Florence Tour & Travel Guide, Tourist Places & Things to do

Introducing Florence

Located on the banks of Arno River, Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region in Italy. The city is known to house some of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. Known as ‘Firenze’ in Italian, the entire historic city centre of Florence is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site! Its buildings are historic and hold more valuable art pieces within them. The giants of world-class art are known to have lived here, ushering in the famous Renaissance period. Florence is considered a relatively small city, where money-lending and textile businesses were the predominant occupations. While most of its present glory is courtesy of its glorious past, it is the Florentine gourmet cuisine that shines out even today. Italy has been a fashion hub from the time designers like Guccio Gucci opened their boutiques here in the 1920s and boutique shopping in Florence is still every bit promising and classy.

Must Know Facts

Best Time to Visit

The weather in Tuscany is generally mild but as a small river basin located amidst hills, the climate of Florence tends to be subtropical. Summers are extremely hot and humid while winters are cool and wet. Summer season peaks during July and August months. In fact, in August, a lot of locals also leave the city for vacation in a cooler place. June and September are also warm but relatively more pleasant. December and January are the coldest but it rarely snows in the city. Rainfall is common in the months from October to December as well as March and April. Based on this weather pattern, the best time to visit Firenze is April, May, June, September and October – roughly the Spring and Fall seasons when walking around in the historic centre and dining in open-air restaurants/cafes is very pleasant. This also makes it expensive and crowded during this time of the year. If you don’t mind the heat or the rain, visiting during off season has its own upside.

History & Culture

The history of Florence spans across 2000 years. It was founded as a Roman military base around the first century BCE. Between the 14th and 16th century, Florence became a major economical centre – the city's ‘florin’, a coin containing of 3.5 grams of gold became the trade coin of all of Western Europe. But more than anything, Florence became the birthplace of Renaissance where arts flourished. It was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. In fact, the Italian language finds its roots in the Florentine dialect. Even today, walking the cobblestone streets of Florence dotted with churches, basilicas and museums feels like travelling in time – from famous sculpture ‘David’ by Michelangelo in the Accademia Gallery to the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore. When you’ve time-travelled enough, drink a local wine or a craft cocktail, munch at a family-run food truck or dine at ease. The Florentine culture resonates with living a life full of luxuries and pleasures and eating and drinking well!

Geography

Florence was founded as a military colony to control the north-south crossing of the Arno River through passes in the Appenine Range. Forming a part of the stunning Tuscan countryside, the city is situated 280 kms away from Rome and is surrounded by hills dotted with orchards, vineyards and farmhouses – this is the reason why local produce is immense and utterly fresh. The general elevation of the city is 50 meters and covers an area of over 100 square kms. The Mediterranean Sea and Ionian Sea lie to the south of Florence, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Adriatic Sea lies to the east. Even though the hills protected the city, walls were built during the early 14th century, most of which are now destroyed but clearly visible in some stretches. Florence expanded beyond its historic centre on the peripheries in the 20th century.

Places to visit in Florence

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Things to Do in Florence

Explore Bardini Gardens

A city like Florence is well known for its amazing art collections, architecture and rich historic past. But its natural beauty will surely leave you awe-strucked in the form of well maintained gardens and parks. The magical silence and stunning architecture of Bardini Gardens is very impressive it offers wonderful views of Florence from its 4 hectares of parkland between the left banks of Arno River. Originally it was a collection of walled orchards nearby Mozzi Palace covering the whole of the hill at the back of it.

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Shop for fresh produce at the San’s Ambrogio market

The market is held each morning (except for occasions) from 7.00am to 2.00pm, somewhat outside, with counters of clothing, products of the fruits and vegetables, and partly indoors, in the building built in the year in 1873 on project by Giuseppe Mengoni; inside the building there are slows down of sorts nourishment, meat and fish, fruits, vegetables and point restaurants.

Buy Some Italian perfume at Antica Manstermann

Located in the heart of Florence, in an unassuming building on a quiet street, not far from the bustle of Florence’s Santa Maria Novella train shop, stands what is probably the world’s oldest pharmacy and cosmetic shop. The aroma of these perfumes is exhilarating and will surely draw you crazy. And to be very sure about it you won’t be able to resist buying those.

Eat Gelato

Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. It starts out with similar custard base as ice cream but it contains higher proportion of milk and eggs (or no eggs at all). In order to make it smooth it is churned at a lower rate incorporating less air and leaving Gelato denser than the ice cream. It is all in one a great blend of unique natural ingredients and flavors. Enjoy this delicious mix with love.

Look for the best Florence door knockers

First impression is the last impression; and yes when it comes to interior decorations, first impressions count. An Italian door knocker is a great way to impress visitors even before they have entered your home. In the modern age of calling bells, knocking on the door to alert people in the house to a visitor is all but a disappearing tradition. But if you want door knocking to be unique these Italian door knockers are the perfect option that you are rather looking for. It is made up of iron, bronze or brass. So now you know that even simple door knocking could be so charming.

Enjoy Sunset at Pizzale Michelangelo

One of the beautiful ways to enjoy Florence’s hypothetical skyline is by viewing it at sunset at Pizzale Michelangelo which is high above the streets of Florence’s Old town. It is a place which offers best panoramic views and a magnificent terrace overlooking the city. It is an stunning place to grace the beauty of Florence as the sunsets are just magical and it will make you realize that even endings could be beautiful.

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Try Florentine street food

Colorful and diverse street food is one of those travel experiences one can find in cities and towns all over the world. It’s generally convenient and cheap, but its appeal goes far more beyond that. Street food here can be simple yet utterly delicious and it’s often great way to sample some authentic local cuisine. Florence is a paradise for street food lovers.

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Introducing Florence

Must Know Facts

Best Time to Visit

History & Culture

Geography

Places to visit in Florence

Cinque Terre

Things to Do in Florence

Explore Bardini Gardens

Shop for fresh produce at the San’s Ambrogio market

Buy Some Italian perfume at Antica Manstermann

Eat Gelato

Look for the best Florence door knockers

Enjoy Sunset at Pizzale Michelangelo

Try Florentine street food