I am going to Florence, Italy next week for 5 days. What attractions should i not miss?

Question

I am going to Florence, Italy next week for 5 days. What attractions should i not miss?

Answer 1

I just got back from a 5 week trip to Europe.  Of that, I spent 3 days in Florence and trust me, that wasn't enough.  Of the major attractions, be sure to visit the Duomo, Uffizi, L'Accademie and San Lorenzo.  Also take an easy daytrip to Pisa...it's only 45 minutes by train.  But please, please, please...don't run from site to site like a mad man.  Part of the experience is relaxing in one of the many piazzas eating gelato or sipping a cappucino and people watching.  Be sure to talk to people who actually live there.  They are really the best sources of information!!!

Allow yourself to get "lost" in one of the many side streets...once you get your bearings, you won't really get lost...be sure to look up and you'll see a familiar landmark.  The shopping is pretty good as well.  This area is especially known for its paper products and mabelized stationary.

Have fun!!!

Answer 2

To see as much art and architectute goes without mention.  Lo Scudo is an excellent mid-high price restaurant. The florentine steak is great as is the fagottini in salsa si pera, pinoli,pecorino is good.  Try the Darvish cafe for middle eastern food. Med. -cheap. Look for Lara and Lucia's (I may have the first name wrong). The food is cheap and fantastic. I can't believe the name has slipped my mind but the name is close. Honestly, I made an effort to find a bad meal and I could not find one! You can eat cheap and do just fine.

You won't has to look for things to to. It will be all around you. So learn to "poi vediamo" (loosely it means to relax, make no firm plans and be ready to change plans at the drop of the hat), which is the Italian way of life, and you'll do just fine!

Answer 3

You have to see the Uffizi Gallery, but it will be better to book before:

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/englis...

Palazzo Vecchio

Santa Maria del Fiore, Church

Ponte Vecchio...and all the center of this city

Answer 4

visit Florence. all around it is full of things you can't miss!

Answer 5

My god, I've seen pictures of that place from people who have been there.

You will miss 90% of everything but the 10% you will see will be Magnificent!

I wish I was you!

Venice is even nicer.  Try that one next time!

Answer 6

Visit the Duomo, The Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David, um, there is a really cool bridge that spans the river with shops and buskers on it, but I can't remember the name. Pisa is not too far from Florence, and you can make a day trip of it. I hear tourists are allowed to go up the leaning tower again.

Answer 7

there were a few things that were awesome when we went a few months ago.  climb all the steps in the duomo.  every one is worth it and the view from the top is magnificient!  also, spend part of the day relaxing and exploring the boboli gardens, what a great escape in the middle of the city.  also, hit up the outdoor markets for all the goods.  there are some beautiful items available.  also, cruise the ponte vecchio by day and evening for the dramtic effect of the jewelry lit up at night.  there is so much more to see, but this is my definate must do list.

Answer 8

You 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 Michelangelo’s Pietà, 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.

Cascine park

This huge farming estate, situated between the Arno and the Mugnone rivers, which belonged to the Medici family, was turned into a park by Giuseppe Manetti towards the end of the 18th century. The enthronement of Ferdinand III took place here in 1791.

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. http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it

Museo Nazionale del Bargello

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

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it

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.

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it

Galleria Pitti

Gallery of modern art, museum of silverware and Galleria.

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it

Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica in Palazzo Davanzati

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