Artistic Views in Florence, Italy - 24-Hour Travel Guide

Brunelli's Famous Dome (Duomo)

View Over Florence

Ponte Vecchio at Night

Overview - Florence is all about beauty - from the gracefulness of the Duomo of the cathedral, to the art in the Uffizi gallery to the views over the ancient city.

Breakfast - Grub on the Go.
Grab a baguette or a sandwich at one of the many cafes in the compact city, and eat it on your way to the city sights.

Morning - Renaissance Art.
The Uffizi is possibly one of the world’s premiere art museums, and is a must-see while in Florence. A walking tour through the gallery is a good way to get an overview and more information on the key works, but a good guidebook could do the same thing if you’d rather browse at your own pace. Buy your tickets in advance for the Accadmia Gallery, where the biggest (pun intended) draw is Michelangelo’s David – in all its artistically naked glory.

Lunch - Mange! Mange! on Pizza.
There are several on-the-go lunch options to choose from, and several include pizza. It’s an easy snack to take with you on the way to a new activity. There is so much to see, there’s really no point in a sit-down option.

Afternoon - Beautiful Views of Florence.
There’s a walking tour called Beautiful Views of Florence that takes you across the Ponte Vecchio along the Arno River, up into the hillside to the church of San Minneato al Monte, which sits on Florence’s highest point. Here you can get sweeping city views over the Duomo and the Campanile. If you’d rather not walk, take a cab. After you’re back down into the city proper again, there are more views to be had. You have a choice, you can climb either the Duomo, the Campanile (tower) or both. There are a lot of stairs, so if you chose both, bring your personal masseuse. The Campanile offers views of the Duomo and vice-versa, though in my opinion, I’d rather look out over the Brunelli’s architectural dome masterpiece.

Dinner - Get the Florence Special.
Meaning “White Boar,” the Osteria Del Cinghialia Bianco came recommended as a place to try the special of Florence, the Bisteca Fiorintina (Florentine Steak.) First, it opens earlier than most Florence restaurants (6:30 p.m. compared to 8 p.m.) and second, the food was wonderful. Steak here is ordered in kilos, so be careful how much you order. Pair it with an Italian red wine and it’s the perfect dinner.

After Dark - Florence at Night.
The Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River are all lit up at night, so a walk through the city after dark is not only a way to get some nice photos, but it’s relatively safe. There are local bars, should you want some action, but they can be a bit rowdy. You’re better off at a restaurant with a late dinner and some wine.

Sleep - Close to Everything.
The Adler Cavalieri was within walking distance to everything, but Florence is a compact city, so that may not be a selling point. However, the beds were comfortable, and the staff was helpful, if not overly friendly.

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