Pocket Rough Guide Florence (Rough Guides)

Product Information

Florence is famous for art museums, such as the Uffizi, the Accademia, the Bargello and the Pitti Palace. Thanks to the star quality of their exhibits, their reputations are entirely justified too. But don’t let that blind you to the joy of seeing Renaissance art in situ — still decorating the spaces for which they were originally intended. Climate: From June to August, the weather will be hot and humid. You can expect steamy afternoons to get up into the 90s, and many places don’t have AC so you’ll be feeling it. Meanwhile, in the winter, you’ll find frosty nights down into the 30s occasionally. The most famous artwork in the gallery is Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. While crowds gather to ogle at this incredible work, there are so many other amazing pieces of art across the gallery. The 16th-century building is also well worth admiring, as the details and design here is a work of art itself!

Florence is a beautiful place that has touched countless people, so let’s not mistreat it. It clearly inspired the makers of this video, which, not gonna lie, has made me cry (only) a few times. If you intend on visiting Florence on a budget, you will need several tools at your disposal. Taking advantage of the many free activities around the city is one such method that will you help you save lots of cash. Here are some potential free things to do in Florence: Hostel prices– In peak season, a bed in a hostel dorm with 4-6 beds costs 30-55 EUR per night, while a bed in a dorm with 8-10 beds costs 27-40 EUR.Private rooms cost 85-150 EUR per night during peak season.Morning: There are tours of the Duomo in Florence throughout the day. If you’re feeling a little haggard, wake up at your leisure and then head out when ready. Note that on Sundays the church is only open after 15:00. Head to the Piazzale Michelangelo on the south side of the Arno River for a great cityscape view. It requires a good hike up a hill but it’s a great way to see the stunning view of the city without paying to climb the Duomo. Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi designed the space in 1869 specifically to showcase Michaelangelo’s works. There’s a bronze cast of David here, along with bronze casts of some of the artist’s other works. If you aren’t able to or can’t walk up the hill, you can take city buses 12 or 13 to reach the top. 4. Lounge in Liberia Café la Cité Have a water bottle: Don’t waste money on plastic, bottled waters; carry your own and refill it in the fountains and the tap. The museum, which originally dates to the 13th century, is home to original works by Bandinelli, Donatello, Antonio Rossellino, and other Renaissance masters. It has the largest Italian collection of Renaissance and Gothic sculptures in the country and is just a short walk from the Piazza della Signoria. Admission to the museum is 11 EUR. 7. Visit the Sant’Ambrogio Market Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy. It is gorgeous, hopelessly romantic, and imbued with an energy that you can’t really find anywhere else. I often remark that the feeling I get from Florence is what I expected from Paris in that this is one of the most culturally unmatched cities in the world.

Go on a free walking tour in Florence: Whilst technically you could do this yourself if armed with the proper guidebook or travel guide for Florence (nudge, nudge), reaching out to a local expert would also be good. The people at Florence Free Tour offer four walks per day in both English and Spanish.Go on a free walking tour in Florence: Whilst technically you could do this yourself if armed with the proper guidebook or travel guide for Florence (nudge, nudge), reaching out to a local expert would also be good. The people at Florence Free Tour offer four walks per day in both English and Spanish. If you want to dive into an Italian foodie heaven, then a visit to the Mercato Centrale is a must! This massive 19th-century market place sells a wide range of local produce, and it is a great way to explore the different foods and products of the region.It doesn’t matter how many days you plan to spend in Florence – one, two, seven, twenty, whatever – just make sure you visit at least once in your life. You won’t regret it. Credit Cards and Banks: The majority of places accept credit and debit cards. Do keep cash on hand though for the occasional small business that is cash-only or has a credit card minimum. Unless you’re planning to be out of the city, you’re never far from an ATM so avoid carrying wads of cash. Florence is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy and for very good reasons: its Renaissance architecture, superlative art, and unwavering devotion to food have all made Florence an international sensation. People travel from all over the globe for a chance to experience Florentine culture, regardless of how much it may cost. Thomson’s novel is set at the tail-end of Medici dominance, in a Florence that has become the bloodstained, riotous playground of Cosimo III. Cleverly built around the great Sicilian master of anatomical waxes Gaetano Zumbo, summoned to the city to work, the narrative evokes the sinister magic of Renaissance Florence to perfection. Zumbo’s masterly plague pieces and gruesome wax dissections are still on display in the strange and marvellous museum of La Specola.