When I went to Italy for the first time in 2022, Florence was the city that captured my heart. I had the opportunity to visit again this year and it remains my favorite city in Italy so far. I love how compact and walkable the city is, and as an art and architecture lover - it definitely hits the spot.
For this travel diary, I'll be testing a new format compared to my past entries. Below, you'll find my recommended itinerary and a list of my favorite sites, stores, & restaurants in Florence.
A 3 day Florence Itinerary:
Day ONE
AM: Climb Brunelleschi's Dome and descend to visit the connecting Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
I recommend getting the Bunelleschi's pass, a 3 day pass, that includes access to Giotti's Bell Tower, Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the Basilica of Santa Reparata. The Basilica is located underneath the church, you can visit it when you're inside the church. And for those afraid of heights (like I am), after climbing the Duomo, we did not feel the need to climb the Bell Tower.
AM CONTINUED: Visit the Baptistery and the Opera del Duomo Museum
NOON: Lunch
AFTERNOON: Uffizi Gallery (I recommend getting tickets beforehand online. Takes a minimum 2 - 3 hours to get through the gallery. My favorites were definitely the Botticelli pieces.)
PM: Explore Ponte Vecchio and have dinner
(If you're walking to Ponte Vecchio from Uffizi Gallery, the other side of the bridge is littered with interesting shops, bars and restaurants!)
Day TWO
AM: Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michaelangelo's David (This is a small gallery and will take you no more than an hour to visit)
AM CONTINUED: Capelle Medicee (We checked this out as we were history lovers. The Medici Family were also incredibly powerful and influential to medieval Florence. Visiting this chapel further put into perspective how important they were!)
NOON: Lunch at Mercato Centrale
AFTERNOON: Biboli Gardens & Pitti Palace (The Biboli gardens is massive. I recommend skipping this during high summer, as it can get too hot. The gardens can be barren in the summer.)
PM: Explore the Santo Spirito area for cool local shops, bars, and restaurants. See my recommendations down below.
Day THREE
AM: Visit Piazzale del Michelangelo to catch the sunrise. (You can either take the bus or walk up to the Piazzale depending where you're coming from. There is a really lovely panoramic view of central Florence from the top, so you can really go anytime.)
AM CONTINUED: Basilica of Santa Croce
NOON: Lunch
PM: Palazzo Vecchio (Note: They do sell out of tickets to climb the tower if you get them at the door towards the end of the day)
PM: Explore & go shopping!
Recommendations:
Hotel: 4F Boutique Hotel (I loved my stay here so much that I stayed here on my second visit. It's a small boutique hotel right by the water and next to the US consulate. Very walkable into central Florence. The front desk is super friendly. Stay includes breakfast but no restaurant. They have a bar available and a lovely rooftop with views of the Duomo.)
Leather goods: Benheart (Really friendly shop managers with top notch service. They sell an array of quality leather shoes, bags, jackets, and belts.)
Leather Belts & Accessories: QUOIO (One man workshop from Leather Artisan Ciro. He sells beautiful customizable bullhide belts)
Leather Shoes: Stefano Bemer (Check out the store for a cool experience! All the artisans make the shoes in the middle of the shop.)
Fragrances, candles: Original Santa Maria Novella Location (This original location is right next to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, and it's absolutely stunning! They have a beautiful floral entrance, extravagant rooms built with an apothecary style touch. Visiting this store felt magical and it is a wonderful place to get fragrances, candles, skincare gifts for yourself or your loved ones.)
Barber Goods: Coltelleria Bianda (A small one-man shop selling everything from barber supplies to kitchen knives)
Gelato: B.ice (There is probably another gelato shop someone else would recommend as better! But this was near my hotel and their yogurt flavor was my absolute favorite. 😋)
Local Grocery Store: La Bottega (Grab everything from Pistachio pralines, olive oil, pasta, and mushroom marinades to bring home!)
Cafes: Ditta artiginale Neri
Shake Cafe (They have a location next to the Basilica of Santa Croce too. Great place to stop for refreshing juices, smoothies and other healthy alternatives.)
Restaurants:
Antico Ristoro Cambi (My favorite restaurant in Florence! Wonderful local dishes like Florentine Steak or Florentine Tripe. The Cambi's Mix of Starters was my personal Favorite.)
Ristorante del Fagoli: Seasonal fresh handmade pastas, takes cash only.
Plus, a pro tip for getting around by bus: If you cannot find a public ticketing machines to purchase a bus ticket, you can go into any Tabacchi store and purchase tickets inside. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment