Often referred to as the birthplace of renaissance, Florence is one of the most romantic, charming and elegant cities in Italy. Famous for it’s stunning architecture and it’s flavoursome food, it’s one of those places that will keep you coming back for more.So if you have been to Italy but haven’t visited this little gem yet, here is our itinerary for three unforgettable days in beautiful Firenze.
GETTING THERE
Getting to Florence will depend on how much time you can afford to spend traveling. There are many options depending on where you are traveling from.
If you are located outside Europe, flying to Firenze Peretola airport is the best option. This is the international airport of Florence; the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany and it’s the second busiest Tuscan airport in terms of passengers after Pisa International Airport.
If you live within Europe, you can also fly, prices are very affordable when it comes to traveling within the EU; but you can also arrive by train, a very popular option, as the city is very well connected to most major cities within Italy and Europe.
DAY 1
When it comes to European destinations, starting early is key to avoid the crowds and the heat, especially if you visit during the summer months.
Your first stop should be the breathtaking Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: the symbol of Florence and by far its most visited tourist attraction. The duomo exterior is covered in a decorative mix of pink, white and green marble; this complex forms one of the world's most magnificent works of art and the cathedral is Italy’s third largest church in the country.
Just across from Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral is the Baptistry: a very unique octagonal building that you probably want to see from the outside, where you can admire the famous bronze Porta del Paradiso.
Giotto’s Bell Tower is one of the four principal monuments in Piazza del Duomo. Covered in white, pink and green marble to match the cathedral, this bell tower is considered to be one of the most beautiful “campanile” in Italy.
This spot will be the perfect place to finish your little tour around the Piazza del Duomo.
If you are feeling that you’ve had enough architecture for the day, then it’s time to indulge! Get ready to enjoy a delicious breakfast/brunch: Italian espresso with biscotti, sfogliatelle and canolli if you love sweets or a nice focaccia if you fancy savory stuff. And if you are feeling a bit naughty, why not pizza for breakfast?
Take the rest of the afternoon to get lost around the beautiful and narrow streets of Florence, discover new angles to old classics and embrace the true Italian dream.
DAY 2
Even if you are not a huge history fan, visit The David.
Different to the Mona Lisa that looks so small in person, The David will not disappoint you. Made by Michelangelo, he is a true masterpiece of the renaissance era; and standing tall at 5.17 meters, this marble statue is one of the favorites when it comes to Florentine art.
OUR TIP: get your tickets to the Accademia Gallery online to avoid queues
A must while in Florence is the Mercato Centrale. This is the Italian version of an indoor farmer’s market, and also, the perfect place to find some of Firenze’s best pastas, meats, and spices. If you go there around midday you can even grab some ready to go bites while you explore the city.
Finish the day at Piazzale Michelangelo. This spot has arguably the best views of Florence; you can literally see the whole city from this viewpoint. So bring a snack and a drink to enjoy sunset with a view.
On your way back, make sure to walk across the Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge on the Arno River where you will find lots a jewelry shops, and plenty of little cute restaurants to grab a bite.
DAY 3
We normally like to leave the last day to eat, drink and shop. Embrace the true Dolce Far Niente culture. This is the Italian art of doing NOTHING! Yes, just go with the flow and wake up when you feel like it, eat if you are hungry, take a nap if you are tired, explore if you want to discover more. “Take it easy” is our advice to you, especially when in Italy!
STRICTLY FOR TATTOO LOVERS
Florence has quite a cool tattoo culture so if you fancy having a look at one of the coolest tattoo shops and say hi to possibly on the best tattoo artists in the world, (yeah the guy has even written books on this); make sure you visit Samuele Briganti and his cute sausage dog Isotta!
WHEN TO VISIT
The Weather in Florence and Tuscany is generally pretty mild but Florence's location in a valley makes temperatures vary from other areas in Tuscany.
So considering just the weather, Florence's best travel months (also its busiest and most expensive) would be April, May, June, September, and October. These months combine the convenience of peak season with pleasant weather.
We, on the other hand, visited in August, probably on the hottest months within the European summer, and still survived! Temperatures can rise up to 38 degrees Celsius, but if you make sure to always stay hydrated and you eat a lot of gelato you will be fine.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number a difference options when it comes to accommodation in this beautiful city. You have budget hotels, luxury hotels, hostels, Bed and Breakfasts, Airbnbs, and even villas just outside Florence.
We normally like to mix it up when we travel so we decided to split our stay in to a cool and affordable Airbnb located just 20 minutes walk from the center, and also a beautiful Bed and Breakfast located in the heart of the city, right in front of the stunning duomo.
LA TERRAZA SUL DUOMO FIRENZE B&B
We highly recommend this experience! La Terrazza Sul Duomo Firenze B&B offers a unique location paired with the most elegant environment. The views from our room and the terrace were simply breathtaking.
OUR TIP: make sure to visit their top floor and enjoy a pizza with some Chianti while the sun goes down over the birthplace of the renaissance.
GETTING FROM A TO B
The best way to do Florence by far is… BY FOOT! So ditch the car and embrace the walking! Yes, this is the perfect city to get lost in, with its tiny narrow streets it’d be impossible to park plus you would be losing on so much details to see.
In case walking is not your thing, there are number of local buses and trams that will take you to all the hot spots you don’t want to miss.
If you have enjoyed this blog or have any questions, don't be shy, leave us a comment and we'll get back to you as soon as possible! For travel info, questions or collaboration enquiries drop us a line on youmentheseatravel@gmail.com and don't forget to follow us on Instagram @youmeandthesaltysea.
