Florence Travel Guide

Overview

The city of Florence is the heart of the region of Tuscany, and is one of Italy’s most popular destinations as well as one of the world’s most artistic capitals. Known as the center of the Renaissance, one can find marvelous examples of beautiful art and architecture from this period in almost every corner and street of this city. It is so packed to the brim with sights and attractions, to the point of overflowing, thus making it impossible to truly experience all it has to offer in merely a few days.

Set in the hills of northern Italy, the beauty of Florence is further complemented by the equally gorgeous scenery that surrounds it. It has a backdrop composed of lush vineyards, rolling hills, and greenery, with the River Arno making its way across the landscape, adding a magical feel to the place. The city’s panorama is a world-famous sight that should not be missed.

Once a rich and powerful city state in the 14th century, Florence was home to the likes of the Medici family, Dante Alighieri, Amerigo Vespucci, Donatello, and Niccolo Machiavelli, while other great personalities such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo have all also left their mark in the Tuscan capital. Heavily steeped in art, culture, and history, it is comprised of winding medieval streets, numerous churches, chapels, towers, piazzas, and palazzos. It is also home to many museums and artisan shops, as well as the oldest art school in the world, the Accademia di Belle Arti which was founded in 1563.

Among its many points of interest, the main sights include the Uffizi Museum which houses a great collection of masterpieces; the Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and the Ponte Vecchio that spans across the Arno. There is also the Giotto Bell Tower, and the Pitti Palace filled with even more masterpieces. Florence also makes an excellent base for a day trip to Pisa, where the famous leaning tower and cathedral await just an hour’s drive away.

It is also worth mentioning that Florence is Italy’s leather capital, and skilled artisans continue to produce gloves, bags, shoes, and belts using methods passed on for generations. These artisan stores are usually found in the Oltrarno Quarter. The Chianti wine road between Florence and the south passes through Monteriggioni, one of Tuscany’s most perfectly preserved medieval fortresses, making for a memorable half-day drive.

Last but most definitely not least, Florence is the home of the Chianti wine. Almost every cantina or enoteca offers the well-loved Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino wines. Travelers who want to experience Florence as the centerpiece of a broader Italian journey will find that our Ultimate Italy tour devotes multiple days to the Tuscan capital as part of a comprehensive circuit of the country. Explore the full Tuscany region through our customized Italy tours, where we build every day around what matters most to you.

Enjoy this 3D Tour of Florence!

For anyone that’s heading to Florence, it is the perfect place to be to sit down and immerse oneself in beauty, art, and culture, all while sipping a good glass of local wine.

More Attractions in Florence