This was published 8 years ago
Things to do Florence, city guide: Three-minute guide to Florence, Italy
The interior of the Basilica di Santa Croce.Credit: Getty
WHY
You'd have to be a philistine with a heart of stone to wonder why Florence is worth a visit. The city is a Renaissance masterpiece, and within it are buildings that are masterpieces too, crammed with even more masterpieces in canvas and marble. The city is gorgeous, but beyond the tourist-tramped main sights lie plenty of other treats to make you linger: medieval neighbourhoods, fine shopping, Tuscan cuisine and good wine bars.
VISIT
The view over Florence from Bardini Gardens. Credit: Brian Johnston
Piazza Santa Croce is the last bastion of Florence's tourist hordes east of the historic centre; beyond is a more genuine neighbourhood of locals on their passeggiataevening stroll) or hanging out in bars and restaurants. Leather workers have lived here since the Middle Ages, and leather goods are a great buy. Santa Croce Church (santacroceopera.it) is crammed with frescoes, sculptures and monuments to notable Florentines, and houses the tomb of Michelangelo.
EAT
As everywhere in tourist Italy, your chances of reasonably priced, good food in the old town are negligible. Head across the river into neighbourhoods, where you'll find everything from scrumptious self-serve pizza at Gusta Pizza (46 Via Maggio) to fine-dining contemporary Tuscan nosh at hipster Osteria Personale (io-osteriapersonale.it). If you want to indulge in gelato, head to Gelateria della Passera (gelaterialapassera.wordpress.com) for flavours such as cherry-and-port, medlar and pink grapefruit.
A guestroom at Hotel Lungarno.Credit: Small Luxury Hotels
LOOK
There's eye candy for the art lover everywhere in Florence, and you could spend weeks just in museums. Top billing goes to Galleria degli Uffizi (uffizi.org) and Galleria dell'Accademia (accademia.org), which houses Michelangelo's David, but you shouldn't miss Museo Nazionale del Bargello (polomuseale.firenze.it) for its sweeping collection of Donatello masterpieces that demonstrate why he's considered one of the best ever sculptors. Get a 72-hour Firenze Card (firenzecard.it) if you're going to museum hop.
MUST
Historical Florence is rather small but certainly packs in the splendid buildings, including its magnificent cathedral or Duomo (ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it), a complex that includes a Baptistery notable for its bronze doors and Bell Tower by Giotto, which provides great views. The fine Renaissance-era Boboli Gardens, part of the splendid art-cluttered Pitti Palace (polomuseale.firenze.it), and a half dozen churches are other top sights; Santa Maria del Carmine (museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it) is possibly the best for its frescoes.
SLEEP
Lungarno Hotel (slh.com/hotels/lungarno-hotel/) might have a medieval tower and a location inside a 16th-century building on the Arno River right beside the Ponte Vecchio, but rooms have an airy, light-filled contemporary appeal, with blue carpets, a smart ivory-tinted decor and polished antiques. Original artworks by Picasso and Cocteau line the walls. Even if you don't stay, dine on Tuscan cuisine at Borgo San Jacopo restaurant, where the few terrace tables have lovely river views.
TIP
The purple-clad local soccer team ACF Fiorentina (violachannel.tv), nicknamed Viola, plays at the top of the Italian A-league. Catch them in action at Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi for a great Italian evening out; you'll need to buy tickets online well in advance.
The writer was a guest of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (slh.com) and DriveAway Holidays (driveaway.com.au).
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