It’s the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Florence, Italy blooms with art, culture, architecture, and history. Florence was once at the center of European trade and finance and ruled by the wealthy Medici family.
As you stroll the streets, you can see the wealth that built the city over the last century. The Dome is made of marble and the roof tops are lined with hints of gold.
Florence is also known for art, and I particularly enjoyed walking the streets to see little art studios, stores and artists painting right from the streets. It was one of my favorites.
As you plan your trip to Italy, I would plan to include a solid three to four days to experience Florence.
Florence is also the capital of the Tuscany region, so you can easily take a day or two to explore the local wine regions. I highly recommend this, because it has been one of my favorite parts of this trip.
5 sights in Florence
You’ll love these favorites in Florence.
1. Visit the Duomo
The Florence Cathedral is a work of art. We spent several minutes taking the various details of the architecture and details into our mind.
The main part of the cathedral was closed to us when we arrived. Instead, we enjoyed the bell tower and the dome.
I would recommend visiting the Duomo in the early morning and first stop by the Duomo museum to buy a 15 Euro ticket (*2015) to the Duomo, bell tower and museum.
You will need to also choose a time slot to visit these three places. It will make the lines go much faster, but the view will be worth it.
2. Walk along the Arno River and Cross The Ponte Vecchio
Yes, that is about it.
The Arno River is charming, and it’s a great place to relax and take pictures. Cross the river by walking over the Ponte Vecchio.
It’s the only remaining bridge that has houses and shops. The bridge is now lined with beautiful jewelry shops to spend a few thousand dollars.
3. The Best View in Florence: Piazzale Michelangelo
It really is the best view. Take a short walk across the river from the Duomo, walk a small hill and you will find yourself at Pizzale Michelangelo.
It offers a fantastic view of the city below and the Arno.
4. Walk the Streets
This is of course my favorite thing to do in any new city. Italy is the perfect place to take great pictures of little tiny streets and scooters.
It’s the perfect Italian experience.
5. The Galleria degli Uffizi
If you must visit just one museum in Florence, do not miss the Galleria degli Uffizi. Here you will find beautiful Renaissance paintings by famous artists such as Michelangelo and Da Vinci.
Always give yourself at least a few days to really enjoy a new city. Take the time to sit at a cafe and people watch.
Maybe visit the bars at night to meet a few local Italians. Those memories will make your trip to Florence truly enjoyable
