Florence is a gorgeous city in central Italy and is the capital city of the Tuscany region. It’s considered by many to be the birthplace of the Renaissance and the stunning architecture demonstrates this. Whilst it’s a hot tourist spot, it being not so busy as Rome or Venice is certainly an advantage if you don’t like it being too crowded. A destination which can be enjoyed throughout the year, here are some things you should consider doing when going there:
- Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence Cathedral) – If the outside of this enchanting building wasn’t enough, wait until you get inside! The elaborate Gothic-style complex is situated in the centre of Florence at Piazza del Duomo and also includes the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile. The cathedral also has the largest brick dome in the world and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s also the third-largest cathedral in the world. The spectacular bronze gates at the entrance of the cathedral are known as ‘The Gates of Paradise’.
- Immerse yourself at the Galleria dell’Accademia – Best known for featuring the world-famous Michelangelo marble sculpture of David (from the Biblical story David and Goliath), this gallery also showcases many other sculptures of his and beautiful works by Florentine artists. The David statue symbolises the defence of Florence during civil wars, whilst the eyes of David are transfixed towards Rome, the capital of Italy.
- Take a walk around The Boboli Gardens – Home to a collection of 16th to 18th-century sculptures, the Boboli Gardens has a lavish 111 acres of gardens behind the Pitti Palace, extending to Fort Belvedere. What’s more, the entrance is free. There are great panoramic views of the city from the top, as well as The Fountain of Neptune, which has a central bronze statue of Neptune. Make sure you also go to The Isolotto, where there is an oval-shaped island in a tree enclosed pond, which features statues of Perseus and Andromedae. It’s a beautiful park that should be included in your itinerary!
- Cross the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) – Over the Arno river, is an impressive medieval bridge, which is, in fact, the oldest bridge in Florence. The shops built along it include jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers, which make it a bustling area worth a visit. It’s a very romantic spot in Florence, with great views of the river and surrounding central areas of the Italian city. One can also look at it from underneath at theatre shows, concerts and from boat rides.
- Climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo – Whilst it is quite a long way up, the walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo is worth it for the extraordinary views of Florence, especially enjoyed during sunset. The area, however, can also be accessed by car and there are bus connections. The view shows Florence at its best, with Forte Belvedere and Santa Croce in the distance, as well as the bridges crossing the Arno, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and the bell tower of the Badia Fiorentina. The area is also adorned with a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David. There are also restaurants and stands to buy refreshments after the climb up!
- Indulge in a gelato – A must-do in Florence is to have a gelato or seven! Florence is the birthplace of them, so be sure to have one of these sweet treats. The best gelato shops tend to be ones with “Produzione Propria/ Gelato Artigianale.” written outside, meaning that they are home-made and are usually of better quality than of the commercialised, touristy gelato stores. Be sure to have a swig of negroni too, a cocktail also originating from Florence. It comprises partly of gin, vermouth rosso and Campari, topped off with an orange peel.
Thanks for reading – I hope you get the opportunity to visit this wonderful city.
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