If Rome impresses with its monumentality, ancient buildings, an abundance of churches and ancient history, then Florence is a city for those who are in love with art and are interested in the Renaissance.
During his stay in Florence, Stendhal described a particular physical condition that he himself experienced: dizziness and a rapid heartbeat, which occurs in a person from the abundance of his surrounding beauty and works of art. In medicine, this condition is called Stendhal Syndrome.
Indeed, the masterpieces of the Italian masters in Florence are everywhere, and sometimes it’s hard for a traveler to understand what is really worth seeing and how to plan your trip to the “cradle of the Renaissance”.
We advise you to study:
- Where to eat in Florence
- How to choose a hotel in Florence in the city center
- How to get to Florence from Rome, from Milan.
- Florence for children - a guide for parents
First day
If you have only one day in Florence, then the first acquaintance with the city is best to start with a sightseeing tour, which includes visiting the famous monuments: Florence Cathedral and Cathedral Square, the medieval quarter of the city and the house of Dante Alighieri, Signoria Square and the Old Bridge Ponte Vecchio. Having an idea of the city itself and its history, in the afternoon go to the most visited museum in Italy - the Uffizi Gallery. The museum keeps a rich collection of Italian Renaissance painting.
Second day
Anyone who decided to stay in the capital of Tuscany for a few days can "taste the city" and start the second day in Florence with an enogastronomic tour. It is believed that tastings are best done in the morning, 10-11 in the morning, when our taste buds, which rested during the night, work better and, therefore, the perception is much sharper than in the evening.
In the afternoon, you can continue your acquaintance with the city yourself and see several more museums. I advise lovers of sculpture to visit the Gallery of the Academy, where the masterpiece of Buonarotti - David, or the Bargello Museum - a real treasury of Renaissance sculpture with works by Donatello, Michelangelo, Andrea del Verrocchio, Giambolonia, is located. Art lovers should visit the basilica of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce to admire the breathtaking fresco cycles that adorn the chapels of these churches.
In the evening, head to the Oltrarno district (Florence on the other side of the Arno River). In this "bohemian" part of the city there are many craft workshops, lovely shops and cozy eateries. To enjoy the most magnificent panorama of the city, do not be lazy to walk to the observation deck Piazzale di Michelangelo.
The third day
You can start the third day with an exploration of San Lorenzo - the part of the city associated with the history of the Medici family. Take a look at the old Dominican monastery of San Marco, decorated with frescoes of the early Renaissance artist of the monk Beato Angelico. Visit the Medici Riccardi Palace, the first private residence built according to the canons of Renaissance architecture. Be sure to visit the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the adjacent tombs of the Medici - almost all the representatives of this glorious Florentine dynasty rest here.
On the evening of the third day, you should visit the Palazzo Vecchio, which for 700 years has been the political center of the city. At the end of an individual tour, you will have the opportunity to climb the 92-meter tower of the palace and enjoy the fabulous view of the evening city.
