Below you will find useful information about Florence’s major sights and monuments and the most famous museums and churches that should not be missed during your stay here.
In addition, you will also discover the exceptional shopping that Florence offers, the best markets to visit and the events that take place each year!
Shopping in Florence
Events in Florence
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Most people visit Florence for just a few days. We highly recommend a good walking tour to get you orientated. Try Walking Tours of Florence . Most of Florence's more important sites are within a short walking distance.
Hightlights of Florence
The "David" by Michelangelo in the Accademia Museum
Renaissance masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery
The Piazza Della Signoria and its outdoor sculptures in the Loggia de' Lanzi
The Ponte Vecchio, the famous old bridge lined with gold shops.
Some of Italy's truly great masterpieces are still in the environments for which they were created. This is what makes Florence's famous churches a must see.
Santa Croce - masterpieces of late gothic works and where Michelangelo is buried.
Santa Maria Novella - masterpieces by Renaissance artists.
Duomo - Florence's cathedral and greatest church.
Florence's best market for leather goods and gift shopping is the San Lorenzo Market. Bargain, but watch the quality of your leather goods there. Many neighbourhoods in Florence have a daily market. Other notable markets near the center are the Sant'Ambrogio Market near the Santa Croce church, and the Santo Spirito Market in the Piazza Santo Spirito.
At the San Lorenzo indoor market you will find everything you need to put together a fantastic snack or full-course meal - great fruits, vegetables, unusual herbs and greens, wines, olive oils, meats, cheeses and salamis. There is an excellent indoor market at Sant'Ambrogio too. In both of these markets you will find simple and inexpensive trattorias where workers usually go to eat. Fruit and vegetable vendors can usually be found at any other outdoor market. Remember though! These markets are only open in the morning.
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- Long lines and Florence's Museums
Florence's main museums are plagued by long lines. Avoid waiting in line and reserve your museum tickets with Walking Tours of Florence . Mention the days you are available and give two options for times, morning and afternoon.
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The Paperback Exchange in Via Fiesolana, not far from the Santa Croce church, has the best selection of used and new paperbacks in town. If your own paperbacks are in good condition they will give you a credit towards purchasing another used book in their store. They have a fantastic selection of books on Italy and Florence and many famous Italian authors translated in English. This is the store that supplies all the major US universities in Florence.
The B&M Bookstore in Borgo Ognissanti, not far from the Santa Maria Novella church, has a good selection of best-sellers and beautiful coffee-table books on art, architecture, and Italy.
Libreria Edison located in the Piazza della Reppublica in the center of the city has a decent selection of best-sellers in English and a very good selection of guide books on Florence and Italy. They also have a internet caffè upstairs that is open until late. This is a fantastic place for browsing.
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"Walking Tours of Florence are wise and well informed.
They have a fresh accessible style which makes it fun. The recipe seems to be the more you enjoy the more you learn. And it works."
"The Greatest Tour Guide Ever!"
"...This tour is wonderful, it is informative, complete and fun. And more importantly, you don't feel like a sheep in a flock, herded around town..."
"Thank You for the Wonderful Experience!"
"Walking Tours of Florence are much more than tours, because you leave feeling almost as if
you know Michelangelo and the other Masters personally.
"
"Thank you for a wonderful job… you made us feel like we were the most important people in Florence. We all left singing your praises. Thank you very much
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"Entertaining and Informative!"
