Top 10 Things To Do In Florence Italy

Florence is a city famous for its art and architecture. In fact, of the 1,000 most important European artists of the second millennium, 350 lived or worked in Florence. It is the capital city of the Tuscany region in Italy. Situated on the shores of Arno River, Florence has a population of around 400,000 people, plus a suburban population in excess of 200,000 persons. Historians consider Florence as the city where the Italian Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievements, started in Italy. For a long time it was ruled by the Medici family, which turned it into a center of medieval European trade and finance. Some of the great minds of the Renaissance period that lived in Florence are Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo. Those are just few of the names that have left such tremendous cultural legacy at Florence. This city is full of museums, art galleries, piazzas and beautiful churches.

Considering Florence’s great past (and present), it is now wonder why it is such a popular tourist destination. Florence is where history lives and visiting it will be an unforgettable experience for every art lover. If you are planning a vacation in Florence, you should learn as much as you can about the city, in order to make the most out of your time.

Florence has a warm temperate continental climate, consisting of hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters. During the summer, the amount of rain falling is small, while the temperatures are about 30 degrees Celsius, which is the equivalent of approximately 86 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some interesting facts concerning the population of Florence. Almost 65% of it are in between the age of 15-64, the pensioner population, outnumbers youths and almost 94% of the population are ethnic Italian.

The transportation system is good. The principal public transportation network working within the city is provided by the ATAF and Li-nea bus company, with tickets available at local kiosks, bars and newspaper stalls. Keep in mind that the center of the city is closed, because of the high traffic, so you can reach it only via buses and taxis. You can not do it with a rental car. The good news is that inside the city walls most places can easily be reached by foot. The Peretola Airport, operated by Air France and Lufthansa is really close to the city.

The hottest tourist period is the days between April and October, when the tourists coming from all parts of the world outnumber the local population. Therefore, it is advisable to plan you journey during the off-season, since prices get lower and it will be much more relaxing and calm experience in general. The so-called low season may be cooler and inevitably rainier, but it has its rewards: less time waiting in line and closer-up, unhurried views of what you want to see. Florence is known for being one of the great wine-growing regions in the world, so you don't want to miss out on the local wines. Since Italy is part of the European Union, the Euro is the official currency in Florence and you can exchange your money at a bank or a change bureau. The airport or the hotel can also offer this service, but the rates will not be the best possible.

Have in mind that the following top ten things to do in Florence are not arranged in terms of importance, they are randomly ordered.

1. Walk around the city

The best way of getting to know a given city is simply by walking around. It is the best way of feeling the atmosphere and getting to know more about the local people. Florence is known for having one of Europe's most beautiful and walkable city centres. The streets of the historic town centre are often narrow and dark, the palaces robust and intimidating. But have a look at the squares - wonderful mediterranean places where you will like spending hours sitting down, having a caffe and just watching people passing by.

Florence is one of those cities that is so packed with sights that you shouldn't try to absorb it at once. So relax, take little steps.

2. See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia Gallery

Michelangelo's David made between 1500 and 1504 is regarded as the masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. This is the most recognizable statue in the history of art, a symbol of strength and youthful human beauty. The sculpture is the Galleria dell' Academia as well as other sculptures by Michelangelo. It was moved to the Accademia in 1873 (from outside the Palazzo Vecchio, where a replica now stands) to protect it from the ravages of time and the weather. The 500th anniversary of Michelangelo's David was celebrated on September 8 2004 as crowds of visitors were drawn to Florence to experience this magnificent sculpture. The fact that this work of art made half a millennium ago still provokes such interest means that it has a sort of timeless, universal appeal.

The David was recently cleaned in a project that gained controversial popularity among the Italian intellectual circles. Remember that no photography is allowed inside. If you are visiting it during the tourist season, you will probably have to line up and wait for about an hour. The admission fee is 9.5 euro.

3. Taste the magnificent cooking and wines

When planning your trip to Florence, don’t forget its thriving food and wine culture. The Florentine cuisine is an ancient and skilled cuisine made up of tasty ingredients and never excessively elaborate, because the most important factor here is simplicity. The region that is home to Florence has one of the most versatile and varied-form cooking traditions in Italy so it is definitely worth a try. Florentine cooking is linked to a tradition of simple dishes prepared with genuine, tasty but plain ingredients like cereals, bread, vegetables, and oil.

The Tuscan wine, called Chianti is known all around the world. A total of four different types of Chianti are produced from the vines on the flourishing Florentine hills. Other wines from the area are Pomino and Vin Santo.

4. Galleria degli Uffizi

The spectacular Uffizi Gallery houses the works of such masters as Titian, Botticelli, Michelangelo and da Vinci. It is located in Vasari’s majestic Uffizi Palace. The gallery's wonderful collection is arranged to illustrate how Florentine art has evolved during the centuries. There are a total of 45 rooms, but some of the most famous pieces are in rooms 7-18. The collection is so big that you won’t be able to see it all in just a single day, so you are running out of time, make sure you don’t miss rooms seven to 18. Those rooms include Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Titian's Venus of Urbino, Michelangelo's Holy Family and Piero della Francesca's Duke & Duchess of Urbino.

Be aware of the fact that this is a very popular gallery, so usually visitors have to wait for hours before they can enter. Luckily, tickets can be pre-booked by telephone for a set time - a small booking fee is charged - and picked up at the gallery a few minutes before the allotted time. You can book ahead by calling Firenze Musei on: +39 055 294883.

5. Experience the nightlife of Florence

Florence’s nightlife is fuelled by the city’s well-heeled, foreign students who come to study Italian and History of Art. Despite a minimum drinking age of 18, partying in Florence is a determinedly young scene as mostly students are the ones going out to have some fun in those hours.

The nightlife is concentrated around Piazza della Signoria, home of more sedate venues. To find out where the action is, buy Firenze Spettacolo - the city’s definitive entertainment publication. Have in mind that entries to clubs are expensive at about 15 euros. Central Park, Via Fosso Macinante, on the outskirts of Florence in Parco delle Cascine are some of the places you do not want to miss if you are a party person.

6. Visit the Campinile - Bell Tower

The Campinile (Bell Tower) is located on Piazza del Duomo and adjoins the Cathedral. The building was started in 1334 by Giotto and finished in 1359 by Talenti. Hence, the first story was build by Giotto and it is commonly called Giotto's Campinile. There is no lift, so you would have to climb the 414 stairs to reach the top. Once there, you will be rewarded with some great views of the Cathedral and its dome and the city of Florence and surroundings. It is open between 8:30 am – 7:30 pm and you have to buy a ticket to enter it, which costs 6 euros. Cameras are allowed.

7. Cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge

Crossing the Vecchio Bridge is among the top ten things to do in Florence, simply because this bridge is historical and unique. Build in the 14th century, Ponte Vecchio is known for being the only bridge to survive the Nazi bombing of Florence during World War II. But this is not just a bridge, it is more like a shopping trap for the city’s affluent tourists. You will find a lot of interesting things to buy here. Once there, make sure you walk through the passageway known as the Corrodoio Vasariano linking the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace. Visits can be booked on special request, via the tourist office.

8. Shopping spree in Florence

Florence offers some of the finest shopping streets in Europe. Here you'll find leather goods of the highest quality, jewelry as well as nice souvenirs and art productions. Home to the historical names of Made in Italy fashion such as Gucci, Emilio Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, Florence is an excellent opportunity to satisfy your fashion needs. Florence has a number of open air markets selling food, clothing, and antiques. Coin is an upscale department store carrying anything from clothing to home comforts mostly with designer labels and prices.

The most famous shopping area is around Piazza San Lorenzo where you'll find leather goods, too. Another good place is Mercato Nuovo (Porcellino) on Via Porta Rossa. Mercato Centrale is a great place for food shopping or just looking. When walking along the Ponte Vecchio you can see the famous Florentine goldsmiths’ shops, while the handmade- shoe makers are spread around the city. Hours vary, but in the heart of the city, you won't have trouble finding shops that are open at lunchtime or on weekends. As a general rule, shops open 0930-1300 and 1530-2000, although larger department stores and supermarkets may stay open throughout the day.

9. Climb the Cupola (dome) of the Duomo

Visiting the Duomo is an absolute must, because the Doumo is the symbol of Florence. The Piazza del Duomo dominates central Florence and the cathedral is so huge that there’s no point nearby from which you can see the entire building. Its exterior inlaid with intricately patterned pink, white and green marble. Built in 1334, it offers extraordinary views, so climb up into the dome for a bird’s-eye view of Florence. Don't forget to take your camera, they are allowed here.

It took two hundred years for the cathedral to be build and even then the façade wasn't completed until the 19th century. It is the fourth-largest cathedral in the world, designed by Brunelleschi. In Florence, there is no taller building than this one. Its interior was made by some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance-era such as Vasari, Zuccari, Donatello, Uccello and Ghiberti. It is opened for visitors every day of the week and the admission is free.

10. The Santa Croce church

This church in the Gothic-Florentine style was built in the second half of the 12th century. Situated on Piazza Santa Croce, Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in Italy and holds the tombs of several important Florentines including Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini, Ghiberti and Dante. Its interior is amazing, containing some exceptional stained glass windows and frescoes. The church is opened from Monday to Saturday, from 9:30-5:30 and Sunday, 1-5:30. The admission is 3 euros and you can reach it by bus 14 or 23. The huge area that surrounds Santa Croce is one of Florence’s richest neighbourhoods in which to explore. The whole area is high on art, culture and food. On Piazza Santa Croce you can try the best ice cream in Florence.

In Santa Croce you can see some uperb Renaissance sculpture, including Donatello’s Druids, Michelangelo’s androgynous Bacchus and Giambologna’s fleet- of-foot Mercury.