10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN FLORENCE

27 Apr 10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN FLORENCE

Are you planning of visiting Florence, in the heart of Italy?

Or you never thought about it?

Already visited it and considering a second visit?

 

In any of these cases, you might find this post useful:

a mini guide that takes you discovering fun and unusual things to do and see in the capital of Tuscany!

 

There are a lot of things to do in Florence.

The most famous attractions would include:

• Florence Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, in which you can admire the Brunelleschi dome
• Uffizi Gallery, which is home to “the birth of Venus” and “primavera” of Botticelli, among many other masterpieces
• Palazzo Vecchio -old Palace- town hall and a de Medici residence
• the David of Michelangelo sculpture
• Basilica di Santa Croce, a very interesting church with a lot of mysteries and home to many old geniuses’ remains
• Abbazia di San Miniato, a fascinating church overlooking Florence
• Boboli gardens

If this would not be enough though, yes, there is indeed much more to do and see in Florence!

Here I summoned 10 out of my favorite things:

 

WAIT FOR SUNSET AT PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO

 

Be sure to visit Abbazia di San Miniato during the late afternoon if possible, and then descend the road to wait for sunset at the near Piazzale Michelangelo.

Be sure you wait until the buildings light up to capture the beauty of the view at its most!

To get this picture my boyfriend caught a terrible cold – and hated me for that ðŸ?›

Wasn’t it worth it???

 

VISIT A CRAFTSMAN’S WORKSHOP

 

It surprised me how Florence is away from time even nowadays.

Walking by its alleys, you can still stumble upon many craftsmen’s workshops, some working on leather, some on metals, and so on.

But one captured my fantasy entirely: the museum-workshop of the Master Alessandro Dari.

Master Alessandro Dari is a goldsmith, and his work is absolute art.

I was mesmerized by the unbelievable originality of his jewelry  and wandered in its workshop in admiration for a long time.

There, I could also read about him from many articles and prizes displayed on the walls, and learnt that he is also a pharmacist and a sculptor, and that some of his pieces are on permanent display in Paris and Venice, as well as in the Pitti palace in Florence.

You can find Master Dari’s workshop in Via S.Niccolò 115/r, on the way from the city to Piazzale Michelangelo.

 

HAVE A DRINK AT THE “TERRAZZA”

 

Have a sip of “bella vita” on top of this rooftop trendy bar!

La Terrazza is located at the top floor of the glamourous hotel Continentale, on the Arno river and overlooking Florence’s roofs and green hills.

You can find it in Vicolo dell’Oro 6r, a few steps away from the Ponte Vecchio.

Couldn’t hold myself from adding it to my list of rooftop ventures from all over the world!

 

WALK BY PONTE VECCHIO

 

I knew Ponte Vecchio was one of the main attractions of the city.

What I didn’t expect, is for it to be monopolized by local jeweler.

A walk of dreams.

I would expect it to be bought by major brands and glamorous corporations, but Florence surprised me once again

 

ENJOY SOME WINE WHILE LISTENING TO STREET MUSIC

 

Florence is filled with art, and as you can enjoy it walking in even the most unexpected corners of the city, so can you hear it.

Street musicians are all over, but my favorite places to enjoy their talent is Ponte Vecchio in the evening golden mist, or at Piazzale Michelangelo, just after sunset.

Buy yourself a bottle of good local wine from one of the many reseller and chill with the rest of the audience.

 

HAVE DINNER AT A TYPICAL TRATTORIA

 

Oh the food.

God blesses Tuscany.

Italy is known for good food and wines worldwide, you just have to try it for yourself.

The specialty of Florence? The Fiorentina T-bone steak!

And the local trattorias have not only absurdly delicious food, they are also styled in that old-time charme that will make you feel a casa.

One of our absolute favorite was Mamma Gina, in Borgo San Iacopo, 37 r, just near Ponte Vecchio.

 

CLIMB UP TO “TORRE D’ARNOLFO”

 

If you intend to visit the Palazzo Vecchio, I would suggest to buy the ticket that includes also the tower tour.

The stairs that takes you to it are fun and interesting – you’ll step past the cell in which prisoners were kept, and it really looks like one of those castle cells you read about in tales of knights and dragons – and will eventually lead you to one of the best views of Florence.

 

WALK AROUND PIAZZA SIGNORIA AT DUSK

 

Piazza della Signoria changes its light after sunset.

The Palazzo Vecchio lights up, and so do the statues.

Many locations are open even in night time, as the Palazzo Vecchio museum, and the Loggia dei Lanzi, a free to visit cloister which protects many remarkable sculptures under its vaults.

After all of this culture-filled sightseeing, sticking in the beautiful Piazza for an aperitivo is compulsory!

 

BE CHILDISH INSIDE A PASTICCERIA

 

Panforte, amaretti, panpepato, gelato, cantucci …

These are not names of master painters, and they are all to be sought inside a pasticceria!

Try them all! Italian sweets and cakes are to die for!

 

SPOT THE MYSTERIES

 

Florence is not only breathtaking beautiful and filled with art.

With all of its court’s plots, powerful men and religious intrigues it’s a mecca for mysteries’ enthusiasts!

The above painting (which I like to call “Madonna with UFO”) ðŸ?€ is located within everyone’s reach inside the Palazzo Vecchio.

The Palazzo Vecchio itself is filled with ancients myth’s frescos and astrological allegories, with almost no sign of Catholic recall, and if you’re into mysteries and symbolism, you MUST visit the Basilica di Santa Croce. It’s way the oddest Church I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

 

Have you been to Florence?

Which other things would you add up to the list?