Italy

Admire the Duomo

The 15th-century old “Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore”, called the Duomo, is the symbol of Florence and is by far the most remarkable building in the city. It took at least 176 years to build, but the result is majestic. The cathedral is 114.5 meters high and therefore towers far above all buildings. From various viewpoints, this is the building that dominates the view.

The cathedral attracts all the attention, not only with its greatness, but also with its special construction. The Duomo is characterized by the large red stone dome on top, which you can spot from almost every street. You can admire the Duomo from the inside for free, if you do, go early to avoid waiting in a long line.

Danique’s sister took us to a friend who has a roof terrace right in the center of Florence. From here we had a perfect view of the Duomo. During sunset, the sky turned bright pink, orange and yellow. So magical!

Stroll over the iconic Ponte Vecchio 

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge known today for the established jewelers *bling, bling*. Early in the morning the shutters open and a lot of craft is sold here all day long. Numerous houses have been built on the bridge, which makes the bridge a unique eye-catcher of the city. A fun fact; The Ponte Vecchio has two floors. The top floor was once used to guide the wealthy Medici family to other palaces without having to walk through the crowds.

Climb to the Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint

Do you want a beautiful view of the city? Then go to Piazzale Michelangelo. You can walk there in 30 minutes from the center. Pay attention! Prepare well because you have to climb quite a few stairs to get there. Piazzale Michelangelo is a large square with a viewpoint over Florence. From this point you can spot all the highlights, the hilly green surroundings and the special architecture. The square itself is also beautiful. In the center is a copy of Michelangelo’s most famous statue “David”.

Visit the magical Roman Church; San Miniato al Monte

The viewpoint Piazzale Michelangelo is very touristy, so we recommend you to walk 5 minutes further up to the church San Miniato al Monte. From here you have an even wider view of the city and you can enjoy the view in peace, without the crowds of tourists. The Romanesque church from the 11th century is impressive, also from the inside. On a sunny day, the rays of light shine in. Before visiting the church, check the opening times, because the church often closes for a few hours in the afternoon.

Browse the special squares

Get lost through all the typical Italian alleys. Most streets lead you to impressive squares. Such as:

Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is the most touristic square of Florence, which is not surprising considering that there are a number of must-sees here, including the Duomo. Right in front of the Duomo is the Baptistery, which is particularly notable for its large bronze doors. And right next to the Duomo is the beautiful Giotto’s bell tower. If you climb up here you have a nice view over the city and the famous dome.

Piazza della Signoria

Immediately noticeable on Piazza della Signoria is the former palace “Palazzo Vecchio”, which today serves as the town hall and museum. Furthermore, the square is a true open-air museum. You will find many statues, including a copy of Michelangelo’s world famous statue “David” and a large fountain with a huge statue of Neptune, surrounded by river gods. To see the real “David” and other beautiful statues and paintings you can go to Galleria dell’Accademia. Here you can buy your tickets in advance.

Piazza di Santa Croce

The basilica di Santa Croce in the center of Piazza di Santa Croce is known as the most beautiful Gothic basilica in Italy. The special thing is that many Italian greats have found their final resting place here, such as Michelangelo and Galileo. The front of the church is very impressive. Would you like to enjoy this view for longer? Then take a seat on the terrace of Note di Vino. You are in the 1st row and have a direct view of the square and the basilica. They have the tastiest sandwiches and delicious limoncello cocktails. Cheers!

Piazza della Santissima Annunziata

We have already visited Florence several times, but we had not discovered Piazza della Santissima Annunziata before. The square is located just outside the city center, but it is certainly worth a visit. When we were in Florence, there was a special public artwork. The wolves of the artist Liu Ruowang symbolize nature’s response to humans, which causes damage to nature and disturbs its balance.

Enjoy nature in the Boboli Gardens

Florence is best known for its beautiful art, architecture and squares. So there is little greenery in the city. Still, there are some gardens to visit. We really like the variety, to be able to relax in nature after a walk through the city. So we went to the Boboli Gardens. At that time, the entrance costs €16. We thought that was quite pricey, but it is well worth it! In the gardens you will find fountains, sculptures and viewpoints over the city. It’s huge, so you can spend a big part of your day here.

Taste the culinary highlights

In Florence you certainly don’t have to worry about the food and the wines. There are so many good restaurants that you can hardly choose where to eat. We had the best dinner at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco. Here we ate a vegetarian spaghetti with burrata, basil and tomato sauce; in short, a taste explosion. For dessert, you have to taste an Italian ice cream. Tip: at Venchi you can eat delicious ice cream and the shop itself is also special; the wall is a chocolate waterfall!

Take an evening stroll through the illuminated city

If you are staying in Florence for several days, an evening stroll through the city is recommended. First watch the beautiful sunset overlooking the Ponte Vecchio. Is it getting darker? Then all buildings and highlights are beautifully lit. It gives a mysterious look and you see the city in a completely different way. Often there are many buskers in the evening, giving you the ultimate Italian vibes.