Top 5 Places to Explore in Florence
Florence, Italy is one of the most beautiful European cities I’ve had the privilege of visiting. I remember feeling this surge of excitement and giddiness as I stepped off the airport bus. I’m in Italy! I spent a few days in Florence before moving on to San Gimignano and every day felt like I was in a dream. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, definitely spend a few days in Florence. There’s art, architecture, gorgeous views and amazing food!
Number Five: Uffizi Gallery
You can’t visit Florence without visiting the world famous Uffizi Gallery. The gorgeous building houses a large collection of art by great Italian artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello and Botticelli, among others. It does attract huge number of tourists so buy your tickets online ahead of time so that you can avoid waiting in line at the ticketing booth. Be warned that it does get a bit hot and stuffy in the gallery especially when it is packed with tourists.
Number Four: Boboli Gardens
In a complete juxtaposition to the crowded Uffizi Gallery, you will find peace and tranquility at the Boboli Gardens. It’s about a 15 to 20 minute walk from the historical center where most of the hotels and B&Bs are congregated. You will have to cross one of three bridges to get to the other side of the city. One of the bridges is the famous Ponte Vecchio, a Medieval stone arch bridge with shops built along it. I crossed one of the other bridges so that I can have a view of Ponte Vecchio across the way.
Boboli Gardens is pretty massive, with open-air museums, an amphitheatre, centuries-old fountains and sculptures, and art galleries. You will need a few hours to fully explore the area. When you are ready to move on, Pizalle Michelangelo is about a 20 minute walk from the gardens.
Number Three: Piazalle Michelangelo
This is the spot to take gorgeous photos of the center of Florence. It’s up on a hill so be prepared to walk up some flights of stairs. You will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Florence skyline. Stay for the sunset if you can.
Number Two: Mercato Centrale
If you love food, this market will simply blow your mind. They have fresh fruits and vegetables, a million kinds of mushrooms, and may grocers selling dried pasta, dried herbs, sauces and cheese. There are two small restaurants in the market and I definitely recommend having lunch there. You may want to stock up on your favorite Italian herbs and spices at the market because the same things cost twice as much at tourist shops! Be aware that the market opens Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. so plan your day around that!
Number One: Duomo & Giotto’s Bell Tower
The most awe-inspiring moments of my entire trip came from taking in the views at the tops of the Duomo (dome) and bell tower. The €10 ticket entitles you to explore all five monuments in the area and lasts 24 hours so you can split the visit into two days. There are over 400 steps one way in both the dome and bell tower, 400+ very narrow ancient stone steps! You will be sweaty, you will be winded, you will be claustrophobic. But the second you get to the very top and after adjusting to your fear of heights (if you have one like me), you will be sucked into the magic of Florence. I timed my visit about one hour prior to sunset so that I can account for waiting in line and the climb up to the top. Stay for the sunset and for the gorgeous skies and twinkling lights of the city. Drink in the magnificence of this perfect city.