Image by Photo Art by Mandy / Getty Images

Florence

Cradle of the Renaissance, romantic, enchanting and utterly irresistible, Florence (Firenze) is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine.

Art & Architecture

Few cities are so compact in size or so packed with extraordinary art and architecture masterpieces at every turn. The urban fabric of this small city, on the banks of the Arno river in northeastern Tuscany, has hardly changed since the Renaissance and its narrow cobbled streets are a cinematic feast of elegant 15th- and 16th-century palazzi (palaces), medieval candle-lit chapels, fresco-decorated churches, marble basilicas and world-class art museums brimming with paintings and sculptures by Botticcelli, Michelangelo et al. Unsurprisingly, the entire city centre is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Boutique Shopping

Italy's fashion industry was born and bred here. Homegrown designers Guccio Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo opened haute-couture boutiques in Florence in the 1920s and shopping in the Tuscan capital has been stylish ever since. A-lister fashion houses lace Via de' Tornabuoni and a Pandora's box of specialist boutiques selling all manner of beautiful objects parade alongside family-run botteghe (workshops) in a glorious tangle of medieval backstreets. Watch fourth-generation Florentine goldsmiths and shoemakers at work, buy artisan scents evocative of the Florentine countryside and Tuscan sea breeze, and know the tag 'Fiorentina' is one of the finest international labels going.

Food & Wine

Quality produce sourced locally, seasonally and sustainably is the holy trinity and Florentines share an enormous pride in their culinary tradition. Their city, surrounded by wine-rich hills, is a gourmet paradise where eating and drinking exceedingly well is mandatory. Be it a traditional bowl of earthy ribollita (bean, bread and veg soup), a tripe panino at a family-run food truck or a blue T-bone steak served in a market trattoria unchanged since 1915, dining in Florence is timeless and memorable. Raw cuisine, fish bistros, craft cocktails and the dazzling creativity of modern young Tuscan chefs add contemporary edge.

La Dolce Vita

Stand on a bridge over the Arno several times in a day and the light and mood changes every time. At sunset hike to Piazzale Michelangelo to be dazzled by a palette embracing every known shade of soft pink, orange and fiery amber. Surprisingly small as it is, Florence looms large on the world's 'must-sees' list – and not just for its unmatched treasure chest of art. Rich in culture, backdropped by history and anchored by family, faith and food, the Florentine lifestyle is enviably sweet. Enjoy a go-slow afternoon passeggiata, indulge in an aperitivo at dusk, savour la dolce vita…

Why I love Florence

By Nicola Williams, Writer

Florence is made for walking, which suits me perfectly, but what never ceases to amaze me is its overwhelming beauty. It's impossible not to be completely and utterly seduced by the sheer size and grandeur of Brunelleschi's red cathedral dome on Piazza del Duomo; by the sensual beauty of a stash of lesser-known Michelangelo sculptures that no one really talks about (forget David – Dawn and Dusk sends shivers down my spine); by the hopelessly romantic city light that turns the Arno and its bridges into a portfolio of Turner canvases during my early-morning runs. Swoon.

Must see in
Florence

  • Galleria degli Uffizi

    Few art galleries evoke such an overwhelming sense of awe and wonderment as the world-class Galleria degli Uffizi, in an architecturally magnificent palazzo built in 1560–80 on the banks of the Arno. Vast, labyrinthine and history-rich, the building alone is stunning: stand on the roof terrace where the Medici family gathered to enjoy music concerts on the piazza below and time travel to 16th-century Florence. Add the world's finest collection of Renaissance paintings, with masterpieces by Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Titan and Caravaggio, and enter art-lover paradise.

  • Duomo

    Superstar of the city skyline, the spectacular Duomo is up there with Rome's Colosseum and Pisa's Leaning Tower as Italy's A-lister icons. The cathedral's polychromatic marble facade is gargantuan and striking. But what makes the building so sensational is Filippo Brunelleschi's distinctive red dome, one of the world's greatest architectural achievements. Spiral the staircase to the base of the dome, peer down on the toylike cathedral interior and up at its frescoed cupola – then climb some more for a glorious panorama of Florence laid out at your feet.

  • Museo di San Marco

    One step removed from the mainstream tourist circuit, this largely unsung museum in the peaceful university 'hood of San Marco is one of Florence's most spiritually uplifting and captivating art experiences. At home in the 15th-century Dominican monastery where the wickedly devout Savonarola and artistic genius Fra' Angelico both served God, the museum showcases original works by 'il Beato' (the blessed), as the gifted frate (friar) was known: no fresco better portrays the humanist spirit of the Renaissance than Fra' Angelico's Annunciation.

  • Florentine Cuisine

    Age-old recipes and culinary traditions passed between generations form the backbone of local Florentine cuisine – a highlight of any stay in the city. Be it sinking your teeth into a tripe panino at the Mercato Centrale or a bloody-blue bistecca alla fiorentina (T-bone steak) at nearby Trattoria Mario, savouring a zesty gelato bursting with natural flavour or experiencing the exciting modern Tuscan cuisine of talented chef Simone Cipriani, eating in the city is exciting, varied and wholly memorable.

  • Trailing David

    No visit to Florence is complete without checking out Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia – however many photographs you might have seen of the famous statue, nothing quite prepares you for the dazzling luminosity and gracefulness of the real thing, complete with rippling muscles, bulging veins and highly charged gaze in anticipation of the giant he is about to slay. Flesh out the story with a David tour of Florence, taking in life-sized copies on Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo, and admiring David by other artists in Museo Bargello.

  • Cafe Culture

    Urban life in Florence is as much about hobnobbing with friends over coffee or hanging out on a sun-flooded pavement terrace on a fountain-stitched piazza and people-watching as savouring world-class art. Cafe culture is an intrinsic part of Florentine life, with an address to suit every mood and moment: enjoy the city’s finest hot chocolate and people-watching terrace at historic cafe Caffè Rivoire; choose your own carefully curated, world coffee at on-trend roastery Ditta Artigianale; or dip into a backstreet address in artisanal Oltrarno.

  • Aperitivo

    No ritual is more sacrosanct than aperitivo, or 'Happy Hour' as many bars call it in English when friends gather for pre-dinner drinks accompanied by gourmet tapas or a banquet of savoury snacks. Be it a perfectly mixed cocktail at Mad Souls & Spirits, a humble bottle of local craft beer across from the market at PanicAle, or a glass of Tuscan wine paired with cured meats at Le Volpi e l'Uva, aperitivo is a cherished Florentine tradition that should be embraced with gusto when in town.

  • Museo della Cappella Medicee

    The powerful Medici dynasty dominated Florentine life from the 15th to 18th centuries, making the city the beguiling Renaissance gem it is today. Under the enlightened patronage of de facto rulers Cosimo the Elder (1389–1464) and Lorenzo il Magnifico (1469–92), the arts flourished, and nowhere is Medici conceit expressed so explicitly as in the Medici chapels. The burial place of dozens of Medici, these chapels are a dazzling orgy of precious jewels and stones. For art lovers, the ultimate reward is the hauntingly beautiful tomb sculptures by Michelangelo.

  • Palazzo Vecchio

    No single address evokes the power and glory of Renaissance Florence with as much pomp and circumstance as the fortress-like Palazzo Vecchio, seat of the city government since the 14th century. It sits smart on one of the city's most beautiful piazzas; bird's-eye views from its crenellated tower are unforgettable; and its labyrinthine interior squirrels away secret rooms and tunnels straight out of a film. To get the most out of Florence's most dynamic, thoughtful museums, reserve yourself a slot on one of its fabulously imaginative guided tours.

Explore Florence

0

Latest Stories from Florence

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Florence.

    Top experiences

    Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Florence.

      Featured videos