11 Stunning Spots on Perfect Walking Tour of Florence
This post is about Florence Italy.
One of the most beautiful cities in all of Italy: Florence. From the cobblestone streets to the detailed architecture around every corner, Florence is one city you simply cannot afford to miss.
Functioning almost as a gateway into the Tuscan countryside, Florence has all of the charm and none of the hustle and bustle of Italy’s other top cities. That is of course if you know when to visit!
Our Italian adventure landed us in Florence for a short couple of days, and from the first few hours in the city, we could already tell we didn’t have enough time! Although we saw all of the top sights in Florence Italy, we only scraped the surface of its true charm and culture.
Here I will share with you the exact self-guided walking tour I created to show my family around one of the best cities in Europe! And of course, I’ll share the foodie stops as well as our breathtaking Airbnb!
Day 1 in Florence:
Accademia Gallery
One of the most popular things to do in Florence is to visit Michelangelo’s David. And because it is so popular, I highly suggest reserving your tickets ahead of time as well as booking one of the earliest entrance times.
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy
I was probably most excited about this attraction! The Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is the original pharmacy/perfumery of Florence. To this day the Santa Maria Novella continues to sell luxury perfumes and other wellness products. Unfortunately everything here is way out of my price range.
Piazza della Signoria / Palazzo Vecchio
The oldest piazza in Florence was the most surprising spot in Florence in my opinion! Not only was the piazza more unique than the others, but there were also so many amazing sculptures out on display! Some of them are quite graphic, but they are all still very beautiful in their own way. Also, if you don’t feel like paying the money to see the real David, you can see the “fake” David for free!
Basilica of Santa Croce
Just another beautiful FREE church in another beautiful piazza!
Piazza Santa Maria Novella
Of course this church was also beautiful, but you do have to pay to enter this one. I would recommend if you have the money, it is worth it to enter, but if you are tight on a budget, you can skip it.
Ponte Vecchio
I was honestly disappointed by the Ponte Vecchio. I thought it would be more of an open air market with affordable jewelry, but in fact, it was a high end mall of sorts. Another thing in Florence way out of my price range.
Piazzale Michelangelo
This is THE spot to view the entire city! It gets pretty crowded at sunset, but if you head up a couple hours beforehand, you can steal a spot along the edge and get your photos! It is a short and relatively easy walk across the river to this gorgeous view. You won’t want to miss this!
Day 2 in Florence
Climb the Duomo
You must must must buy a ticket to the Duomo! We decided on the full collection ticket which gives you access to the Duomo, the Duomo rooftop, and Bell Tower, and the Baptistry. We didn’t have time to do all of them, but what we were able to accomplish was more than enough to satisfy us.
I recommend yet again buying ahead of time and climbing to the Duomo rooftop at the first time slot. There was a short line, but they do limit how many people can go up at a time. I would say if you are claustrophobic, this climb might not be for you.
Climb the Bell Tower
Want photos of the actual Duomo from a higher point of view? As soon as you finish climbing the Duomo and reward yourself with a breakfast pastry, start the climb up the Bell Tower! We hit it at a sweet spot since everyone waits in the ridiculously long line to get into the Duomo, and everyone waits until later to walk up the Bell Tower.
Again, best skip this one if you are claustrophobic!
Mercato Centrale (Florence Central Market)
There’s a reason I am going to mention the Florence Central Market twice in this post. BECAUSE IT’S THE BEST PLACE EVER! Honestly what is not to love about the central market? It has tons of food options, it’s a great place to grocery shop for picnic goods and souvenirs, and it is full of Italian culture! You can even book cooking classes here!
Wine Windows of Florence
Here is a little added extra that I thought was super fun to do with my family while we wandered the streets of Florence. All over the city, there are these little wine doors that blend into the walls. Some are even still in use! Back in the old days these doors were used almost as a pick up window at local restaurants.
We made a fun game of seeing who could find the most throughout the each day. A great way to pay attention to the details of the city streets.
Where to Stay in Florence:
I honestly think that there is no better view of the city than the one we had on the balcony of our Airbnb. We were blessed with an unfiltered sunrise as we started our day with a little photoshoot of the Duomo from our balcony. Truly it left us speechless.
Not only is the view reason enough to book this Airbnb, but it is centrally located to all of the top tourist spots in the city as well as a short ten-minute walk to the train station! Our Airbnb host was also one of the loveliest I have had the pleasure of meeting to date.
Where to Eat in Florence:
Probably the most important part of your stay in Florence is finding the perfect places to eat. Well, let me help shed some light on just a few you should check out.
Florence Central Market
YOU MUST VISIT! Whether you’re shopping or wandering, you should also sit and grab something to eat. My family and I went on a frenzy in here spending hours just walking along the stalls, stocking up for our villa in Tuscany, and trying all of the amazing food options available.
Pino’s Sandwiches
Want to try the best paninis in all of Florence? Pino’s Sandwiches needs to be on your list then. It’s the perfect pit stop to refuel on this self guided walk through Florence.
La Giostra
Looking for a fancy restaurant with the best vibes and the best food? This is the place for you! Not only is the inside stunning, but the food is to die for! I mean could you expect anything less in Italy?
Transportation in Florence:
Florence is a pedestrian city, so everything worth seeing is walking distance. There were taxis available if you are in a hurry, but I don’t suggest paying the outrageous prices. Instead take to the streets like the locals do and embrace the city on foot. You won’t regret it!
You can reach Florence by train from any other major town or city in Italy. The train station is conveniently located ten minutes from the Duomo which acts as the center of the city.
Florence also has an airport if you are planning on starting or ending your Italy journey from this city. There is an airport tram that takes you directly to and from the city, so there is no need for a taxi.
Which Churches are Worth Paying For in Florence:
An added bonus to this post! Many of the churches in Florence are free to the public, but there are some that charge an entrance fee. We paid for quite a few, but I can honestly say that if you are on a budget, the only one worth your money in the Medici Chapel.
Florence Italy
And there you have it! Everything you need to know about visiting Florence, Italy. Truly this city should be at the top of your list!
Next up, I tell you every town to visit on Lake Como!
This post is about Florence Italy.
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