A holiday in Florence: How to get to the city and what to visit

A holiday in Florence is a fantastic idea for those who want to explore the artistic and cultural treasures of the city. If time permits, one can also visit the beautiful surrounding area, with stunning villages immersed in nature, rolling hills, and vineyards.

Florence is the perfect destination to discover this beautiful part of Italy, even for just a weekend.

Arriving in Florence

Florence has an airport a few kilometres from the city centre, mainly serviced by seasonal flights. However, for those seeking a cheaper flight, flying to Pisa might be a better option. Pisa is well-connected via a convenient bus service from the airport to Florence, taking less than an hour, day and night. One can book this service directly online.

Once in the city, travellers can get around on foot, especially if staying in the city centre, or use the buses that connect the different areas of Florence. Alternatively, electric bikes and scooters can be booked directly from a smartphone app.

Sightseeing in Florence

Florence offers numerous attractions to suit everyone’s taste, from art lovers to shopping enthusiasts and food aficionados.

No visit to Florence is complete without a visit to the cathedral, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which was built in the 15^th century and is now the third-largest church in Europe. Visitors can admire the facade and Giotto’s bell tower with its coloured marble, as well as climb the 463 steps for an impressive view of the city.

The Uffizi Gallery is another must-see attraction: this magnificent building houses some of the most famous works of Renaissance art, including masterpieces by Botticelli and Caravaggio.

The Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge not destroyed during the war and now home to many jewellers, is worth a stroll through the beautiful streets of Florence. Especially at sunset, a magnificent view of the Arno River can be enjoyed.

In the heart of Florence is the house where the famous Dante Alighieri grew up. Now, there is a museum dedicated to the great poet, who gave birth to the Italian language. Visitors can discover some aspects of Dante’s life, as well as the history and politics of the period.

To enjoy a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the entire city, one can visit Piazzale Michelangelo, where a replica of Michelangelo’s David can also be found.

In addition to tasting the local specialities at the many restaurants and street food stalls on every corner, a visit to the Mercato Centrale is recommended. This covered market allows visitors to buy typical and fresh local products or try delicacies cooked in the food hall, ranging from Tuscan specialities such as ‘lampredotto’ and ‘ribollita’, a rich soup, to regional products and ethnic dishes.

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