Florence: Travel guide to the secret capital of Tuscany
World Heritage Site
Florence became a UNESCO World Heritage Site for no reason
In its application to UNESCO to be included as a World Heritage Site, the city of Florence refrained from giving reasons, stating that any justification for the application was ridiculous, given that Florence is the world's largest accumulation of universally known works of art. This comment was accepted, no further justification was given and the old town of Florence has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. This has further boosted the fame of the Tuscan capital, with around 1,5-2 million tourists visiting this cradle of the Renaissance every year.
Why does Florence have so many art collections?
We owe the accumulated collections of works of art of architecture, painting, sculptures and works of scholarship in Florence above all to the Medici family, who lived in the 15th and 16th centuries. Through their patronage, they brought the greatest Italian artists and scholars to Florence in the XNUMXth century, including Michelangelo, Botticelli, Giotto and Galileo, to name but a few. The Medicis, beginning with Cosimo I, understood perfectly how to combine economy, politics and the clergy in a profitable way. Visiting Florence is a must for Tuscany vacationers.
Florence has so much to offer that we can only make suggestions here. You can use our ideas to get your bearings first and then, depending on how long you want to stay in Florence, you will quickly find other highlights that are worth visiting. Therefore, the following recommendations are aimed more at Tuscany friends who are in Florence for the first time.
Accommodation in Florence
Florence offers a variety of accommodation options for every taste and budget. In the historic center (Centro Storico), you'll find elegant hotels close to the cathedral. For travelers on a tighter budget, hostels like the Ostello Bello Firenze (from €20 per night) or mid-range B&Bs in the lively Santa Croce district are ideal. Book your accommodation early, especially during peak season, to take advantage of the best deals.
Things to see in Florence
The largest accumulation of world-famous works of art
If you believe the Florentines, Florence is home to the world's largest accumulation of universally known works of art - including in the museum of the famous Uffizi Gallery. The building was once built by the Medici and is now one of the most famous and oldest museums in the world. Its name comes from the word "uffici", which means office and goes back to the actual purpose of the house, which was originally intended as an administration building. All the important offices of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany should find their place in it. As an enthusiastic art collector, Francesco I de Medici later had the arcade on the upper floor of the house converted for his collection of paintings, countless sculptures as well as weapons and scientific equipment. In addition, workshops for goldsmiths and silversmiths, cosmographers and rooms for musicians and singers were built in the west wing of the Uffizi. In addition, he had perfumes made and poisons and antidotes brewed in the so-called Fonderia. Gardeners built a roof garden with a greenhouse on the loggia.
Today the painting collection with numerous works from the Italian Renaissance as well as paintings by Flemish, Dutch, French and German artists is on the 3rd floor of the Uffizi. While the buildings are connected on one side to the famous Palazzo Veccio, on the other side one reaches the Palazzo Pitti via the Ponte Veccio. In addition, the remains of a Romanesque church can be viewed on the ground floor of the Uffizi, which was demolished during the construction of the Uffizi.
The most famous sculpture in art history
In addition to the Uffizi, Florence is home to countless other museums, such as the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, the Museo Archeologico and the aforementioned Palazzo Pitti with its art collections. There are also countless smaller museums that store and exhibit art treasures of unspeakable value. The most famous sculpture in art history can be seen in the Galleria dell 'Accademia. Millions of visitors marvel at Michelangelo's David there every year. An equally well-known work of art by Michelangelo is the Pietà, which is located in the cathedral.
The Duomo / Piazza del Duomo
First of all, of course, head for the Piazza del Duomo and meet tourists from all over the world here. You better think about what you really want to see in advance, because Florence offers you so much that is far more than a day's stay.
It is best to start at the cathedral. In addition to the entire highest architectural art, the special thing is undoubtedly the dome of this third largest church in Italy (25.000 seats). If you are good at walking, climb the dome (no elevator, 463 steps). This dome by builder Brunelleschi is said to have inspired Michelangelo for the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. When you are up here, you can enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view over the whole of Florence with the Arno valley. And now you really feel like you've arrived in Florence.
The Uffizi Gallery / Piazza della Signora
Then stroll through the old town in the direction of Piazza della Signora, or let yourself be pushed there, because Florence is permanently overpopulated during the travel time.
The piazza is the location of the world famous David by Michelangelo (the original is in the Galleria dell'Accademia) and other famous sculptures. You are now at the Uffizi, the world's largest museum for medieval Italian art. It is best to have considered in advance whether you want to visit the Uffizi Gallery. If so, take into account that you will have to queue in a long line, even in the off-season.
The Uffizi, which was once the Medici office building, only allows a certain number of visitors access, there are block check-in every quarter of an hour and a waiting time of one to two hours is quite normal.
Buy tickets for the museum online
You can avoid the waiting time by booking the tickets online. To do this, you have to go towww.florence-museum.com) Specify your desired visit time and print the tickets yourself after paying by credit card. This costs almost twice as much, but saves you the queue.
The Medici Residence / Pitti Palace
After visiting the Uffizi Gallery, and if you still fancy more art and classic Italian furnishings, head to Pallazzo Pitti, the Medici residence. On the way there you cross the Arno on the Ponte Vecchia, with the art and jewelry shops pinned to the bridge railing.
Old Bridge
The Old Bridge It is the oldest bridge in Florence. It crosses the Arno River and houses numerous shops and jewelry stores. We have dedicated a separate article to this remarkable structure.Ponte Vecchio in Florence«
Boboli garden
Or, if you are longing for peace and relaxation, then we recommend the Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli), the green oasis in the old town. Access is directly in the inner courtyard of the Pallazzo Pitti. Cosimo I created it as his personal pleasure garden. If you consider that the construction of the garden began in the Middle Ages and it took about 100 years for the 45.000 square meters to be structured and planted in 1658, then you have to be grateful to the Florentines for taking care of it over the centuries , even when they have not yet received financial compensation from the entrance fees.
You can also book access to the Boboli Gardens online, we do not consider this to be absolutely necessary because there are no restrictions. Admission at the box office is € 7, reduced tickets for students € 3.50, free admission for young people under 18 and pensioners aged 65 and over (proof). The online price is about double, the fee is also due for free admission.
How to get to Florence
First, clarify your approach. We recommend arriving by train or bus, in both cases you arrive at the Piazza della Stazione (Stazione Santa Maria Novella), which is right on the pedestrian zone of the historic old town.
Since Florence is the capital of Tuscany, you can travel to Florence by public transport from anywhere in the country. Then make sure you don't miss your last chance to return!
By car to Florence
If you want to arrive by car, we recommend the parking garage at Piazale Caduti nei Laper (Fortezza da Basso), located on the edge of the pedestrian zone. It is the cheapest car park, so it is occupied quickest. You will almost certainly find a place in the most expensive parking garage at the train station, Piazza della Stazione, there are a total of 900 spaces.
Please note that if you park illegally, you will be prosecuted as far as Germany or Austria. The "ticket" doubles in price if you do not pay on the spot. That adds up from around € 35 to around € 70. Parking spaces in the pedestrian zone are reserved exclusively for authorized residents, here you will be towed away mercilessly.
Small tip from Toskanatour
We also want to note the trendiest ones most famous ice cream parlor in Florence, the Vivoli (Via dell'Isola delle Stinche 7r / www.vivoli.it), where the production of the delicate creams is celebrated. It would be a short deviation from the routes described above in the direction of the Chiesa Santa Croce, but it would be really worthwhile. Just ask for Vivoli, every local knows it because, for example, a good meal at home with friends is crowned with a dessert from Vivoli.
All of this can only be a modest excerpt from all that Florence has to offer. You can decide for yourself whether you want to visit this art and culture metropolis a second time. Then it would be recommended that you look for a hotel and rediscover the capital in the evenings after the tourist streams have left the city. And you will understand even better why this place was put on the list of world cultural heritage even without any justification.
