What to see, what to do Florence - Firenze?
The 10 good reasons to go Florence - Firenze
Tuscany as an image of Epinal
Let yourself be enchanted by the gentle hills scaled with vines and the green of the cypresses.
Unexpected beauty of the architecture
A paradise of forms, between Renaissance palaces and the balancing stalls of the Ponte Vecchio.
A great gastronomic reputation
A destination for any self-respecting epicurean, Tuscany is renowned for its cuisine.
Florence, cradle of the Renaissance
The Stendhal syndrome is there to remind us of the profusion of masterpieces in Firenze.
The prestigious Uffizi Gallery
The most valuable collection of Renaissance art in the world is housed here.
Rich, domesticated nature
Away from its capital, the refined charm of Tuscany doesn't fade - quite the contrary.
In the footsteps of the Medici family
Discover the treasures of a dynasty that succeeded in imposing itself at the head of Florence.
The Italian way of life
La dolce vita, with a glass of Chianti in hand, is the perfect expression of the Florentine atmosphere.
An initiatory route for the aesthete
With a pilgrim's staff, follow the Via Francigena in search of spirituality or Chianti.
A warm welcome like the sun
In Florence or elsewhere, you will be welcomed with a lot of heart, joy and warmth.
What to visit Florence - Firenze?
Interview: My Florence
by Muriel Parent, author of the guide
Exploring the "boot" from every angle most of her time, Muriel Parent is a journalist and unsurprisingly of Italian origin! She has been travelling through Italy in great detail, from north to south, including the city of Florence since 2014. An initiation that she shares throughout the pages of this Petit Futé guide dedicated to Florence and Tuscany. May the "virus" never leave her!
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Florence - Firenze
Timetable
Museums are often open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month (closed on Monday or Tuesday). It is best to visit during the week, even if Florence is always very busy, to avoid the weekend tourists.
It is best to avoid an accumulation of visits, preferring to visit museums and churches in the morning (some of them are only open at this time), and to go for walks, excursions in the area and shopping in the afternoon.
To be booked
In order to facilitate your visit, it is recommended that you purchase a pass for the Santa Maria del Fiore complex in advance on the official website: duomo.firenze.it. Three passes are available: Brunelleschi 30 €, Giotto 20 € and Ghiberti 15 €, valid for three days. Entrance to the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral is free.
Remember to book your visit to the Uffizi Gallery online(www.uffizi.it); the €4 surcharge will save you the long wait in line. Tickets can be picked up ten minutes before your entry time at Gate 3.
The institution "Firenze Musei" administers the Florentine public museums and has a website (www.firenzemusei.it) with a lot of practical information. It is possible to buy tickets online to avoid the frequent queues.
Budget & Tips
Tickets for the monuments and museums of Florence are often combined. Remember also that admission is generally free on the first Sunday of the month (from October to March), for EU residents under 18, and reduced for those under 25.
Don't forget the "Firenze Card": this personal card, valid for 72 hours, gives access to the main museums and churches of Florence with priority entry, without reservation (except for the dome : it is necessary to reserve a slot in advance). Price: €85. Points of sale: museums, tourist offices or online(www.firenzecard.it).
Main events
The public holidays are January1(Capodanno), January 6(Epifania), Easter(Pasqua) and Easter Monday(Pasquetta), April 25(Festa della Liberazione), May1(Festa del Lavoro), june 2(Festa della Repubblica), August 15(Ferragosto), November1(Ognissanti), December 8(Immacolata Concezione), December 25(Natale) and December 26(Santo Stefano).
In addition, each city in Tuscany has a holiday on the day of its patron saint. In Florence, it is June 24(Festa di San Giovanni Battista). Last but not least, do not confuse giorno festivo (holiday) and giorno feriale (working day)!
Guided tours
The main tourist office of Florence (www.feelflorence.it) is located in Piazza della Stazione, in front of the Santa Maria Novella train station. It is here, from Monday to Saturday 9am-7pm and Sunday 9am-2pm, that you can book a guided tour, accommodation or the Firenze Card. There are three other less formal addresses: via Camillo Cavour 1 (north of piazza del Duomo, a stone's throw from Palazzo Medici Riccardi), piazza di San Giovanni 1 (right next to the Baptistery of San Giovanni) and, finally, at the Florence airport.
As everywhere, the red buses (www.firenze.city-sightseeing.it) allow you to visit the city in comfort. It is also possible to tour the city by bicycle or on the Arno River (www.florencetown.com), or even by Segway (www.italysegwaytours.com).
Tourist traps
Beware of touts near the museums who will offer you discounted tickets: always buy your tickets on the official website. Also, avoid buying counterfeit tickets or you will be fined heavily. Indeed, in the vicinity of tourist sites and in the main squares, stalls of bags and clothes imitating famous brands abound.
