Florence holidays

Popular holidays

Florence holidays are served up in a generous tub of Renaissance history, topped with a big ole’ scoop of gelato, and sprinkled with a heap of first-rate architecture.

Magnificent and amazing

Don’t sweat it if your understanding of the Italian language is next to nothing. We reckon you’ll only need two words for visiting Florence – “magnifico!” and “stupefecente!” Because in this elderly Tuscan city, almost every street is home to a sculpture, building or landmark that yells out for a second glance – and then a third. A domed cathedral, teensy churches, art galleries, salad-green outdoor spaces, and charming stone bridges… you name it, Florence has bagged the lot.

Rock on, the Renaissance

The city’s key claim to fame is its art history, scoring a hole in one during the Renaissance period. Some serious art world bigwigs came from Florence. Like Michelangelo, whose famous sculpture of David is on show in the swanky Accademia Gallery. And Brunelleschi, the architect who built the famous cinnamon-coloured dome on the city’s Duomo Cathedral – which is free to enter, by the way. And Botticelli, whose most famous paintings are ready to be goggled at in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery.

Ogle time on the Arno

The Arno river shimmies its way through the centre of Florence, and a boat trip along it is a picture-perfect way to sightsee away from the crowds. The best way to sail it is on a barchetto – a small traditional wooden boat, Florence’s equivalent of Venice’s gondola. Grab a pew on one of these iconic boats, perhaps with a glass of Tuscan wine in hand, and tick off the city’s big-league landmarks – like the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Corsini Palace and the Uffizi Gallery.

Popular hotels in Florence

Top things to see and do in Florence

Beaches

Ride the train to the sea

Florence may be an inland city, but the seaside is in relatively easy reach if you fancy a change of scenery. Viareggio, on Italy’s west coast, is the easiest sandy beach to get to. A direct train ride from the city centre takes an hour and a half, or you can drive to it in closer to 60 minutes.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Grab a cheap-as-chips memento at the San Lorenzo Market. It’s got indoor and outdoor sections, with part of the market dedicated to fresh fruit and veg. In the remaining area, you’ve got your pick of handmade Florentine goods – like leather wallets and bags, pottery, books, and souvenirs. Bargaining is welcomed, too.

Designer buys

If designer retail therapy’s your jam, head to the Via Tornabuoni. This elegant street in Florence’s centre is home to big name brands like Gucci and Prada, as well as a perfumery, and a luxury shoemaker dating back to the 1920s.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Hit up the San Frediano neighbourhood for a chilled one. Here, quiet wine bars rub shoulders with cosy cocktail hangouts and Italian tapas places. This area’s also home to Florence’s’ first Sake bar, as well as a quirky bookshop that deals in live music and tipples after sundown.

Lively evenings

For all the ingredients of a big night out in Florence, make sure you swing by the Santa Croco district. It’s considered the heart of the city’s nightlife, and is peppered with beehive-buzzy bars and neon-lit nightclubs.

Food & drink

Gelato

Salted caramel, chocolate, fig, pear, pistachio, lemon, mint, rose… you name it, Florence’s gelaterias – gelato shops – have got a flavour to suit everyone. This Italian version of ice-cream, made with less cream and more milk, is available on practically every street in the city. A creamy cone or tub of gelato is a staple of Florence’s foodie scene, and a great way to cool down while sightseeing.

Schiacciata Fiorentina

A classic Florentine cake, the schiacciata Fiorentina is a soft yellow sponge topped with sugar. Slices are stencilled with a cocoa powder fleur-de-lys, making the cake super-easy to identify. You’ll come across this kind of cake in just about every bakery in the city.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Meat-eaters, assemble – for this extra-large, extra-tasty steak. The Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a giant T-bone, pink on the inside, seasoned with salt and pepper, and roasted over chestnuts. This massive steak is made for sharing, so make sure you take a friend with you to dinner.

Lampredotto

This love-it-or-hate-it Florentine folk meal dates back to Italy’s Medieval period. Lampredotto is a sandwich made with thinly sliced, boiled tripe. It’s a popular dish to buy at outdoor markets or street vendors, and for a dash of extra flavour, you can order it with a spicy or herby sauce.