The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The picture shows an antique globe and someone holding a magnifying glass in front of it. In the background, there is an old leather bag. The picture is part of the Europe travel guides.
The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.
The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The picture shows an antique map in the background. In the foreground, there is a mobile phone showing the time and a background photo of a cafe. The phone is laying on a notebook and next to it there is a pen. The picture is part of the Europe travel guides.

Florence travel guide

Guide me through Florence

The vibrant heart of Tuscany, Firenze, is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet delights. Renaissance art and architecture paired with cobblestone streets, a vivid nightlife, and stylish fashion boutiques make this city the perfect getaway to experience the classic Italian ‚Dolce Vita‘ or simply to enjoy a spectacular romantic escape.

Not yet sure where to travel after Florence?

Florence Top 5

Marvel at world-class art at Galleria de Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia or Palazzo Pitti

Take a stroll through the Boboli Gardens

Watch the Tuscany sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

Indulge in local Tuscany delicacies

See the Duomo

Best things to do in Florence

The Highlights

Top 5  •  Museums  •  Romantic Florence  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation

The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.

Galleria de Uffizi finds itself clearly on top of the list, which holds the most important collection of Renaissance art worldwide including Botticelli’s masterpiece Birth of Venus (make sure to book your tickets in advance!)

Visit the Duomo and climb up Giotto’s Campanile for a spectacular 360-degree view over Florence.

You will find the original Michelangelo’s David in Galleria dell’Accademia, while you can admire some of Michelangelo’s other works as bronze casts at Piazzale Michelangelo together with a fantastic panorama of the city.

Marvel at the in Tuscan Renaissance-style designed landscape in the Boboli Gardens, another must-see on every traveler’s list.

To soak in some history, join a Free Walking Tour on your first day in Florence to get a perfect introduction to the city.

Make sure to pay a visit to Ponte Vecchio, Florence´s only surviving historic bridge, and the baptistery of John the Baptist, one of Florence´s oldest buildings.

To experience Firenze off the beaten path, have a coffee at the rooftop terrace of Biblioteca delle Oblate and visit the Sant´Ambrogio market for some Tuscan treats.

Best museums to visit in Florence

Museums

Top 5  •  Highlights   •  Romantic Florence  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation

The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.

If there are two museums you simply cannot miss during your visit to Florence, it would be Galleria de Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia.

However, Florence boasts incredible museums filled with world-class art that can be admired in Palazzo Pitti, the National Museum of Bargello as well as interesting pieces in the Stibbert Museum.

Free of charge, but certainly crowded are the state museums on the first Sunday of every month including Uffizi, Accademia, Pitty, Medici Chapels, and Bargello.

The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.

Romantic things to do in Florence

It'S Romantic side

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Museums  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation

There are cities in the world that will make you feel like diving directly into a romantic movie and Florence clearly is one of them. To enjoy amore the Tuscan way, surprise your partner with an unforgettable date everyone can afford.

One of Florence´s most romantic places for sure are the Boboli Gardens filled with fragrant flowers, Tuscan trees, marble sculptures, and spectacular views. Take your loved one on a walk and enjoy this botanic pearl with all your senses while stealing kisses against the panoramic view of the city.

At sunset, hike to Piazzale Michelangelo to watch the evening sky changing between every shade of pink and orange, bring some wine and enjoy life.

For a romantic date night, organize a picnic and have it on one of the bridges along the Arno River while feasting on that romantic city light that turns the Arno and its bridges almost into one of those Tuscan paintings you can only admire in museums.

Best food to try in Florence

Local Delicacies

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Museums  •  Romantic Florence  •  Travel Tips  •  Transportation

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No matter where in Italy, Italian food is always beyond incredible. Indulge in Italy’s classics or try the local Tuscany delicacies.

While in Florence, try Ribollita (bean, bread, and veg soup), a beautiful juicy steak from a traditional trattoria, or grab a tripe Panino freshly prepared in a food truck. Don’t leave the city without trying one of the world’s best Focaccia from the famous All’Antico Vinaio!

A cheap and brilliant way to experience Florence’s food heaven is to go for an aperitivo. Many bars include a complimentary buffet of local treats during the evening hours (usually from 7 pm to 9 pm).

But what would be incredible Tuscan food without a glass of Tuscany’s fabulous wine? Luckily, Florence is surrounded by magnificent vineyards, many of which can be visited via a day or half-day trip.

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Best travel tips for Florence

Useful travel tips

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Museums  •  Romantic Florence  •  Delicacies  •  Transportation

As a study abroad location, Florence boasts incredible nightlife, delicious street food, and suits every budget. If you want to save some travel money and plan on doing loads of sightseeing, get the Firenze Card, which provides free entry to the city’s top museums, tours, and attractions for 3 days. Or get a Duomo Pass, if you don’t want to get a Firenze Card but still want to visit the monuments of Piazza del Duomo. There are three passes available depending on which monuments you want to see.

The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The photo is used for the Europe travel guides.

Transportation tips for Florence

Transportation

Top 5  •  Highlights  •  Museums  •  Romantic Florence  •  Delicacies  •  Travel Tips

Florence is quite compact and therefore perfectly walkable. However, if you need public transportation, use the ATAF bus system to move around and the T2 tram route running between Florence Peretola airport and Santa Maria Novella train station for long-distance traveling.

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Travel Tips

The Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist

or learn which food to try and souvenirs to buy on your next trip to Europe

The picture is part of the travel blog 'The Essence of Traveling'. This travel blog features authentic and unique travel content such as compact travel guides and itineraries, travel tips and how-to guides, travel essays, and authentic perspectives about destinations from all around the world. The picture shows three circles with photos in it. The first circle shows a photo of several small and colorful pottery bowls as they are typical for tapas dishes in Spain or Portugal. The second image shows two wine glasses. One is filled with white wine, the other with red wine. In the background, there are green and purple grapes and a small oak barrel. The third circle shows a photo of a seafood dish. There are two big shrimp located in the foreground and rice, clams, peas and the tails of more shrimp located in the background.