Thinking of travelling to Florence, Italy? You'll definitely adore every inch of Florence. Florence is teaming with a cocktail of tourist sights, history and the enchanting local stops.
You can never run out of things to do in Florence. However, if you are short of time and you won't be able to stay long in Florence, there are some things you must not miss out on.
To help you make the best of your stay in Florence this article will help you plan your tour of the beautiful city of Florence. This ultimate bucket list will let you know where you'll enjoy the exquisite pieces from their famous museums, savor the beauty of their iconic sights, taste their delicious food and so much more.
But before you dive into the bucket list, there are some things you need to take note of. First of all, most of the sights will be extremely crowded. Florence welcomes a lot of tourists. So, the best time to view the sights is early in the morning when there's little or no crowd.
1. Visit the Piazza Santo Spirito
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The Piazza Santo Spirito is a friendly neighborhood square in Florence. It's full of shops, restaurants and a heavy dose of the lively Italian charm.
At the Piazza you'll see the handsome Santo Spirito Church with its impressive works of art. One of the most notable pieces is a carved wooden crucifix made by the famous Michelangelo when he was just 17 years old. Now the crucifix lies on the west side of the sacristy of the church.
Another exquisite church is the Santa Maria del Carmine which is the home of the intricate frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino de Panicale, a Carmelite order.
You can never run out of things to do at the Piazza Santo Spirito.As you stroll through the square, you'll come across a bustling market where you can buy gorgeous souvenirs. This is where the locals do most of their shopping. And if you're hungry, there are several restaurants where you can eat and soak in the animated square and the beauty that surrounds it.
2. Climb to the top of Duomo
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Ready to break a sweat? To get to one of Florence's most popular gothic structures, you will have to climb 463 steps. It'll literally feel like going on a pilgrimage but it's worth it. The view from the Dome will take your breath away. Right at the top, you'll see the beautiful panoramic view of Florence.
Within the Dome is as amazing as the view from the outside. For example, you'll see Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment.
3. Pasta making class
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You might already know that pasta is pretty much like a staple in Italy. Aside from eating their exquisite pasta, learning how pasta is made will help you appreciate their pastas a lot more. It'll be a fun and memorable activity. Plus, you would have learned a new skill when you go home.
At the pasta making classes you'll be taught some pasta making techniques under the tutelage of the best chefs. It's a real eye-opening experience. Who would have thought that there was an art to making pasta?
4. Rub the nose of the Fontana del Porcellino
The Fontana del Porcellino is a bronze fountain shaped as a boar. This sculpture was made by the talented hands of Pietro Tacca. The locals believe that rubbing the nose of the bronze boar will give you good luck.
It may sound a bit strange but legend has it that the female wild boar is considered to bring good fortune. So, when you get to Florence, make sure you give the snout of that boar a good rub. You'd never know what luck will come your way.
5. Take a food tour
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You're probably already familiar with a lot of Italian dishes like pizza, pasta and lasagna. But knowing them is one thing, tasting them is another. In Florence there's so much to eat and drink and the rich Italian flavors are certainly something to die for.
Florence has a lot of restaurants where you can taste the best of Italy but if you want to experience more depth and diversity of food in Florence, then joining a Florence food tour will be a great choice.
6. Eat Gelato
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Just like trying out the cappuccino, make sure you don't leave Florence without having eaten some gelato. You can't say you've been to Florence without having a taste. This Renaissance treat was created by Bernardo Buontalenti and it's a favorite in Florence.
The best gelato shops in Florence take exceptional care to how gelato is made, and have special flavors and blends. Some gelato shops may be known to be experts at certain flavors, so if you're not in a hurry, it's best to take your time trying different flavors out. You'll be taken away by the diverse flavors available. There are so many flavors of gelato to choose from you can never have enough of it.
7. Check out the David at Galleria dell'Accademia
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Florence has amazing masterpieces ranging from paintings to sculptures. So, stopping by a museum like the Galleria dell'Accademia is a must. Within the Galleria dell'Accademia is one of the world's famous sculptures, the Statue of David. The David was sculpted by Michelangelo. The statue of David is a highlight at that museum. However, there are also other amazing pieces including the musical instruments of Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano.
8. Admire the art at Uffizi Gallery
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At Florence seeing one museum won't be enough. You must make a stop at the Uffizi Gallery. There you'll see the best of Italy's Renaissance artwork like The Birth of Venus, The Ognissanti Madonna and La Primavera. They are absolutely beautiful up close!
9. Watch the beautiful Florence sunset at the Piazzale Michelangelo
What better way to crown your whole journey than to watch the sunset from one of Florence's great sights? The Piazzale Michelangelo is located in downtown Florence. To get there you have to hike up the hill. But if you were able to make it up to the duomo then you will be able to get through this. Of course, as is the norm in Florence, the view is indeed spectacular.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
