Florence Travel Guide

Travel to Florence - Renaissance Masterpieces, Classic Tuscany

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Established in 59BC by Julius Caesar for his veteran soldiers and named Florentia (Flourishing) the centre of this Roman town where the Cardo and the Decumanus intersect can still be found at the present Piazza della Republica. In the 2000 years that followed the capital passed from Florence to Lucca, suffered plagues and conquest from overseas and the intrigues of the Albizzi and Medici families.

It was under Lorenzo Medici that many works of art were commissioned from Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo, but the Medicis were not to last and over the next 500 years power passed from the city and back again: it was capital of all Italy for six years from 1865. There was a great and damaging flood in 1965 but still many art treasures of the Renaissance period remain and the city was granted World Heritage Site status in 1982.
 

Attractions in Florence

The city, one of the most beautiful in the world, makes for the near perfect city break with much to see and do. The cliché is that Florence if the “Renaissance capital of the world” and it is this period of history – the 14th to the 17th centuries – that have given us such sights as the Duomo (Cathedral Church) with the famous Brunelleschi cupola, the Campanile Bell Tower and the Baptistry.

Enjoy the city’s piazzas or squares, such as Piazza Della Signoria and walk across the Ponte Vecchio or Old Bridge. Don’t miss the Uffizi Gallery, one of the finest in the world. Seek out the Accademia dell'Arte del Disegno to see the original of Michelangelo’s David, Pitti Palace to see part of the private art collection of the Medicis, and head out of town to explore the classic countryside of Chianti.

Activities in Florence

Allow a minimum of 2 full days to find your feet and see some of the main sights. As with other great cities you can’t hope to do it justice in such a short time but unless here for a week or so you can get a good overview.

Entry tickets for some attractions need to be reserved in advance, for example for the Uffizi Gallery, and when sold out there is no possibility of entry. For this reason it is wise to make arrangements for your visit to Florence with a reputable travel expert who will be able to pre-book tickets for you.

The area around Florence is perfect for exploring on foot, by bike or by car, with Siena and San Gimignano great day excursions. Head to the vineyards of Chianti, the area between Florence and Siena, to discover one of the world’s best-loved wine regions. If in the mood why not take a cooking class learning how to create wonderful Tuscan dishes.

Relaxing

Look for the “Ristorante Tipico-Cucina Fiorentina“ plaque which shows the restaurant prepares superb local Florentine-style food. As a university town it has a thriving nightlife of café-bars or take in a show or even a cooking class.

Getting Around

The historic centre is easily explored on foot, otherwise use the network of buses. City bus services (orange buses) are run by ATAF and LI-NEA. Ordinary and season tickets can be purchased from authorised sales points such as bars, tobacconists, newsagents’ and from the ATAF booth in Piazza Stazione. Tickets must be validated in the machines on the bus. Tickets (validity 70 minutes) may be purchased directly from the driver for € 2 (note that no change is given).

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