Things To Do

Uffizi Gallery

Botticellis, Raffaellos, Michaelangelos, da Vincis... need I say more?! If you were to do one museum, this is the one to do! Other museums to visit: Bargello - best known for collection of sculptures (Dontallo's David!) & ceramics Academia - houses the original David sculpted by Michaelangelo, though you can see the reproduction of the David in Piazza della Signoria and a bronze copy in Piazzale Michaelangelo. Pitti Palace - more traditional art and has a costume collection with special exhibitions! Stibbert Museum - huge collection of arms & armory. A little outside the city center but well worth the trek! Palazzo Strozzi - check out for contemporary exhibitions. So so so many more museums to explore. There are about 70 museums in Florence alone!

The Boboli Gardens

Central Market

A must visit when in Florence. Grab some cheese, cured meats, fruits and make yourself a charcuterie plate for a picnic! The dried fruit stand is excellent too :) If you plan to cook this is the place to go for the freshest ingredients. Note: If you are staying in the Santa Croce area, there is the Sant' Ambrogio mercado that's just as good and less crowded. It's also known for antique shops!

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Also known as "The Duomo". An obvious must! Other sites to see while in Florence: Ponte Vecchio (aka the Old Bridge) --> Gold merchants. Look up and see the secret passage that nobility used to get from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace. Sneaky! Piazzale Michaelangelo --> Take a hike/car up the hills across from the city center to get a panoramic view of Florence. For a special moment, pack a picnic and hike a little further up to San Miniato at sunset. Fontana del porcellino --> Feed him a coin and pat his nose for good fortune!

Osteria Santo Spirito

One of our favorite restaurants in Florence. Get the truffle gnocchi, it's to die for!

Gelateria La Carraia

Our favorite Gelateria! Nina's favorite is Nocciola (hazelnut) and John's favorite is Amarena (vanilla with candied cherries).

Bologna

A fantastic day trip from Florence! Go explore the city known for the arts & sciences, eat some Ragu (not Bolognese!), drink Lambrusco, and take a fun walking tour. Our favorite restaurant was Osteria Broccaindosso, try the tortellini en brodo!

Cinque Terre

A stunning day trip from Florence. Visit the costal villages of Cinque Terre (Five Lands). Accessible by a train that cuts through the cliffside or hike along the trails. You may recognize Vernazza if you've seen the movie "Luca"! Excellent seafood.

Lucca

A fun day trip from Florence. Rent a bike to explore the still intact ancient walls of the city!