Florence is just down the road from us and so it is a city that we head towards when we are looking for something fantastic to do, as it has everything that you would expect of a big city and more. Whoever, the city attracts millions of tourists each year (attributed to the city’s incredible art history and culture) and so for us we do try and stay away in June and July. For many of our clients that is not a possibility due to pre-determined school summer vacations, it is for this reason we recommend staying somewhere in Tuscany and coming in once or twice over a 7 days period.
The top attractions for families in Florence include:
Il Duomo – The Florence Cathedral is the mother church of the city named Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. It was named after the lily (fiore), the city’s symbol. The cathedral complex is located in Piazza del Duomo and includes the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile. At the top, Brunelleschi’s dome is open from 8:30am to 7pm (closed on Sundays, with some variations for holidays). Tickets are €18 per person, less for kids.
Battistero – The Baptistery of Saint John (San Giovanni) is one of Florence’ oldest and most important religious buildings, it is dedicated to the city’s patron, John the Baptist. The Baptistry is open from 11:15am to 7pm (8:30am to 2pm Sundays; some variations for holidays).
The Campanile di Giotto – Giotto’s Bell Tower is 85 meters high and visitors can climb 414 steps to a terrace at the top of the tower to get brilliant views across the city. The bell tower is open from 8:30am to 7pm (closed Easter, Christmas, New Year, some variations for holidays).
Piazza della Signoria – is an L-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. At the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio stands a copy of Michelangelo’s David in the same spot where the genuine statue stood for 69 years after its completion in 1504. Next to David is Baccio Bandinelli’s sculpture of Hercules and Cacus.
The Uffizi Galleries – home to some of the top names in art history. The museum is one of the oldest in the world and has attracted visitors from around the world since it was officially opened to the public in 1765. The museum is so large that it can take at least 3 hours to see. Be careful the lines to get in are as famous as the Uffizi itself!
Ponte Vecchio – it is thought to date back as far as the Romans who constructed stone pillars and wooden planks on this spot where the Via Cassia crossed the river. Until 1218 it was the only bridge that crossed the Arno River. In 1565 during the reign of the Medici family they wanted a route which would connect them directly between Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the River, without even stepping foot outside. The covered “corridor” across the bridge was constructed on top of the bridge stores.
Galleria dell’Accademia– to view Michelangelo’s David (Hours: Tues-Sunday, 8:15am to 6:50pm; last tickets 30 minutes prior to closing time. Closed every Monday, New Year’s and May 1). Advance tickets are recommended to avoid the line. Tickets are €12 per adult. Timed slots every 15 minutes.
Palazzo Pitti – The vast Renaissance palace holds several museums and visitors can also see the royal apartments of the Medici family.
Boboli Gardens – this is more than a garden! The gardens are one of the greatest open-air museums in Florence that embrace another site of culture in Florence, the Pitti Palace. The park hosts centuries-old oak trees, sculptures, fountains and offers peaceful shelter from the warm Florentine sun in summer, they are a spectacular example of “green architecture” decorated with sculptures which inspired many European Royal gardens, in particular, Versailles.
Mercato Nuovo – is a covered market which has been open for business as far back as the 11th century. The most famous attraction in the market is the Fontana del Porcellino which features a bronze statue of a wild boar. The tradition is that if you rub the boar’s nose you will have good luck. Visitors then put a coin in his mouth, if the coin rolls all the way through the grate where the water flows then your wish will be granted!
Mercato Centrale – the Central Market is a must-see for food lovers. On the ground floor there is the opportunity to by fresh produce (meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, delicacies) from the surrounding Tuscan area – from farm to kitchen. You could browse for hours. On the top floor is the food market (or fancy food court, but Italian!). 3,000 sq meters, 500 seats,12 different food stands and a cookery school. Open 7 days a week.
Enjoy the clothing market alongside Mercato Centrale called San Lorenzo Mercato – great for buying leather and trinkets from Italy.
Some great museums for the kids:
Museo Galileo is just around the corner from the Uffizi. This is an excellent interactive museum where children can learn about the laws of physics, explore Galileo’s own telescopes and instruments, and learn about other scientific discoveries, like medicines made during the Renaissance. (Hours: Everyday 9:30 to 6pm; Tuesdays 9:30-1pm; Closed Jan 1, Dec 25. Approximately €10 per person. Located in Piazza dei Giudici, 1).
Museo di Leonardo da Vinci displays replicas of the artist’s inventions — the printing press, mortar cannon and gears, that will captivate children ages 5 and up. This is a fun museum where kids are encouraged to play with the wooden models of Da Vinci’s drawings to see how they work. (Hours: every day 9.30 am – 6:15pm. The ticket office closes at 6.15pm. Located in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 26). Tickets are €11, kids €8, under 6 years are FREE.
Got some extra time on your hands?:
Visit the Oltrano neighborhood on the other side of the Ponte Vecchio. Artisan shops, boutiques, studios and cafes abound, so enjoy a sit-down lunch or visit the Renaissance Boboli Gardens. You can even stroll here later in the evening and dine at one of the many trendy trattorie.
Visit the The Palazzo Strozzi which has various exhibits running all the time that are family friendly. The Medici Dynasty Show is a theatrical and multimedia performance that runs practically every day. It’s a well done and entertaining event, and a great way for families, or anyone visiting the city to get a sense of the Medici family’s extraordinary influence in science, culture, religion, and the arts. Tickets are about €20 for students, €30 for adults and children under 12 are free.
Besides photographs, patents, sketches, books, magazines and wooden lasts of various famous feet, the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo boasts a collection of drawing 10,000 models designed by Ferragamo from the end of the 1920’s until 1960, the year of his death. This is the perfect destination for a teen or anyone in your family who likes shoes. Via Tornabuoni, 2. Tel. 055-3360456. Hours : Weekdays: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 6pm. Closed on: Saturday and Sunday.Tickets: about €5
Walk, taxi, or take public transport to the Piazzale Michelangelo for one of the most famous views of Florence—and it’s free! This panoramic terrace on a hill overlooking Florence offers a splendid view encompassing not only the city, but also the surrounding hills. It gets very crowded on weekend afternoons and evenings, especially in fine weather. Try to catch the view at sunset—it’s stunning!
