Corinna B October 17, 2020

18 Fabulous Things You MUST Do In Florence

Florence is one of the loveliest cities in all of Europe. Famous for its medieval architecture and renaissance art, Florence has so much to see and do (and eat!).

Typically tourists all stick to a handful of sites and miss 95% of the truly amazing things to see and do here. My best-selling book Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence takes you to more than 101 incredible places the tour bus crowds don’t visit, all within a maximum 20 minute walk from the Duomo. In fact most of these places are just around the corner from where you will be anyway!

But for now let’s look at 18 fabulous things to do in Florence, plus have a quick look at the magnificent Duomo.

Santa Maria dei Fiore, The Duomo of Florence

This one is a no brainer – of course you are going to visit Santa Maria dei Fiore, the Duomo of Florence. This one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and I recommend you walk past it as many times as you can while in Florence!

If you plan on climbing the dome of the cathedral be sure to book the earliest time slot possible. All access is timed entry and it gets packed all day long. The climb is steep and there are about a million steps (or 432) and in places the walls are narrower than your wingspan. Climbing the steps squished in between sweaty, smelly tourists is a total buzz-kill, so the earlier you can go up, the better!

Your OPA ticket to go up the Duomo also gives you entry to the ruins below the cathedral. These are the remains of the former cathedral, Santa Reparata. It is well worth a visit. Your ticket also gives you access to the Baptistery outside the cathedral, Giotto’s Campanile which is adjacent to the cathedral and the Opera del Duomo museum, which is behind the cathedral. All are fabulous to visit and of at all possible need to be on your must see list.

** Be advised the climb up to the dome is very claustrophobic.

1. Cross Ponte Vecchio Before 10 am

The magnificent Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is one of Florence’s most iconic sights. The problem is during the travel season it gets packed from about 10 am when the cruise ship crowds and big bus tours arrive in town until late in the evening. So if you will be in Florence between May and October try to get to the bridge before 10.

The shutter-style shop doors along the Ponte Vecchio in Florence

If you are staying overnight in Florence you should visit the bridge early in the morning before the shops open (8 am-ish). The shops that line the bridge have been there since the mid 1500’s. They have spectacular old doors with massive old locks, that are wonderful to see and you can only see them before opening time or later at night.

2. Explore Oltrarno

My favorite areas in Florence are on the other side of the Ponte Vecchio in the area known as Oltrarno (other side of the Arno river).

image of Oltrarno streets via MagicPlanet.com

You will see vastly fewer tourists over here. It is filled with amazing little medieval streets full of artisan shops, non-touristy eateries and glorious places to stop for an aperitivo.

Florence is small and safe and you can’t really get lost, so be sure to go explore!

3. Visit Basilica Santa Croce

If you only go inside one church in all of Florence, let this be the one!

Basilica Santa Croce dominates the lovely Piazza Santa Croce, not even a 5 minute walk behind the Palazzo Vecchio. There is lots to see and do here including visiting the leather school behind the Basilica. The Basilica itself is sensational. It quite possibly has the very best church art in all of Tuscany, has the tombs of many notables including Michelangelo, and has beautiful cloisters to walk through when you need a little peace and quiet.

If choosing between going inside the Duomo or Basilica Santa Croce, I would do Santa Croce every time. (And I do visit Santa Croce every time I’m in Florence – it is that fantastic!)

4. Go Walking Early

If you are lucky enough to be staying overnight in Florence I sincerely recommend getting up early and going walking before the tourists arrive. If you hit the streets at 7:30 or 8.00 am all the statues, the art, the beauty will be yours and yours alone.

Breakfast on via dei Ginori after and early morning walk

You get an entirely different appreciation for this gorgeous city when you can see it uncrowded. If out early be sure to visit Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, the bronze doors of the Baptistery that face the Duomo. All day long they are hidden behind layers of tourists so you can hardly see them and definitely can’t get a clean photo of them.

At 7:30 in the morning they belong to you.

5. Eat Panforte

Panforte and cappuccino, the breakfast of champions.

This amazing cake is actually from the Siena area but you will see it everywhere in Florence. Made from dried fruits and nuts, peppery spices and honey, and just enough flour to hold it together. A slice of panforte with your morning cappuccino is about the best breakfast you can have in Florence. Or anywhere else for that matter.

6. Buy Leather

If traveling around Italy be sure to buy leather goods here in Florence. Florence leather is coveted and famous all over the world. Everywhere you go you will see leather jackets, handbags, shoes, belts and wallets.

In my book Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence I have a chapter on how to buy leather. It tells you what to look out for, terms you need to know, my specific tips to make sure you get a great buy and don’t get ripped off, what you should be buying specifically in Florence, and I also give you my favorite shop to visit for leather.

Paris in 2017 wearing my red leather jacket from Jimmy’s Leather Collection in Florence

My favorite item in my closet is a red leather jacket I got several years ago in Florence. It has been all over the world with me, just keeps getting better and better with age, and still feels like butter!

7. Visit At Least One Museum

Florence has really fantastic museums. Everyone knows about the Uffizi and the Accademia but few know about the others. Which is quite clear when you walk in and see almost no one there!

staircase and well in the courtyard of the Bargello in Florence — The courtyard of the Bargello Museum in Florence

In Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence I tell you about some of my favorite museums that fly below the radar of the tour bus crowd. There really is something for everyone. From art museums to Roman treasures to Leonardo da Vinci’s amazing creations to a super creepy anatomy museum to a museum of weapons – there are so many to choose from! Two of my absolute favorites are the Bargello and the Bardini. I tell you about them in the book, but you can also google the best museums in Florence and add at least one to your travel itinerary.

8. Take The Secret Passages Tour at Palazzo Vecchio

Image of Palazzo Vecchio via *ttnotes.com*

This is my favorite tour to do in Florence and I take most of my Glam Italia Tour groups on it too. The tour is at the Palazzo Vecchio and takes you inside the walls of the palace to see the secret rooms, secret doorways and escape routes, and secret passages. You get to go up into the rafters about the Salon of 500 (which you see in the movie Inferno) and end up n the Medici apartments and living quarters in the palace.

The tour only takes about 90 minutes but it really is fascinating and fantastic and I have never taken anyone on it who hasn’t been completely blown away by it!

Book the tour at the Palazzo Vecchio box office.

9. Shop.

Florence has some of the best shopping in Italy. And not just the leather jackets, bags and handmade leather shoes. Florence is an artisan paradise, with little boutiques scattered throughout its medieval streets. From housewares to clothing to lingerie to jewelry – you name it, it’s here.

shopping in Florence — San Lorenzo Market in Florence

Plan to spend a little time in the markets and boutiques, do some Christmas shopping, and treat yourself to something special. Just make sure you leave some room in your suitcase for shopping in Florence!

10. Follow The Medici

Florence is the city of the Medici. This family was not only responsible for the Italian Renaissance art movement but also the Renaissance architecture of Florence.

I go into this in depth in Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence. Keep an eye out for the Medici crest everywhere, and be sure to check out their three palaces in Florence linked here.

11. Book A Licensed Private Guide

Rather than be part of a giant big bus tour I am a huge advocate of hiring local guides to show you around. It is extremely difficult to become an official licensed guide in Florence. They have to have a degree, be multi lingual, go through a very intense training program and even then very few are awarded the coveted license.

Stefania is one of the guides on my PDF list below

A licensed guide can take your good travel experience and make it truly outstanding. They always know 1000 x more than just the tour they are taking you on, and pepper your experience with endless anecdotes and insider secrets, point out so many little details you would never otherwise notice and can answer every question you could ever think up. On top of crafting an amazing experience specifically for you and your little group they will also tell you about the best places to stop for an aperitivo, a coffee or a meal.

In Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence I give you a link to download a PDF of the 5 private guides I personally use in Florence for my tours. It has their bio’s, photos, and all their contact info.

Want to know more amazing things to do in Florence? Download my free Secret Florence PDF to get the scoop on my favorite restaurants, chic bars, jewelry shops and more not-to-be-missed places! Get your Secret Florence PDF here

12. Go On An Aperitivo Tour

Aperitivo time in Florence, September 2019

It’s no secret that apertivo hour is my favorite time of day in Italy. In Florence there are some absolutely incredible wine bars to enjoy aperitivo hour – a glass of wine or cocktail served with a selection of nibbles. There are also lots of tourist-centric aperi-trash bars which you should avoid like the plague.

I tell you my personal favorite places to enjoy an aperitivo in the book but another option is to take an aperitivo tour with a licensed guide. These are tremendous. The guides are often fully qualified sommeliers and will not only take you to places you would never otherwise know about – true insider secrets, but will also guide you on which wines to order and which foods to pair with them.

This is a quintessentially Florentine experience and you will love it!

13. Go Up High For Sunset

Florence is a city with exceptional views. I always recommend planning every sunset ahead of time to make sure you have a fabulous view of the colors as the last of the un washes over Florence for the day. I promise you you will never, ever forget it!

Whether walking up to Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato al Monte for the view alone, or going to a rooftop bar for a sunset aperitivo, plan ahead and get there a little early be sure of getting a good spot. (Again, I have a chapter on my favorite places to watch the sunset in the book.)

14. Eat Lampredotto.

Lampredotto is the most Florentine of street foods. You will see food trucks selling them all over town and you really must try one while in Florence!

the most famous street food in florence — Lampredotto with salsa verde in Florence

Find out all about Lampredotto in this blog post.

15. Get Off The Beaten Path

Florence is a very small city and is easy to walk around. You will find that 95% of the tourists all stick to the same handful of places, which means those spots get very overcrowded, but everything else is wide open for you to enjoy exploring. The GPS on your phone will easily guide you back to the Duomo should you get lost, and you will never be more than a 20 minute walk (maximum).

Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence actually has more than 101 fabulous places for you to explore, most of them away from the crowds. The best experiences you will have are the ones that happen off the beaten path, or away from the crowds. From the most sensational art to quiet piazzas to enjoy a coffee in, palaces, museums, churches and shopping, the best of Florence happens just off the beaten path!

16. Enjoy A Green Space

The Rose Garden in Florence, image via LoveFlorence.com

If you will be in Florence for more than just a day trip I definitely recommend enjoying at least one of the city’s nature spaces. Be it the Boboli Gardens, The Rose Gardens or the Bardini Gardens (for starters!) you just can’t beat a little peace and quiet combined with views of this historical city.

It is really easy to get tourist burn-out is a city with this many day trippers, but even just a short time a

17. Only Eat Artisan Gelato

Did you know that some of Italy’s best gelato is in Florence?

Typically tourists stop at the chain store, factory manufactured gelato spots adjacent to the big tourist sites, places no self – respecting Italian would ever eat at. Yet right around the corner there will be an artisan gelato shop.

*image via Gelataria La Carraia in Florence*

Artisan gelato is the absolute best in the world. Handmade in small batches, normally on site, and always with seasonal, fresh ingredients. Florentines love gelato and will only eat the real deal artisan kind, so there are artisan shops quite literally everywhere. And in almost every case the real stuff costs the same as the artificial gelato, so you might as well taste the quality version!

My book tells you about my favorite 10 gelato shops in Florence (such as Perche No! and Carraia) and what flavors you really must try. In the meantime this post tells you all about artisanal gelato and why you must only buy artisanal when in Italy!

18. Walk At Night

Florence is a very safe city to go strolling at night. Every evening you will see both locals and fellow travelers out for walks, taking in the beauty of the city and no doubt imagining the centuries of life that have taken place on these very same streets.

By night Florence takes on a magical hue, and is quite frankly, breathtaking. Not only do I recommend a long after-dinner amble, but I also have another piece of advice: look up.

You will be amazed at the frescoes you see on the walls and ceilings of the private palaces and apartments throughout the city, visible from the street only when the lights are turned on inside at night.

Best Florence Travel Guide Book — Get your copy of *Glam Italia*! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence on Amazon.com (Or your country’s Amazon)

Join my Private Members Newsletter for more tips on traveling in Italy, secret towns the tour buses don’t visit, specialty foods and festivals you won’t want to miss out on, and much, much more! Twice each month you’ll get a secret slice of Italy in your inbox. Join here

Save this post to Pinterest with this pin:

Corinna B April 5, 2018

How To Find The Best Sunset Spot In Florence

Have you ever wondered where travelers go to get those amazing, panoramic views of Florence? Where they take the postcard-like photos with the Duomo, the Campanile and the tower of Palazzo Vecchio standing out majestically against the beautiful backdrop of the city with the Arno river cutting through it? It just so happens that this place is the best spot in all of Florence to watch the sunset.

If you are in Florence at the end of the afternoon I recommend taking the 30 minute walk from the heart of town up to Piazzale Michelangelo. Plan to arrive half an hour before sunset so that you have time to look around, take in the views, and get some great photos.

Late afternoon, Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence

Alternatively, spend the late afternoon in Piazzale Michelangelo and then wander back down the hill and onto one of the bridges and catch the setting sun as it meets the Arno. It is such a beautiful sight – you will remember it forever!

Sunset on the Arno River

RELATED POST: WHERE TO BUY LEATHER IN FLORENCE

What Is Piazzale Micheangelo?

This is a square dedicated to the famous sculptor and painter. It has bronze copies of his work including the David. But perhaps more importantly it has the most beautiful, sweeping views of the city.

Where Is Piazzale Michelangelo?

Michelangelo’s Square is across the river from the Duomo in the Oltrano district, perched up on the hill.

How To get To Piazzale Michelangelo

There are several ways to get up to Piazzale Michelangelo. My favorite is to walk. If you cross over to the south side of the Arno at any of the bridges you can walk parallel to the river (there are signs from Ponte Vecchio) heading upstream towards the Torre San Niccolo’, an old tower that was once part of the medieval city walls. It is easily spotted jutting up above the rooftops.

Once you reach the tower you are actually directly under the piazza. You will see the staircases working their way up the hill into the park. Be prepared for some significant thigh burning as you head up there, but on the bright side you are earning dessert! (Or burning off a hearty Florentine lunch…) Once you get to the top you will cross the street, take a small staircase and you will be in the piazza!

Another walking option is from the Porta San Miniato. Go through the gateway and take a short but steep street to the beautiful old stone steps that will take you past the entrance to the rose garden and into the piazza.

Whichever walking route you take, make sure you keep looking behind you as the panorama of Florence comes into view! Take the other route back down when you are done, so that you can experience both.

RELATED POST: HOW TO ORDER COFFEE IN ITALY

If the walk seems like too much (there are a ton of stairs) another option is to take the bus. From the train station you can take the number 12 or 13 bus, which you will find by the taxi stand. You will need to buy your bus ticket at the tabaccheria first.

The Hop On Hop Off bus goes to Piazzale Michelangelo too.

Not in the mood for walking or taking a bus? It is a quick taxi ride up to the piazza.

My new book, Glam Italia! How To Travel Italy is now available worldwide on Amazon.com! You can have a look or get your copy HERE

Corinna B December 17, 2016

9 Reasons Why You Should Visit Florence In December

I absolutely love Florence.

I spend time there every year, and every time I’m there it’s as though it was the first time – it never loses its magic.

Last year I was there twice leading private tours (The Glam Italia Tours), but then I snuck back by myself for a little vacation in December and fell in love with the city all over again.

Florence is spectacular any time of the year, but December is just sensational.

9 Reasons why you should visit Florence in December

1. The Tourists Are Gone.

December mornings in Santa Maria Novella

I try to avoid Florence during the busy tourist months of July and August, but during the spring and the fall there are still throngs of enthusiasts getting themselves some map time in the middle of the sidewalks, cluttering up the view of the statues, generally getting in the way.

Piazza della Signoria in December

December gives you a whole new city. The streets are wide open and clear, you can stroll all over town and not have to move to avoid a tour bus full of people walking down the street. You own Florence in December – the city is yours.

Strolling Ponte Vecchio

2. The Prices Go Down.

Take out the tourists and the cost of everything goes down. There are deals to be had in all the stores, restaurant prices go down, accommodation costs less. Even the airfares are reasonable.

It’s fantastic.

3. The Lines Evaporate.

Palazzo Vecchio museum in December. Not a tourist in sight!

No matter what you want to see, there are no lines and no crowds.

In December everywhere I went including the Palazzo Vecchio and the Ufizzi there were no tourists in sight. This meant I had the museums and art galleries all to myself. There was no wall of people to try and see through, everything was there just for me.

Looking down on David from the Palazzo tower

I was able to view the greatest works of Renaissance art from up close, then step back, take in all the angles, and not have a single soul get in my way.

Looking down at the statues outside the Uffizi from the Palazzo vecchio tower

4. People Are Even More Friendly.

Without mindless throngs of rude tourists being demanding, criticizing, and no doubt just being plain annoying, the locals can focus on you when you are there in December. They have more time to chat, have space to tell you about interesting things to do, can linger over coffee or a glass of wine and give you so much more quality time.

5. Christmas Is Amazing In Florence.

The Corsa at night

Santa doesn’t show up in Italy. Christmas is about Jesus.

Precepe outside Santa Maria Dei Fiore

Regardless of your religious beliefs it is so refreshing to walk around at night and see all the gorgeous lights, with no sleigh bells jingle-ing ring-ting-tingle-ing too.

No elves, no Ho Ho Ho, no candy canes. It feels so authentic and so legitimate.

Walking in and out of stores you aren’t assaulted by looped cheesey Christmas carols or made-for-Christmas wares. The Christmas season runs from around December 8th until January 6th, and the stores start running end of year sales with discounts ranging from 30% to 70% – and who doesn’t want amazing Italian clothes and shoes at 70% off??

6. The German Market.

Piazza Santa Croce becomes a German market in December. Stalls selling wooden German toys sit next to knick knack stalls, Sicilian marzipan stalls share walls with vendors selling hot German sausages. There are all kinds of European foods available, hot drinks and cold beer. It smells wonderful and it is particularly lovely to stroll around at night.

7. The Sunsets Come Sooner.

Hazy December evening in Florence

As much as I just love those long, soft, summer evenings in Florence, sitting up at Piazzale Michelangelo watching the sun set over the Arno, I also love bundling up for the December chill in the late afternoon and catching the sun setting for the evening at 5 or 6 pm. It’s wickedly romantic!

8. The Food.

The food in Italy is pretty fantastic at any time of year, but there is something so divine about spending the afternoon out and about in the cold afternoon air and then wandering into some little restaurant filled with happy, boisterous locals and sitting down to a bowl of Tuscan tomato and basil soup and a big fat glass of local red wine under the gaze of a wall of frescos painted 600 years ago. (much more enjoyable without the crowds of tourists during the summer!)

9. The Hazy Mornings And Afternoons.

I probably wouldn’t enjoy the grey spells if I actually lived there, but as a guest I found them completely beguiling. Wandering through Florence and surrounding Tuscany, looking at the castles rising up through the fog, looking out the train windows at fields bathed in grey mist you discover a whole new Italian romance. It’s so beautiful.

Winter cappuccinos in the piazza on a grey morning before the sun breaks through are sensational.

I’m a little heartbroken that I couldn’t be there this year in December, but I’m planning on going back for a pre-Christmas visit next Year. Florence in December is just fabulous. You might just want to add it to your bucket list.

Bonus Content

Would you like to know my favorite secret places in Florence? From my favorite restaurants to secret perfumeries and jewelry designers these are places I will never divulge on the blog! I have made a PDF that tells you all these secrets. The wine bars alone will make you drool!

Click here for my Secret Florence PDF!

Have you ordered your copy of my book Glam Italia! How To Travel Italy (Secrets to Glamorous Travel on a Not So Glamorous Budget!) Essential reading for anyone planning a trip to Italy or just hoping to go! Available exclusively on Amazon.com Click here to order your copy!