A Trip to Florence , Why you should visit it!

Why you should visit Florence!

Florence is a dreamily beautiful city with many magnificent buildings and Renaissance influences. The city centre is ideal for walking. The best time to visit Florence is spring.

Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region and was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy for a short period (1865-1870). It is a city with a very rich history and exceptional architecture.

During the Middle Ages, it was a centre of trade and was governed by the Medicis, who supported many important Renaissance artists. It is the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, and many other artists such as Michelangelo, Verrocchio, Donatello, and Dante lived and created there.

One of the most famous paintings in the world, “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli, was created there and is now housed in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, in a room dedicated to the great artist.

Scientists such as Galileo, who died in Arcetri, Florence, also lived in Florence, and his tomb is located in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence. Machiavelli was born and lived for some years in Florence, and his tomb is also in the same Basilica.

During World War II, the city was considered a work of art by the Allied forces and was not used for military operations; however, many historical monuments were damaged by German troops.

Florence Map

This map includes the city's most important sights and will help you navigate the historic city centre with ease.

The most important sights in Florence

The best thing to do to save time and hassle is to find out in advance which museums, galleries, and attractions you want to visit and book your tickets online.

You can buy your tickets at all attractions, but you will most likely face long queues and waiting times.

The historic centre of Florence has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and gathers 4 of the city's most important sights. These are Santa Maria del Fiore – Florence Cathedral, the Dome – the octagonal dome of the cathedral, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, and Giotto's Bell Tower.

You can visit all 4 by purchasing just one ticket which costs 18 euros, but you must visit all 4 within 72 hours of the first validation. Tickets can be purchased on site, but to climb the Dome, you will need to book in advance on the website https://grandemuseodelduomo.waf.it/en/cumulative-ticket-great-museum-of-the-cathedral-of-florence?idtour=8484#

Please note that on the first Tuesday of every month, these specific attractions are closed, so plan your visit accordingly.

Santa Maria del Fiore

Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, it is the third largest church in the world after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and St. Paul's Cathedral in London. It is 90 metres high, 153 metres long, and 90 metres wide. It is dedicated to Our Lady of the Flower, a reference to the lily, which is a symbol of Florence.

Like many other buildings, it took years to complete, which is why it features many different styles. Construction of the Cathedral began in 1296 by Arnolfo and was completed around the 19th century.

The opening hours for visiting the Cathedral are daily from 10:00 to 17:00. To enter, you must be dressed appropriately, and entry is prohibited if you have bare shoulders and legs or if you wear sandals, hats, or sunglasses.

Dome

This octagonal dome was built between 1418 and 1434 by Filippo Brunelleschi. The dome has a diameter of 45.5 metres and can withstand earthquakes and lightning, as well as the passage of years, as it remains unchanged over time.

The gilded bronze sphere and cross above the lantern contain sacred relics. The interior of the dome is frescoed with the theme of "The Last Judgment," the same theme used in the Baptistery.

To ascend and admire the interior of the dome, you must climb 463 steps as there is no lift in the building, and as we informed you earlier, it is essential to book in advance. We would recommend booking your tickets before you start your trip. The dome's operating hours are 08:30-19:00.

Baptistery of San Giovanni

It is one of the oldest churches in the city and is located opposite Santa Maria del Fiore.

It has an octagonal design and is covered with white slabs and green marble. Inside, there is also a dome, which is not visible from the exterior due to the walls.

The Baptistery dates from the 4th to 5th century, where it was rebuilt on a larger scale on the site of another. Inside the Baptistery, what we immediately notice are the mosaics on the dome. Dominant is the mosaic of “Christ in Judgment” which covers 3 of the 8 sections. The others depict Saint John the Baptist – Florence's patron saint, Jesus, and more. Inside, there is also the North Door which Michelangelo called the Gates of Paradise.

The Baptistery operates from 08:15-10:15 and 11:15-19:30.

Giotto's Bell Tower

The bell tower is 84.7 metres high and approximately 15 metres wide and is considered the most beautiful in Italy.

It is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture and was probably built for decorative rather than utilitarian purposes. Its construction began in 1334 by Giotto and was completed in 1359 by Tallenti after Giotto's death.

At the top, there is a large terrace that serves as a panoramic rooftop, which Tallenti built after replacing another design by Giotto.

The bell tower operates from 08:15-19:00 and you will need to climb 414 steps because there is no lift here either.

You can also visit the crypt located beneath the Cathedral, which operates from 10:00-17:00.

Leaving the historic centre and heading south, near the Arno River, we will find Piazza della Signoria. It is a meeting point for Florentines and remains the city's political centre to this day. There we find the Palazzo Vecchio, and from there begins the Palazzo degli Uffizi, which houses the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest art galleries in the world. In the same square, opposite the old palace, we find the Loggia dei Lanzi, a building in the square that hosts many sculptures. There you will also find a copy of Michelangelo's "David."

Palazzo Vecchio

It is Florence's town hall, characterised by its 95-meter tower. Inside, there is the Civici Fiorentini museum (citizens' museum). Book your tickets below.

http://ticketsmuseums.comune.fi.it/1_museo-di-palazzo-vecchio/

Uffizi Gallery

It is one of the oldest museums – art galleries in the world and houses many works from the 13th to the 18th century. It is also one of the largest collections of Renaissance art.

In the gallery, you will also find an archaeological collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures. Beyond sculptures, there are paintings, prints, sketches, books, and archives.

You will also find works by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Giotto, and many others. Of course, don't forget to look for "The Birth of Venus."

The ticket to enter the gallery costs 20 euros, but there is also a package that gives you access to the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, and Boboli Gardens for 38 euros from 1/3 to 31/10 and 18 euros from 1/11 to 28/2 – however, you must visit them within three consecutive days. On the website below, you can book your tickets online without queuing: http://www.bticket.com/bTicket/uffizi/?_ga=2.180324964.1506585086.1530719731-409991691.1530719731

Continuing west from the Uffizi, we find the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) over the Arno River, which leads us to the southern part of the city. There we will encounter the Pitti Palace, and directly behind it extend the Boboli Gardens.

Palazzo Pitti

Dating from 1458, it was the residence of Pitti, a Florentine financier, until 1549 when it was bought by the Medicis and became their main residence. Over the years, many luxurious items, such as paintings and jewellery, were collected there. Today, the palace is divided into 4 museums. The Treasury of the Grand Dukes on the ground floor, the Palatine Gallery and the Royal Apartments on the 1st floor, and on the 2nd floor, we find the Modern Art Gallery and the Fashion Museum.

The museums are open Tuesday to Sunday from 08:15-18:50.

Giardini di Boboli

The Medici family designed this magnificent garden behind their residence. It is an open-air museum filled with Renaissance statues.

There are also caves, fountains, and a wonderful terrace. Your visit will be complete once you visit the enchanting gardens in the courtyard.

Galleria dell' Accademia

Open every day except Monday from 08:15-18:50, and the ticket costs 8 euros. If needed, you can purchase an audio guide for 6 euros for one device and 10 euros for two people.

It houses many important works, the most famous of which is Michelangelo's "David." In the gallery, you will also find other works by the same artist, but none as well-known.

You will find collections of paintings, sculptures, musical instruments, and much more. The gallery is one of the most frequented museums and will complete your tour of Florence's most important sights.

Where to stay in Florence

Choose to stay around the historic centre to be within close proximity to the most important sights. Remember that it is very difficult to get around by car in the centre, and finding a parking space is also challenging.

So, if you want to have your own vehicle to move around the city, choose any other nearby area apart from the historic centre.

Search for hotels and accommodation in Florence through Booking.com at the best prices:

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.el.html?aid=370681&city=-117543

How to get to Florence – Travel to Florence

The easiest way to travel to Florence is, of course, by air. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Greece to Florence, from any city. The best we can suggest is to combine your trip with another city in Italy. We recommend Rome, which has connections to Florence by plane, train, and bus. A good suggestion is to spend three days in beautiful Rome and then travel to Florence.

The journey by plane from Rome to Florence takes one and a half hours – in contrast, by bus, it will take 4.5 hours.

Flights to Rome are particularly affordable from Greece, and you can book them departing from both Athens and Thessaloniki.

Excursions from Florence to other Italian cities

From Florence to Ancona

The journey takes 3 hours by train and 6 hours by bus. There are frequent services, so you will definitely be able to find a route that suits you.

From Florence to Verona

Your journey to Verona will take 1 hour and 40 minutes by train, while by bus it will take 4 hours.

From Florence to Venice

The journey from Florence to romantic Venice takes 2 hours by train, while by bus it takes 4 hours.

From Florence to Genoa

To reach Genoa, the journey will take 3.5 hours by train, while by bus it will take 5.5 hours.

Extra tip:

To book train and bus tickets within Europe, visit the website https://www.trainline.eu/

Flights to Italy

Whichever city you wish to visit, you will need to book flights, as travelling by car and/or ferry is not the recommended way for Italy. Flights to Italy are available from both Athens and Thessaloniki, with direct flights by Ryanair and Aegean.

Book cheap flights to Italy through our website and enjoy Florence up close!