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1. Of course you could do all of the following or just register to our cultural scavenger hunt!
2. Take a look at this map of the city to have a real idea on how it is built and organized.
3. The piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the best and most famous lookouts for a stunning view of Florence, day or night, and best of all it is free! It just takes a little legwork and there are a few easy ways to get there. One is a lovely walk along the south side of the river upstream towards the Torre San Niccolò, an old tower of the now destroyed medieval city walls which you can see jutting out over the rooftops from afar. Here, you are directly underneath the piazza, simply follow the looping ramps up to the top of the hill. Another nice walk is from the Porta San Miniato gateway, accessible from Via San Niccolò. Go through the gateway and up a short but steep street; in front of you is the “shortcut,” picturesque stone steps that will lead you straight up to the piazza in a matter of minutes. You will pass by the entrance to the lovely rose garden on the way up. Don't forget to take a peek behind you to catch the growing panorama of Florence.
The other way up to the piazza, for those who are saving their energy, is to take the local bus number 12 or 13. Find them at the train station, near the taxi stand, either one will take you all the way up to Piazza Michelangelo for the cost of €1.20 a single ride (tickets must be purchased in advance at a tabaccheria, tobacconist).
From the piazza, a five minute stroll up past the church of San Salvatore will take you to the unique and beautiful monastery of San Miniato al Monte. With absolutely the best view of the city, San Miniato al Monte is a stunning example of original Tuscan Romanesque architecture dating from 1013. The monks still make honey, tisanes and liqueurs to sell to visitors and it is also possible to visit the church while the monks sing Gregorian chant at 5.30pm.
In the grounds surrounding the church there is a beautiful monumental cemetery laid out in the mid-1800's and protected by the old defensive walls of the church designed by Michelangelo during the Siege of Florence in 1529-30.A wonderful panoramic walk from San Miniato back to the centre of Florence can be enjoyed by turning left (with the church behind you) onto Viale Galileo, the tree lined boulevard. As the road winds along and you enjoy the shade of the trees there are the most splendid views of Florence until you reach Via di San Leonardo on your right. Taking this charming narrow street, look for the plaque on the wall of the first villa on your left that says Tchaikovsky lived here in 1878. Continuing along past beautiful villas and the tiny eleventh century church of San Leonardo in Arcetri you will come to the Forte Belvedere and the 13th century Porta San Giorgio. Here you can either go through the arch of the old city gate and straight down the hill to arrive at the Ponte Vecchio, or you can follow the old city wall to the right and back to the area of San Niccolò, below the Piazzale Michelangelo.
4. The Duomo, Florence's Santa Maria del fiore cathedral
The famous cathedral dome dominates the skyline of Florence, with its eight white ribs against a background of terracotta tiles. Close up it is so huge as to be quite overwhelming.
5. The Accademia Gallery
The Accademia houses Michelangelo's David, easily the most famous sculpture in the world. Once inside, you'll also see Michelangelo's unfinished and powerful Prisoners, along with works by Perugino, Giambologna, Botticelli and Alessandro Allori.
6. The Uffizi Gallery
One of the world's top art museums, the Uffizi Gallery houses some of the most important works of the Renaissance, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli and Michelangelo and a large collection of Greek and Roman sculptures.
7.The Bardini Gardens
This silent and tranquil aclove in the city center promises you a moment to actually stop and smell the roses! Spectacular panoramic views of the Florence skyline, a Kauffeehaus where you can sip a cappuccino or eat a gelato and a moment to explore the green beauty of the Florentine palaces & villas. Don't miss a chance to discover this secret garden.
8. Piazza della Signoria: The Political Heart of Florence
Stand in the center of Piazza della Signoria, in the shadow of the imposing Palazzo Vecchio and you will find the ghosts of Florence's past political might. Surrounded by art, architecture and history, this square is the political heart of Florence.
9. Santa Maria Novella Church
The decorative marble facade of Tuscany's most important Gothic church incorporates billowing sails and ostrich feathers (emblem of the Medici). The church houses immense artistic treasures, donated by wealthy patrons, many with chapels named after them.
10. The Ponte Vecchio
Connecting the Uffizi to Palazzo Pitti, this bridge is an everlasting symbol of Florence and its endurance over natural and manmade disasters.
11. You absolutely must go for a ride through the chianti vineyards.
Serena is our Florence local representative, we asked her what an ideal day of leisure in Florence could look like, what she would suggest doing from early morning to late at night.
Here is what she suggests.Don't hesitate to contact Serena on Twitter @bigcitychase #Florence #questionforSerena if you have questions for her, we may publish your conversation in this blog if she thinks it might be useful to other Florence visitors.
Serena from Florence for Big City Chase Florence :
"Hello, my name is Serena, I was born in Florence, grew up in Greve in chianti in the middle of Chianti, studied in Florence , currently work in Florence and live in a small village outside Florence city center
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