These are 4 insane hotspots in Rome
September 12, 2023
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Are you curious about what to do in Florence? My most favorite city in the world, where I experience the feeling of coming home every time. Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region and has 382,000 inhabitants. My dream is still to one day become one of those inhabitants!
Florence is one of the best cities to visit if you love art and culture. Every year more than 5 million tourists visit this city. It is a great city to walk through and discover new places. It is therefore highly recommended if you want to travel alone for the first time. And what can you do in Florence? Below I share my best tips!
1. Admire the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
This beautiful basilica is near the Florence train station, and on a quiet square where you can enjoy a cappuccino. The façade of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella was built in 1470 and is the most beautiful part of the basilica. But the interior with its black and white arches and frescoes by the famous painter Masaccio, among others, are also a feast for the eyes of any art and architecture lover.
2. Visit Cappelle Medicee
Cappelle Medicee in Florence is part of the San Lorenzo Basilica and serves as a mausoleum for members of the famous Medici family. In this impressive chapel you will find the famous sculptures titled "Day and Night" and "Dusk and Dawn" by Michelangelo.
3. Enjoy the sunrise at Piazza del Duomo & Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
Get up as early as possible to have this famous square with the beautiful Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore all to yourself. And by early, I mean really early! Make sure you get there before sunrise, so you can take that perfect Instagram-worthy photo as soon as the first rays of sunshine appear. Then have breakfast and be back before 8 a.m. to climb the 463 steps of Brunelleschi's dome. Once at the top, you can enjoy an insane view of the city. Of course, after your climb, you must also take a tour of the enormous cathedral.
4. Climb to the top of Campanile di Giotto
Did you take a little too long on your breakfast and can't see the end of the line for Brunelleschi's dome by now? Then choose to climb the 414 steps of Giotto's adjacent bell tower. The bell tower is slightly lower than the dome, but that doesn't detract from the view of the city!
5. Taking vintage photos in a photo automobile
For a tangible and fun memory of your visit to Florence, seeking out one of the vintage photobooths, also called photo booths, is a good tip. You can take black and white photos there for €2. You can find one on Via del Proconsolo 19r or Via dell'Agnolo 117, among others. Make sure you have cash with you!
6. Visit famous museums like Palazzo Vecchio & Galleria degli Uffizi
In Piazza della Signoria you will find two famous museums, the Palazzo Vecchio and Galleria degli Uffizi. If you are a fan of the Dan Brown books and film adaptation of "Inferno" both set in Florence, it is very cool to visit some of the movie locations. The Salone dei Cinquecento in the Palazzo Vecchio and the Vasari frescoes you can see here play a prominent role in the film. Even though no film shoots took place in the adjacent Galleria degli Uffizi. As an art lover, you must go here for the huge collection of artifacts by big names such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael & Da Vinci.
7. Walking along the Ponte Vecchio
Your trip to Florence is not complete without a visit to the famous medieval bridge Ponte Vecchio. On this bridge you will find small jewelry shops that give this bridge its unique look. Above these stores is the Corridoio Vasariano, a covered passage that the Medici used to travel between Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti. You can visit this passage only with a special ticket.
8. Visit Palazzo Pitti & Giardino di Boboli
Built in 1458, this palace was the home of the banker Luca Pitti, whose family was one of the richest and most influential in Florence for 300 years. Today the palace houses 5 different museums. Behind the palace you will find the Boboli Gardens with sculptures, grottos and fountains.
9. Watching the sunset from the viewpoint of Piazzale Michelangelo & Giardino delle Rose
Enjoy great views of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. This spot is especially popular during sunset. Don't feel like climbing a lot of steps? Instead, opt for the Giardino delle Rose. In spring, the roses are in full bloom and here you also have a beautiful view of the city. Besides, it is a lot quieter and you can sit here with a rug, glass of wine and a pizza and enjoy the peace and quiet.
10. Visit Villa Bardini
Another alternative to the Piazzale Michelangelo is Villa Bardini. This beautiful villa has changing art exhibitions and works by painter Pietro Annigoni in its permanent collection. In addition, the gardens give a unique view of the city. In late April and early May, the wisteria is in full bloom here!
Additional tips to do in Florence
Here are a few additional tips for your visit to Florence.
- If you want to visit multiple museums, it is sometimes more advantageous to buy a Firenze Card for €85 that gives you 3 days of admission to all museums.
- Like most restaurants in Italy, some close at noon and reopen in the evening.
- If you love vintage couture shopping, head to Street Doing Vintage Couture (Via dei Servi 88/r).
The best accommodations in Florence
Having visited the Italian city of Florence several times, I can recommend the following accommodations in the city:
- The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini (My favorite affordable hotel with rooftop pool and views of the Duomo!)
- Palazzo Gamba
- La Terrazza Sul Duomo
- Grand Hotel Cavour
- B&B Galileo 2000
- Grand Hotel Minerva
- Hotel Degli Orafi
- Hotel Bretagna Heritage
Hotspots where to eat and drink in Florence
During a city break to Florence, nothing is more fun than alternating sightseeing with a well-deserved break. These are my favorite cafes, restaurants and bars in Florence:
Hotspots for breakfast and lunch in Florence
- Melaleuca Bakery and Bistrot (Lungarno delle Grazie 18)
- Rivarno (Lungarno delle Grazie 12R).
- Ditta Artigianale (Via dei Neri 30/32R).
- Le Vespe Café (Via Ghibellina 76R).
- Pino´s Sandwiches - Salumeria Verdi (Via Giuseppe Verdi 36R).
- Floret Artisan Kitchen & Bar (Via Roma 19/21/1° piano - In shopping center Luisa Via Roma).
- Rooster Café (Via Sant'Egidio 37r).
Hotspots for eating out in Florence
- Golden View (Via de' Bardi, 58/r - View of the Ponte Vecchio).
- Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura (P.za della Signoria 10).
- Trattoria Marione (Via della Spada 27/R).
- Trattoria Za Za (Piazza del Mercato Centrale 26r).
- Trattoria Pizzeria Nerone (Via Faenza 95/97R).
- 1950 American Diner (Via Guelfa 43).
- ToscaNino (Piazza della Repubblica 4 - In shopping center Rinascente overlooking the Duomo)
Ayda Hasanoglu
My greatest hobby is traveling. I like to do this as often as possible. With a job as a teacher I am lucky to have 12 weeks of vacation a year. This means that I often go out on my own to discover the most beautiful places in the world. I can really enjoy traveling solo and not having to take anyone into account. Now that I have a baby, my goal is to show you that traveling with a baby is possible too!
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