Piazza della Signoria
You’ll find yourself drawn to this sprawling L shaped piazza frequently as you explore Florence. The Piazza della Signoria is the main square and marks the heart of the Renaissance city. Dominated by the towering structure of Palazzo Vecchio, close to the Ufizzi, Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo, it’s the gateway to many of the city’s most famous attractions. The piazza remains largely unchanged, lined with ancient terracotta houses and palaces. There’s plenty to see in the square itself as its filled with sculptures and fountains, including a replica of the famed Michelangelo’s David (see the original in the Accademia Museum) and the Fontana del Nettuno with its beautiful sculpture of Neptune.
Museo di Palazzo Vecchio
Florence’s town hall is a symbol of Florene’s powerful past. Built in the style of a castle with a tower reaching 94 metres, the building stands tall in Piazza della Signoria. Art and history have been bound together here for centuries. Take a look inside to discover Giorgio Vasari’s "Salone dei Cinquecento" (the hall of the five hundred). The great hall measures 54 metres long by 23 metres wide and was decorated by two of the great Florentine artists, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Ponte Vecchio
This is possibly the most famous bridge in the world and one of the few in Italy that survived WWII. The bridge makes up part of the Vasari Corridor, a passageway that connects Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti and crosses the River Arno. The enclosed bridge is lined with artisan shops selling glittering jewels. Many of the shops that remain have been passed down from generation to generation. Browse the shops as you wander to the other side of the river.
Palazzo Pitti
On the south side of the River Arno the striking Palazzo Pitti stands at the base of Boboli Hill. It was built in the mid 1400’s by the Florentine Banker, Paulo Pitti to challenge the Medici family and is thought to have been designed by the great renaissance architect Brunelleschi. Unfortunately, the ambitious banker died before its completion and in 1550 it was bought by his rival, Cosimo I di Medici as his Grand Ducal residence.
Boboli Gardens
Located just behind Palazzo Pitti you’ll find the Boboli Gardens. The green expanse was established by the Medici family in a layout that is now known as the Italian style, a model used in many European court gardens. Today it’s a lovely tranquil space in the city, it’s not just a garden but an outdoor museum where you’ll see beautiful examples of Renaissance sculpture, the unique rococo architecture of the 18th century Kaffeehaus pavilion, fountains and even grottoes. Get a real feel for court life as you take a stroll through the manicured gardens.
Oltrarno Craft Shops
The labyrinth of streets that surround Palazzo Pitti are home to lots of tiny artisan shops and workshops like shoemakers, bookbinders and ceramicists. The Oltrarno area literally means ‘the other side of the Arno’. It’s just over Ponte Vecchico and is much quieter than the heart of the city. It has lots to offer with friendly bars and small family run restaurants and is great for those who want to wander slightly off the beaten track.
Mercato Centrale
Mercato Centrale is also known as Mercato di San Lorenzo and has long been a destination for Florentines and tourists alike. It’s a vibrant covered market in the heart of the town where you’ll find fresh Tuscan produce and a feast for all of the senses. The beautiful building has a wrought iron and glass structure and was designed in the 1970s by Giuseppe Mengoni. After a redevelopment in 2014 the top floor has become a foodie destination where you’ll find some of the best street food in the city as well as gourmet cuisine. Head hrer for delicious food and to experience an authentic Italian market.
Uffizi Gallery
This is a must see attraction for any art lover. The world famous Ufizzi Gallery is home to outstanding collections of paintings and sculptures from the middle ages to modern times, housed on the first and second floors of the beautiful 16th century building, designed by Georgio Vasari
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
The iconic cathedral with its magnificent Renaissance dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, began construction in the 13th Century and took two centuries to complete. You’ll understand why when you see the amazing architecture and beautiful artistic detail that has gone into it. From its innovative design, in the early 15th century when the dome was constructed it was the largest in the world, to the beautiful artworks, a fresco of Last Judgment adorns the dome was designed and painted by Giorgio Vasari and Frederico Zuccari in 1572. You can even climb the 463 steps to the top of the cupola where you can admire the frescos up close.
Accademia Gallery
The Galleria Dell’Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s large marble sculpture of David, housed in the Hall of the Prisoners. Although it’s one not to be missed, give yourself time to explore the other halls in the gallery. They will be much less busy and hold some of the finest examples of painting, sculpture and even ancient musical instruments in Italy.
Local foods to try
Schiacciata is a thin salted bread coated in olive and seasoned with herbs. Try it topped with cheese for a tasty afternoon snack.
Bistecca Fiorentina is one of the most popular dishes in Tuscan cuisine. It’s a grilled Florentine t-bone cut steak seasoned with local herbs and it’s typically served rare. The meat is from traditionally from Chianina cattle – an ancient Tuscan breed.
Crostini di Fegato are bite sized pieces of fresh (usually white) bread topped with chicken liver Pâté.
Ribollita is a Tuscan bread soup made with canelli beans, potatoes and vegetables such as Kale and carrots, creating a creamy textured hearty dish.
Tagliatelle Funghi Porcini e Tartufo is a pasta dish made with local truffle and porcini mushrooms. The thin, flat tagliatelle pasta is tossed in the mushrooms sauce, creating a simple yet delicious dish.
Lampredotto is one for the adventurous pallet. It’s a sandwich made of thinly sliced tripe that’s boiled in broth and seasoned. This is a traditional street food dish for the adventurous palette that you’ll either love or hate, much like the locals do. Try it with spicy red sauce.
Papardelle al Cinghiale is a dish made with Papardelle, the long, wide and flat pasta, coated in a rich meat ragu sauce. The meat is usually wild boar.
Gelato is famous thought Italy, but Florence has some of the best the country has to offer. We’d recommend seeking out the small batches of hand-made ice cream rather than being enticed by the artificial coloring often sold by street vendors near to tourist attractions. Pistachio is a firm favorite!
