Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Firenze, where historic architecture, trendy cafes, and artistic wonders blend to create an adventure filled with culture, delicious food and wine, and unforgettable views.
First things first, you have to choose a place to stay. We were super pleased with our AirBnB selection because of the view from the patio (pictured below) overlooking the Piazza del Duomo. It’s not for everyone though, as it does require going up and down stairs to get to the bed and is a “tiny” home. The Duomo is one of the main attractions of Florence – don’t forget to view the Baptistry Gilberti Gates of Paradise doors. We also really enjoyed walking around the piazza in the evening as the atmosphere was very exciting.
One of the most popular things to do in Florence is visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the statue of David. It costs about 12 euros each but DEFINITELY requires advanced reservations, which sadly we did not have. Even with reservations, the line for entry wrapped around several blocks and there was no shade in the line which seemed really tough during a heat wave. Instead, we visited the notable Uffizzi museum (needs advance reservations) as well as the Bargello National Museum which does not need reservations and was much easier to walk around. Another very popular thing to do is visit the Piazzale Michelangelo for the sweeping views over Florence.
Be sure to walk across the Ponte Vecchio and grab a gelato while checking out the various merchant stands. The Medici chapels are also well-worth the visit as well as the Church of San Laurenzo which was the Medici’s church. For a fun afternoon break, be sure to check out one of several “wine windows” which have been popularized on social media. The idea is you knock on a small wooden door and receive a glass of wine – in reality you’ll see a line winding down the block first before you see the window!
As far as food recommendations, we highly recommend the ravioli at Raviolo e Raviolo. We also checked out O’Vesuvio (the pizza place the Jersey shore staff worked at in Florence) which actually had very delicious pizza!
Before you leave Firenze, don’t forget to rub the boar’s nose at the Fontana del Porcilino for good luck! We’ve rubbed it twice now, and can’t complain!
Any other suggestions for Florence? If you’re traveling through Italy, make sure to check out our Italy page for more ideas!