Plan a trip to Florence

Getting there 

Travelling Europe by train? Check out these train options with Rail Europe. Or book a flight here.

Looking to hire a car for your trip to Tuscany? Check out DiscoverCars for the best car rental comparisons:

Where to stay

Budget:

Ostello Bello Firenza is an affordably priced hostel, located in central Florence.

mid-range

B&B Giorni Dipinti is a gorgeous, centrally located BnB. Decor is modern and clean.
Hotel Machiavelli Palace is affordably priced and has the most gorgeous views of the Duomo from their rooftop terrace. The rooms have a beautiful Renaissance feel to them.

Luxury

Residenza Giotto is a stunning hotel located a mere 150 metres from the Duomo. The rooms are luxurious.

Tuscany farm accommodation

If you’re looking to experience more of the Tuscan countryside and stay in a villa overlooking Tuscan olive groves and hills, while still being close enough to explore Florence, then check out Art Hotel Villa Agape or Villa Neroli.

Top things to do in Florence

Check out the Duomo

Visit the replica of the Statue of David in the Piazza della Signoria

Walk across the Ponte de Vecchio

Visit the Santa Croce

Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset picnic

Soak up all the art at the Uffizi Gallery

Join a Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class

 

Drink Limoncello at Titto restuarant

Florence

I don’t know what it was about Florence but it just worked for us. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves from the moment we got there and generally just had a wonderful time.

Our first night in Florence was one for the books! We went to a restaurant just down the road called Titto which the hostel had recommended. It was such a refreshing evening after countless touristy restaurants in Rome. This establishment was so authentically and traditionally Italian. You could taste that the pasta was made freshly on site and the waiters and waitresses were so quirky and fun. They were all so incredibly hospitable and friendly and the evening ended with us sharing limoncello (an Italian lemon liquor) with all of the staff. What a fun night to remember!

Our first full day in Florence began bright and early and was a walking tour guided by Rick Steve in his trusty Audio Europe App. We were ready to go after an amazing buffet breakfast at our hostel (They even had a pancake making machine! You literally just pressed a button and some pancakes were freshly made for you. How cool?)
We walked through the relaxed city admiring the beautiful sites including the darling of Florence, the Duomo:

the replica of the Statue of David in the Piazza della Signoria:

and the Ponte Vecchio:

 

We had a delicious lunch of Calzones at the beautiful Piazza San Spirito before having a look at the lovely Santa Croce.

That evening we walked up to the Piazzale Michelangelo to have a sunset picnic with a view. And oh my, what a beautiful view it was!

The next day we fully immersed ourselves in the artsy side of Florence, home to the many great Renaissance artists. We went to the Uffizi Gallery where we spent a few hours absorbed by the incredible works of world-famous artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli.

We only really had a day and a half in Florence as we spent the rest of our second day in Pisa. But in my opinion it was the perfect amount of time. It is a small city, but has such an amazing feel about it. It is relaxed, authentic, at night the streets are filled with groups of friends just sitting around and chilling and it is such a lovely Italian city. My favourite memory of the city was enjoying a really delicious gelato sitting on a bench on the Piazza del Duomo at night. Florence treated us really well and I really enjoyed our time there.

If you’re looking to explore further afield in the greater Tuscany area then check out this day trip from Florence to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano or join this Tuscany Day trip with lunch and winetasting at Chianti winery.

 

Planning a trip to Italy? Why not check out my blogs on Verona, Rome, Venice, Pisa and Cinque Terre?