Plan your trip to Florence

Florence, Italy

Recommendations to help plan your trip to Florence, Italy

 

Celebrate Food and Wine!

  • Rent E-bikes and tour the Tuscany countryside.
  • Day trip to a vineyard for local wine.
  • Get back in time for Dinner. Order the Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Day to explore in Florence.

  • Climb to the top of Duomo
  • Visit Uffizi Gallery
  • Visit the leather market
  • Visit the famous bridge, Ponte Vecchio

Have a half day in the beginning or end of your time in Florence? Here are the things we did with partial days.

Afternoon Arial:

  • Walk the streets of Florence and sight see. Be sure to view the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio at night.

Afternoon Departure:

  • Breakfast by the Duomo.
  • Visit David.
  • By souvenirs with the last of your Euros.
  • Have one last fabulous meal.

Florence Recommendations – Top Picks

CLICK  for more information.

Visit the David - Florence - Hello Trip Takers

Galleria dell’Accademia

HOURS: 8:15 – 18.50
ADMISSION: Pre-buy tickets online.

Expect lines even with tickets. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Visit Uffizi Gallery - Florence - Hello Trip Takers

Uffizi Gallery

HOURS: 8:15 – 18.30
ADMISSION: Pre-buy tickets online. Bring receipt to the ticket office. You now can “skip the line” in the fast track lane. In reality, you might still have a line at the ticket office and fast track lane. Go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowded. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

eBike Tuscany - Florence - Hello Trip Takers

Rent an E-Bike for the day and do a self guided tour of the area. John will set you up with a GPS map for you to follow. The electric bikes will do all the hard work!

“The route that made us famous is a great mixture of little towns, forests, vineyards (with swimming pool and wine tasting options), olive groves, riverside cycle paths and iconic views of Florence’s beautiful skyline. You’ll cover around 38km, starting from Florence and using as much cycle path as possible to get out of town, this epic route takes you meandering through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, through forests, past castles and vineyards with stops for lunch or a picnic, a glass of wine or a wine and olive oil tasting with a dip on the pool and back along the river Arno bike path.” – e-bikesflorence.com

Climb Duomo - Florence - Hello Trip Takers

HOURS: 08:15 – 19:30

  • Get the best view in town. Climb the 463 steps to the top. Built between 1420 and 1436, you will be climbing the same narrow passageways the workers did.
  • Entry to Brunelleschi’s Dome from Porta della Mandorla (North side of the Cathedral).
  • The visit takes 45-60 minutes.
  • Go as soon as they open to beat the crowds.

ADMISSION: Pre-buy tickets online. Brunelleschi Pass includes access to all monuments of Piazza del Duomo allowing visitors a complete experience with a single ticket: the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata. The validity starts from the date selected for the visit to the Dome.

Buy Souvenirs at the Porcellino Market - Florence - Hello Trip Takers

Open every day from 9.00 to 18.30

This is one of the oldest markets in the world. You will find leather handicrafts made in Tuscany, tourist t-shirts/sweatshirts, and souvenirs in this covered open air market. Be ready to negotiate. The vendors do not have a guaranteed location. If you come back the next day you will have to locate them again.

Don’t forget to rub the snout of the bronze Porcellino (wild boar) fountain for good luck. For a little extra luck, insert a coin in its mouth. If it falls through the gate over the drain your wish will come true.

Ponte Vecchio - Florence - Hello Trip Takersnce6

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River. It is located in the heart of the city and is one of the most iconic landmarks in Florence. Surrounding Ponte Vecchio are a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions. These include the Vasari Corridor, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Signoria, and the Pitti Palace.

A great spot for photos or and a romantic stroll!

Don’t Forget The Food

Overwhelmed by the food choices? Consider taking a Food Tour.
See additional restaurant recommendations in the map below.

Eat in the Jewish Ghetto Neighborhood

La Grotta Guelfa

Ordering a Bistecca Fiorentina in Florence is a must-do for any foodie visiting the city. This iconic Florentine steak is a thick cut of beef, usually from the Chianina breed of cattle, that is grilled over an open flame and served with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper. The steak is usually served rare, and the flavor is enhanced by the unique flavor of the local olive oil. The Bistecca Fiorentina is a classic

This is were we had Ben’s Birthday meal. Order the Bisteca Florintine. TONS OF FOOD come hungry.

Reservations are recommended. Can be made on website or Google listing.

Made to Order Raviolis

Antico Ristorante Paoli 1827

Amazing food and historic setting! This was one of my favorite meals from the trip.

Ordering a tagliatelle al ragù in Florence is a great way to experience the traditional flavors of the city. The dish is made with a rich tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and a variety of meats, making it a hearty and flavorful meal. It is a classic dish that is sure to please any palate. Plus, it is a great way to experience the local cuisine of Florence.

We had lunch and did not need a reservation. I would recommend a reservation for dinner.
Reservations can be made via Google Listing.

Lunch Close to the Colosseum

Breakfast with a view. This is my favorite church. I recommend visiting it at all times of the day. Restaurants right next to major attractions can be hit and miss. A safe bet is always coffee, wine, or gelato!

Mapped Recommendations

CLICK for more information. Save and use for your trip! OR create your own. Saving locations on a Google Map is will save you a lot of time and frustration when you are in a new city. We like to research restaurants before leaving. Better to do it at home vs on a crowded sidewalk while starving to death.

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2023-03-13T14:40:26+00:00
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