Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Florence, Italy! Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and there are so many cool things to see in Florence. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Florence vacation.
Hate #1: Tourist Crowds
With so many Florence Italy attractions, it’s a very popular place to visit. I’ve been here in different seasons and several different months, and it’s always crowded. In addition to battling crowds at some of the best attractions in Florence, you also can have long waits for a restaurant table and you may find your first choice of Florence hotel is already booked. With Florence tours being so popular, you’ll have to work hard to avoid the crowds.
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Hate #2: Florence Accommodation
As I mentioned with the tourist crowds, you really have to book your Florence hotel way in advance. The best mid-range hotels go quickly, so if you want to save money and still have a nice place to stay in Florence, make sure you are making Florence hotel reservations as early as you possibly can. Unless you choose a pre-paid rate, you can always book something early and then keep an eye on prices to see if you can get a better deal, but it’s always best to lock in something as soon as you have your flights.
Hate #3: Lines for Florence Italy Attractions
Along with tourist crowds, lines for the best Florence Italy attractions are inevitable. You could wait an hour to get into the cathedral and as much as three to four hours to get into the Uffizi to see the Michelangelo and Da Vinci pieces. Same with lining up to see David. The best thing you can do to avoid lines at the Florence attractions is to reserve your tickets in advance or book a tour that includes early access. The worst thing you can do is try to wing it, as you’ll end up wasting a lot of time standing in lines.
Hate #4: Pickpockets & Beggars
Huge crowds of tourists make easy targets for pickpockets and beggars, so you’ll see a lot of these around Florence. You have to be really vigilant about keeping an eye on your belongings to make sure you don’t get robbed, and the gypsies and beggars will hound you if they sense you might give them money. Just be firm, say no and walk away.
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Hate #5: The Duomo Stairs
The Duomo of Florence is open to the public, and you can actually climb all the way to the top for incredible views of Florence. But you’re going to hate each of the 463 steps it takes to climb up. And your knees will hate the 463 steps back down. If you want to climb up the Duomo, you have to reserve a time slot to go up, you can’t just go at any time. This system helps manage the crowds since the catwalk at the top is rather small. The views are worth it, though, and you’ll burn off some of the delicious Italian food you’re enjoying on your Florence vacation.
Love #1: First Glimpse of the Duomo
You will never forget the first time you see the Duomo of Florence. It’s simply breathtaking! This masterpiece was started in the 13th century and the dome was finished in the 15th century. So, when you see the tapestry, the facade, the doors, and the bell tower, it’s hard to wrap your head around all of the detail. You’ll want to spend time enjoying the Duomo from every angle as each side is different, and definitely take a tour if you can so you can learn all about how this masterpiece came to be.
Love #2: Rennaissance Legacy
The entire city of Florence is the legacy of the Medicis and is so full of amazing Rennaissance art and architecture. Just a simple stroll down the streets of Florence is an immersive experience; you feel like you’re in a museum just walking around. Florence is truly one of those cities that just takes your breath away.
Love #3: Statue of David
Michelangelo’s David is probably the most famous statue in the world and is said to be the most perfect sculpture ever made. You’ve seen it before in photographs or movies, so seeing it in person is almost surreal. The amount of detail carved into the marble is stunning. When you get up close, you can actually see the veins in his arms and it’s all carved from a single piece of marble. There are also three copies of David in various piazzas throughout Florence, but the original is protected indoors at the Accademia Gallery of Florence.
Love #4: Florence Museums
If you don’t want to wait in line for the major attractions of Florence, there are still tons of other museums you can visit. There’s the Bardini Gardens, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, the Medici Chapels, the Casa di Dante Museum and so many more. Don’t worry that you will miss out if you skip some of the most popular attractions, although they are worth it, because you won’t run out of things to see in Florence.
Love #5: Aeriel Views of Florence
There are several spots in Florence where you can climb up high to get amazing aerial views of the city. One is the duomo, which we already mentioned. Giotto’s Bell Tower or Giotto’s Campanile is another popular tower to climb. It is 414 steps to the top where you can look out over the red rooftops of Florence. A lesser-known spot is the tower at the Palazzo Vecchio, which is also about 400 steps to the top. While you might hate the stairs you have to climb for it, the views of Florence from these high points are outstanding.
Florence really is an amazing town and a must-see destination for anyone who appreciates art and art history. If you can’t tell, the “hates” aren’t really “hates” at all, just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit Florence. Want more tips for traveling in Italy? Check out these other blog posts: