Since I say this thread on Rome earlier and I am trying to decide what to do in Florence, figured I would add a new thread on Florence.

What are your favorite things to do in Florence?

oops - I mean, I saw this thread...

First of all, walk everywhere. Walk down the quiet alleys and out of the way places. Walk up to Piazza Michealangelo and take in the glorious view. Go a little further up and see the beautiful church and cemetary. Florence has gotten so popular with tourists and is so crowded that finding charming out of the way places will help you fall in love with the City.

The Uffizi and Accademia are obvious museums, but my favorite is Museo Duomo, behind the Duomo Cathedral. It's small and has some of the lesser known Michaelangelo sculptures as well as the original doors to the Bapestry and some amazing relics.

Take the #7 bus to Fiesole. Visit the Etruscan ruins and enjoy a drink at sunset (or dinner) overlooking the beautiful view of Florence from above.

Take time to relax in the many outdoor cafes for cappucini, vini, aqua minerali... people watching. One of the best things to do.

Have fun!

Window shop on the Ponte Vecchio..a golden purchase is even nicer. And a stop at Vivoli for gelato...try the riso flavor. Yummy.

Same thing as in the other cities in Italy
1-eat local food away from tourist area
2-hang out in piazzas and people watch while having a gelato or cappucino
3- walk as much as possible
4-oh yeah...see priceless art and architectural treasures from folks like Michelangelo, Giotto, da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli
Very compact old town, churches and museums everywhere you turn.
Yep, Florence deserves at least several days if you like numbers 1 thru 4 above. The other plus about Florence is that you can use it as a base to take day trips to places in all directions and all within an hour or so by train (Lucca, Pisa, Siena, or just any old hill town).
Wish I was going!

Hi,

You might find the Florenc part of my trip report helpful.

BTW you can take the #12 bus up the hill to the Pzza Michaelangelo.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

in nice weather, one of our favorite walks is to the east of city center past the campo dei fiori and campo dei chiompi which are the floral and flea markets respectively.

along the way there are numerous smaller shops and atlieri (workshops which feed the more in town craft shops). i remember being mesmerised by a leather bookbinder working in his front window.

also one of my favorite florentine ristorantes is on this side of town: il cibreo which now includes a lower priced taverna/trattoria (same kitchen).

one interesting thing about the piazzale michaelangelo is that it contains the second copy of the david (this one in bronze) set on a very ornate base which includes sculpture copies of the medici tomb figures.

I like to hang out in the Boboli Gardens,. As youclimb towards the top and look out you think you are in the country side; such a great contrast to the city below. I love to eat crostini and crostoni at Fuori Porta on the Oltrarno on Villa del Monte alle Croce( at the gate of San Miniato) And then climb to San Miniato church afterwards to work off all that crostini. The view is unparrelled! If I were a Christian, I would have wanted to get married in that church!

Shopping at Madova for the best gloves and hanging out in Santa Croce, visiting the church and eating gelato from Vivoli.

going to the apothecary shop; Farmacia dei Santa Maria Novella for luscious soaps. It does not have a good clear storefront as it is in an old monastery, but inside, wow!

Strolling the Mercato Centrale, the city's food main food market.

Taking day trips to Chianti, I especially like Greve.

and so much more!!!

It's the best!

the Medici chapel is very cool

tripgirl I will be staying near Greve. What do you especially like about it? Is Greve convenient by bus to Florence? How long is the bus ride? Is it like a commuter ride or who is taking the sita bus?

for tina:

I have friends there so I never have had to take a bus. I just like Greve because I like the center of town with the shops and it's just a very neat little town. My friends father was born there, so I get his family history stories and its fun. You'll like it!

All great advice for the not to be missed sites! Perhaps I overlooked it, but it seems no one mentioned "David" at the Accademia. Another must see in Florence. We also really liked climing to the top of the Duomo, as well as taking in the Bargello Museum.

I second the Bargello. I love that more than the Uffizi. Grasshopper..one correction...the museum of the Duomo is called Museo della Opera. Love that one also.

Go to San Miniato Al Monte (across from the Piaza Michel Angelo) in the late afternoon enjoy the sunset and listen to the gregorian chant of the monks. It takes place at 5:00 p.m. each day and is a wonderful experience.

I have to second tripgirl's plug for the Boboli Gardens - wonderful oasis of calm after the heat and crowds of the city.
Take a bottle of wine, glasses & corkscrew and stretch out under the sweetchestnuts on the grass and watch the clouds float by.
Oh to the joys of SERIOUS relaxation!!

Dr D.

Everyone has good ideas here!

Before a trip to Florence, I highly recommend reading "The Florentine Renaissance" by Cronin (enjoyable, wellwritten history of the Medici family and the artists, philosophers and poets they supported) , and the historical novel "The Agony and The Ecstasy", about Michelangelo. (Fun read, too).
Or check out the chapters on the Renaissance in Janson's huge "History of Art". Then you will be prepared to appreciate the profusion of art Florence offers.

This will increase your understanding and enjoyment of EVERYTHING you experience in Florence.

Go to the Pitti Palace and after, stroll through the Boboli Gardens. On your way out, don't miss the absolutely decadent statue of Bacchus. Sit at a cafe in the Piazza della Signoria on a sunny day, sipping something delicious and looking at all the wonderful statuary around the Piazza, including a replica of David.

My favorite things to do in Florence:

Best museum experiences: Bargello, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, and the Uffizi. However, of course, you must see the David at the Accademia, even if you skip the rest of the museum.

Eat gelato

Visit the Duomo

Climb the campanile for views of the Duomo and Florence; it is an easier climb than the Duomo.

Eat gelato.

Visit the church of Santa Croce.

Visit the Pitti Palace and gardens.

Sunset at the Ponte Vecchio

Eat gelato.

The view from Piazza Michelangelo, and as others have said, walk up to the church and gorgeous cemetery.

Lunch on Piazza della Signoria.

And of course, as in any great European city, do wander around a bit, just taking in the atmosphere, and maybe shop a little. You might as well eat some gelato while you are at it.

Also, if you like shoes, visit the Salvatore Ferragamo museum on Via Tornabuoni. They have the wooden moldings of famous people's feet (Audrey Hepburn, for one) and beautiful displays of shoes (from movies like Evita, Ever After, etc.). They also have actual shoe-making demonstrations on certain days.

OR why not catch a 'futbol' game? wear purple, root for Fiorentina, and learn to curse the opposing team in Italian! Forza Viola!