Florence Full Of History
Overflowing with history, art and culture, Florence is generally a city thats very hard to do justice to in a single day. Hence, a visit to the Uffizi museum alone could easily eat a day or two into any itinerary.
Should you be fortunate enough to visit Florence for the first time, but unfortunate enough to have only a single day to savour the delights of this city, you will need to ensure that you have a plan.
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Your Florence Guide For the Day
So allow me to be your guide for the day of Florence. I can’t promise you the Uffizi in a day, but hopefully you’ll feel like youve seen the best of the city. Your only problem will be deciding when to come back for more!
Free Map Of Florence
The first thing youll need before you start your tour is a map of the city. The centre of Florence is pretty compact, so the best way to see it, without missing a thing is by foot. If you don’t have a map or a guidebook and youre not the type that enjoys aimless wandering, instead make your first stop of the day one of the tourist offices where you can pick up a free map of Florence.
Starting Point Of Florence Self Guided Tour
Starting off in the main Piazza, you’ll easily spot the famous Duomo, following with its magnificent terracotta coloured cupola. If you are there early enough to avoid the crowds and feel you can face the 463 steps I’d especially recommend starting your tour by climbing up into dome for a spectacular view of the city. Then Duomo is probably the most distinctive feature of Florences skyline and is the result of years of work spanning six centuries.
Leisurely Stroll in Florence, Italy
Once you have taken in the view, catch your breath with a leisurely stroll around the streets surrounding the Duomo, then take a walk to the nearby Piazza della Signoria. When here youll find a unique outdoor gallery of sculptures, including Neptunes Fountain. You’ll also find the Palazzo Vecchio (the Old Palace) here. As can be seen this was built in the early 14th century. At the present time it is still used today for its original purpose, as a Town Hall.
For the Art Lover In Florence, Italy
Just beside the Palazzo following the Uffizi museum, with its unrivalled collection of Renaissance art. If youre an art lover, you don’t want to miss the Uffizi, but its not something that can be easily covered in a short 2-hour visit!
Alongside the Uffizi you’ll find the River Arno, with its many bridges, then you take a right turn youll arrive at the Ponte Vecchio. the famed bridge that houses a multitude of goldsmiths and jewellery shops, with its medieval workshops overhanging the bridge. The bridge itself was built in 1345 and is the only bridge on the Arno that wasn’t destroyed in World War II.
Once youve crossed the bridge, youll arrive in the area called Oltrano, which literally means Over the Arno. Presently here you’ll find the Palazzo Pitti a large 16th century palace. In fact the palace was originally home to the Medici family who ruled Florence almost continuously between 1434 and 1743 and it now houses several important museums and galleries.
Finishing Your Self Guided Florence Tour
Lastly, you may want to finish your day by taking a relaxing stroll in the Boboli gardens, which can be accessed through the Palazzo Pitti. These gardens were specifically laid out in 1550 for the Medici a year after they bought the Palazzo Pitti and were opened to the public in 1766. Many parts of the gardens still give stunning vistas over Florence and make a welcome retreat after a day of walking round the city.
If you have the time, its worth returning to view the Ponte Vecchio at sunset, followed by a walk along the bridge after dusk, when the lights on the bridge reflect on the River Arno and everything seems almost magical.
Finally, dont forget to take a break from your sightseeing stop for lunch or a drink in a pavement café, take some time to soak up the atmosphere and do a spot of people watching.
