Overview to Florence: Travel Guide and Tourist Information
- Florence Information
- Eating & drinking in Florence
- Night life in Florence
- Getting around in Florence
- Things to do in Florence
- Where to stay in Florence
- Florence street map
Even in a country renowned for its dreamily romantic cities, Florence stands out as a travel destination. A stunning city with a matchless artistic and cultural heritage, it was the jewel in Europe’s glittering crown for the Grand Tourists.
Situated on the banks of the River Arno in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is no less attractive to modern-day backpackers. A compact yet atmospheric maze of narrow streets, it’s possible to really get a feel for the city, even within just a couple of days.
The city is studded with outstanding architecture. While the almost impossibly grand Duomo dominates the skyline from every angle, the Ponte Vecchio, which has bridged the Arno for centuries, is one of the most unusual and beautiful structures. Culturally, too, with the Uffizi, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and the Bargello, few other cities can compete with Florence.
The Accademia (slightly to the north of the city center) is home to one of the world's most precious art treasures: Michelangelo’s David. And the city’s many churches are no less decorative.
The Santa Maria Novella (to the west near the train station), Santa Croce (to the east) and San Marco (to the north) are just a couple of the city’s – and the world’s – most beautiful examples.
But it’s also a city of less highbrow pleasures: a city of markets, scruffy cafés and neighborhood restaurants. To the south of the river, meanwhile, the Boboli Gardens provide a perfect retreat from the (relative) hustle and bustle of the streets below.
It’s away from the throngs of visitors, the unmatchable history and the art that you’ll find the real Florence: a pleasant, relaxed place more inclined towards a leisurely latte than a frantic espresso.
And as is the case throughout Italy, even the most apparently mundane street scenes can make for a fascinating spectacle in Florence. The best way of taking it all in is to sit down (with a book, perhaps) and let the sights, sounds and smells wash over you.