Florence on a Sunday
 

We will be getting to Florence at about 1:30pm on a Sunday in June. Our hotel told us that most shops, etc. will be closed on Sunday.

Therefore, we are wondering what activities you would suggest? Are there any tours in particular of the city that might be available on a Sunday afternoon?

thanks!

Oh -- I must also apologize -- I posted a similar question a few months back and meant to just top up the original post, but can't seem to search for the right words to get back to the original posting -- sorry!!

I love Sundays in Florence...most especially mornings (up to ~10am) when it's not so crowded, almost deserted by Florentine tourist standards (around Duomo area). But, since you'll be arriving at 1:30, here are a few suggestions:

-various museums remain open on Sundays. (I went to the Palazzo Vecchio late afternoon on a Sunday and there were barely any crowds.)

-take a bus ride #13 (note: festivale/holiday bus schedule on Sundays) to Piazzale Michelangelo, take in the view and walk up to nearby San Miniato al Monte, a beautiful ~1000year-old church (check mass schedules) with a 'lovely' cemetery. They also have a mass at 5pm with Gregorian chants. Please note that unless you really want to stay for mass, you should wait until mass is over to tour the church (unlike Notre Dame in Paris where the crowds still linger and take photos during the mass like it's a spectacle).

-hike up to Forte Belvedere

-if you really want to shop and this is your type of shopping, check out the Mercato Centrale by the Palazzo Medici and San Lorenzo church (it's closed Mondays, I believe)...they sell lots of leather, scarves, other souvenir/knick-knacks

hope this helps a bit...

We were in FLorence on a Sunday and all the museums were open, except for the Boboli Gardens that had a strike that day. Many shops were also open. Monday is the bad day for Museums.

Hi nbs

You might like to take the no. 7 bus from the train station (right side as you face it) to Fiesole, have a drink at the terrace of the Blu Bar and watch the sun go down over Florence before having dinner.

Fiesole is a pleasant little town with lovely views of the Arno Valley.

You might find the Florence part of my trip report helpful.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Thanks everyone. These suggestions are great.

Also good to know that some museums and shops WILL be opened. Our hotel made us nervous when they indicated otherwise.

thanks!