If you have more time to spend in the capital of the arts, we recommend heading to the Boboli Gardens, just behind the Pitti Palace. It’s the largest green space in Florence, and one of the most beautiful in all of Italy! During their long rule, the Medici family expanded this garden, until it became the massive space that you see today. Grottoes, fountains, sculptures… This Renaissance-style garden is full of treasures, and offers a breathtaking view over the city! You can check them out during a visit to the Pitti Palace. Built in the second half of the 15th century, the palace now houses multiple museums. You can buy an entry ticket that includes visits to the Palatine Gallery, the Royal Appartments, the
Gallery of Modern Art and the Costume Gallery. There’s also an entry ticket that includes entry to the Boboli and Bardini gardens, and the Porcelain Museum. The palace has remarkable collections of sculptures, paintings, costumes, porcelain, and the city’s most-visited historical park! Before you go, check the opening hours. You can buy a ticket in advance, but know that the site is closed on Mondays!
San Miniato al Monte Basilica
If you want to visit another iconic part of Florence, head to the San Miniato al Monte basilica! Perched high up in the Oltrarno district, it’s deeply historic and pays tribute to the city’s first martyr. Given its altitude, it also offers one of the most stunning views over the historic city centre. Entry is free, but subject to opening hours! It’s only a few minutes walk away from Michelangelo Square!
Galleria dell’Accademia
If you’re a true art lover, you have to visit the Galleria dell’Accademia. Home to a vast collection of paintings and sculptures, here you’ll find one of Michelangelo’s most famous masterpieces: the David. It’s one of the most visited museums in the city, so we strongly recommended booking your ticket online in advance. The museum is open every day except Mondays. There’s also a combined ticket available that includes both the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery.
Museums
Florence is home to numerous museums, covering all kinds of areas! You can visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest museums in the city; the Galileo Museum, retracing the history of science; the interactive Leonardo da Vinci Museum; and Florence’s many more palaces and gardens. You should know that most museums are closed on Mondays – so check the opening hours before you visit. There are also different kinds of tickets you can buy, including combined tickets that could save you some money.
Fiesole
If you’ve got some spare time, consider visiting the town of Fiesole. It’s about 10 kilometres north of Florence, and the views over the city are spectacular. Perched on top of a hill, Fiesole is full of interesting monuments, and the perfect place to stroll through for a day.
Pisa
As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is well-connected to its surrounding region, so it’s a great starting place for day trips! Pisa is one of the most visited cities in Italy. Go for a day or a weekend to dicover its iconic leaning tower – renowned worldwide– along with its beautiful historic centre. You’ll see Pisa’s remarkable cathedral, fascinating museums, and palaces with unique architecture. It’s about an hour and a half drive away from Florence, or you could take the train from the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station in the city centre. It usually takes between 50 minutes and 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Pisa. Just like Florence and many other Italian cities, Pisa has a Limited Traffic Zone, or ZTL. This means you’re not allowed to drive into the city unless you’re a local resident.
Siene and the Chianti Valley
Another highly popular destination just an hour and fifteen minutes away is Siena, Florence’s old-time rival. The town’s medieval centre reflects its rich heritage, with beautifully preserved architecture and impressive landmarks. Make sure not to drive into the town — park outside instead. Siena has a large Limited Traffic Zone, and if you’re not a resident, driving into it is not allowed. On the way, you can explore the Chianti Valley, which lies between Florence and Siena. Covered in vineyards, olive groves and wine cellars, this region is a must-see if you have some more time in Tuscany. You’ll find scenic walks with breathtaking views through the vineyards — and if you like, you can even enjoy a Chianti wine tasting along the way.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is known as the “Town of a Thousand Towers”. In reality, it’s more of a village than a town. Full of charming medieval architecture, it has 14 incredibly well-preserved towers and winding streets, right in the heart of Tuscany. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss out on spending a few hours in this treasured Tuscan town, located an hour away from Florence, and 45 minutes away from Siene.
Monteriggioni
The Tuscan village of Monteriggioni may be small, but it’s surrounded by its original medieval walls, which have been remarkably well-preserved. Get ready to be charmed by its stone houses, cobbled streets, and small church – all enclosed within the ancient walls of the Monteriggioni castle. The visit is quite short, but can be easily combined with a trip to San Gimignano or Siena, both about 25 kilometers away. Cars are not allowed inside the walls, but there is a paid car park just outside the town.
Lucca
Another town that has preserved its medieval character is Lucca, a hidden gem in Tuscany, and truly worth visiting if you have time. Its cathedral, city walls, and beautiful palazzi are worth a day visit. This is also where Europe’s largest comic book festival takes place, held every year between late October and early November.
Cinque Terre National Park
And finally, Florence is home to the must-see Cinque Terre National Park, a 2 hour and 15 minute drive away from the centre. A hub of breathtaking nature and landscapes, the park is best known for its 5 stunning villages: Riomaggiore, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, Corniglia, and Vernazza. If you have more time to spend in the region, the views alone are worth the trip to the Cinque Terre.
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