In the final post in this series, here are the last of Google's suggestions for what to do with just a day in Florence. Having just left the Piazza della Signoria, we now move on to the Duomo.
7. Florence Cathedral (Travel: 10 minutes by foot. Approx. time to spend here: 1 hour)
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Duomo, is Florence's cathedral and main church. It was begun in 1296, according to the designs of Arnolfo di Cambio, and was completed in 1436 with the addition of a soaring dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi.
The exterior is expressed in polychromatic marble panels and an elaborate 19th century Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the city's must-see attractions and the view from the top is unrivaled.
7. Florence Cathedral (Travel: 10 minutes by foot. Approx. time to spend here: 1 hour)
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Duomo, is Florence's cathedral and main church. It was begun in 1296, according to the designs of Arnolfo di Cambio, and was completed in 1436 with the addition of a soaring dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi.
The exterior is expressed in polychromatic marble panels and an elaborate 19th century Gothic Revival façade by Emilio De Fabris. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the city's must-see attractions and the view from the top is unrivaled.
8. Ponte Vecchio (Travel: 10 minutes by foot. Approx. time to spend here: 40 minutes)
After by-passing the Ponte Vecchio earlier, we now end up on this busier bridge. The Ponte Vecchio, or “Old Bridge” is an important historic monument of the city. Built in typical medieval fashion – a closed spandrel segmental arched bridge – it features a row of shops built on either side of the road. Once a street of busy butchers, most of the shops on Ponte Vecchio are now owned by art dealers, souvenir shops and jewellers and crossing it is much more than walking from a to b. The process involves admiring the incredible views and historic architecture and browsing the wares on display. In fact, if you're in a hurry, avoid it as we saw earlier. Take the Ponte Vecchio is you have a bit of time to wander and look around.
After by-passing the Ponte Vecchio earlier, we now end up on this busier bridge. The Ponte Vecchio, or “Old Bridge” is an important historic monument of the city. Built in typical medieval fashion – a closed spandrel segmental arched bridge – it features a row of shops built on either side of the road. Once a street of busy butchers, most of the shops on Ponte Vecchio are now owned by art dealers, souvenir shops and jewellers and crossing it is much more than walking from a to b. The process involves admiring the incredible views and historic architecture and browsing the wares on display. In fact, if you're in a hurry, avoid it as we saw earlier. Take the Ponte Vecchio is you have a bit of time to wander and look around.
9. Boboli Gardens (Travel: 15 minutes by foot. Approx. time to spend here: 55 minutes)
The Boboli Gardens is a park in Florence that dates between the 16th and 18th centuries and is located behind the Pitti Palace, once the main residence of the Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Designed by the famous architect Vasari and lavish, with no expense spared, the 111 acre property is dotted with endless sculptures by famous artists and themed monuments and displays such as the grand amphitheatre, the Egyptian obelisk and the stunning Fountain of Neptune. Beautiful and extravagant, it is worth a visit but, perhaps, should be seen while you were already at the Uffizi earlier in the itinerary.
As a one day itinerary, this hits most of the spots that are essentials in Florence. The order is a little all over the place but an algorithm probably is less concerned with going back on yourself and running around like an idiot. It also doesn't take into consideration the fact that places such as the Piazzale Michelangelo might be better visited at sunset for a more scenic result. However, with a little reordering this really is quite a good plan for what to do in Florence. We might suggest finding a luxury villa in Florence and taking your time instead; doing these things at a leisurely pace over a few days rather than running around. If you really only have one day or want to find a vacation rental in Tuscany elsewhere and visit Florence for a day trip, keep this article in mind!
The Boboli Gardens is a park in Florence that dates between the 16th and 18th centuries and is located behind the Pitti Palace, once the main residence of the Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Designed by the famous architect Vasari and lavish, with no expense spared, the 111 acre property is dotted with endless sculptures by famous artists and themed monuments and displays such as the grand amphitheatre, the Egyptian obelisk and the stunning Fountain of Neptune. Beautiful and extravagant, it is worth a visit but, perhaps, should be seen while you were already at the Uffizi earlier in the itinerary.
As a one day itinerary, this hits most of the spots that are essentials in Florence. The order is a little all over the place but an algorithm probably is less concerned with going back on yourself and running around like an idiot. It also doesn't take into consideration the fact that places such as the Piazzale Michelangelo might be better visited at sunset for a more scenic result. However, with a little reordering this really is quite a good plan for what to do in Florence. We might suggest finding a luxury villa in Florence and taking your time instead; doing these things at a leisurely pace over a few days rather than running around. If you really only have one day or want to find a vacation rental in Tuscany elsewhere and visit Florence for a day trip, keep this article in mind!
