Florence Travel Guide
Contents
- Florence — Cradle of the Renaissance
- Florence and Its Antipode
- The City
- Top Things to Do in Florence
- Do and See
- Dining in Florence
- Cafés in Florence
- Bars & Nightlife
- Shopping
- Tourist Information
Florence — Cradle of the Renaissance
Florence sits along the Arno River at the heart of Tuscany and is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC under the name Florentia, the city rose to prominence through banking, trade, and patronage of the arts.
Between the 13th and 16th centuries, Florence became one of Europe’s most powerful cultural centres under the rule of the Medici family. Their support of artists, architects, and thinkers shaped the city into a living archive of art, architecture, and humanist thought.
Today, Florence remains defined by its historic core, where churches, palaces, and museums stand in close proximity, encouraging exploration on foot and rewarding attention to detail.
Florence and Its Antipode
Every place on Earth has an antipode — the point directly opposite it on the globe, connected by a straight line passing through the Earth’s core.
Florence’s antipode lies in the southern Pacific Ocean, far from any major landmass. This land-to-ocean antipode mirrors Florence’s historical identity as a city shaped by movement, trade, and outward cultural influence rather than geographic isolation.
While Florence sits inland among Tuscan hills, its opposite point rests beneath open ocean — a reminder that even the most landlocked cultural centres exist within a global geographic system.
The City
Florence’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving a dense concentration of Renaissance art and architecture. The city’s layout follows medieval street patterns, with narrow lanes opening suddenly into grand piazzas.
Landmarks such as the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio define the skyline, while gardens like Boboli offer quieter spaces beyond the river. Florence is also an international centre for gastronomy and wine, with Chianti vineyards extending into the surrounding countryside.
Top Things to Do in Florence
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo)
Florence’s cathedral dominates the city with its massive Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The complex includes Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery of San Giovanni.
Palazzo Vecchio
The historic seat of Florentine government, now serving as city hall and museum, overlooking Piazza della Signoria.
Galleria dell’Accademia
Home to Michelangelo’s original statue of David, along with other Renaissance sculptures and paintings.
Galleria degli Uffizi
One of the world’s most important art museums, housing masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Ponte Vecchio
Florence’s oldest bridge, lined with jewellery shops and spanning the Arno River.
Basilica di San Lorenzo
A Medici church featuring Michelangelo’s New Sacristy and the Laurentian Library.
Basilica di Santa Croce
Known as the “Temple of the Italian Glories,” this basilica houses tombs of figures such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo.
Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens
A former Medici palace and its extensive formal gardens located south of the Arno.
Museo Galileo
A science museum dedicated to the life and work of Galileo Galilei.
Leonardo Interactive Museum
An interactive exhibition featuring working models of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions.
Do and See
Santa Maria Novella
A Gothic basilica near the main railway station featuring artworks by Giotto, Masaccio, and Brunelleschi.
Cappella Brancacci
Often called the Sistine Chapel of the Early Renaissance, featuring frescoes by Masaccio.
Museo degli Innocenti
A museum housed in Brunelleschi’s Hospital of the Innocents, combining art, architecture, and social history.
Villa Gamberaia
A historic villa outside Florence known for its Renaissance and Baroque gardens.
Dining in Florence
Florentine cuisine is rooted in simple, high-quality ingredients from the Tuscan countryside. Traditional dishes include ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, crostini, and the famous bistecca alla Fiorentina.
- I Trippaio Fiorentino
- La Buchetta Food & Wine
- Trattoria Mario
- Ristorante Cacio Vino Trallallà
- Enoteca Pinchiorri
- Trattoria Bordino
- Antica Trattoria da Tito
- Il Desco
- iO – Osteria Personale
Cafés in Florence
Florence played a key role in the development of Italian café culture and gelato. Coffee, pastries, and conversation remain central to daily life.
- Caffè Gilli
- Caffè Concerto Paszkowski
- Caffè Rivoire
- Gelateria La Carraia
- Pasticceria Marisa
- Marcello…La Pasticceria
Bars & Nightlife
Florence’s nightlife includes wine bars, cocktail lounges, live music venues, and late-night clubs, particularly in the historic centre and Oltrarno.
- Harry’s Bar
- La Cité
- Rex Café
- Mostodolce
- Public House 27
- Tenax
- YAB
- Otel Varieté
Shopping
Florence is renowned for leather goods, jewellery, fashion, and artisan workshops.
- Via de’ Tornabuoni
- Ponte Vecchio jewellery shops
- Mercato Centrale
- San Lorenzo Market
- Mercato del Porcellino
- Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Tourist Information
Florence is served by Amerigo Vespucci Airport, located a short distance from the city centre.
The historic centre is best explored on foot. Public buses operate throughout the city, and taxis are available at designated stands.
The best time to visit Florence is spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and cultural events are frequent.
Electricity in Italy is 230 volts / 50 Hz using type C, F, and L plugs.
