A Basic Guide to Florence (Part A Zillion)

After living in Florence, I can confidently say I know my way around the Tuscan capital pretty well. If you plan on visiting any time soon, here’s a basic guide to this Renaissance city.

Florence was the heart of academics, art and finance during medieval Europe. If you enjoy rich history, there is an abundance in this city. Florence is most known for housing Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of the biblical figure “David”. Housed in Galleria dell’Accedemia (Academia Gallery), the 17-foot marble statue is so much more impressive than I even imagined. But don’t get it confused with the replica in Piazza della Signora. Another amazing relic inside Galleria dell’Accedemia is Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.  

Michelangelo's, David 

More impressive Galleria dell’Accedemia is Uffizi Gallery, containing one of the most important collections of painting. Works like The Women with a Veil, The Birth of Venus and Dante’s Death Mask. I could go on and on about Uffizi but what you really need to know is that if you plan in exploring the gallery, give yourself at least 4-hours. You’ll thank me later.

Other amazing galleries and museums I recommend visiting would be the Medici Chapel and family catacombs, Pitti Palace, Bobili Garden and the Gucci Garden.

Being boujee in the Gucci Garden

Entering the city you can’t miss the Duomo. It’s absolutely gorgeous, intricate and ornate. You can climb all 463 steps to the top of the dome and I couldn’t recommend it more. The view is stunning. Seeing the tightly knit city with tiny alley and roads, surrounded by mountains and Tuscan hills is breathtaking. Make sure to check out the doors of the Baptistery, dubbed “The Gates of Paradise” by Dante. A hidden gem of Florence is Santa Croce. The inside is more beautiful (in my option) than the Duomo and has funerary monuments of Leonardo da Vinci and the Florence-born, Dante.

Santa Croce

Another important attraction in Florence is the Ponte Vecchio. The bridge is so beautiful, even Hitler himself decided during WWII that it was too beautiful to destroy. It’s famous for selling gold, jewels and watches, so bring out your wallets.

The Ponte Vecchio

For sunset, head up to Piazzale Michelangelo and experience a view of Florence that is unrivaled. Bring a bottle of wine, sit on the stairs and I can almost guarantee there will be some form of live music.

Enjoying some vino blanco at Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo 

                                                                                                                                                                                  One of my favorite hidden gems are actually all over Florence right in front of your face. Buchetta del Vino or wine windows are cut outs in buildings that people used to buy wine through. Most of them are closed now but there is one that is still open and serves wine for just one hour a day. At Babae in the Santo Spirito area of Florence, you can buy a glass of win through the wine window. Such a cool and cute stop on your walks through Florence.

Buchetta del Vino

I could go on and on about Florence and I will, just not right now. There will be many, many more stories and posts to come. 

Love Always,
Marge