If you are a travel enthusiast, Italy is sure to find a spot on your travel list. Some of the world-famous destinations are Rome, Venice, Puglia, Florence, etc. This little European country has something for everyone and if you are an art connoisseur, then Florence has some of the greatest art treasures in its various palaces, museums, and churches to enthuse you. Florence is the capital of Tuscany and is one of the most beautiful of the world’s cities as per Forbes. It also plays an important role in the fashion industry and makes it to the coveted list of the fashion capitals of the world. Due to its art and glamour, it sees a number of tourists all-year-round. To help you plan your Florence itinerary we have got you a list of some of the famous things in Florence, Italy.
Tip from tour guide
Florence is truly a picture book, as Hans Christian Andersen called it.
What can you see while walking through the streets of Florence? Street art, wine windows, Clet Abraham's street signs, coats of arms, plaques with famous people who have stayed in the city, flood plaques, medieval saints, beautiful shops and more.
There are also tabernacles around, one of the famous things in the city. You can always discover something new, even after so many years. Remember to walk with your head up in Florence.
1. Cradle of the Renaissance
http://www.bella-toscana.com/ Cellini's Perseus - not a bad piece of work!
Posted by Florence Firenze Italy on Thursday, 11 December 2014
Florence is rightfully called the “Cradle of Renaissance” as it is the city where modern-day Western art and culture saw the light of day. It is the place where transition of art, architecture, and monument started and Europe began to see a move from the middle ages to modernity. Some of the masterpieces that still stand tall include The Cathedral of Florence, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Historic Centre of Florence, etc. Florence is a magical and vibrant city that inspires artists to this date.
2. Richest city in Europe for centuries
Florence, Firenze !
Posted by Italy - Italia on Saturday, 11 March 2017
Florence was known as the cradle of Renaissance of Europe and was an economically successful city from 15th century onwards. Its economy was booming mainly due to its banking empire. A few families mastered financial speculations and acted like banks, loaning money to common people. Art, architecture, and fashion were other pillars strengthening the economy.
3. Major fashion houses
Posted by Christopher Lines on Saturday, 23 February 2019
Florence is one of the top fashion capitals of the world. From olden times, fashion has been one of the industries that have remained in limelight and also contributed towards the economy of Florence. Fast forward to present day, young designers and new concept stores offering bespoke clothing is taking Florence’s fashion capital tag to another level. Florence Fashion Week is one of the most important events happening in the fashion industry across the world.
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4. Horse and carriage rides
Horse and buddy ride through the streets of Florence, Italy.
Posted by Spotted Travelling on Monday, 20 March 2017
Horse and carriage rides are a unique way to explore Florence. If you are a couple, riding a carriage is one of the most romantic ways to explore the place. Various guided tours are also provided where information about the history of the place and monuments is given to tourists. The tour can last anywhere between 30 minutes to 60 minutes and is normally accompanied by drinks toward the end.
Florence Tour Guide
Joanna
Hello, my name is Joanna. I was born and raised in Poland but then I fell hopelessly in love with Tuscany and have been living in Florence for 20 years. Wisely enough, I decided to turn my passion into work and became a tour guide. Now I can share with you my immense love for the beauty, history and art of these enchanted places. I am particularly passionate about the Middle Ages, history, scu... Read more
Tours by Joanna
Florence Tour Guide
Sara Pallabazzer
I am a lively well-spoken tour guide and tour leader from Florence, and a person who has the ability to motivate different sets of audience; to communicate effectively and possesses a high degree of energy and enthusiasm.I am able to manage multiple tasks, self-motivated team player with excellent communication skills. I am proficient in Italian, English and Norwegian and possess a strong love ... Read more
Tours by Sara
Florence Tour Guide
Francesca Boldrini
Linguist specializing in art history. I am a licensed tour guide with natural communicating skills and a big passion for Tuscany andRinascimento. I speak five languages: Russian at B2 TRKI level, German at B1 level, English, Italian and French at the mother tongue level.I’ve got a great problem solving skills and the ability to work under pressure gained thanks to my experience in hospitality. ... Read more
Tours by Francesca
5. Florentine Steak (from USD 131.0)
If you are someone who enjoys cooking and would like to try a cuisine different than yours, then this Original Cooking Class and Market Tour in Florence is something you will love. A half day class lasting a little over five hours starts with picking the freshest ingredients from the Central Market. This trip is in the company of local expert chefs and you wouldn’t be required to fend for yourselves! Maximum size of the group is 25. On the menu are dishes like bruschetta, homemade pasta and dessert.
Small-Group Italian Cooking Class with Market Tour in Florence
Duration: 5 hours
6. Uffizi Gallery (from USD 19.78)
Uffizi is one of the must-visit museums in Florence as it has some breathtaking works of art. It is a great window through which Italian Renaissance and European history can be looked into. This place houses art pieces by some of the most well-known Renaissance masters and antiques donated by the Medici family. The gallery is spread over two floors and takes upwards of two hours to explore artwork well. Things to see include various paintings, architecture, sculptures, books, and archives.
Tip from tour guide
The Tribune was realized between 1581 and 1583 by architect Bernardo Buontalenti “to keep the jewels and embellishments of the Grand Duke”, Francesco I de’ Medici. The structure is octagonal because, according to Christian tradition, eight is the number that draws near Heaven. Francesco I conceived the iconography of the Tribune’s decorations and furniture as a full cosmos featuring the four elements. Earth is represented by the floor, realized as a wide flower inlaid with polychrome marbles. On the dome, Water is represented by 5,780 mother-of-pearls from the Indian Ocean, all masterly set on a background painted with a scarlet varnish. Fire is represented by the precious red velvet on the walls. Air is symbolized by the towering lantern open to the winds.
Tip from tour guide
Among the various works of art at Uffizi Gallery, you can find the sculpture of Leonardo da Vinci created by Luigi Pampaloni in 1839. Leonardo seems deep in his thoughts, meditating about something. In his left hand, he holds a drawing, the study for Jesus's head for the Last Supper. He was looking to create "the perfect head" of Christ for his fresco, observing different people and their expressions, and he eventually found it.You'll also find Bartolomeo Ammannati's Mars Gradivus here!
Florence: Skip-The-Line Uffizi Gallery Timed Entry Ticket
7. The Santa Maria del Fiore (from USD 61.96)
Also known as the Duomo di Firenze, The Santa Maria del Fiore is Italy’s most beautiful Gothic building by far. It is a magnificent piece of architecture that was started by Arnolfo di Cambio in the late 13th century (1296) and completed with a dome in 1436 that was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, an Italian architect who is also credited as one of the founding fathers of Renaissance architecture. The entrance to the cathedral is free and it sees long queues of visitors most of the time.
Tip from tour guide
I'm often asked whether it's necessary to visit Santa Maria del Fiore. The entrance is free, but there's always a long queue. So is it really worth it?
Unfortunately, you can access only a small part of the church. Many areas, especially the central zone, are closed. As you can see from the pictures, there is not much artwork to see inside. However, you can still admire the architecture and the floor. As for the frescoes of the dome, you can see it better while climbing it.
So, If you have time and you want to take a look, go for it. But if you are in Florence for one or two days, I would recommend visiting other attractions instead.
Florence: Cathedral Tickets with Brunelleschi's Dome Pass
Duration: 3.0 day
8. Boboli Gardens (from USD 28.25)
The Boboli Gardens are located behind Pitti Palace. It is an open park and houses sculptures from 16th to 18th century. Many sculptures are inspired by Roman mythology. Spread over 111 acres (45,000 sq m), it is a one of its kind outdoor museum. Main attractions of the garden include the amphitheatre, Neptune’s Fountain statue, Porcelain Museum, House of the Lorraine etc.
Tip from tour guide
Boboli Gardens showcases the works of many artists and sculptors. This includes one of the most famous Polish sculptors, Igor Mitoraj. Mitoraj, after a tragic childhood, studied in Cracow but left for Paris in 1968 during the communist era, escaping censorship and a lack of perspectives. In Tuscany, there are many sculptures of the artist, for example, under the Crooked Tower or on the main square in Greve in Chianti. In Pietrasanta, Mitoraj had his own workshop.
In the garden, you can find one of his creations, a brown sculpture from 1997, the Cracked Tyndareus, who is the legendary king of Sparta. At the back, you can see a miniature torso of a man from front and back. The sculptor gifted these creations to the mayor of the city after the exhibition of his works in Florence. They have integrated into the landscape beautifully and garner a lot of interest among the visitors to the garden.
Florence: Tales of Boboli Gardens Tour
Duration: 1.45 hour
9. Architecture (from USD 54.35)
The city of Florence is plush with beautiful museums, churches, and palaces. It is an art connoisseur’s paradise with something to admire at every nook and corner of the city. It is not called the “Cradle of Renaissance” for no reason. Some monuments date back to the Middle Ages and still continue to impress people. Some of the important masterpieces are The Florence Cathedral, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, The Pitti Palace, Palazzo Vecchio etc.
Tip from tour guide
Marble inlays of the church of San Salvatore al Vescovo (Florence). The square containing the diamond is reminiscent of the eight-pointed star or, Rub al-Hizb, the Tartesian star, also known as the seal of Mechisedec. On the left, a star is shown, with a sun, surrounded by hearts, thus love, God's charity for mankind. On the right, however, we find the more complex symbol of Revelation, with the circle, which stands for divinity, and the four semicircles on each side indicating the Evangelists.
Tip from tour guide
Basilica di San Lorenzo is one of the most famous churches in Florence. It's an example of Renaissance architecture in the city. I confess, initially, I didn't like the coldness of this space as I love colors, decorations, and a warm ambiance. Gothic architecture and frescoes are my thing, especially in churches. I needed some time to appreciate the beauty of Brunelleschi's ideas.
Florence by Land & Water: Walking Tour and Arno river E-Boat
Duration: 2.5 hour
10. Churches (from USD 285.0)
Italy is home of Catholicism and houses some of the most beautiful churches in the world. Florence is no different and its churches are an architectural marvel in themselves in addition to being places of worship. So much so that some of the churches that are not in use have been turned to museums and thronged by millions of visitors each year. Some of the most well-known churches are Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, San Lorenzo among others.
Tip from tour guide
At the church of San Salvatore al Vescovo in Florence, there's something special: seven candelabra arranged like a Menorah, a Jewish symbol. It's a reminder that different religions can come together. Instead of focusing on our differences, it teaches us to find what we share. This mix of symbols shows that we can respect each other's beliefs and find unity in diversity. It's a simple but important message of togetherness.
Private Tour: 3-Hours Churches of Florence Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Florence: a melting pot of art, culture, and fashion
Be it the revival of art and culture of Europe or the outdoors in the form of gardens and hills, Florence has a vast number of treasures to enthrall and amuse you. The city’s major fashion houses makes you get a feel of high-end celeb life and the horse and carriage rides are a unique way to enjoy the beauty of this picture perfect Tuscan capital. Florence is a great way to understand the transition from Middle Ages to modernity. Have a great and enlightening vacation in Florence!
Buchette del vino or wine windows
Contributed by Tour Guide, Joanna
Source: Joanna
Buchette del vino, or wine windows, are an interesting feature in Florence. They have been used for hundreds of years to sell wine in a fiasco (glass bottle). If you pay attention, you’ll come across many of them in the city center. Some restaurants decided to preserve the tradition and today, they sell glasses of wine through the wine windows. One of them is Osteria Belle Donne, which, as a result, is a huge attraction among tourists.
History
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