Florence: The Must See Tourist Spots
Unfortunately, all too many tourists have just a day or two on the itineraries to spend in Florence. Not surprisingly, that’s not nearly enough time to see everything there is to see and enjoy. For besides the famous paintings, sculpture, palazzi and gardens, there are its fine leather goods, ceramics and, of course delicious food, to enjoy as well.
Thus, tourists face a dilemma upon arrival. What should we go to see? What will we be able to see? After all, there are very long lines to stand in in order to enter the Uffizi (the famous art gallery housed in a Medici palazzo) or the Accademia delle Belle Arti, where the original David (Michelangelo’s impressive sculpture) is housed.
Given time constraints, here’s a suggestion for what to see if you have only a day in Florence. Starting at the Piazza del Duomo (the big cathedral in the heart of the city), walk through it and look at the artwork on the doors of the baptistery right across from it. Then walk over to the Ponte Vecchio (the only bridge not bombed by the Germans during WWII). Today jewelry shops filled the Ponte Vecchio.
From the Ponte Vecchio walk to the Piazza della Signoria. There you’ll see a copy of Michelangelo’s David in front of the Palazzo Vecchio (today a municipal government office building). From the Palazzo Vecchio walk over to Santa Croce, passing by the Uffizi. In Santa Croce (a famous church), you’ll see the tombs of famous Italians.
After a break for lunch in a nearby trattoria or restaurant, head for Piazza San Marco. There you can catch a local city bus which will take you to Fiesole (a hill town just outside of the city). Directly across from the bus stop (at the end of the line in Fiesole), you’ll be able to follow a path up to the top of a hill which will give you a terrific panoramic view of Florence. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see famous landmarks across the city very easily. Of course, the top of the Duomo dominates the panorama.
Once you return on the bus from Fiesole, head for the big open market just down from Piazza Indipendenza (as if you were heading for the main train station). You’ll be able to find leather gloves, purses, belts and other items you’ll want to get for yourself and as souvenirs for family and friends at good prices. and, of course, feel free to haggle with sellers over prices. That’s part of the fun of buying in an open market (as opposed to one of the established stores along Florence’s streets).
When you put your mind to it, you can cram quite a bit into your 1-day stop in Florence.
