Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a very popular tourist destination in Italy. With a wealth of artistic, architectural and historical sites, there is a tremendous amount to see and do. You could easily spend much more than 4 days in Florence and Tuscany, but in this post, we will review some of the ‘must see’ sites and attractions.
Location and Logistics
Florence is located about 3 hours north of Rome and just under 3 hours from Venice. So, side trips to Florence are easily made from either location. There is also a small, but modern international airport located in Florence, allowing for numerous connections all over Europe. Last fall, we began our Mediterranean vacation in Florence and arrived at the airport in early afternoon.
From the airport, we took a taxi to our hotel. As an aside, always make sure that you select a taxi that has a legitimate meter and that they turn on the meter before the start of your trip. It typically costs between 25-30 Euros from the airport to the city center, and you can legitimately be charged for each piece of luggage, not including your personal items. You can also be pretty confident that the taxis that are in the pick-up line at the airport are legitimate. However, it is always good to ask the driver what the charges will be before you get into the taxi.
It took us about 20 minutes to arrive at our hotel. There are many options for accommodations, far too many to list here, but plenty to meet everyone’s budget and preferred location. We chose the Sina Villa Medici, Autograph Collection by Marriott. It is located within walking distance of many of Florence’s iconic sites. The hotel itself was very quiet, the rooms were nice and there was a very picturesque pool area where you could enjoy a glass of wine or a cappuccino.
Soon after our check-in at the hotel, we headed out to start exploring.
Day 1 – Arno River and Ponte Vecchio Bridge – The Arno River, as it flows through Florence, is the center of all of the main sites in Florence. In order to stretch our legs after a long international flight, we took an afternoon walk from the hotel to the banks of the Arno River. There are many restaurants, shops and a lot of scenery to take in as you stroll along the Arno.
After a short walk, we reached the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge (Old Bridge). The current iteration of the bridge was built in 1345, and it is the only Florentine bridge to have survived the bombing attacks by the Germans in World War II. In earlier times, butchers and tanners used to line the bridge and tossed animal carcasses in to the river. But Florence’s ruling family, the Medicis, decided that more refined vendors were needed on the bridge and replaced the butchers and tanners. Today, the Ponte Vecchio vendors are mostly made up of jewelry stores and souvenir shops. After crossing the bridge, we found a charming café, the Café Ponte Vecchio, where we had an afternoon coffee and pastries.
Some of the most iconic pictures of Florence are either views from the bridge or of the Ponte Vecchio itself. The best photo opportunities are had in the morning. So, head out early and you will likely have the bridge largely to yourself!
After our visit to the Ponte Vecchio, we made our way back to the hotel for a delicious Italian meal and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2 – Florence – Our second day was very full and consisted of visits to many of the city’s top spots, along with a fabulous lunch and dinner. There are so many wonderful things to see and there is just no way to do it all in a short visit. We made the most of our day though, and managed to take in plenty of sites on the north side of the Arno River.
– The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – Better known as just The Duomo, this Gothic cathedral is probably the most well-known structure in Florence. Construction began in the 13th century and was mostly finished by the 15th century when Filippo Brunelleschi’s added his famous dome. Whenever you see a picture of Florence, the Duomo usually dominates the skyline.
• Inside the Duomo – When entering the Duomo, its immense size is the first thing you will notice. Throughout the church, there is an amazing amount of artwork by some of the world’s best-known artists. We were also able to stand directly beneath the dome. Looking up, the view of the dome and all of its stained-glass is incredibly beautiful.
• Climb to the top of the Dome – There are 463 steps of sometimes very narrow stairs to climb in order to reach the top of the Duomo. It may sound a little daunting, but it really is not that difficult, if you are in reasonable shape and have no issues with claustrophobia or heights. We found that the views from the top were well worth the effort. We were lucky that our tour included a stop on the skywalk, which is located outside, on the top of the cathedral’s main structure. After walking around the building on the skywalk, we then preceded to the very top of the Duomo. The photos are from the skywalk, looking up at the people on top, and from the very top of the Duomo itself. On the way back down, we stopped inside at the base of the dome. From that point, we were able to get a close-up view of all of the original frescoes on the dome’s interior, as well as the remarkable tile work on the cathedral’s floor.
TIP: For our trip through the Duomo, we had a fabulous tour guide, Sara, who happened to be an art and history major. We highly recommend a guide so that you can better understand the cathedral’s history and artwork.
• Giotto’s Bell Tower – Adjacent to the Duomo and standing over 275 feet is Giotto’s Bell Tower. The bell tower was built in the 1300’s and was probably designed more for decorative than functional purposes. Visitors can schedule a tour and climb to the top, although we passed on that adventure.
• Baptistery and the Gates of Paradise – Directly across the thoroughfare from the main entrance of the Duomo is the Baptistery, dedicated to John the Baptist. At the time of our visit, we were unable to enter the building itself. However, we were able to view its famous doors. The doors were crafted over a 27-year period by the artist Lorenzo Ghiberti. The doors consist of 10 rectangular panels, depicting scenes of the Old Testament from left to right and from top to bottom. The techniques of low relief and perspective used by Ghiberti were considered revolutionary at the time. When Michelangelo saw them, he was said to exclaim, “they are so beautiful that they would be perfect for the gates of paradise”. The name stuck and the doors are still known as The Gates of Paradise.
It is important to note that the doors on Baptistery are actually not the originals. The original bronze and gold-gilded doors were removed in 1990 for preservation purposes and replaced with replicas. However, you can still see the actual doors, along with many other artistic treasures, in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
– Lunch – After spending the morning seeing the Duomo, it was such a beautiful day that we decided to dine al fresco at the Ristorante Braceria Auditore. A quick lunch of delicious pizza and a glass of Tuscan Chianti were the perfect pick! After a relaxing lunch, we continued on with our self-guided tour.
– Piazza della Signoria – Our next stop was the Piazza della Signoria. This large square contains several well-known landmarks, the first being the Palazzo Vecchio. The Palazzo Vecchio was a private residence that housed many notable families over time, including the Medicis.
The Loggia dei Lanzi is a covered area next to the Palazzo Vecchio that serves as an open gallery for statues. There is also a copy of Michelangelo’s David in this area along with many other statues including allegorical figures of the four cardinal virtues and many figures from Roman mythology.
The square can get very crowded, so plan on arriving early for the best pictures.
– Basilica di Santa Croce – Located a short walk from the Piazza della Signoria is the Basilica di Santa Croce. The basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world and features sixteen chapels. Both the exterior and interior are equally amazing. But the main point of interest are the people that are buried within the church. The notables include, Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, the poet Foscolo, the philosopher Gentile and the composer Rossini.
– Dinner – For our second night out, we decided on a restaurant close to our hotel, the Ristorante Pizzeria Trattoria La Carabaccia. The prices were very reasonable and the pasta dishes were amazing. They offer a large menu with typical Tuscan cuisine accompanied by prestigious regional wines.
TIP: Restaurants in tourists areas are likely to be open just about all the time. But once you move away from those areas, many restaurants do not open for dinner until 7:00 PM. So just be aware that a later dinner time is the norm.
Day 3 – Oltrarno, The “Other” Side of the Arno – Most of Florence’s iconic sites are located on the north side of the Arno, but do not discount the ‘other’ side, where you will find many additional fabulous spots, including what is perhaps the best view of Florence!
– Along the Arno – Starting at the Ponte Vecchio bridge, follow the Via dei Bardi on the south side of the Arno. This street eventually changes to the Via di San Niccolò. There are many shops and points of interest along this walk, including the Bardini Museum and Gardens. After about .7 miles you will reach Piazza Giuseppe Poggi Square. This is the location of Porta San Niccolò, a gate through the city wall system.
– Porta San Niccolò – Though some of the walls of Florence have been destroyed over time, the Porta San Niccolò is a door leading outside the walls of the city. Ascend the sidewalk and stairs behind the gate and then follow the walkway as you climb. Your destination, the Piazzale Michelangelo, is directly above you. You can follow any of the paths or walkways in this area that ascend the hill. They will all end up at or near the Piazzale Michelangelo. Enjoy the lovely gardens along your route to the top.
– Piazzale Michelangelo – Once you arrive at the top, you will be in a large open area. Many vendors setup in this area to sell all sorts of souvenirs. In the center of this area is a large reproduction of the statue of David by Michelangelo. Unfortunately, when we were there the statue was being refurbished and was partly hidden with scaffolding.
However, the main attraction are the incredible views of the Duomo and all of Florence. You may want to visit this destination more than once. Depending on the time of day, the lighting can be quite different, offering varying, but always spectacular views of the city.
– Abbey Basilica of San Miniato al Monte – Just a short walk further up the hill you will find the Basilica of San Miniato. One of the oldest churches in Florence, it is beautiful both inside and out. From the front steps of the church, you will have another impressive view of Florence. Although the walk up from the river takes some time and effort, do not miss the excellent views. And, since a lot of tourists do not make the trek to the top, the area tends to be a bit more serene than other areas of the city.
– Forte di Belvedere and the walk down to the river – After visiting the church, there are several ways to make your way back to the river. If you walk down the long stairway on the left side of the Piazzale Michelangelo, you will pass the Giardino Rose Garden. After passing the garden, turn left on Via di Belvedere, which follows the city wall. This road will lead you to Forte di Belvedere.
Forte di Belvedere was founded in 1590 during the reign of Grand Duke Ferdinand I and is home to major exhibitions and cultural events. Guided tours are offered on certain days for a nominal fee. Once you are finished at the fort, you can follow Costa San Giorgio back down to the river.
– Lunch – Casa Toscana – After our long morning walk, we decided on the Casa Toscana for lunch. The restaurant is located across the river near the Basilica di Santa Croce. One thing we found out very quickly is that most meals in Italy are 4 courses, which consist of an appetizer, pasta, main course and dessert. After a huge lunch that included Lasagna and Chicken, we made our way back to the hotel to relax before checking out and heading to our villa in Tuscany.
– Tuscany, Villa I Barronci – Villa I Barronci is located about 15 miles south of Florence, in a very scenic area. As you can see in our photos, the surrounding area looks just like a quintessential Tuscan landscape painting. This beautiful villa has a large pool overlooking the countryside, as well as excellent bar and restaurant. That evening, the restaurant served up another 4-course meal including Pasta, Sausage and Tiramisu for dessert.
Day 4 – Tuscany, Sienna and San Gimignano – On our day in Tuscany, we made a day trip to 2 lovely Tuscan towns, Sienna and San Gimignano.
– Sienna – A visit to Siena is like going back in time and seeing a city much like it was centuries ago. The narrow sloping streets and tall buildings offer a perfect backdrop and easy stroll as you take in the sites.
• Siena Cathedral – Construction of the Siena Cathedral began in the 12th century and the main façade was completed in 1380. Planned expansion of the cathedral was stopped due to war and the Black Death. However, its magnificent artwork and marble floors make it a very impressive structure.
• Capitoline Wolf – According to a legend, Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, two sons of Remus who were also raised by a female wolf. After Romulus murdered Remus, the two sons fled Rome, taking the statue of the She-wolf from Apollo’s temple along with them. The She-wolf became a symbol of the city and the Column of the She-wolf is located in the square in front of the cathedral.
• Piazza del Campo – Piazza del Campo is the main public square in Siena, and is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire square is surrounded by shops and restaurants. The many outdoor cafes make the perfect spots for relaxing with a nice meal or even just a coffee. It is a natural gathering place for locals and tourists alike. The Piazza del Campo is also home to the Palio.
• Palio – The Palio is the most important event in Siena. It is a horse race that takes place within the confines of the Piazza del Campo, and it occurs twice per year during the summer months. Siena is divided into multiple areas called contrades. Even though it is a relatively small town, each contrade has its own identity, and there is a great deal of rivalry between them. For the Palio, ten of the contrades select horses and riders to represent them for the race. Each participant rides bareback, racing at breakneck speeds on the slippery cobblestones of the piazza. The winner gets bragging rights for the year, or at least until the next race.
– Lunch – Fattoria San Donato – After leaving Siena, while on the way to San Gimignano, we stopped at Fattoria San Donato. San Donato is a small medieval village that was originally built around a small Romanesque church. The village is located in the green hills around San Gimignano, and it offers magnificent panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside. The village has managed to maintain its original architecture and is today a family farm, offering a restaurant and overnight stays to the public. We were able to explore the farm before sitting down to another wonderful four-course meal that included pasta and turkey.
– San Gimignano – After leaving San Donato, we continued on to San Gimignano. San Gimignano is a small, completely walled medieval hill town. Known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture and its tower houses. Originally there were over 70 of these tower houses, and 14 still survive today. The views from the city across the Tuscan country side are simply stunning!
The narrow streets of San Gimignano are filled with shops and restaurants. As we walked within the walled city, we really felt we had stepped back in time!
The Piazza del Duomo (Square of the Cathedral) is the main square of the city and where you will find the Cathedral of San Gimignano – Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. The cathedral sits at the top of a broad flight of steps and was built around 1056. This is also the spot where you will find the Piazza della Cisterna, a well which was the main source of water for the town’s residents and dates back to 1346.
– Dinner – Villa Dianella – For our last night in Tuscany, we decided that we had to visit one of Tuscany’s wonderful wineries for dinner. We chose the Villa Dianella, originally known as the Medici Villa of Dianella. The villa dates back to the late sixteenth century and was used by the Medicis as a hunting lodge, hence the name Dianella, a nickname for Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting.
The winery was amazing and we even had a brief tour of the cellar before dinner. The dinner itself was another 4-course feast which included meat and cheese appetizer, pasta, pork and dessert.
We hope you enjoyed our overview of Florence and the surrounding small towns in Tuscany. We hope to return some day, as there is so much more to see and do. We hope you will also join us on future trips as we explore more fantastic destinations!
Until then, safe travels!
Fabulous article!
Love your suggestions! How did you travel to Tuscany? And Sienna San Gimignano? Did you use a tour group, like Viator?
We flew in to Florence and spent two days on our own exploring the city, and a tour (via Viator) of the Duomo. We then were on a Viking Ocean cruise out of Venice, but they offered a pre-cruise package to explore Florence and Tuscany. So we were with a fully escorted trip.
We plan on extending our Viking Ocean cruise in Rome (with Viking) and then take the high speed train to Florence. Do you have any tour suggestion to see Tuscany, San Gimignano and Sienna on a day trip? The Viking Tuscany extension was sold out.
We like using Viator. But be sure to look at the reviews for the tour you like. But we have had great success with them.