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13-Feb-2012
Last 4 Reservations:
 Czech Republic > Prague:
Hotel City Bell
booked from Kaufbeuren (DE)
Italy > Rome:
Astro Hostel
booked from Burlada (ES)
Italy > Rome:
Roma 2000
booked from Street Somerset (GB)
Italy > Venice:
Hotel Tintoretto
booked from Street Somerset (GB)
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Florence city guide and tourist informationFlorence (Italian: Firenze) is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy, with a population of some 400,000. It is a fantastically beautiful city, a cultural, artistic and architectural gem.
Florence was very much the epicentre of the Italian Renaissance and remains one of the world's top attractions for lovers of art. Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Located in the heart of Tuscany, a stunning province of hills and mountains, the Renaissance capital of the world, with famous sons like Leonardo, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo, is a sight not to be missed. The world famous Duomo with the Brunelleschi cupola and the marble clad baptistry are simply stupendous, but not all the monuments are like this. The streets of the historic town centre are often narrow and dark, the palaces robust and intimidating. But have a look at the squares - wonderful Mediterranean places where you will like spending hours sitting down, having a coffee and just watching people passing by.
However, Florence is a city of incomparable pleasure concerning churches, monasteries, museums, galleries and palaces. Among the things you can't afford to miss are the Uffizi Galleries, one of the best art museums in the world, the cathedral with the baptistry, the Santo Spirito church and the Ponte Vecchio. To get a great overview of the city, head for Piazza Michelangelo in Oltrarno (other side of river Arno) or farther up to the church of San Miniato.
The surroundings of Florence have many things to offer to the visitor as well as does the whole Florence Province. You can explore this region for weeks without being bored. For these day trips the city of Florence is the perfect starting point.
What to see in Florence
Museums
The Uffizi is the most famous, but Florence also has other amazing museums a short walk away with world class artistic treasures.
The Galleria degli Uffizi - Piazzale degli Uffizi, 50122. Tel. 055 294883. Tu-Sun, 8.15 am - 6.50 pm. Justly one of the world's most famous fine art museums. The collections of Renaissance paintings and sculptures from classical antiquity are superb. Prepare to queue for hours. There are often long lines since even before the doors are open. Useful tip: you can make a reservation in advance and walk right in. The restaurant/caffč has a large balcony overlooking the main plaza and is a great place to take a break for art lovers making a non-rushed visit to this fantastic collection. Admission 6,50.
Bargello. Officially The National Museum of the Bargello, this museum houses one of the best examples of Renaissance and Mannerist sculpture. The works of many great Renaissance sculpters are on display here, including Michelangelo, Donatello, Ammannati, Bandinelli, Andrea and Jacopo Sansovino, Desiderio da Settignano, and Antonio Rossellino. The museum is located adjacent to the famous Ufizi and can be seen in a few hours. Admission is about 4 Euro.
Accademia. More sculpture, highlights are Michelangelo's David (the one on the main square is a replica) and The Slaves.
Pitti Palace. Across the Arno. The Medici family palace contains galleries of their art and treasures.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo - the Cathedral Museum, with artworks formerly in the Duomo and surrounding religious buildings. Models and drawings of the Cathedral. Worthy.
For those making longer stays in Florence, the city also has an interesting archaeological museum (the Etruscan art collection is particularly good), a Contemporary Art gallery, and other collections.
Other sights
American Cemetery of Florence: Arlington-like US WWII military cemetery. Expansive and beautiful, 6,000 laid to rest (the Yanks who died between Rome and the norther borders. 20 minute bus ride from the Sita Station, just ask agent (get a return ticket) no cost to enter.
In the old town center:
Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo di Firenze is the city's beautiful cathedral, the symbol of the city.
Giotto's Tower - you can climb the tower for a magnificent view of the Duomo, Florence, and the surrounding area. Small entrance fee, and requires some tenacity to climb 400+ steps.
Baptistry famous for the Paradise door and beautiful interior
Palazzo Vecchio - old city palace, adorned with fine art
Ponte Vecchio most famous bridge over the Arno with shops lining it
Santa Croce church contains the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michaelangelo, Dante, and many other notables in addition to artistic decorations
Santa Maria Novella
Orsanmichele
Medici Chapel
Across the Arno:
Boboli Gardens, elaborately landscaped and with many interesting sculptures, behind the Pitti Palace
Santa Maria del Carmine has famous frescos in the Brancacci Chapel
Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo square) plaza on a hilltop with a great view of the city (go there by bus).
San Miniato al Monte, uphill from Piazzale Michelangelo, contains a chapel with frescoes by Spinello Aretino.
What to do in Florence
See art, eat, drink, see more art, hear music, shop, take a day trip into the Tuscan countryside, people watch, climb to the top of the Duomo or Campanile, see more art, eagerly plan for your return visit.
Take a stroll in the Boboli gardens, stop in the hilltop cafe, grab a drink and a seat outside and enjoy the view!
Based on work by WikiTravel - Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0
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