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Home > Essential Italy > Essential Florence
Essential Florence

This page is a wonderful resource to learn more about Florence and all the sights this beautiful Italian city has to offer.

 

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

TIP !

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 

  • Museums

The "David" by Michelangelo in the Accademia Museum

Renaissance masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery

  • Outdoors

The Piazza Della Signoria and its outdoor sculptures in the Loggia de' Lanzi

The Ponte Vecchio, the famous old bridge lined with gold shops.

  • Churches

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.

  • Markets

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.

  • Food Markets

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.

Do you need to see a map?  Click here

 

  • 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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  • Books in English

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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Perfume made exclusively for you by Lorenzo Villoresi

Artisans shops worth visiting

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Florence's Must See Museums

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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."

Michael Palin

Actor/Presenter

(Monty Python and a list of fabulous films too long to list here)

 
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"...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..."

Richard Kind

Actor

(Mad about You, Spin City) Florence tour Italy

 

"Thank You for the Wonderful Experience!"

Alex Rodriguez

(Baseball Star)

In December of 2000 Rodriguez became the best-paid ballplayer of all time when he signed a $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers.

 

"Walking Tours of Florence are much more than tours, because you leave feeling almost as if

you know Michelangelo and the other Masters personally."

Mike Munro

One of Australia's finest investigative journalists and well known media personalities.

Past awards include the Logie for “Reporter of the Year” and the “Penguin Award for Best Current Affairs Journalist.

 

 

"…thank you for a wonderful job.  Your entire staff was attentive to our shooting schedule and the details which can befuddle so many who are not familiar with the peculiarities of production crews.  And most important, you made us feel like we were the most important people in Florence. We all left singing your praises.  Thank you very much."

Bill Kurtis

Acclaimed documentary host and producer, network

news anchor and multimedia production company president USA

 

"Don't miss an opportunity to join one of the highly

informative and entertaining Walking Tours of Florence,

led by English speaking guides who really know their subjects.

I loved every minute of my tours."

 

Sandra A Guftstason

Author of Great Sleeps and Great Eats in Italy

 

 

"Entertaining and Informative!"

Nat Young

(World Surfing Champion ) Florence tour Italy

 

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