Celebrating Holidays in Open-Air Museum. Two-Days Tour Guide to Florence

“Firenze l’è piccina... e vista dal piazzale, la pare una bambina, vestita a carnevale.”                                                                         
- Leonardo Pieraccioni

 

With this quote, the famous Florentine actor perfectly describes Florence, a city as small as a child and, at the same time, as rich in history, art, and color as the feast of Carnevale. Despite its small size, two days will not be enough to see all the wonders of the city, however this mini-guide, tailored-made special for you will help you discover the overflowing bustle and charm of Florence.

Considered the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is one of the richest cities in history and has works of art. It is impossible not to fall in love with Florence; anyone who has had the good fortune to live there or to spend a holiday there has been enraptured, fascinated, and inspired.

So arm yourself with a camera, comfortable shoes, and a strong desire to explore!!

Your first day in Florence will be mainly dedicated to its beautiful historical center, enclosed within the ancient layout of the medieval walls, which has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1982.

To start off your day right, we invite you to have breakfast at Galleria Iginio Massari (Via De' Vecchietti, 3) where you can try the delicacies of the greatest Italian Master Pastry Chef in the world. Due to its proximity, we recommend a visit to the spectacular Cupola del Brunelleschi, which is the largest masonry vault in the world, and to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore: standing in front of it the first time will leave you breathless for its richness of detail and the perfection of its lines. The Dome is an absolute masterpiece that has enchanted the world for centuries since its creation: it is the symbol of Florence, the Renaissance and Humanism.

As the Dome is not equipped with lifts and there are many steps, the ascent is strongly discouraged for people with heart problems, vertigo and claustrophobia sufferers.
Access hours to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 10 am - 5 pm;
Thursday: 10 am - 3.30 pm (depending on the month);
Saturdays: 10:00 am - 4:45 pm;
Sundays and holidays: 1.30 pm - 4.45 pm.

Regarding the Cupola (meeting point: Porta alla Mandorla, north side of the Cattedrale), it has a different access time than the Cattedrale: it opens daily from 8.30 am to 7 pm (on Saturdays until 5.40 pm), while on holidays it is closed to the public.

 

After the hard work of climbing the 463 steps of the Dome, you will need some energy, and what better than a coffee with a view? We suggest you go to the Caffè del Verone. 
Located at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 13, the terrace-area that offers a superb view of the Cupola di Santa Maria del Fiore and the hills around Florence. The bar is elegant and well-attended, and the place is quiet and relaxing; nothing better for an invigorating break off the busy streets.

Your artistic adventure continues to the Galleria dell'Accademia (Via Ricasoli, 58/60), which, after the Galleria Degli Uffizi, is one of the most famous and visited museums in the Tuscan capital and the second most visited in Italy. It is also called the 'Michelangelo Museum' because, of all the museums in the world, it is the one that exhibits the largest number of statues by the famous Italian Renaissance artist. First and foremost, David is the symbol of Florence in the world and a masterpiece of the Renaissance.

Opening hours: 8.15 am - 6.50 pm (last admission 6.20 pm);
Closed: 1 January, 25 December, every Monday.

 

At this point, you will surely be starving, so we propose three options: the first concerns the true Florentine tradition, namely the "lampredotto" sandwich, a typical and exclusive Florentine dish, the jewel in the crown of Florentine street food. It is made from the meat of the abomasum, one of the four bovine stomachs. It is usually boiled and served seasoned with salt, pepper, 'spicy,' and green sauce in any combination one prefers.

According to the traditions, the sandwich should be accompanied by a glass of red wine.

• One of the best "lampredottai" - food trucks where you can eat lampredotto) - is the Trippaio del Porcellino, which has more than a century of history.
• The second option we recommend is the Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo. This place, in addition to the dish mentioned above, offers a vast array of typical Tuscan and other flavors (bread and pastries, fresh fish, fried, vegetarian and vegan, meat and salami, buffalo mozzarella, cheese, chocolate and ice cream, fresh pasta, wine, lampredotto, truffles).
• The last and third option is the world-famous and now international Schiacciata All'Antico Vinaio (Via dei Neri, 65r), which, because of its fame, hosts long queues of people every day who cannot wait to eat a good, traditional and hearty sandwich.

After a nice, fulfilling lunch, and given the proximity of all three lunch options, the tour continues to Piazza della Repubblica (in the square, if you need a coffee, head for Caffè Gilli to sample the oldest coffee in the city) and Piazza della Signoria where you can admire Palazzo Vecchio (the best synthesis of 14th-century civil architecture in the city and one of the most famous civic buildings in the world), the Fontana del Nettuno, the Loggia dei Lenzi (among the works placed under the Loggia you can admire the Ratto delle Sabine by Giambologna and the Statua di Perseo con la testa di Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini).
Standing between Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lenzi, you have reached the main entrance to the Galleria Degli Uffizi, one of the most important museums in the world (Piazzale Degli Uffizi, 6). Being huge and having an immense amount of works of art inside, it is not possible to visit it in one day. The advice is to plan a visit lasting no more than 2-3 hours to enjoy the gallery and not get too overwhelmed. Ideally, you should arrive with a clear idea of what you want to see.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 am to 6.50 pm; Closed: every Monday 1 January, 1 May, 25 December.

 

If you don't feel the need to rest, pull out the last of your energy to admire the majestic Ponte Vecchio, Via Tornabuoni (one of the most central streets in Florence, as well as the luxury shopping street par excellence, where you can find the best boutiques of haute couture designers and jewellers) and finally Piazza Strozzi (for contemporary art lovers, we invite you to visit Olafur Eliasson: Nel tuo tempo, the largest exhibition ever held in Italy dedicated to one of the most original and visionary contemporary artists of our time).

This intense day has almost come to an end and after a well-deserved rest in the hotel, get ready because the best is yet to come: dinner! As this is your first evening in Florence, you must eat Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a traditional Florentine steak recipe, typically from Chianina cattle - an ancient Tuscan breed known for its prized and tasty meat - seasoned with local spices and grilled over red-hot coals. It's traditionally served 'rare,' but we won't judge if you ask for medium (Not too much, anyway). We suggest one of the best restaurants specializing in its preparation, Tullio (Via Ontignano, 48), located a few kilometers from the city center. The restaurant is situated in Fiesole, an ancient town founded by the Etruscans, nestled in a gentle hilly landscape, so you can get away from the city noise for a few hours and spend a wonderful evening relaxing.

If you prefer to stay in town, we list other restaurants where you can sample the dish: Antico Ristoro di Cambi, Ristorante il Guscio, Ristorante Buca Mario, Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco, Trattoria i 13 Gobbi.

 

The second day will include a more panoramic tour of the city in the green area beyond the Arno, called "Oltrarno", which is mainly frequented by florentines and will give you just a little taste of ancient Florence that lies in the monuments, churches and works of art hidden within.

For breakfast, head near Piazza della Passera, a small square typical of this area, filled with artisan shops, food delights and a rich history. From the square, follow the signs to Via dello Sprone, and you will find yourself in front of a bar with large, high windows called Ditta Artigianale, which offers excellent products in a modern and cozy design.

Afterward, your tour continues to the Palazzo Pitti, a monument of great artistic and historical importance in Florence and home to several important museums/galleries (Galleria Palatina e Appartamenti Reali, Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Museo degli Argenti, Museo della Moda e del Costume, Museo delle Porcellane, Museo delle Carrozze) and one of the most iconic and important Italian gardens in the world, the Giardino di Boboli.

Opening Hours: Galleria Palatina, Appartamenti Reali, Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Museo degli Argenti, Museo della Moda e del Costume
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8.15 am - 6.50 pm;
Closing time starts at 6.30 pm.
Weekly closing: Monday;
Other closing days: Christmas and New Year's Day

Opening Hours: Giardino di Boboli
Opening times: Daily: 8.15 am - 4.30 pm in November, December, January, February Last admission is always one hour before closing time
Monthly closing times: first and last Monday of the month; Other closing days: Christmas and New Year's Day.

On the map you will find the entrance and exit signs posted and it is very important that you consider them because they will allow you to more easily reach the Villa and Giardino Bardini (Costa San Giorgio, 2-4), located a few steps from the same exit. Today Villa Bardini, besides maintaining a unique view over the city, has become an exhibition center, a location for events, but above all a place rich in history, art and culture still accessible to the city and tourists.
Giardino Bardini has the same opening/closing hours as the Boboli Gardens.

It's time for lunch and why not have lunch directly in a restaurant with a breathtaking view? You will feel as if you are touching Ponte Vecchio with your finger. The place is called Golden View and reflects this very name. From refined to typical dishes, the menu offers a wide range of choices to suit all tastes, with generous portions and good value for money. We strongly advise you not to binge because after lunch you will have a nice walk that includes the arrival at the foot of the Torre di San Niccolò and the subsequent ascent to the so-called 'balcony of Florence.' 

Piazzale Michelangelo. During the ascent, between one view and another, you will feel as if you are immersing yourself in the Renaissance Florence of the 1500s. The square is definitely a must for tourists and Florentines alike and it is located on a hill, giving you a beautiful 360-degree view of Florence and the surrounding area. Take photos of the winding river Arno, the Ponte Vecchio, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, the Santa Croce basilica, and of course the Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) and enjoy the view over the Florentine skyline and the Tuscan hills.

Once you've taken your photos and feel relaxed, make your way to the Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte, which towers over the city of Florence. This, being located in one of the highest places in the city, is a less touristy location but at the same time, an authentic masterpiece. You can also go inside the Basilica (opening hours 9.30 am-1.00 pm, 3.30 pm-7.00 pm);

A little tip for your visit: adjacent to the Church, you can find the Monastic Pharmacy, where herbal preparations are sold, as well as many other products such as chocolate cakes, biscuits, tarts, liqueurs, beeswax candles, all rigorously prepared by the Benedictine monks who live inside the Abbey.

At this point, your route can take two turns:

The first is to descend back into the historical center, passing on Ponte alle Grazie and immersing yourself in the Christmas atmosphere in an area not yet explored by visiting the Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croc. This is one of the city's largest and most important squares, rectangular in shape and surrounded by elegant 16th-century palazzi, where the statue of Dante Alighieri, the supreme poet of Florentine origin and author of the "Divina Commedia", is also located. With its German and international touch and its wooden chalets, the market offers everything from food and wine to handmade crafts.
The second involves staying at the Piazzale Michelangelo and having a beautiful aperitif with a sunset view in a superb venue characterized by its imposing arches, the Loggia.

To end this intense yet remarkable tour on a high note, there is no better thing than a dinner at one of Florence's most prized and popular restaurants, Cibreo (Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 8r ) in Sant'Ambrogio. The restaurant, located in the city center in a beautiful period building, is an elegant and very cozy place where Tuscan cuisine is continually revisited, strictly linked to the changing seasons.

We hope that these two days in Florence will leave you with unforgettable memories. Merry Christmas!