Florence, the heart of Tuscany, is one of the pearls of Italy and the entire world. At every step, you will literally stumble upon a palace, a statue by famous masters, or an ancient monument. Just by taking a walk, the heart of even the most hardened skeptic and opponent of sightseeing trips will rejoice. Everyone will be amazed by the rich history of the city where history was written.
You will walk with bated breath through the alleys where famous members of the Medici family lived. You will admire the views that enchanted Michelangelo and Brunelleschi. Can't wait anymore? So sit back, enjoy the aroma of freshly brewed espresso, and let yourself be inspired by proven tips on places you definitely shouldn't miss when visiting Florence. Simply experience Florence with all your senses.
1) The hidden margarita bar
Culture and history are undoubtedly the biggest attractions, but when you are satiated with intellectual food, don't forget to replenish your fluids. Just a short walk from Piazza della Signoria, you will find the hidden I'Margaritaio bar. At first glance, it is easy to miss. But that would be a real shame! After climbing a few stairs leading to the basement, you will have the chance to taste the best margaritas for miles around. Dozens of flavors, even versions with crushed ice, will surely win you over. They will bring you a giant margarita that will make your eyes pop (and later, your other senses and cognitive abilities might start to falter :-) ).
TIP: from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM they have Happy Hour and all margaritas are half price. And you want that!!!
2) Find your David
One of the main attractions and landmarks of Florence is the famous statue of David carved by Michelangelo himself. You can find it in several forms in Florence. However, there is only one original, and it is hidden in the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia). You can encounter "another" David at Piazza della Signoria, where he keeps company with Hercules at the entrance to the palace. A slightly smaller, but no less impressive David, towers over the city at Piazzale Michelangelo. It is from this very spot that you will get the famous view of the red roofs of Florence with the dominant red dome of the Florence Cathedral.
3) (Not so) innocent wine windows
In the historical center of Florence (especially in the Palazzo Capponi area), you can come across wine windows called Buchette del Vino. They are remnants of places where noble Florentines actually sold wine in the 16th century. They are often built into the facades of palaces, and you can find about 80 of them throughout Florence. Some are easy to miss, while others are marked with original inscriptions commemorating the owners' families. In any case, it is ideal to walk through these places in style, with a glass of wine in hand.
4) Florence in the palm of your hand
When you say Florence, the same image surely comes to everyone's mind. That is the view of the red roofs of the city, dominated by the famous dome. It would be a sin not to look at the city from this bird's-eye perspective as well. It takes very little – just about a 15-minute walk. From the city center, you head to the hill with the Piazzale Michelangelo square, where you will be able to enjoy the magnificent view that you previously only knew from photos.
5) The Cathedral – symbol of Florence
Whoever hasn't been to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore might as well not have been to Florence at all. You would miss the opportunity to know how David felt when Goliath stood next to him. There are few buildings that can take your breath away at first sight. The Cathedral is one of them. The richly decorated exterior might surprise you a bit when you enter. The huge space is almost empty. But that doesn't matter at all, because all your attention will be drawn to the ceiling painting of the dome by Brunelleschi. You might get a stiff neck while watching it, but you definitely won't regret it!
A small tip at the end
We most often go on Euro-trips with universal Cabinzero luggage, which is (as if) made for this type of travel!
And what about you? Have you already visited Florence? Which European city is "TOP" for you?
