Places to visit

The historical center

UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, the historical center of Florence, enclosed by a circle drawn on the streets of the medieval city walls, contains one of the most important cultural heritage in the world.

Bounded by a part of the wall of the fourteenth century the city was built thanks to the commercial and economic power reached and in the sixteenth century the city meets is peak.
The spiritual center of the city Piazza del Duomo with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore flanked by Giotto's bell tower and faced the Baptistery of San Giovanni with the gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Northward, meet the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi Michelozzo, the Basilica of San Lorenzo by Brunelleschi, with the precious vestries of Donatello and Michelangelo. Furthermore, the Museum of San Marco, with the masterpieces of Fra Angelico, the Academy Gallery whit beautiful works, including Michelangelo's David (1501-1504) and the Piazza Santissima Annunziata, the Loggia of the Innocents Brunelleschi. Southward from the cathedral is the cultural and political center of Florence near Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, which are located close to the Bargello Museum and the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Crossing the Ponte Vecchio going to Oltrarno you find the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Still Oltrarno, we can not forget the Basilicas of the Holy Spirit by Filippo Brunelleschi and Carmine. In the west area of the cathedral stand the imposing Palazzo Strozzi (home of major exhibitions and cultural institutions) and the basilica of Santa Maria Novella, with its facade designed by Leon Battista Alberti.

Duomo

The cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence is one of the biggest churches in Italy and until the modern era was one of the largest in the world.

The cathedral of Florence is made in Ghothic style, was started in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio and was completed (except the facade) in 1436 with the creation of the magnificent dome by Filippo Brunelleschi.
The cathedral complex includes the Baptistery and Giotto's bell tower and the three buildings together are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The construction of Santa Maria del Fiore
The cathedral of Florence was built on the foundations of a previous cathedral dedicated to Santa Reparata. The old building, built in the fifth century, was almost in ruins and was not large enough to accommodate the population growth. The new building was designed in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect of the church of Santa Croce and Palazzo Vecchio. He designed three wide naves ending under the octagonal dome. The first stone was laid on September 9, 1296 and construction took 170 years. The design of Arnolfo was broadly maintained, but the church increased its original size.
After the death of Arnolfo in 1302 works were stucked until the year 1331 the Arte della Lana commissioned Giotto to supervise the site. Assisted by Andrea Pisano, Giotto continued the work of Arnolfo: his greatest contribution was the creation of the magnificent bell tower. When he died in 1337, Andrea Pisano succeeded him until the outbreak of the Black Death in 1348. in 1349 Francesco Talenti finished the Giotto's bell tower and expanded the original project, including the apse and side chape

The facade of the Dome
The construction of Santa Maria del Fiore in 1469 ended with the laying of copper ball (by Verrocchio) on the lantern. But the façade was still unfinished, and so remained until the nineteenth century.
The original facade of Florence Cathedral, designed by Arnolfo, is traditionally attributed to Giotto. In the reality it was started 20 years after the death of them. It is a collective work of several artists, including Andrea Orcagna and Taddeo Gaddi. The original facade was completed only in the lower level and left unfinished. In 1587-88 the facade was dismantled by order of Grand Duke Francesco I de 'Medici  as it appeared totally outmoded in Renaissance. Some of the original sculptures are on display in the Museum dell'Opera del Duomo, others are in Berlin and the Louvre in Paris. Buontalenti and others had different plans for the completion of the facade, but were not accepted. Finally in 1864 there was a tender for the construction of new facade, which was won by Emilio de Fabris. The work was completed in 1887. This neo-Gothic facade in white marble, green and black blends in perfectly with the cathedral, Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistery, although some believe that is excessively decorated.

Brunelleschi's Dome
At the beginning of the fifteenth century, the space of 42 meters above the choir of the cathedral wasn't yet the octagonal dome we have today. In 1419, the Arte della Lana announced a contest to build the dome which was won by Filippo Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi taken inspiration from the great dome of the Pantheon in Rome, but the construction's secret of that work was lost in time so he decided to build the dome in bricks. To show how it should look like once completed he made a model in wood and bricks helped by Donatello and Nanni di Banco (the model is displayed in the Museum dell'Opera del Duomo). His model has been a guide for the workers for several years.

Lungarno

The lungarno of Florence goes trough all the city dividing it in two parts, one with the biggest part of the old town, and the other with the rest of the center and new town.

On the north shore from the west, after the Cascine Park, the Lungarno Vespucci goes until you come to Piazza Goldoni, then the Lungarno Corsini (where the Palazzo Corsini is), Lungarno Acciaiuoli of the Lungarno of Harquebusiers (where it passes the Vasari Corridor and the Uffizi), the Lungarno Diaz (this is where the neo-classical building of the Chamber of Commerce), the Lungarno delle Grazie (with the oratory of Santa Maria delle Grazie), Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia (dominated by the building National Central Library of Florence) and then over the center Lungarno Pecori Giraldi, the Lungarno del Tempio Cristorforo and Lungarno Colombo.

On the west side Oltrarno after Torrino Santa Rosa Soderini you will find Piazza del cestello, Lungarno Guicciardini, Lungarno Torrigiani, the Lungarno and Piazza Serristori Demidoff, Lungarno Cellini and Lungarno Francesco Ferrucci.

Florence tour

A guided tour in Florence is the best idea to explore Florence! Just choose between a morning and afternoon tour or simply combine them for a full day experience.

Visit some of the world's most famous art museums like the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia di Belle Arti. With your private guide you will discover the secrets of Florence from Piazza Santa Maria Novella to Palazzo Strozzi through the elegant via Tornabuoni.

Florence is probably the most important artistic city in the whole globe where you can be inspired by artworks of Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Jump into the world of Michelangelo Buonarroti at the Galleria dell'Accademia which attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over the world. Contemplate the wonders of the famous artist like the David, just come and see for yourself the superb collections of attractions during your stay in Florence!

If you don't want to waste your time in the que, simply buy the ticket online now for a better experience.

Find here all information about our suggested Florence guided tours
Private Tour: Florence Sightseeing Tour, Florence, with About Florence

Search something near our apartment

Search in Florence: the city deserves several hours ot be visited, but you can get the idea even in one day if this is the time you will spend in Florence and in this case we suggest you to see the main monuments through the "heart" of downtown starting with the Duomo.

The Dome is the symbol of Florence, where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the city, as well as interior of the cathedral. Beside the façade you find another giant, Giotto's bell tower, huge and  very pictoresque with another amazing view over the city.
Opposite the Duomo is the most ancient Baptistery of San Giovanni, in Romanesque style, decorated with bronze doors by Ghiberti and Andrea Pisano.
Following the lively street of Calzaiuoli arrive in Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of Florence.
The Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio is the building of the Florence council as well as museum. Entering the courtyard you can admire the fountain with a putto by Verrocchio and frescoes by Vasari. On the square in the Loggia dei Lanzi, the world-renowned statues of Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini and "the Rape of the Sabine Women" by Giambologna.

Connected to the imposing Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi building, designed by Vasari in the 16th century was the seat of the Chancellery of the Medici, and now a museum, one of the largest in the world. The Gallery houses paintings ranging from primitive (Cimabue, Giotto) to Mannerism, and is a compendium of Italian Renaissance painting, the works of Botticelli, Filippo Lippi, Paolo Uccello, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo.
The visit to the Gallery requires several hours, so if you have time continue on foot towards the Ponte Vecchio.

After crossing the bridge you are beyond the Arno, an important concept in Florence.
Three of the four historic districts (San Giovanni, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce) are on the right side of the Arno and just one, the Holy Spirit, on the left bank of the River. The Old Bridge brings you to Piazza Pitti, dominated by the majestic facade of the Palazzo Pitti.
In the fifteenth century, was bought by Eleanor, wife of Grand Duke Cosimo I and became the new palace of the Medici family, who first lived in the Palazzo della Signoria. It was enlarged and enriched by a wonderful park, the Boboli Gardens. Pitti Palace is home to several museums, and the garden is one of them.
If you ahve some more time to spear go head to Piazza Santo Spirito: you can enjoy a lively atmosphere on this part of town. The neighborhood is home to numerous crafts, which gives it an authentic atmosphere.
The Piazza Santo Spirito, is surrounded by beautiful buildings and the church, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1444. In addition to the purity of its architecture, the building contains important works of art.

Shopping in holiday and supermarket in Florence

If you are in Florence for shopping holiday, you will be happy to know that Florence is full of choices of any kind.
You will find all major brands like Gucci or Prada and also showrooms signed Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, etc. and all this is light walk from your flat.

Fashion
In Florence you will find several malls like The mall of Reggello and the Village Outlet of Barberino di Mugello full of sportswear, casual and trendy clothes from the largest choice of leading brands like Prada, Armani, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana offering discounts of 50% on the whole collention.

Hand crafts and jawellery
If you're oriented on hand made products, jewelry and watches you can find amazing shops in the ancien streets of Via Maggio, Via dei Fossi and Ponte Vecchio where everything is handmade by "fiornentini artisans". To artworks like lamps, frames,  glass made objects, textiles, pots and hats please visit the Oltrarno area, in the districts of Santo Spirito and San Frediano, which is just after Ponte Vecchio. Goldsmiths and jewelers with their characteristic and pictoresque shops are all over ih these streets and also The Santo Spirito district is full of laboratories, workshops and one day every month you can enjoy the amusing market of national and ethnic handicrafts.
The shops of leather goods are mainly concentrated in the area of Santa Croce, Mercato del porcellino (piglet market) and Mercato di San Lorenzo where also a variety of Florentine craftsmen highly trained in artworks made with iron, metal, leather, wood, glass, ceramic and gold.

Markets
Florence offer a full range of outdoors markets. In these markets open daily you'll find handmade crafts using the techniques of the past.Many tourists make their purchases in these markets because here you can find many typical objects (sometimes very unique in its kind) at very competitive prices.
They are usually very crowded from tourists from all over the world and the most famous are:
- The Market of San Lorenzo, located in the heart of the city, is the favourite destination of tourists.
- New Market where you can buy leather goods and souvenirs, is located very close to the Ponte Vecchio
- The flea market in Piazza dei Ciompi near Piazza Santa Croce
- The Mercato delle Cascine, along the Arno river in the Cascine Park, is done on Tuesday morning. You can find pretty much everything, clothes, textiles, shoes, swimwear, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, breads, cakes and household items
- The Central Market near Piazza San Marco. Downstairs are meat, fish, cheese and other culinary rarity. Upstairs are fruits, vegetables and flowers
- The market of national and ethnic handicrafts. Is arranged in the Piazza Santo Spirito second Sunday of each month.

Shopping hours in Florence
Summer 9-13 - 16-20
Winter 9-13 - 15:30 to 19:30
Closed Monday morning
Also, some shops of Florence are open continuously from 20 to 9.30/10.
The supermarket in Florence and grocery stores are closed on Wednesday afternoon (winter) and / or Saturday afternoon (summer).