48 hours in Florence – Weekend Edition
Florence In Less Than 48 Words
Florence has the honor of being one of the most beautiful cities in Italy – no small feat in a country full of those. Both cosmopolitan and cultural, it is a favourite among tourists with its impressive pieces of art, world-class fashion boutiques, and a vibrant city life.
Ponte Vecchio (Photo by Javyer)
First 24 Hours
Touch down on the famous city of Florence via the small Amerigo Vespucci Airport (Peretola Airport), which is one of the main airports in the Tuscany region. It is located five kilometers west of the city center. From there, you can catch shuttle buses that arrive every 30 minutes at the terminal, which will take you to the city’s main Santa Maria Novella train station. You can also arrive via the Galileo Galilei Airport located two kilometers from the city center. There is a train there that will take you directly to the Santa Maria Novella train station. The ride will cost €10 and last for not more than 80 minutes.
Florence is not a very big city, so navigating it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. In fact, you can walk across its city center in around an hour. However, it is better to visit the main tourist office (1r Via Cavour, 00 39 055 290 832, website), where you can get valuable information and street maps. It is open from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on Sundays.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Florence’s hotels
Once in the heart of the city, you can proceed to Florence’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Hotel Davanzati (Via Porta Rossa no 5, 50123 Florence, +39 055286666, website). It offers exceptional service, an ideal location, and modern amenities.
Lobby of Hotel Davanzati (Photo by VT Professor)
A nice alternative is the Hotel David (Viale Michelangiolo 1, 50125 Florence, +1 2024703298, website), which offers beautifully-decorated rooms, helpful staff, and a succulent breakfast. You can also try out the Hotel Casci (Via Camillo Cavour, 13, 50129 Florence, +39 055 211686, website). It has a nice location near the city center, plus spacious rooms, helpful staff, and good breakfast.
PIAZZA DEL DUOMO: Let’s take a hike
Florence Cathedral (Photo by Luca Zappacosta)
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in Florence is the Piazza del Duomo (50122 Firenze, Italy). It is a square located right in the heart of the city’s historic center, and is one of the most visited sites in Europe. It bustles with shops and historic buildings, and any time you find a throng of tourists.
You’ll find there the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Piazza Duomo, 17 – 50122 Florence, +39(055)215380, website). Also known as the Florence Cathedral, it is a Gothic-style church that rises high in the air. See its massive dome – the largest brick dome ever constructed–as well as the impressive paintings and sculptures decorating its interior. Don’t miss its 44 stained-glass windows, as well as its exquisite crypt where former Florentine bishops are buried.
Another attraction in the square is the Giotto’s Campanile, which is found near the Florence Cathedral. It is an 84.7-meter tall freestanding structure, and is an epitome of the Florentine Gothic architecture. Its façade is decorated with sculptures and polychrome marble encrustations. You can clamber up the 414 steps to its summit, from where you will get an amazing view of the whole city.
You will also see the Battistero di San Giovanni, otherwise known as the Florence Baptistery. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city (1059), and embellishes the Florentine Romanesque architecture. The site is known for having been the place where Dante Alighieri and other prominent Renaissance figures had been baptized. You’ll find yourself admiring its three sets of bronze doors adorned with relief sculptures.
UFFIZI GALLERY: Admire art
Another popular attraction in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery (Piazzale degli Uffizi, 50122 Firenze, 055 294883, website). It is one of the oldest and most renowned art museums in the world. The museum has perhaps some of the most important art collections in Italy, as well as one of the richest in the world, featuring works by Botticelli, da Vinci, and Raphael. The site is open from Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays) between 8:15 am and 6:50 pm, and admission will cost €6.50.
Uffizi Gallery (Photo from Google images)
BASILICA OF SANTA CROCE: Be beauty-struck
You can also go and visit the Basilica of Santa Croce (Piazza Santa Croce, website). It is old Franciscan church whose unique architecture is blamed for the “Stendhal’s Condition.” The latter is a fainting fit caused by too much beauty, and is said to afflict an average of 12 among its visitors every year. The church is also well-known as the burial site of some of the most illustrious Italians in history, such as Galileo, Michelangelo, Marconi, Machiavelli, Rossini, and Gentile. Thus, it is nicknamed the “Temple of the Italian Glories.” It is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and admission will cost you around €5.
DINNER TIME: Discover Florence’s restaurants
Perhaps the best relaxation after a hectic day of sightseeing is dinner at the superb restaurants in the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at the Trattoria Mario (Via Rosina, 2, 50123 Firenze Florenz, 055 218550, website). It offers an authentic and delicious Italian cuisine, and is a very popular local hangout. A nice alternative is Osteria I Brincello (Via Nazionale 110 r, 50100 Florence, 39(0)55282645), which offers a simple setting, delicious meals, and exquisite dessert.
You can also try out the Osteria All’Antico Mercato (Via Nazionale 78/r, 50123 Florence, 055284182, website), which specializes in seafood, steaks, and pizza, plus good wine and service. Have some gelato at Grom (Via del Campanile, Florence), which offers some of the best versions of the dessert in the city.
Next 24 Hours
Inside of Museo Nazionale del Bargello (Photo by Steve and Jody)
Your next 24 hours in Florence can be used to discover the city’s other attractions. One of the best sites in the city is the Museo Nazionale del Bargello (Via del Proconsolo 4, 50122 Firenze, +39 0552388606, website). It is a museum set in the site of the former jail and torture chamber of Florence. The museum features some of the most impressive Renaissance sculptures in Italy. The site is open daily from 8:15 am to 2 pm, and admission will cost you around €4.
PONTE VECCHIO: Cross the bridge when you get there
A popular landmark in Florence is Ponte Vecchio. It is a medieval bridge that stretches 30 meters over the Arno River. It is also reputed to be the only one in the city to have survived the bombings of the infamous World War II. Some describe it as the oldest wholly-stone, closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge in Europe. You can still see there a flurry of shops lining it, selling jewelry, art, and souvenirs. It offers visitors a nice view of the river and the surroundings as well.
ACCADEMIA: Indulge in art
Another popular tourist attraction in Florence is the Accademia di Belle Arti (Via Ricasoli 60, Florence, +39055215449, website) It is an art academy best known for the Galleria dell’Accademia, a popular art gallery noted for being home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the “David” sculpture. You will also see there various Renaissance works, such as the 15th and 16th century Florentine paintings of Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli, and Paolo Uccello. There is also a rich collection of Russian icons at the site. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:15 am to 6:50 pm.
BOBOLI GARDENS: A walk in the park
The last place for relaxation can be the Boboli Gardens (behind the Pitti Palace), one of the most popular parks in the city. Have a leisurely stroll across its landscaped hedges and pools, or even go for a picnic. You’ll also see there a distinguished collection of sculptures that are believed to date back to the 16th century. There are some Roman antiquities to be found there as well. The gardens are open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm or even till 8 pm during June to August.
Enjoy a peaceful walk at Boboli Gardens (Photo by Aaron)
SAN MINIATO AL MONTE: Let’s go to church
Don’t forget to visit the San Miniato al Monte (Via Del Monte alle Croci/ Viale Galileo Galilei behind Piazzale Michelangelo). It is a church sitting atop a hill, and is known as one of the finest examples of the 11th century Tuscan Romanesque architecture. Its location gives visitors a sweeping view of the cityscape, and you might want to visit its exquisite crypt which supposedly contains the bones of St. Minias. The church is open daily from 8 am to 7 pm.
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