Florence

What is there not to love about Florence. A beautiful city, rich in history and some of the most amazing tourist attractions. It is an easy city to walk around, and everything is within easy reach.

We chose a converted Palace to stay for our visit….that’s right, a converted Palace. We could not have picked a more splendid place to stay. It was called Palazzo Magnani Feroni, and we would strongly recommend tourists take a look at this site along with other hotels they are exploring. It had a great rooftop bar which gave fabulour views over Florence and the Duomo. The staff were lovely and nothing was too much trouble. We stayed in a Classic Suite and we have to stay that it was the size of an apartment. It had a lounge/dining room, entrance foyer, main bathroom and main bedroom with ensuite and walk in robe. Could not complain about this in any way!

Location wise it was across the Pont Vecchio on the other size of the river, but the walk to the main tourist hub was only about 15 minutes. It was located in a quiet area, but there was plenty of good eating to be found nearby.

However, to be fair, we have stayed in Florence before and the previous hotel we stayed in was Palazzo Gamba which had a penthouse style apartment looking directly onto the Duomo. For location and luxury this was also a superb place to stay, and the only reason we didn’t stay there on our second visit was because it was already booked out for our dates. Either way, we would recommend both places. They were both exceptionally well presented and both were in great locations.

So let’s explore Florence.

Duomo di Firenze – the Duomo is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Florence. There is no doubt the outside of the building is quite outstanding, so you will be surprised to find that the inside is quite stark, although take time to appreciate the mosaic flooring. Also take note of the clock above the entrance on the inside of the duomo which is still a working clock today. Look up to see frescoes of the Last Judgment in the dome, and also if you have time climb the dome and bell tower.
Giotto Campanile – also known as the Bell Tower, many people think this structure is connected to the Duomo, but it is a separate building consisting of five distinct levels. Apart from its beautiful decoration you can climb the 414 steps to experience sweeping views of Florence.
Baptistery of St John – located right in front of the Duomo it is unique because of its octagonal shape and the beautiful slabs of green and white Prato marble. Its most important feature is the eight segment dome which rests on the perimeter of the building. There are always quite long queues outside both buildings, but they move fairly quickly. Whilst waiting to enter though, take note of the 3 bronze doors. The craftsmanship is simply stunning.
Uffizi Gallery – located in the Piazza della Signoria it is within easy walking distance from the Duomo. Not only is it a magnificent building, but the Gallery is a rich mix of artwork, sculptures and other important works. In the peak season the queues for the Gallery are very lengthy, so the tourist should bear this in mind.
Galleria dell-Accademia – this is also only a short walk from the Duomo and is, of course, most famous because it houses Michelangelo’s Statue of David. But, you should be aware that every tourist in the world wants to see the original David, so it is a hugely popular destination. Also check the opening times before you go. They usually close on a Monday, but this can change of course. If you find the queues just too long to cope with, there is some great shopping in the general area.
Palazzo Vecchio – this is the Town Hall of Florence and holds a copy of the Statue of David. Therefore if you don’t get time to see the original David, you can always take a photo here. This is a magnificent building and well worth a visit.
Medici Chapel – located just near the markets and attached to the Church of San Lorenzo. There is much to see here of interest so if you have the time please add it as part of your sightseeing.
The Pont Vecchio – very famous arched bridge over the Arno River which was built in 1345. It was used by merchants initially to sell their products, such as meat, farm produce and tanners, but now is famous for its gold shops, art dealers and souvenir shops. There are always plenty of tourists checking out the many gold shops, after all who doesn’t like a bit of bling, but don’t expect to find too many bargains! Plenty to see and experience on the bridge, but it is exceedingly busy all day.
Piazza della Repubblica – this is one of the larger piazzas located near the Duomo and marks the centre of the city. It has plenty of restaurants and shops to wander through. There is a lovely carousel which is a permanent feature there. However, if you are lucky enough to be dining there in the evening, some of the local singers come out and sing because the acoustics are just amazing in the colonnades. We were very fortunate to have an opera singer whilst we were having dinner one night. It was just magical and her voice was outstanding.
San Lorenzo Markets – some of the best leather you will buy in Europe is to be found at these markets, as well as plenty of other items for sale. Don’t be afraid to haggle over price as there are so many shops to choose from, and the competition is good. They will tailor-make a jacket for you, and will alter them as well. However, just be a little bit careful that you are getting the quality you want. Most of the stores have a market stall at the front of their shop, and then they take you into the shop located behind the stall to see more of what is available. We never made any hasty decisions as to what to buy, but took our time and looked at plenty of shops. Overall we have bought probably 6 jackets between us from these markets. Most hotels know how to guide you to the markets, but just find the Basilica di San Lorenzo and the markets are located at the end of the square.

Travel Tips

Try and avoid the main tourist season which runs from May to about September. It is thick with tourists and it just means you have to stand in long queues which becomes a bit tedious, as well as hot.
Florence is easy to get around so you don’t need to stay right in the centre, you can afford to move a little further away and still be within easy distance of all attractions. In fact some of the nicer restaurants are to be found in the back streets. The ones which are centred around the piazzas tend to dish up the same food as each other, and to be honest some of the food was not that enjoyable.

Travel Alerts

Florence is a pretty safe place to visit, but be aware of the uneven streets which are usually made of cobblestones. We have seen several accidents where tourists have missed their step and landed on the ground.

Travel Adventures

Visit the Florence Information Centre for more information of places to visit which are outside of Florence. Most of us only have time to visit the cities, which is essential of course, but a little further out from the main cities are plenty of beautiful places to visit.