Florence ~ 6 must-try activities!
Florence is one of the big Italian cities, and a must-visit if you’re going to Tuscany. A city full of history, architecture, art (Da Vinci studied here!), food… and tourists, let’s be honest.
It’s a large city of almost a million inhabitants, and it is a beautiful city: it’s very pleasant to walk the old city center, and there are several pretty parks where to rest in between two tours.
Without further a-do, here are my six must-try activities when visiting Florence!
le fleuve Arno
Wander the old city center
Architecture is one the main attractions of Florence, and it is a pleasure to walk in the old town and get lost a little.
Observe the streets, the churches, the bridges, the towers, and the people. It seems as if every corner has a surprising element to it.
The Arno river crosses the city, and it’s a pleasure to walk along it. In some areas, you can walk close to the water, and see sculptures.
If early in your trip you can find a spot in one of the many Free Walking Tour offered, do not hesitate, it’s always a great way to get introduced to a new city and get the lay of the land, getting inspiration for what you’d like to explore more during the rest of your stay.
Cross the Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio, or old bridge (better in Italian, right?), is emblematic of the city: it is the oldest point in town, and the oldest stone bridge in Europe! It overlooks the Arno river, and all along the bridge, you can, just like in the past, find many stores, which nowadays are mostly for expensive jewelry.
There are many spots where you can take photos of the bridge, but beware of the crowd, as it is one of the most touristy places in town.
It was classified a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982
Visit the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
Another emblematic architectural monument of the city, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is majestic and truly impressive, with over 150 meters (almost 500 ft) in length.
The cathedral itself can be visited for free, but other areas require purchasing a ticket: the duomo ou the tower for example. For the baptistry, with its octogonal facade, a ticket is also required, but don’t neglect admiring the exterior, which is free!
It was classified a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982 as well.
Explore the Uffizi
The Uffizi, or Uffizi Galleries is a bit like the Louvre of Florence. This museum contains an enormous number of Italian paintings and sculptures(Botticelli, Titien, Raphaël, Caravage, de Vinci), but also art by European masters such as Dürer ou Goya.
It is imperative to reserve tickets ahead of time, because this museum is incredibly popular. Once inside, take your time to admire the art around you. Many will seem familiar, but it’s special to see them in person, not just a reproduction, and many will be new!
And don’t forget to admire the city from one of the many windows!
To know more, click here to access the official website in English
If you prefer to avoid the crowd at the Ponte Vecchio, know that you’ll have a really nice view of it from the Uffizi.
Discover the Interactive Da Vinci Museum
Even if you think you know a lot about Da Vinci, this museum is worth the detour for the interactive aspect of it.
You’ll see many drawings by Da Vinci, and many machines invented by the master. You’ll even be able to experience some of the machines through virtual reality headsets!
There are many light and sound shows, everything is interesting and educational… and it is one of the rare museums where you can touch the objects!
The museum is open every day, and if you’re organized enough, it seems cheaper to buy tickets online before going there…
To know more, click here to access the museum’s website.
Piazzale Michelangelo
If possible, I strongly recommand go up to the Michelangelo belvedere, or Piazzale Michelangelo in Italian. It’s about a 25-minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio… or you can take a bus up and walk down.
There, you’ll find souvenirs shops, ice cream and snack vendors, and a restaurant.
The view of the city from up there is fabulous, and I would suggest going in the early evening to see the whole city illuminated.
There are many other museums and parks I would have liked to visit, I’ll have to go back! Don’t hesitate to mention your own recommandations in the comments below for my next visit!