Places to Visit in Florence

Head along Via de Tornabuoni and Via degli Strozzi for the likes of Bulgari, Versace and Gucci.  For leather visit the artisans outlets around the Santa Croce.  On Mondays there is a market around San Lorenzo, and quality leather can also be found there as well as wool, cloth and gold.  It is the city’s largest, cheapest and most popular open market.

Piazzo del Duomo is Florence’s beautiful cathedral.  As the forth largest in the world it is easily one of Italy’s most famous monuments.  It features frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari, the dome designed by Brunelleschi and stained glass windows by Donatello and others. From the top of the dome there are magnificent views of Florence.

The Monastry of San Marco hosts a magnificent collection of Fra Angelico’s altarpieces who painted a series of ethereal frescoes.  The Palazzo Medici Riccardi is a small chapel magnificently painted floor to ceiling.  The scene has been interpreted as a pageant of kings, courtiers, giraffes and dogs.  The chapel opens daily except Wednesdays for a small entry fee.

The Uffifzi Gallery is one of the greatest Museums in Italy.  It displays masterpieces by Italian and foreign artists from the 13th to 18th century.  The Vasari Corridor connects the gallery to Palazzo Pitti and hosts a great collection of self portraits by past and present artists.  Across the River Arno the Boboli Gardens stretch back from Palazzo Pitti.  First laid out in the 15th century there are sculptures, grotto’s and fountains amongst formal avenues and topiary.

Eating Out in Florence

Ambrogio market has stalls of legs of ham, cheeses, olive oils, fruit, vegetables and more.  Within the covered food hall there is a café ideal to grab a coffee and panino.

Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco serves Tuscan dishes such as risotto ai funghi and wild boar.  It is an ideal spot for lunch on Borgo s Jacopo and is good value for money.

Cibreo serves Tuscan specialties with a gourmet twist.  The venue has a cosy atmosphere and is a favourite with locals.  Typical dishes include spinach pie or a leg of lamb with artichokes.  It can be found on Via dei Macci.

Florence Night Life

For a drink amongst a stylish crowd the Colle Bereto bar and shop is a fashionable spot serving Chianti from the Colle Bereto estate, which is around 40 kilometres from Florence.

Central Park is an open-air discoteche.  The dance floors fills up with hip-hop, reggae, jungle and Italian rock.  Also attached is a cinema, pizzeria, creperia and Internet café.   Open each night the busiest time is around midnight.

Local Information

Although split by the River Arno Florence is surprisingly compact and most of the sights are north of the river.  With its narrow streets in the historic centre its best explored by foot.  The central tourist office is near the cathedral on Via Cavour.

From the Airport to Florence

The Train takes an hour and a half from Pisa Airport to Santa Maria Station, and there are bus services also available.  From the Amerigo Vespucci Airport a shuttle bus runs into the centre of Florence and takes around 15 minutes.