Taxi: 15 minutes, 25 Euro
- Tram: 15-20 minutes, 1.5 Euro
- Shuttle Bus Volainbus – 25 minutes, 6 Euro
- Uber – 15 – 30 minutes, 25-40 Euro
