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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

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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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Artviva: The Original and Best Walking Tours
Average Rating:   5 out of 5 stars
   Based on 23 Ratings.
Last 10 reviews:

On 2011/12/09
John Brade said:

cooking class

I took the Cooking Class and Market tour (in San Lorenzo Market). It was awesome! The market had the most incredible fresh ingredients, and the most amazing seafood selection I have ever seen. The cooking class was extremely professional, and the lunch afterwards was great! I recommend this class for anyone.Mark

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On 2011/12/07
Aurelija Dugnaite said:

A truly life changing experience

Absolutely amazing.Words can hardly express how much we enjoyed our experience with ArtViva! From the minute we stepped in their lovely office, we felt attended, looked after and taken care of. The friendly staff advised us in detail of what would suit our tastes and knowledge best, and as they have so many beautiful tours to choose from, that help was very appreciated. Florence's cultural richness can be overwhelming, but relying on ArtViva made everything easy and utterly enjoyable for us.The small group walking tour of Florence exceeded all expectations. Our guide Paul was tremedous: a true Florence insider, with amazing knowledge of arts and culture, engaging story telling and great local tips you won't find in a guide book. The memories of the tour will stay with me and my sister for many many years. Booking with ArtViva is the best single thing you could do to have the ultimate Florence experience.Thank you, ArtViva.

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On 2011/11/29
Sepideh Emami said:

I did the uffizi tour and the guide was perfect in a way of comminicating with us and interestingly presenting the paintings....

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On 2011/11/24
Eddi Frantz said:

Friendly and Knowledgable.

An essential part of visiting such an historical city as Florence is a smart, knowledgeable tour guide. Artvivas guides are fun, friendly and really know their stuff. Plus they know all those great places not on most guidebooks that only a passionate local world know. Dont even contemplate a visit to the Uffizi or Michaelangelos David without one!

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On 2011/11/24
Kathleen Marriott said:

Hightlight of Italian Trip

Thanks so much for the great walking tour we did in Florence in May. It was fun, informative and we were treated like VIPS! The guide made us feel welcome and got to know exactly what we were interested in seeing to make sure all was covered. If we had tried to do everything we did on the tour on our own, we would have spent days getting hopelessly lost! I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in the art, architecture, history and the culture of Florence.

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On 2011/11/22
Caroline Beck said:

Feels like you have hired a first-class guide from a first-class outfit – at a fraction of the price.

If you are the type to shy away from “packaged” tours, preferring to go it alone in a brand new city, Art Viva might just be your new BFF (best friend forever) when on tour in Florence. Comfortably small groups - instead of large crowds moving en-masse. Personalized insights by well-educated guides – instead of canned presentations. ArtViva’s walking tours are the next best thing to hiring a private art historian to walk you around this fabulous city – at a fraction of the price. Their 3-hour walking introduction to Florence’s history and a follow-up tour of the Uffizi dispelled all my preconceptions that tour groups were not for me. Even if you’ve been to Florence before, start your vacation off right in 3 quick hours. It will set the stage for a perfect stay.

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On 2011/11/22
Brigitte Reynolds said:

Incredible!

My husband and I had the good fortune of taking ArtViva tours of Florence while on our honeymoon. We started with the walking tour, followed by the David tour. We were so impressed we immediately signed up for the Uffizi tour the next day. The guides we had (Sasha/Sylvia & Brenda) were all amazing; they were incredibly knowledgable, friendly and spoke perfect English. What was best was their genuine enthusiam and love of the arts and history of Florence; their excitment was contagious and inspired us to want to know and learn more! I couldn't have asked for a better experience.Brigitte Reynolds

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On 2011/11/22
Nadia LaMantia said:

a wonderful experience!

I loved my tour, and the artviva staff were so great and extremely helpful!!

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On 2011/11/16
Jade Farley said:

GREAT Tours!

Best tours I have ever been on! The guide's knowledge was just incredible, and I can't wait to come back to do more tours.

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On 2011/11/09
Alexandra Buscaino said:

Educational and entertaining!

Our tour was great - very informative, and the guide just fabulous! He not only knew so much about the history, but also had a knack for storytelling that kept us all fascinated.

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