“Everything about Florence seems to be colored with a mild violet, like diluted wine.” –Henry James
It is nearly impossible to put into words the impact that Florence had on me when I first arrived, but I am going to try! For someone who was visiting Europe for the first time, and would be there for over a month, I was a bit overwhelmed to say the least. My college, North Carolina State University, offered a summer study abroad program that was based in Florence, Italy, and included numerous additional trips around the country (but we'll save those for another day). I stayed in a two bedroom apartment on Via S. Gallo in Florence with two roommates. It was such an amazing spot in the middle of the city!
I was lucky enough to take an Italian Renaissance history class in the heart of where the Italian Renaissance took place, but since it was a summer program, we only took one serious class and an Italian cooking class (see some masterpieces below). That left a lot of time for exploring the city! Florence was breathtaking because I had never seen architecture so historical, so grand. I couldn't believe that I would get to walk by places like the Florence Cathedral every day and that they had been standing there for generations and generations. I found myself wishing that any architecture in the United States could have that kind of impact on me (hint: nothing has).
By the time my mom, Pam, came to visit I already felt a bit like a native and had a great time showing her my favorite places in the city.
Now that I'm done musing about my circumstances in Florence, I will share some of our favorite locations from historical sights to sandwich shops. We'll continue to add as new things come to mind!
Read on for tips on what to see in this magnificent city that sparked our travel bug! :)
Must-see places for your first visit:
The Florence Cathedral/Bell Tower/Baptistery: Of course, the cathedral is the big one. There is so much to see in this area of the city. If you're up for it, climb the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo to admire Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment up close and personal. Then, outside, you're in for some amazing views of the city! We also climbed to the top of the Bell Tower when we were there, but I didn't enjoy that experience as much. From the Bell Tower, you can get beautiful views of the Duomo itself, but the climb is very claustrophobic (especially in the summer). When it comes to the Baptistery of St. John, make sure you ogle the bronze doors that face the cathedral that are called the "gates of paradise."
Ponte Vecchio: Also known as the "old bridge," this is the most iconic bridge in Florence. Initially, there were all types of shops here, including butchers and tradesmen. In 1593, Ferdinand I decreed that only goldsmiths and jewelers be allowed to have their shops on the bridge. So, it's a great spot to get some jewelry!
Uffizi Gallery: I know that visiting too many art museums can start to feel tedious or repetitive, but the Uffizi is well worth the visit! We enjoyed every minute! The superstars of this museum are "The Birth of Venus" and "Primavera" by Sandro Botticelli. There are also stunning works by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo (you may have heard of them).
Accademia Gallery: The home of Michelangelo's David! If possible, reserve your tickets ahead of time to avoid waiting in the long lines. I even had friends get turned away on peak days. Don't worry, the statue of David is just as magnificent as you expect it to be.
Palazzo Vecchio: Is the town hall of Florence located in the Piazza della Signoria. Don’t be fooled by the replica statue of David outside, to see the real thing you must head to the Accademia Gallery mentioned above. There are other statues next door at the Loggia della Signoria that are definitely worth seeing (like the Fountain of Neptune and Rape of the Sabine Women), and a lot of merchants selling leather goods nearby!
Noteworthy visits if you have extra time:
Piazzale Michelangelo: This spot has amazing panoramic views of the city - day or night!
Palazzo Strozzi: Walking around Florence, you may stroll right past this building because it doesn't look like your typical palace! The inside is beautiful and houses multiple art exhibitions each year. You can see which exhibitions are currently there here.
Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens: There's a lot to see here! The palace now houses the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Costume Gallery, the Porcelain Museum and the Museum of Carriages. However, if that all seems like too much, we really loved exploring the gorgeous gardens.
Mercato Centrale: This is one of our favorite markets we have visited in Europe. The ground floor is mostly traditional vendors offering fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat. Upstairs, there is a great food court with many different vendors (and WiFi) which makes for a great spot to relax after a busy day of sightseeing! Since I was a college student in Florence, we got most of our food from the market and grocery stores and went to restaurants as more of a treat.
Favorite restaurants/gelato shops:
Sandwich shop Osteria All'antico Vinaio: Has the best prosciutto I've ever had! It's right in the heart of the city and has been called "one of the few genuine Florentine fast food places left in the city."
Gelato faves: Gelateria dei Neri, Gelateria Santa Trinita, and Le Botteghe Di Leonardo (this one was right near where we lived, so they knew us well!)
Favorite spot for steak Florentine: Trattoria dall'Oste (probably the most expensive meal we treated ourselves to, but so worth it!)
Pasta: Trattoria Za Za & Le Cappelle Medicee were two of our favorites for delicious pasta dishes, but they have other traditional Italian items as well.
Pizza: Mister Pizza! There are two locations in the heart of the city. One is in the Piazza del Duomo.
If we forgot any major categories, feel free to ask for recommendations in the comments!
If you made it this far, thank you! We may not be able to be in Florence right now, but seriously can't wait until that changes! Since this is a new blog, we are open to any ideas or suggestions for future topics. We look forward to sharing more recommendations and experiences with you all!
-Nikki
