What to do in Florence
 

Hi from freezing cold Canada everyone! I am planning to be in Florence this July for three nights (so technically 2.5 days with my travelling between places). It will be a Thurs-Sun.

One of the things I would love to do is a Vespa wine tour in Tuscany and it came highly suggested. Any ideas of a company that does this that has a great itinerary and route?
Ellenem (someone who is helping me on another forum) has suggested some things to do my second day there:

" For me, I think it would be pleasant to take the bus to Piazzale Michelangelo in the morning, visit San Minato al Monte, and then walk down the hill to the Oltrarno and back to central Florence. It is always surprising to see the view of the green hills and city walls from this viewpoint. From Piazzale Michelangelo, I always walk back into the city, walking down the steep Via di San Salvatore al Monte, a pedestrian-only walk past green gardens and enter the city at Porta San Niccolo. Then I usually follow the Via San Niccolo to Via Bardi, eventually to the Ponte Vecchio. You might stop someplace for lunch on this quieter side of the river or explore some of these smaller streets with artisans shops."

I have to ask - is it worth it to do the trip to Cinque Terre from Florence (hiking day trip)? It looks unbelievable there but I know it is very far and we will be doing the Amalfi Coast in our trip.

I also hear some wonderful things about the hilltowns in Tuscany (e.g., san gimignano, Montalcino, Siena, etc.) Should I be doing these at all when in the area? Where are these in relation to Florence? I am staying right near the Duomo.

We will not have a car. We will be coming in from Rome then after Florence will head to Venice for our final 2 nights.

Also nightlife: I hear Florence is great for this - we are not huge partiers but hey it is vacation! Somewhere we should go?

Also would love a favourite restaurant/food place...not too expensive please! We have budgeted 140 euro maximum a day for both of us :)

Thanks!!!

Remember, you're only there for 2 1/2 days. Can't do everything.

I've taken a bus up to Piazzale Michelangelo and walked down the stairs in the front and walked across the bridge. Very nice, scenic walk. Worth the time.

If I had to pick one museum it would be the Accademia. It is more than just David and definitely worth a few hours. Get tickets in advance so that you don't have to wait in line for hours.

A few years ago be based in Florence for 10 days and went on day trips. Two of the day trips were actually over nighters (we kept our room in Florence and took with just a small backpack with toiletries and a change of cloths).

One was to San Gimignano and Siena and the other was to Pisa, Lucca and slept over in Cinque Terre. Both were excellent and we picked the right ones.

We also didn't have a car. We took trains everywhere and one bus between S.G. and Siena.

In Cinque Terre we hiked from the first to second to third and back to the second village where we took a boat to Porte Venere and then back to Florence.

One thing I've notice in your plan is that you're planning two day trips AWAY from Florence in your 2.5 days. You won't have any time to actually see Florence. My vote--eliminate Cinque Terre for this trip. You can come back at another time when you have more time in the area.

Florence is a compact city and there really is a lot to see, especially if you love art. If you do plan to go to the bigger museums (Uffizi and/or Accademia) get reservations. Most, if not all, of the churches do not have an admission and you can view art there as well.

You may consider taking the steps of the Duomo to see the full cupola fresco and great views of the city (there is an admission for this, though).

I agree that Pizzale Michaelangelo has wonderful views and is a nice walk. Go in the evening and maybe consider having a picnic.

You can reach both Siena and San Gimigiano by regional bus. This can be done in one day, but it could make for a long one. Siena is beautiful and I did not want to leave it.

Thanks so much everyone! I was thinking the same thing with regards to Cinque Terre. Do you think its worth going to see Siena/San Gimagiano (not sure if these are near eachother)? Would this be areas that may be seen in the Wine tour?

Picnic sounds amazing! I hear food can get expensive in Europe - may be fun to do a sit down lunch then pack a picnic for dinner - a late night walk as suggested

Vespas and wine don't mix.

Meaganc it would be worth it to do San Gimignano and Montalcino if you had more than 2.5 days in Florence. But to be honest if you are somewhere like Florence for only 2.5 days there isn't any reason to go elsewhere.

The Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace are spectacular for not only the grounds and the gardens and the beautiful antique historical items in the palace but also for views of Florence from there. I used to spend mornings wandering there and then picnic lunch and then walk to find gelato in the nearby neighborhood. Always wonderful. You also could easily combine a trip to Pitti Palace with a walk to to Piazzale Michelangelo. For museums the 2 must do are The Uffizi (extensive museum)AND the Accademia (David is breathtaking).

The Piazzas that should be seen in Florence are numerous. Just walking around through them and stopping for coffee or lunch or an aperitivo with a view of some of these is enough in itself. For instance Piazza Sante Croce (look up pics of the church)is gorgeous, Piazza Santissima Annuciata (look up for history about the wheel where orphan babies were left, etc), Piazza San Marco, The Duomo, etc etc.

The best/cheapest way to eat wonderfully in Firenze if you don't mind skipping restaurants once and a while (and if you have an airbnb apartment) is to hit the big weekend outdoor market and score the amazing charcuteries and cheeses and meats and produce and pack picnics to eat out in beautiful surroundings, or cook one night with your supplies. I also picked up all my gifts for family and friends at home at these markets in the form of leather journals and scarves, etc etc

Firenze can't be underestimated. There is so much there that it would be a shame to miss. 2.5 days will get you a good glimpse of these things but by no means an in depth look at Firenze :)If you had more than 3 days I'd recommend taking tours to the hillside villages like Montalcino etc.

oh and if you walk along next to the Arno on the main side, you'll see a bunch of clubs in that area. I wasn't into clubbing when I lived there but there seemed to be plenty of places. There are also a couple 'secret' after hours lounge type places that only the locals know about but you can find out if you ask around and you want to stay out later :)

Brooke

Agree with Brooke that there is loads to do in Florence. I had 2 days there a few years ago and would have been hard pressed to squeeze in any day trips, though my sightseeing did not include the Accademia or Uffizi as I had already seen them on a previous trip.

if you go to Santa Croce there is a market nearby [San' Ambroglio] where you can eat very cheaply on typical Florentine food at the market cafe, or buy food for a picnic. [you need to get there in the morning to find the market in full swing]. also plenty of shops where you can buy rolls and things to put in them, cafes selling snacks and smoothies, stalls selling anything from gelato to tripe, etc etc.

Both the tourist season and weather will be hot in July. Expect to stand in line under that sun for every famous attraction. The crowds will slow down your plans, enough to matter on your very short stay.