FLORENCE

TRAVEL IN FLORENCE

Firenze, Italian for Florence, is the capital of Tuscany – one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. The Renaissance originated here, making it one of the most important cultural cities in Europe. Apart from its enchanting history and art, Florentine nightlife is amongst the most pumping in Italy!

FAST FACTS
Airport: Aeroporto Firenze – Peretola or fly into Pisa airport (Galileo Galilei) with budget airlines such as Ryanair or Transavia.
Time from airport to Paris city: From Florence airport: 25 minutes with ATAF bus to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (central station.) From Pisa airport: 1:10 hour by Terravision bus
Taxi from Airport to the city: €20 - €30
Public transport types: bus and tram
Single public transport journey cost: €1,20 (valid for 1:30 hours). Buy tickets at an authorised sales point (tobacconists, newsagents etc.) beforehand and validate the ticket at the machine inside of the bus
4 journey pass: €4,70 (valid for 1:30 hours per ticket)
Average taxi rate: €1/km

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Go on a shopping spree at San Lorenzo market

Whether you're looking for Florentine leather goods, a souvenir, or a fake Gucci bag, we guarantee this market will sell it. San Lorenzo Market is comprised of two separate markets, one indoor food market called Mercato Centrale and one outdoor clothes, leather and souvenir market. The food market is super cheap and has the best local and exotic fruit, veggies, meat and fish. Keep an eye on your wallet, as this is one of the favourite hunting territories of pickpockets!
Watch the sunset with a panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo

Very popular with lovers on a romantic date, Piazzale Michelangelo has breathtaking views of the city and surrounding Tuscan hills. Have dinner or drinks while watching the sunset from one of the bars or restaurants, or simply take it all in from the lookout point. Piazzale Michelangelo is also home to a copy of Michelangelo's famous statue David. Reach the square by climbing the stairs or taking bus 12 or 13 - the magnificent view of Florence is worth every step and bead of sweat.
Have a delicious ice cream at Gelateria La Carraia

Needless to say, especially on hot summer days, you will want to treat yourself after a long walk through Florence. One of the best places to re-energise is Gelateria la Carraia. The eatery is just opposite the bridge that goes by the same name, and serves a variety of the creamiest gelatos in town. As long as it's fruit flavoured, it's healthy, right?
Aperitivo at Santo Spirito

One of our favourite Italian customs is having an aperitivo. Every well-respected wine and cocktail bar, and even the odd café, will set up a free buffet of finger food including crostini, pasta salads and cold cuts to accompany your drink. This fabulous tradition starts around 5pm and is meant to be a pre-dinner snack, so don't go too overboard and stuff your pockets! Pull out a nice outfit and mingle with the locals at Santo Spirito square with a fancy cocktail in one hand and a stacked plate full of delicious snacks in the other.
Ponte Vecchio

This medieval bridge is famous for its crooked jewellery shops, buskers and beautiful view of the Arno River that can be seen through one of its three arches. The Corridoio Vaseriano, the corridor above the shops that connects Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti, ensured that nobility could steer clear of the bourgeois folk while crossing the bridge. This famous corridor featured in Dan Brown's Inferno, and is open to the public just a few months of the year, but only with a reservation.

Things to do in Florence

Duomo Cathedral

The Duomo is the dominating symbol of Florence. Its dramatic dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi towers over the city like a fat and lazy watchdog. Arnolfo di Cambio started building the cathedral at the end of the 13th century, and the dome was added to the structure in the 15th century. The climb up the 463 steps to the top of the cupola can be a bit claustrophobic at times, not to mention exhausting, but the magnificent view is worth the effort. If that sounds too demanding, you can also just visit the cathedral free of charge.
Uffizi Gallery

This palace houses one of the most important museums of all time. Unfortunately, its queues are as impressive as the museum itself. With masterpieces by Botticelli, Titian and Caravaggio, Uffizi Gallery remains an indispensable part of your holiday in Florence.
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens

Former residence of banker and trader Luca Pitti, this Renaissance palace dates back to 1458. Palazzo Pitti is one of the largest buildings of Florence, incorporating several museums and the lush (and pleasant-to-pronounce) Boboli gardens. These gardens are an elegant example of Tuscan landscaping, combining nature and art in an unforced manner.
Accademia Gallery

The Accademia on Piazza Signoria was the first art academy for painters in Europe. Nowadays, it's an impressive museum with Michelangelo's David and his, er, manhood as its biggest treasure. The Hall of Prisoners is a fascinating collection of unfinished sculptures, demonstrating Michelangelo's precise carving skills.
Basilica of Santa Croce

The magnificent Church of Santa Croce is the Beverley Hills of the afterlife. Everyone from Michelangelo to Machiavelli to Galileo is buried here, but don't just come for the dead! The church looks onto a beautiful piazza, which is filled with excellent places to bar and restaurant hop. You might even be lucky enough to catch a game of full-costume medieval soccer taking place in the square.

Top 5 Museums & Galleries in Florence

Florence is rich in culture, with an excellent spread of museums and galleries with which to scratch those cultural itches. Read on for our pick of the city’s cultural offerings.

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