Visit Florence (And No, Not Jersey Shore Style)
Standing in the great Colosseum in Rome. Cruising down the twisting canals in Venice. Sunbathing on the beautiful beaches of Sardinia. Any tourist traveling to Italy would fantasize about such experiences. But there is more to Italy than meets the eye, and it can be found deep in Tuscany under the red-roofed buildings of Florence.
You may have already seen some of these famous sites in Florence with the Jersey Shore cast acting as your guido guides, but those party animals haven’t shown you all this city has to offer. Just check out what made our list of this city’s must-sees!
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore
One of the first things any tourist will see in Florence is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, or Duomo for short (pictured above). The Duomo is a massive gothic-style cathedral in the center of the city that overlooks it all. It is one of the most astounding sights you can see. And it can be seen from pretty much anywhere, which makes navigating the city a lot easier for tourists.
Entrance to the Duomo is free. Tours are available inside the cathedral at a price, which is well worth the money. Guided tours not only offer up the history of this giant cathedral, but you’ll be taken up inside the church and along its exterior catwalks and up to the lantern, where you will enjoy a panoramic view of Florence. Breathtaking doesn’t even begin to describe it.
However, if you don’t want to take a tour, you may still brave the 463 steps(!) upward into the Duomo, through the cupola and into the lantern. Climbing to the top costs €8, or about $12.
For more information on the Duomo, to see opening times or to check out prices, visit www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/duomo.html.
Food markets
One of the best things about Florence is its multiple food markets. Located in piazzas and side streets, indoors and outdoors, these markets sell everything: souvenirs, books, jewelry, flowers and shoes, among other things. But what’s most convenient about these markets is that they are a great money-saver for tourists. If there’s one truth about traveling, it’s that it can be costly. So when you’re in Florence, instead of spending money on a costly lunch at an Italian restaurant, stop by one of these markets and enjoy the amazing variety of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and many other snacks.
Florence’s many museums
As a city of art and culture, nothing makes that more evident than the many museums in Florence. To avoid museum overload, don’t tour them all. The two most popular museums in Florence are the Galleria dell’ Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery. Just like in any tourist city, museum lines can be extremely long and snake around street corners. The trick in Florence is to book your museum experience in advance online or at one of the many ticket booths in the city. Tickets for both museums cost around €15, which is about $20. To book online, visit www.museumticket.it.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is the most popular museum in Florence, featuring collections of art by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. But if you don’t plan on spending a lot of time here, just visit the most popular works of art: The Birth of Venus, by Botticelli; Medusa, by Caravaggio; and the Annunciation, by Leonardo da Vinci.
Galleria dell’ Accademia
The Galleria dell’ Accademia is Florence’s second most popular museum and is typically visited by those who want to see Michelangelo’s David, one of the most famous sculptures in the world. The 16-foot-high marble statue of David was moved to the gallery in 1873 from Piazza della Signoria to better preserve it.
Piazzale Michelangelo
To cap off your day in this romantic city, take in the stunning view from Piazzale Michelangelo. You can reach the Piazzale easily by bus or taxi. Considered one of the best panoramic views in all of Florence, the Piazzale itself is dedicated to the works of Michelangelo and includes a bronze replica of his most famous statue – David.
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Photo Credit: Toni Rodrigo via Flickr
