Florence/Firenze

I went to Florence with the family in 2007 and had a great time. I made this page at that time and went back in 2024 and plan a third trip in 2025. I made some amendments in 2025.

Getting There

By 2025, an airport has opened in Florence; to get to the city centre, see florence tips, airport transfers. i.e. use the Tram. BA now offer return flights from LCY.

How to use the Buses and Trams, https://theflorenceinsider.com/public-transport-florence/ or https://www.introducingflorence.com/transport, or https://www.rometoolkit.com/florence_visit/florence_bus.html it seems there is an app. Both the buses and trams have a tip-tap ticket purchase i.e. a credit/debit card touch in.

A full map, is here, on this page.

Uber is available, as is Cab Florence.

Things To Do

Art, Architecture, Gardens, Food & Drink.

The centre of Florence is the Piazza del Duomo, the location of the famous Duomo and its bell tower, the Campanile. To the south of the Duomo is the Uffizi and the Bargello (part of the eastern district in the Rough Guide). They are two of the finest art galleries in Europe; the latter having a fine sculpture collection. Tickets for Florentine Museums can be booked online. It is next door to the Pallazo Vecchio, the republican town hall.

North of the Duomo is the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi and the Giardino dei Semplici (translated by Google). The latter has restricted opening times and at the backend of the week during the summer is open mornings only ’till 13:00.

On the other side of the river, there is another Garden, the Giardino Boboli as well as some more fine Palaces and the Plazza Santo Spirito, which has is surrounded by Cafes & Bars. The Modern Art Gallery is at the Pitti Palace in the Oltrarno.

Where to Stay

Expedia knows, but I stayed in the Hotel Bernini Palace in ’24, which was very good. and the Hermitage Hotel in ’07

Here is a link to Colin’s Panorama from the top of the Duomo.

See also, Here is a link to Colin’s Panorama from the top of the Duomo.

My Map

I made a map for the 2024/2025 trips.