Florence holidays

Popular holidays

Florence holidays flaunt all the famous landmarks – like the Duomo Cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and Michelangelo’s statue of David.

Fanfare for Florence

Welcome to Florence, the Tuscan city that’s a bonanza for the eager sightseer. It’s nicknamed the ‘Cradle of Renaissance’ thanks to its excessive art history, and the orange-and-lemon-coloured city centre’s got its own UNESCO World Heritage label. You’ll need more than two hands to tick off Florence’s numerous art galleries, museums, and architectural masterpieces. Plus, it’s a top-notch hub for cafés, gelato shops and cosy drinking dens.

A beginner’s guide

Knowing where to start in Florence is a tricky one, because all its landmarks are major attention-seekers. The famous domed Duomo Cathedral is a must-visit, and so is the Medieval Piazza della Signoria. Then there’s the arched Ponte Vecchio bridge, which was the first bridge built over the Arno river. Today, it’s layered like a cake with many jewellery and antique shops. The sculpture-studded Boboli Gardens are also worth adding to your agenda, if only for a quick breather in Florence’s biggest green space.

Art, art, everywhere

Nowhere does art history quite like Florence, and you’ve got a treasure trove of galleries to sift through. Our favourites include the Uffizi Gallery, home to works by VIPs like Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. The Accademia Gallery is also worth popping into, if only for an eyeful of the uber-famous nude marble statue of David by Michelangelo.

In the mood for food

Foodies get the same A-star treatment as culture vultures in Florence. Corner cafés are in abundance, so fuelling up on Italian coffee and sweet pastries is no hard task between visiting tourist landmarks. Gelato’s a big deal here, too. Head to a gelateria for this creamy home-made ice-cream, where flavours can range from hazelnut and pistachio to rose and matcha green tea.

Popular hotels in Florence

Top things to see and do in Florence

Beaches

Ride the train to the sea

Florence may be an inland city, but the seaside is in relatively easy reach if you fancy a change of scenery. Viareggio, on Italy’s west coast, is the easiest sandy beach to get to. A direct train ride from the city centre takes an hour and a half, or you can drive to it in closer to 60 minutes.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Grab a cheap-as-chips memento at the San Lorenzo Market. It’s got indoor and outdoor sections, with part of the market dedicated to fresh fruit and veg. In the remaining area, you’ve got your pick of handmade Florentine goods – like leather wallets and bags, pottery, books, and souvenirs. Bargaining is welcomed, too.

Designer buys

If designer retail therapy’s your jam, head to the Via Tornabuoni. This elegant street in Florence’s centre is home to big name brands like Gucci and Prada, as well as a perfumery, and a luxury shoemaker dating back to the 1920s.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Hit up the San Frediano neighbourhood for a chilled one. Here, quiet wine bars rub shoulders with cosy cocktail hangouts and Italian tapas places. This area’s also home to Florence’s’ first Sake bar, as well as a quirky bookshop that deals in live music and tipples after sundown.

Lively evenings

For all the ingredients of a big night out in Florence, make sure you swing by the Santa Croco district. It’s considered the heart of the city’s nightlife, and is peppered with beehive-buzzy bars and neon-lit nightclubs.

Food & drink

Gelato

Salted caramel, chocolate, fig, pear, pistachio, lemon, mint, rose… you name it, Florence’s gelaterias – gelato shops – have got a flavour to suit everyone. This Italian version of ice-cream, made with less cream and more milk, is available on practically every street in the city. A creamy cone or tub of gelato is a staple of Florence’s foodie scene, and a great way to cool down while sightseeing.

Schiacciata Fiorentina

A classic Florentine cake, the schiacciata Fiorentina is a soft yellow sponge topped with sugar. Slices are stencilled with a cocoa powder fleur-de-lys, making the cake super-easy to identify. You’ll come across this kind of cake in just about every bakery in the city.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Meat-eaters, assemble – for this extra-large, extra-tasty steak. The Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a giant T-bone, pink on the inside, seasoned with salt and pepper, and roasted over chestnuts. This massive steak is made for sharing, so make sure you take a friend with you to dinner.

Lampredotto

This love-it-or-hate-it Florentine folk meal dates back to Italy’s Medieval period. Lampredotto is a sandwich made with thinly sliced, boiled tripe. It’s a popular dish to buy at outdoor markets or street vendors, and for a dash of extra flavour, you can order it with a spicy or herby sauce.