Florence – The Top 10 List
Florence is by far one of my favorite places in Italy, it is the capital city of the Tuscany region. The central location makes it a perfect home base.
Florence is a city I could see myself living in, it is just the right mix of that small town feel and city vibes. There is so much to do and see in and around Florence, this is my Top 10 list to include day trips.
#1 Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
Il Duomo di Firenze
When I say the Duomo in Florence took my breath away, I am not exaggerating. It is enormous, that in itself could take one’s breath away but it is the beauty of it that is beyond words. It would be impossible to be in Florence and not see the Duomo, it is the centerpiece of the city.
#2 Michelangelo’s David
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell anyone going to Florence to visit the David. The Accademia Gallery houses the David along with other works of art. Obviously the David is the biggest draw and for good reason. Photographs just do not do it justice. It is a must see.
#3 Central Market (Mercato Centrale)
I had never been to a market like this before our visit to Florence, it is an experience that can’t be missed. I wish we had markets like this in the states instead of typical grocery stores. Europeans do not grocery shop for a week at a time, instead they go to the market daily or every couple of days picking up what they need for meals for the day.
#4 Ponte Vecchio
Considered a symbol of Florence, it is the only bridge that withstood WWII. The Ponte Vecchio has housed shops since the 13th century. Due to the stench from butchers, fishmongers, and tanners who had shops on the bridge, Ferdinand decreed the only shops that would be allowed on the bridge would be goldsmiths and Jewelers. Though I am not in a position to afford the jewelry in any of the shops on the bridge, it is still a must see.
#5 Piazzale Michelangelo
The plaza provides a picture perfect view of the unforgettable skyline of Florence. It the first thing my guy insisted we do when we arrived and it is one of the first things we will do when we return so my parents and my girl can have a similar experience.
#6 Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza Signoria
A museum and Plaza, to be totally honest…I didn’t actually go in to the museum on our last trip. We hung out in the plaza for bit, looked at the many statues and people watched. After doing some research and learning more about the Palazzo Vecchio it is definitely a priority for this trip!
#7 The Uffizi
I put this on the list because if I didn’t, I know at least one person who would have something to say. Having said that, I am the type of person that can only do maybe 2 hours tops in any museum….my attention span just can’t go much longer than that. I like going to them but after a couple of hours, I am done. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous museums, with works of art by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli to name just a few. Much of the collection was donated by The Medici Family.
#8 Cinque Terra
Translated to “The Five Lands” consists of five colorful villages located on cliffs overlooking the sea. It is so beautiful my mother thought we were standing in front of a backdrop for this shot. Traveling to Cinque Terra is a worthwhile day trip!
#9 Pisa
On your way to Cinque Terra make a pit stop to see The Leaning Tower of Pisa! That is our plan for this trip, the trains in Italy are a fantastic way to get from place to place and make for a stress free way to travel.
#10 Siena
We took a day trip to Siena during the famous horse race The Palio, I had read about it before arriving and it sounded interesting. It is a festive event, the race itself is over within just a couple of minutes but the pageantry leading up to the race is something to see! Other than The Palio, Siena is a city worth visiting. It has a beautiful Duomo, a central piazzo (Il Campo) that is the heart of the city, and the back streets are made for wandering and discovering.
Writing about Florence and looking at my photos has me so excited for this summer! Again this is just my list based on my experience, I know there is so much more to do and see! I have a feeling I will fall even more in love this wonderful city after a second visit. I would love to hear from anyone who has been and has other places I should add to my list. For those of you who may be planning a visit to Florence with questions, shoot me a message!!
