While visiting Florence, Italy, it is important to visit several iconic sites. Some of these sites include the Accademia Museum, Piazza Santo Spirito, the Mercato Centrale, and Santa Croce Square. Read on to learn more about these Florence attractions.
Piazza Santo Spirito
One of the central locations in Florence, Piazza Santo Spirito is a great place to relax and have a coffee in the morning. You can also visit the market and enter the city’s iconic church. You can also find many different types of restaurants and cafes. This area is also a popular nightlife spot, and you can find a great selection of accommodations here, including luxurious hotels.
Piazza Santo Spirito is easy to stumble upon, as there are five entrance points. It has a sleepy atmosphere before noon, like many other town squares. Around noon, however, the piazza begins to awaken, as food carts open and the market starts its day.
Those on a budget can stay in luxury hotels or charming boutiques. You’ll find a great selection of hotels in and around Piazza Santo Spirito. The Four Seasons Florence is a great place to stay as it has an excellent outdoor pool. You can also dine on delicious Italian dishes in the Mercato Centrale.
Piazza Santo Spirito is also home to many Renaissance buildings. These buildings were formerly the homes of wealthy merchants and noble families. In the 1500s, this area was also home to the Palazzo Guadagni, or Palazzo Dei. It features a characteristic loggia on the upper level. Piazza Santo Spirito also hosts markets and fairs.
Accademia Museum
If you’re interested in art, the Accademia Gallery is one of the most important places to visit in Florence, Italy. While it’s much smaller than the Uffizi Gallery, it’s still one of the most popular Florence attractions. Because of this, the Accademia Gallery has long lines, but you can avoid the crowds by purchasing a timed priority entrance ticket. You can also purchase a guided tour to get the most out of your experience.
Music lovers can get a real treat from the Accademia Museum’s collection of musical instruments. The museum houses the former Grand Ducal collections of fifty musical instruments, including some from the Medici family. Many of these instruments have shaped the history of music. Visitors will also get to see how important music was to daily life, and learn about the role it played at the Medici court.
Another attraction in Florence is the Medici Palace. Once a Medieval fortress, the palace now houses Renaissance chambers and artwork. Taking a guided tour will allow you to see areas of the museum that you otherwise would not see.
Mercato Centrale
The Mercato Centrale is located in Florence, Italy, between via dell’Ariento and via Sant’Antonino. The building dates back to the late nineteenth century, during the risanamento of Florence. Today, it is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Mercato Centrale is a place to purchase fresh food and wine. You’ll find meat, cheese, and produce stalls, along with typical Italian specialties. Many of the stalls have glass windows that allow you to see the process behind the scenes. You can even watch cheese and bread being made.
Mercato Centrale is a food market that spans two floors. The lower level has specialty shops and local products, while the upper level has more international options. There are dozens of shops that sell fresh pasta, meats, and cheese, and even truffles.
The Central Market is one of the best places to visit in Italy for food lovers. It is an urban food court surrounded by beautiful nineteenth-century architecture. There are more than a dozen stalls, as well as shops and cooking classes.
Santa Croce Square
Santa Croce Square is an important landmark in the heart of Florence. It was the centre of life in Roman times and a bustling marketplace in the Middle Ages. Today, it is one of the most fashionable shopping districts in the city. Its 19th century redesign completely remade the city center and now it’s home to chic hotels and chic restaurants. There are also a lot of souvenir vendors, street performers, and an old-style merry-go-round.
One of the most prominent buildings in Santa Croce Square is the Santa Croce Basilica, which was completed in 1443. The square is also home to one of the most famous events in Florence: the Calcio Storico. Although this ancient sport has little in common with modern football, it is still an impressive spectacle. The first game was held in the early 15th century, but was later abolished. In the 1930s, the event returned as an annual spectacle for Florentine residents.
Another of the best places to visit in Florence is the Piazzale Michelangelo, which has a beautiful terrace from which to admire the city. You can take a bus to this place from the city center, or you can walk up the hill. This place is particularly romantic at sunset.
Boboli Gardens
A romantic escape in the middle of the city, the Boboli Gardens are a beautiful place to explore. Set among cypress trees and hedges, these gardens provide a peaceful respite from the busy city streets. There are also fountains and sculptures scattered throughout.
The Boboli Gardens are one of Florence’s most popular attractions. They span over 111 acres and were first created in the 16th century. They were created for the Medici family and were one of the first classical parks in Europe. Aside from its beauty, the gardens also offer incredible views of Florence. They are one of the best places to visit in the city and attract around one million visitors a year.
The gardens have a fascinating history. Its plan is triangular, with two steep slopes and almost perpendicular axes. A fountain in the center of the garden is called the Mostaccini, and is a rarity in gardens. The masks and steps of the fountain were originally designed to lure small birds and capture them in nets.
The Boboli Gardens have undergone extensive reconstructions over the years. They now cover over four acres of land, and are often considered an open air museum. Here, you can see sculptures, paintings, and antiquities from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Accademia
There are many reasons why the Accademia is one of the most important places to see in Florence. The masterpieces created by Michelangelo and his contemporaries are displayed here. Some of these works are world-famous, but others are less known.
The Accademia Gallery is one of the most popular museums in Florence, and is right next to the Uffizi Gallery. The best times to visit the Accademia are early in the morning or late in the evening, before the gallery closes. It is also best to visit during off-season, from October to April. Holidays make this museum very crowded.
To avoid the crowds, get your tickets ahead of time. The Accademia has timed entry, so it is recommended that you book a ticket at least a few hours in advance. The museum also offers audio guides for 6 euros each.
You can also view the city skyline from the Accademia Gallery, which was renovated in 2013. The Accademia has an impressive collection of works by Michelangelo. It also houses a large collection of musical instruments. While in Florence, you can also visit the Mercato Nuovo, a large market place with open arches and an ornate loggia. The Mercato is a bustling center of commerce and has an intriguing history. A bronze boar statue is located here, which is believed to bring good luck.
The Duomo
Climbing the Duomo is among the most popular things to do in Florence. You can either pay EUR20 for the ticket that includes entry to the cathedral and the baptistery, or you can choose to buy a separate ticket for the dome and the Giotto’s Bell Tower. If you choose to climb the Duomo, be prepared to wait for a couple of hours.
In addition to the Duomo, you’ll want to see the Gallery of the Academy of Florence, home to Michelangelo’s famous David. The museum is comprised of several different halls that feature a wealth of historical art and music.
While visiting the Duomo, be sure to check out the nearby Palazzo Vecchio, another masterpiece of Renaissance art. Its 414 steps offer spectacular views of Florence. The building was originally used as the palace of the Signoria, the government of Florence, and later as the town hall.
If you have the time, you can even take a carousel ride! This famous square is lined with upscale shops, fantastic restaurants, and street performers. To get around the city without the hassle of waiting in long lines, consider taking a skip-the-line tour. You’ll also find a skip-the-line tour option at the Palace and Gallery of the Uffizi. Located in the heart of the city, it features works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raffaello.