First timers in Florence. Advice, things to see, places to go, etc?

Question

Hello. My best friend and I are traveling to Florence in late June and neither of us have been there before. What are some things to see, shops, attractions, restaurants, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

Must see:

The Duomo- Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The fourth largest cathedral in the world, it is the spiritual heart of Florence. The building work took around 200 years, and its green, pink and white marble fasade contributes to the chromatic harmony of the square; its imposing dome is visible for miles around. The interior houses many masterpieces including frescoes by Paolo Uccello and Andrea del Castagno rub shoulders with terracottas by Luca Della Robbia and the sarcophagus of Saint Zanobi. It is possible to climb up to the top from where there is an extraordinary view over Florence.

The Piazza della Signoria

Florence’s most famous square, it was used for centuries as a backdrop by artists, then by film-makers. The former political centre of the city, it includes some of Florence’s main historic buildings and contains the most admired sculptures in the world.

Palazzo Pitti

One of the most visited sites on the southern bank of the Arno, this palace was designed by Brunelleschi for the Pitti family, rivals of the Medicis. It's a huge and imposing building, and a treasure house of the Medici family's massive art collection including works by Raphael, Filippo Lippi, Tintoretto, Veronese and Rubens, all hung in lavishly decorated rooms.The palace also houses a gallery of modern art and a costume collection.

Ponte Vecchio

Old Bridge, has been built in 1345, this beautiful bridge, is only one who survived second word war, and it is the oldest bridge in Florence, souranded with many shops and goldsmiths. There is a secret passageway which is connected with Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace, today big touristic attraction.

The Basilica of Santa Croce

Geometrically coloured marble decorates the building's fasade, but the real treats lie inside, where many famous Florentines lie in peace. The walls are lined with tombs, and 276 tombstones pave the floor. The church's most famous inhabitants are Michelangelo, Macchiavelli, Galileo and Bardi. Its various chapels feature works of art by Giotto and della Robbia, and the serene cloisters were designed by Brunelleschi.

The church of San Lorenzo

The former parish church of the Medici family in Florentine Renaissance style, built from 1420 by Brunelleschi. Donatello, who designed the bronze pulpits, lies in one of the chapels. Passing through the cloister, you reach the Laurenziana Library, commissioned to house the family's huge collection of books and featuring a sublime staircase by Michelangelo. The Medici Chapels are sumptuously decorated with precious marble and semiprecious stones; the most powerful Medicis were buried here. The New Sacristy was designed by Michelangelo and contains his Night and Day, Dawn and Dusk sculptures.

Boboli gardens

Adjacent to the Palazzo Pitti, this garden is one of the most famous in the world. It was created from 1549 by Tribolo then by Vasari, Ammannati and Buontalenti. Its fountains, lakes, geometric flowerbeds and terraces lined with trees wonderfully represent the Renaissance style. At the top of the hill stands the Forte di Belvedere built in a star shape by Michelangelo with a magical view over Florence.

Museums & Galleries:

Galleria degli Uffizi

This former palace of the Medici houses one of the most impressive art collections in the world. It shows the evolution of Italian painting from the primitives to the 17th century. Worth seeing: Botticelli’s’ Birth of Venus, Titian’s Venus of Urbino, Michelangelo’s Holy Family or the Portrait of the Duke of Urbino by Piero della Francesca.

Museo Nazionale del Bargello

It houses sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello, Verrocchio and various collections of enamelware, jewellery, weapons ...

Galleria dell’Accademia

19th century statues, Byzantine paintings, Russian icons, paintings by Florentine Renaissance painters, notably Botticelli’s Madonnas and above all sculptures by Michelangelo, including the original of the famous David.

Galleria Pitti

Gallery of modern art, museum of silverware and Galleria.

Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica in Palazzo Davanzati

A museum of Florentine domestic life: furniture, fabrics, domestic objects from the 14th to 18th century.

In addition:

You can reach Piazza Michelangelo and the Basilica of San Miniato on Monte alle Croci on foot or by bus.

The Piazza itself overlooks one of the most famous and magnificent city views in the world: from here you can see the whole of Florence at a glance; there is also copy of David.

Afternoon trip to Fiesole, bus no.7 from Santa Maria Novella. Panoramic view over Florence (Via di San Francesco), Good ice-cream (Via Gramci 8).

More about Florence&Fiesole:

http://www.tuscanweb.com/towns/244/

http://www.tuscanweb.com/towns/140/

Answer 2

Shopping - depends on how fancy you want. Via Tornabuoni for the high end stuff, the San Lorenzo market for bargains, and maybe Sant'Ambrogio. Leather all over the city, jewelry too, but don't miss a stroll over the Ponte Vecchio and the gold shops there.

Attractions - climb the Duomo - that is great, especially on a clear day. If you like art, the Uffizi is a world class museum, but just walk around and make sure to see Piazza Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce. Maybe the Pitti Palace and the Boboli gardens should be on your list too. Florence is full of museums and churches - you really can't go wrong with most of them.

Restaurants - Via dei Benci is a hot spot for younger people with many bars/clubs/restaurants to choose from. Not many cheap eats in Florence but there are a few kebab shops and pizza a taglio places (by the slice). Special place for a glass of wine and a snack - Le Volpi e l'Uva - let them suggest something, it is reasonable and usually great.

For a sit down dinner if you want to spend some money try La Giostra (Borgo Pinti), Trattoria Garga, Il Santo Bevitore or Boccadama (Piazza Santa Croce).

Don't forget gelato - don't buy it at a bar that has heaps in steel bins - visit a real gelateria - some of the best are Gelateria dei Neri, Perche No?, and Grom (Vivoli is living on it's rep - you can skip it).

Answer 3

i'm italian and i was been in florence in april with school...i only say to u that is veryyyyyyyyyyyyy beautiful as a city...but i have to say that guys r better in naples!!!however there is the duomo,ponte vecchio(an old bridge situated above the arno river,piazza della signoria(a square),the garden of boboli,and what else???MUST see with ur own eyes!!!good luck and have fun!!