Firenze, City of Arts
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If you want to be inspired by a city, come to Florence.
I will never forget my first impression of Firenze. It was my first time in the city of arts and I was very excited to explore every corner of it. I only had 72 hours and so much to see and do.
As I was walking towards the Airbnb with my suitcase in hand, I suddenly was paralysed by the beauty in front of me, the Duomo of Firenze, also called Catedrale de Santa Maria Dei Fiore. It appeared as if of nowhere, but there it was, pure magnificence in front of my eyes. It’s been a minute since I was impressed by my surroundings, and this certainly exceeded the mark. An incredible work of art you’ll find hard to look away from. And that was just the beginning to my trip. Joy.
Looking back, I would have loved a couple more days to fully immerse myself in the arts city that is Florence, but if similar to me, you are here only for a long weekend, find below our suggestions on where to stay, eat, drink and do in this vibrant and busy city.
Have fun and stay safe,
TCB xx
DAY 1
08:00AM - 10:00AM: See the sun rising from a different height and visit the Duomo’s Cupola di Brunelleschi, where Dante’s Inferno is painted.
Two warnings here: this activity is not for the heart fainted and requires booking in advance. You’ll have to hike around almost 500 steep steps to get to the top, so if you are not into this, avoid at all costs. Having said that, you won’t get better views of the city than here. In my opinion, certainly worth it. Not to mention the incredible painting that you’ll get to take in midway through the top.
10:00AM - 12:00PM Grab a espresso and a quick Tuscan sandwich and join a walk tour
Immerse yourself in the history of the Medici and their relationship with Florence by joining a walking tour. It is incredible the little details you can learn by buying into these activities and I am a big fan of (fun) facts so this always gets my vote. Plus I find the guides always have great tips for food! Sold. We stoped by Maledetti Toscani for a Salami sandwich beforehand and it was the best snack/ brekkie we could have ever wished for.
12:00PM - 1:30PM In between hours, shopping!
Florence is no Milan or Rome but certainly has some good spots when it comes to fashion. The city where Ferragamo was born and also the home to Luisa Via Roma, one of the biggest multi brand luxury retailers. Other spots that get our vote include Gucci Garden )Really a must), Boutique Nadine and Dixie.
2:00PM - 4:00PM The time we’ve all been waiting for: Lunch!
Have delicious fresh food at Casella 18, a family run restaurant in the heart of the city. Big mamma plates full of flavour and excellent service. I had a pistachio pesto pasta I am still thinking about.
4:00PM - 6:30PM: Give yourself a little rest, drop your shoppings bags, and maybe have a shower before heading out again. Or continue shopping, or wandering through Florence’s Giardinis. Your call.
7:00PM - 9:00PM: The sun is starting to set, so it’s time for a little walk by the river Arno, crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio, or old bridge, dated from the medieval era. There’s plenty of fancy shops and stalls by the bridge now, so if you are into splurging, you have found your place. For aperitivo with a view, head to Golden View. But don’t stay too long here, as you’ll have to walk back to the centre for dinner.
9:30PM: Dine at La Giostra.
If you can only pick a place for dinner, it has to be La Giostra, and you have to book in advance, cause this place is in demand. The restaurant used to be a winter storage place back in the 1700s, so you can imagine all the stories it holds. The owners have managed to keep its historical look and it is rather charming. The sommelier is hard to miss (we won’t say more) and the steak is a must.
DAY 2
09:00AM - 12: 00PM: Start the day with more culture, this time at The Uffizi Galleries.
Now that you’ve got your bearings, it’s time to get cultural. First stop? The Uffizi Galleries. They are to Florence what the Louvre is to Paris. Vast, opulent and full of incredible art. You can easily spend 2 hours just trying to get through the building in its entirety. Split in to two separate allies by a square in the middle, you’ll see pieces dating from the Middle Ages to the Modern period. Don’t leave without seeing Boticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Caravaggio’s Medusa. They are a must.
1:00PM - 3:00PM: Street Markets, Prosecco and Lunch at a B-Roof
Now that was quite tiring wasn’t it! Reward yourself with a refreshing glass of Prosecco at Hotel Baglioni’s B-Roof. They have a steal of 35€ Weekend 3-course meal that is hard to combat. Plus their al-fresco terrace is not only gorgeous but also has incredible views of the city. Make sure you stop by the street market on Via Dei Conti, they have excellent leather goods and super fun recycled denim jackets.
3:30PM - 5:00PM: Time to see David
Book your ticket to Accademia Gallery and see Michelangelo’s David in person. It is incredible big! If you’ve been here before, then alternatively we would suggest visiting Pitti Palance, the Tuscan version of Versailles. Think big and beautiful gardens, opulent state house with plentiful Renaissance art and you are almost there.
7:00PM - 9:00PM: Time for aperitivo and sunset again!
For aperitivo today, we would suggest visiting Hotel Palazzo Guadagni, not without a visit to the Santa Croce Church before hand. Dinner should follow at Gurdulu, across the street from the hotel. This part of town feels much calmer and we loved it here, we finally felt we were part of the city, as opposed to mere tourists, only 48 hours after arriving.