Top 10 Florence Insider Tips

Sightseeing at its best: Fall in love with the Tuscan capital and learn in our Florence insider tips why this charming and historic place is absolutely worth a visit. Are you ready for a trip to Bella Italia?

Are you wondering if Florence is worth a trip? The answer is clear: Yes! The city enjoys worldwide popularity, attracting over a million visitors every year. This is far more than the relatively small city has in residents (around 380,000). So during the summer peak season, some of the most beautiful and popular sights can get overwhelmed with crowds, and it's not uncommon to have to wait for hours. For that reason, it's definitely worth visiting this Italian city in the off-season. If you're planning a full itinerary for your city trip, this may be the better option anyway, as temperatures in the summer often soar above 30 degrees Celsius (86°F), which can quickly lead to sweaty brows.

In Florence, there are a large number of magnificent palaces inviting you on a journey through time to explore the history. The Palazzo Pitti, for example, is famous as the former residence of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany from the Medici family. It was originally built in 1458 for the merchant Luca Pitti. From the outside, the Palazzo appears rather plain with its facade of rough-hewn stone blocks, without any adornments, but don't be deceived! Today it houses a remarkable and certainly worth-seeing collection of paintings from the Medici family as well as numerous other galleries, museums, and the former ducal chambers. However, our personal highlight here is the Giardino di Boboli, the garden behind the Palazzo. Here, one can take a lovely stroll and admire the impressive view of the city center along with a unique collection of sculptures.

Statues, fountains, grottos, nymphs, garden temples - whatever you expect from a grand garden in Tuscany, you can experience and enjoy it up close here. At first, you can admire the amphitheater with an Egyptian obelisk, which was brought from Rome by the Medici. Particularly impressive is the 'great grotto,' completed by the artist Buontalenti in 1593. The walls are said to resemble a natural grotto with their unevenness and stalactites. Back then, the grotto housed the sculpture 'The Prisoners' by Michelangelo, which was meant to remind one of the original character of a grotto. Such grottos were used by shepherds as shelter from wild animals or even rain. The original artwork can now be admired in the Galleria dell'Accademia, while in the grotto, you can still see other wonderful sculptures like the 'Bather Venus' by Giambologna.

Much more centrally located and with significant historical background is the Palazzo Vecchio at Piazza della Signoria. It was completed in 1314 and housed the parliament of the Republic of Florence for a long time. The Palazzo resembles a small, slender fortress: With the few small windows, the facade looks like a wall. At the top stands the Arnolfo Tower, from where one can gaze far over the surroundings. As delegates used to overnight in the building, these architectural features likely catered to their security needs - for example, as protection against the occasionally agitated populace.

The square adjacent to the Palazzo Vecchio got its name from it: Piazza della Signoria. 'Signoria' was the term for the city government. The Palazzo was renamed when Cosimo I moved the government to the Uffizi, but the square retained its name. It is probably the most important central square in Florence. In medieval times, public events such as seasonal festivals, jousts, and executions were held here. Today, it is home to the Loggia dei Lanzi with impressive statues, the Fountain of Neptune, and the famous David statue by Michelangelo (though it's not the original, which is located in the Galleria dell'Accademia, but a 100% replica).

Insider Tip No. 1: Need a snack? Then you can't miss our next insider tip. Dal Vinaio is right in a side street off the large square and offers you delicious sandwiches at fair prices. No wonder the shop is always surrounded by a long line. However, the staff is super quick, and the wait is definitely worth it.

The square also offers access to the Uffizi, through which you reach the Ponte Vecchio. Here, the name says it all: The 'Old Bridge' is indeed the oldest in Florence and was built in the mid-14th century. Made of massive stone, the bridge connects the downtown area with the southern side of Florence and was soon lined with small shops that even slightly overhang the bridge at the back. In the middle of the bridge, there are three arcade arches, allowing passersby a view of the river and the surroundings.

Now let's come to the city's significant dome: The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Florence and the fourth-largest church in all of Europe. Its famous, extraordinarily impressive dome is an architectural and technical masterpiece. In 1296, it was decided to create a cathedral in Florence that would surpass everything else in size, likely as a competitive thought against Pisa.

The bishop's church of Santa Reparata, which originally stood at this site, was integrated into the construction. Today, the cathedral is truly enormous. When you enter the interior, you can't help but marvel! Many magnificent works of art such as statues, paintings, and much more await you here. However, be careful with what you wear. Roman Catholic Italians are not so liberal when it comes to clothing style: You might find yourself waiting outside for exposed shoulders and bare knees. Many churches in Italy provide something to drape over in such cases, but that's not always the case. If it should be really warm, it's best to bring a scarf or something similar that you can easily drape over your shoulders.

However, our personal highlight isn't even in the cathedral itself, but rather the view from above: You can climb to the top of the impressive dome. Up narrow, old stairs and dark corridors, you make your way to an absolutely breathtaking view that compensates for all your efforts. From the platform, you have an incredible, impressive view over the entire city and surrounding area - an experience you will surely never forget!

Even the facade of the cathedral is world-famous. It consists of three-colored marble, laid out in a wonderful pattern in the late 19th century. Another highlight is the Baptistery on the cathedral square. Take a moment to admire the many biblical scenes on the golden door, also an artistic and technical masterpiece!

You also have at least an equally stunning view over Florence if you take the bus (number 12 or 13 from the station) up to Piazzale Michelangelo. From there, you can admire the beautiful city from a bit further away, allowing you a great overview! The view becomes even more beautiful at dusk. As it gets darker, the city shines with its many lights. Truly beautiful!

Insider Tip No. 2: An equally beautiful but much less known viewpoint awaits you at Giardino Bardini. Here, not only do you find a lovely garden, but also a breathtaking view of Florence that you'll only have to share with a few others.

When you've been walking around all day, you're sure to get hungry at some point. Small restaurants can be found throughout Florence due to the constant flow of tourists. However, quantity doesn't always guarantee quality. In our Insider Tip No. 3, we present three popular restaurants that we can recommend with a clear conscience:

All'Antico Vinaio on Via Neri (roughly halfway between Piazza della Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce) offers an excellent selection of delicious panini at lunchtime. Of course, the restaurant is open longer, but especially during the day, you can enjoy a truly special treat here. You'll get your delicious, customized panino quickly and cheaply here, alongside a host of local Florentines who also come for lunch (always a good sign!), and you can also enjoy a glass of regional wine with your meal in this bustling little shop.

If you want to try and enjoy regional specialties from Tuscany, then you're in for a treat at La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant. This restaurant is located on Via De' Benci, not far from the major sights and close to Ponte della Grazie, and is one of the trendiest restaurants in the entire city. From typical Italian spaghetti to exquisite beef fillet with truffles, it has everything.

The Mercato Centrale, the central market in Florence, is a must for all foodies among you. Located on Via dell'Ariento, north of the cathedral, you can find the market hall filled with delicacies. As a true Italian marketplace of Tuscany, you can admire both urban hustle and rustic characters with a somewhat village-like flair. The food is, as it should be at a good market, excellent and of the highest quality. In addition to food, you can also find other exciting items such as fabrics, clothing, etc.

Insider Tip No. 4: Do you want to unwind with a cocktail in the evening? Then definitely head to the bar named Rasputin - it's a real insider tip. Here, you will be served inventive drinks in a very special atmosphere.

Florence is truly a very special city! Due to the high value that influential and wealthy families have placed on art and culture here over the centuries, there are so many treasures to discover in the city that it resembles one large collection. Culture enthusiasts will definitely get their money's worth, and even those who usually don't engage with the subject will surely be impressed by this beautiful city, its architecture, and the landscape.