Florence

From World travel guide

This article is about Florence in Italy. Other places sharing this name include Florence (Alabama) and Florence (South Carolina).

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Florence (Italian: Firenze) is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy, with a population of some 400,000. It is a fantastically beautiful city, a cultural, artistic and architectural gem.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By train 2.3 By car 2.4 By bus 3 Get around 4 See 4.1 Museums 4.2 Other sights 5 Do 6 Learn 7 Work 8 Buy 9 Eat 9.1 Budget 9.2 Mid-range 10 Drink 10.1 Mid-range 10.2 Splurge 11 Sleep 11.1 Budget 11.2 Camping 11.3 Hostel 11.4 Hotels 11.5 Mid-range 11.6 Splurge 12 Contact 13 Stay safe 14 Stay healthy 15 Get out

Understand

Florence was very much the epicentre of the Italian Renaissance and remains one of the world's top attractions for lovers of art. Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Located in the heart of Tuscany, a stunning province of hills and mountains, the Renaissance capital of the world, with famous sons like Leonardo, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo, is a sight not to be missed. The world famous Duomo with the Brunelleschi cupola and the marble clad baptistry are simply stupendous, but not all the monuments are like this. 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 coffee and just watching people passing by.

However, Florence is a city of incomparable pleasure concerning churches, monasteries, museums, galleries and palaces. Among the things you can't afford to miss are the Uffizi Galleries, one of the best art museums in the world, the cathedral with the baptistry, the Santo Spirito church and the Ponte Vecchio. To get a great overview of the city, head for Piazza Michelangelo in Oltrarno (other side of river Arno) or farther up to the church of San Miniato.

The surroundings of Florence have many things to offer to the visitor as well as does the whole Florence Province. You can explore this region for weeks without being bored. For these day trips the city of Florence is the perfect starting point.

The city's official site has plenty of helpful information for preparing your visit.

Get in

By plane

The airport is Amerigo Vespucci (code FLR). It has good connections to the center of the city, which can be reached in about fifteen minutes by taxi. The Ataf-Sita Vol in Bus ("Fly by bus") service costs €4 one way, and makes the circuit between the airport and the central train station about every half an hour from 5:30AM to 8:30PM, then once an hour afterwards.

Much cheaper flights to destinations throughout Europe can be found at Pisa airport (only a 5,10€ train journey from the center of Florence). Low-cost airlines which fly to Pisa include Easyjet, Ryanair, Transavia and HLX.

By train

Local trains from other parts of Italy and express trains from around Europe arrive in Florence. The main station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, on the edge of the historic old town. Other small stations are Firenze Campo Marte (near Florence Stadium) and Firenze Rifredi.

By car

Florence is connected by good highways to the rest of Italy. Cars aren't allowed in the small old town center, so plan on parking your car and leaving it for a while.

By bus

Bus stops have clear labeling of the routes, and some stops are shared with trams. They do not always give an indication of bus times, however, so they can be a bit disconcerting to use. Tickets must be bought in advance from Tabaconists, and are usually valid for one hour over the whole network, so that you can just hop on and off at will. They are cheap, and 1 day, and 3 day tourist tickets are also available.

http://www.ataf.net/ is the official website. It has maps and timetables.

Get around

Much of the town center is blocked off to automobiles; motor-bikes and bicycles are common. Some of the hotels actually provide their guest with free bicycles as well.

You can easily travel on foot, by motor-bike or in the small electric busses which are avaiable in the city center. There is decent bus service in other parts of town as well.

Taxis are available, but it's best if you have your hotel or the restaurant you are eating at call ahead. There is apparently a waiting list, so Taxis can't just be hailed on the street. There is however a system of Taxi call boxes where you will receive a ticket to present when you get in the cab.

See

Museums

The Uffizi is the most famous, but Florence also has other amazing museums a short walk away with world class artistic treasures.

• The Galleria degli Uffizi - Piazzale degli Uffizi, 50122. Tel. 055 294883. [1] Tu-Sun, 8.15 am - 6.50 pm. Justly one of the world's most famous fine art museums. The collections of Renaissance paintings and sculptures from classical antiquity are superb. Prepare to queue for hours. There are often long lines since even before the doors are open. Useful tip: you can make a reservation in advance and walk right in. The restaurant/caffè has a large balcony overlooking the main plaza and is a great place to take a break for art lovers making a non-rushed visit to this fantastic collection. Admission € 6,50.
• Bargello. Officially The National Museum of the Bargello, this museum houses one of the best examples of Renaissance and Mannerist sculpture. The works of many great Renaissance sculpters are on display here, including Michelangelo, Donatello, Ammannati, Bandinelli, Andrea and Jacopo Sansovino, Desiderio da Settignano, and Antonio Rossellino. The museum is located adjacent to the famous Ufizi and can be seen in a few hours. Admission is about 4 Euro.
• Accademia. More sculpture, highlights are Michelangelo's David (the one on the main square is a replica) and The Slaves.
• Pitti Palace. Across the Arno. The Medici family palace contains galleries of their art and treasures.
• Museo dell'Opera del Duomo - the Cathedral Museum, with artworks formerly in the Duomo and surrounding religious buildings. Models and drawings of the Cathedral. Worthy.

For those making longer stays in Florence, the city also has an interesting archaeological museum (the Etruscan art collection is particularly good), a Contemporary Art gallery, and other collections.

Other sights

American Cemetery of Florence: Arlington-like US WWII military cemetery. Expansive and beautiful, 6,000 laid to rest (the Yanks who died between Rome and the norther borders. 20 minute bus ride from the Sita Station, just ask agent (get a return ticket) no cost to enter.

In the old town center:

• Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo di Firenze is the city's beautiful cathedral, the symbol of the city.
• Giotto's Tower - you can climb the tower for a magnificent view of the Duomo, Florence, and the surrounding area. Small entrance fee, and requires some tenacity to climb 400+ steps.
• Baptistry famous for the Paradise door and beautiful interior
• Palazzo Vecchio - old city palace, adorned with fine art
• Ponte Vecchio most famous bridge over the Arno with shops lining it
• Santa Croce church contains the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michaelangelo, Dante, and many other notables in addition to artistic decorations
• Santa Maria Novella
• Orsanmichele
• Medici Chapel

Across the Arno:

• Boboli Gardens, elaborately landscaped and with many interesting sculptures, behind the Pitti Palace
• Santa Maria del Carmine has famous frescos in the Brancacci Chapel
• Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo square) plaza on a hilltop with a great view of the city (go there by bus).
• San Miniato al Monte, uphill from Piazzale Michelangelo, contains a chapel with frescoes by Spinello Aretino.

Do

See art, eat, drink, see more art, hear music, shop, take a day trip into the Tuscan countryside, people watch, climb to the top of the Duomo or Campanile, see more art, eagerly plan for your return visit.

Take a stroll in the Boboli gardens, stop in the hilltop cafe, grab a drink and a seat outside and enjoy the view!

Learn

Work

Buy

Souvenirs related to art and Florence's sights can be found all everywhere. Shops that are not located in the very centre of the city are significantly cheaper.

Books, leather goods, art handcrafted journals, frames, pencils etc. in that gorgeous Florentine paper with swirls of color and gold.

Eat

Remember that restaurants have separate prices for food to go or eaten standing up versus sit down service; don't try to sit at a table after paying for food or coffee from the restaurant's to go booth. Also ask always beforehand for the price if you want to sit at a table. Otherwise you might be uncomfortably surprised. Cappuccino al banco i.e. standing up might cost 1,3 euros but at a table 4 euros.

Florence's food can be as much of a treat to the palate as the art is a treat to the eye! There is good food for any price range, from fine restaurants to take out food from window stands. The best price/quality ratio you will find outside the historical center where normal Italians go to eat. The worst ratio is probably in the neighbourhood of Mercato di San Lorenzo where there are a lot of tourist restaurants.

Typical Tuscan courses include Bistecca alla fiorentina which is huge t-bone steak weighing from 500 to 900 grams. It has always price given per 100 grams e.g. 3,5€ etto (etto is "hecto" pronounced in Italian). Crostini toscani are crostini with tuscan liver paté.

There are many gelato (Italian ice cream) stands; some connoisseurs consider the better Florentine gelato the finest in the world. Many times gelato is made in the bar where you buy it. Because of this there are many exotic tastes of ice cream like watermelon, spumante or garlic.

Budget

There are numerous caffè and pasticcerie where you can find excellent sandwiches.

Pizza sold by weight is an equally excellent solution for budget dining, as is any caffè displaying a "Primi" card in it's window where you'll find pastas and other dishes at low reasonable prices.

A golden rule: the closer you are to the historic old town, the higher the price.

Mid-range

• Trattoria da Garibaldi, Piazza del Mercato Centrale 38r ; Tel 055 21 22 67.
• Birreria Centrale, Piazza Cimatori 1r ; Tel 055 21 19 15.
• Trattoria Baldini, Via della Scala

Great deals, Great Food:

• Trattoria ZàZà, Piazza del mercato centrale, 26r; Tel 055 215411
• Trattoria Anita, Via del Parlascio, 2r; Tel 055 218698

Drink

Tap water is safe, but those who prefer bottled water will find it plentiful. Sample the excellent wines of the region.

Mid-range

• Uffizi Museum The bar at this museum offers an amazing view overlooking la Piazza della Signoria, but it's only accessible through the museum, so you'll have to buy a ticket.
• Irish Pub Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Splurge

• Rivoire Piazza della Signoria. Founded in 1872 this terrace facing the Palazzo Vecchio is a Florentine institution.
• Paszkowski ou gilli. Situated on the Piazza Republica, next to the hotel Savoy. Note that the terrasses on the other side of the piazza are equally pricy.

Sleep

As elsewhere the price of hotels in Florence has been climbing quickly in the last few years. The golden rule here is if you want something cheap you'll have to stay outside of the historic center. If you are looking at big chain hotels you should be aware that they are usually quite a ways out indeed, the Novotel for instance is almost at the airport.

Certain hotels, particularly those oriented toward business travelers offer special reduced rates during the weekend (eg. Starhotel Michelangelo) or during slow weeks like Baglioni. Sometimes you can also get a substantial discount by reserving online.

Budget

There are quite a number of one or two-star alberghi within a short distance of the station. Young women can find accommodation with certain convents at very low prices, and usually in historic locations. On the other hand, you'll have to forget about any late-night Tuscan crazyness.

Camping

• Camping Michelangelo has a scenic location on the hillside close to Piazza Michelangelo. Usually it is very crowded.

Hostel

• Hostel Archi Rossi - Via Faenza, 94r. Tel. 055 290804 - Fax. 055.2302601 [2] - Never mind the renaissance-kitch walls. This hostel is close to the SM Novella train station and not far from the city's main attractions. More importantly: rooms are clean and rates include breakfast and round the clock internet access. Rates from € 18 (dorm)

Hotels

• Quartopiano bed and breakfast downtown Florence Via panicale 3, +39 3293149042, [3]

Mid-range

• Machiavelli Palace hotel. via Nazionale 10v ; +39 055 214 106
• Calzaiuli. via Calzaiuoli 6 ; +39 055 212 456

Splurge

• Starhotel Michelangelo. Via Fratelli Rosdccsselli 2, +39 055 2 784
• Savoy, Piazza della Republica 7, +39 055 27 351
• Brunelleschi, Piazza S. Elisabetta 3 ; +39 055 27 370
• Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo, Via dei Servi 2, +39 055 282 412, [4]

Contact

Since there are a large number of tourists around, the center of Florence is brimming with webcafés and telephone call centers. Most evenings there are long lines for access to the phone-booths.

You can also buy a pre-paid card which will give you a steep discount on international calls by dialing a special number.

Stay safe

Florence is generally safe, but take precautions against the opportunistic thieves common to major tourist attractions - pickpockets and purse snatchers.

Stay healthy

Beware of Stendhal syndrome, namely, dizziness caused by being overwhelmed by Florence's fantastic art. Yes, it's a real syndrome, named after 19th-century French author Stendhal, who suffered from it during his stay in Florence. If you get overwhelmed, rest your eyes and legs, get some food (remember gelato?), and save the rest of Florence for tomorrow.

Get out

Florence is a great starting point and base for a tour of Tuscany. Attractive day trips include Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena, and of course the wine zone of Chianti. Greve in Chianti is the market town of the Chianti zone and it is in the hills surrounding Greve that you can rent a B&B room or a small apartment on a working vineyard for less than a hotel in Florence. The SITA Pullman buses take you to Greve and Panzano in about an hour. From then on you see few cars and many cypress and olive trees.

World War II Florence American Cemetery and Memorial[5]: 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of Florence on the west side of Via Cassia. The Rome-Milan highway passes near the cemetery. Open daily except for December 25 and January 1; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The cemetery is the final resting place for 4,402 American military dead lost during after the capture of Rome and the battle for the Apennines. A monument is inscribed with the names of 1,409 Americans whose remains were never found or identified. The atrium of the chapel contains marble maps of World War II Italy campaign. Free.

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