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Florence holidays: Food, hotels and things to do in Florence, Tuscany
Whether you’re visiting for a week or just a weekend, holidays in
Florence are nothing short of spectacular; expect sumptuous cuisine,
incredible artwork and dazzling Renaissance architecture. Read on for
the Citrus Holidays guide to things to do in Florence, including where
to eat and where to stay.
Where is Florence?
Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region. It is known as
the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’ because most of the city (including its
monuments, churches and buildings) were built during this period. It is
just over two hours from the UK by plane.
Things to do in Florence
When it comes to deciding what to do in Florence, there are
certainly many options. From traipsing the halls of exquisite museums
such as the Uffizi to venturing off on wine tasting tours in search of
velvety Chiantis, your time spent here can be as packed or as peaceful
as you please. If you’re planning a short break to Florence, be sure to
prioritise the sights you’re most keen to see.
Here are some of our favourite things to do during a Florence city break:
Architecture
Marvel at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, a Gothic-style
cathedral whose construction began in the late 13th century. Sitting in
Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral complex includes the Baptistery and
Giotto’s Campanile (the free-standing bell tower) and is the
third-largest in the world.
Walk over the Ponte Vecchio, a
medieval stone arch bridge over the River Arno and lined with shops –
specifically selling art, jewellery and souvenirs. It was the only
bridge across the Arno in Florence until 1218.
Gaze up at the
striking Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall which has a 311-foot high
bell tower overlooking the Piazza dellaSignoria.The Palazzo features
Roman ruins, a medieval fortress and Renaissance chambers.
Enter the Basilica of Santa Croce, a Franciscan church and the burial place of several famous figures including Michelangelo.
Visit
the Baptistery of St John, an octagonal religious building that sits
across from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is the oldest
religious building in all of Florence.
See the Basilica of Santa
Maria Novella, Florence’s first great basilica built by Dominican friars
and home to great works of art.
Museums
Wander the halls of the Uffizi Gallery, a prominent art museum
adjacent to the Piazza dellaSignoria that houses some of the most
important works from the Renaissance period.
Get to know the
Galleria dell’Accademia, an art gallery which is home to the
world-famous David statue by Michelangelo (the original – the replica
can be found in Piazza dell Signoria).
Visit the Pitti Palace, a
Renaissance palace that has important paintings, sculptures and other
works of art. It is now Florence’s largest museum complex.
Meander
over to the Bargello National Museum, an art museum that used to be a
former barracks and prison. Today you can find ceramics collections and
other famous works of art from artists such as Michelangelo and
Donatello.
Squares and parks
Visit the Piazza del Duomo, Florence’s main square where you can see the Cathedral, Bell Tower and Baptistery.
Explore
the Piazza dellaSignoria, an L shaped square and the political
epicentre of the city. Here, you can also find the Uffizi Gallery.
Discover
the Piazzale Michelangelo, a square sitting on a hill and offering
breath-taking views of the city. In the afternoon, sit at one of the
cafes or in the tiered seating area and watch as the city bathes in an
intense sunset glow.
Soak up the scenery at the Boboli Gardens, a
park behind the Pitti Palace and home to a range of sculptures that
date all the way back to the 16th and 18th centuries.
Depending
on the length of your holiday in Florence, you might not be able to tick
off everything on this list – but not to worry, decide on your top five
favourites and gradually add more if you have time.
Food in Florence
If you’re keen to try typical Florentine delicacies, the Mercato
Centrale Firenze (also known as San Lorenzo Market)is your best bet for
good street food during your Florence break. The outdoor area sells
clothing, stationery and souvenirs, while the bustling indoor market has
two levels and a wide range of food stalls selling everything from
truffle oil to cow brains.
Here are some local delicacies that we recommend you try:
Lampredotto – made from the stomach of a cow, it is often eaten in a sandwich
BisteccaallaFiorentina – an Italian steak made from veal or heifer
Ribollita – a famous Tuscan soup made with bread and vegetables
Pecorino – a family of hard cheeses made from sheep’s milk
Mortadella– a large Italian sausage often flavoured with spices such as black pepper
Chianti – any wine produced in Italy’s Chianti region, not too far from Florence itself
Hotels in Florence
Many of our Italy holiday offers
include flights, accommodation and transfers – taking the hassle out of
booking and leaving you to focus on how you want to spend your time at
your destination.
Choose between short and longer getaways and
decide if you’d like to combine a stay in Florence with a visit to some
of Italy’s other cities, such as Rome or Venice. For example, if you’re
looking to cram as much into a week as possible, our six-night triple centre offer to Florence, Rome and Venice allows you to experience three different destinations.
Alternatively, opt for the four-night twin-centre getaway taking you to both Florence and Venice for equal amounts of time. And if your sole focus is on Florence, try one of our three-night city break deals. Useful information:
In Florence, the language spoken is Italian.
The currency is euros.
The time difference is GMT+2.
The power plugs and sockets are type L with three prongs. You’ll need an adapter.
113 is the emergency number and 112 is the number for the police.
At
Citrus Holidays, we not only offer package holidays to Florence but
also plenty of other jam-packed tours and trips too. Fuel your
wanderlust and have a look at our other European city breaks here.
Useful information
In Florence, the language spoken is Italian.
The currency is euros.
The time difference is GMT+2.
The power plugs and sockets are type L with three prongs. You’ll need an adapter.
113 is the emergency number and 112 is the number for the police.
At
Citrus Holidays, we not only offer package holidays to Florence but
also plenty of other jam-packed tours and trips too. Fuel your
wanderlust and have a look at our other European city breaks here.
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