American Breakfast at The Diner
It's common for many travelers to miss a little taste of home. This spot boasts an ambiance and menu that will transport wayward Americans right back to their favorite diner. Whether you're craving blueberry pancakes, fries, or a bacon cheeseburger, you're covered here.
Chocolate Croissant From a Secret Bakery
Throughout the city are late-night snackers' dreams: secret bakeries. Typically in the backs of restaurants, savvy patrons also gather near unmarked back doors that occasionally present a bag of piping hot pastries for a few euros. Enjoy the adventure of tracking the sweet smells down a dark alley, and be sure to stay quiet along your quest.
What to Do:
Haggle at The San Lorenzo Leather Market.
This open air market, which also has an indoor food section, is famous for its beautiful leathers, silk, and jewelry. Look for the blue oval sign with red letters stating "Official Florence Distributor" to ensure you're purchasing the real deal, though!
Have a coffee at The San Lorenzo Food Market.
Amid the aforementioned leather market is the Mercato Centrale, famous for its food. The two-level marketplace is home to butchers, fishmongers, specialty shops, a bustling food court, coffee bars, and much, much more.
Take in the art at the Uffizi.
The Uffizi Gallery resides on the Duomo side, in the Historic Centre of Florence. It houses some of the most important Renaissance artwork, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt.
Explore the countryside on a Vespa.
There's no more authentic way to take in the scenic Tuscan countryside than via Vespa. You can rent these motorized scooters around the city with just a passport, valid driver's license, and credit card.
Take a dip at Le Pavoniere.
This public swimming pool is perfect if you're visiting Florence between June and September and want to cool off. Spend a relaxing day soaking in the sun with locals or showing off your aquatic skills in its crystal clear waters.
What to See:
View From the Top of the Duomo
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, aka the Duomo, is massive, breathtaking, and the most recognizable structure in Florence. Open daily at 8:30 a.m. but closed on Sundays, the climb to its top is steep and narrow, but the payout is worth every one of the 463 steps. *Note: Your shoulders must be covered to enter the Duomo.
Inside the Ponte Vecchio
The main, and oldest bridge in Florence, the interior of the Ponte Vecchio teems with charming jewelry shops, art merchants, and antique boutiques. It's hard to not feel like you've been transported to medieval times here!
Sunset From the Piazzale Michelangelo
Follow signs on "The Other Side" for Piazzale Michelangelo, and climb to its top. Once there, take a seat and marvel as the sun sets between the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. Soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city. (You'll probably also witness a few proposals here, so bring some tissues.)
Marvel at the statue of David—all three of 'em.
Fun fact: There are three "Davids" in Florence, so don’t get fooled! One stands at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio, and is a replica of perhaps the most famous sculpture in history, Michelangelo's David, which is housed within the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze. There's also a bronze cast of the renowned work at the Piazzale Michelangelo.
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