It is indeed difficult to pick the top five things to do in Florence. After all, there is so much to see and explore in this historical Italian city. It is indeed not easy to list out the top sites as the city is brimming with so many treasures. You need at least a week to cover what Florence has to offer. In order to do so, you need a well-planned holiday with a well-designed itinerary.
If you desire to enjoy the best and the most sought after attractions in the city, it is a good idea to opt for Florence tours. Under a local guide, you get to see what is the best the city has to offer and without wasting your time and efforts. Moreover, amazing offers and deals are going on these popular local tours that are getting incredibly popular with the guests. There are impressive museums and interesting neighborhoods where you get the real vibes of the city.
If one must choose the five major attractions in Florence, well, here they are:
The Hall of the Colossus for world-famous paintings and sculptures – If you want to see giant marble sculptures by Michelangelo, then head for the Hall of the Colossus. It is a joy to see the glorious David and models of the Dioscuri of Montecavallo in person. Those artworks and sculptures are the finest examples of great talent. It is hard to ignore those 19th-century plaster casts in the “Gipsoteca Bartolini the most celebrated sculptor, Lorenzo Bartolini. Another highlight of Hall of the Colossus is Florentine Gothic painting with altarpieces by Giotto. There is indeed an invaluable art collection in the museum. The best time to visit The Hall of the Colossus is late in the afternoon when it is less crowded, and one can take their time and enjoy the artworks of the skillful Florentine artisans.
The Uffizi Gallery for Botticelli’s finest pieces – Uffizi Gallery is indeed one of the most important museums in the world. It houses Italian Renaissance masterpieces as well as works by famous German, Flemish, French and Dutch artists. It is here where you get to see one of the most excellent pieces of Botticelli, ‘Birth of Venus.’
It is a good idea to take a guided tour if you truly want to explore the museum in depth. It is easy to get overwhelmed when you find so much of history in front of you and under one roof. There are revolving exhibits throughout the year because of the shortage of space. You need to spend at least 3 to 4 hours here and take help of the guide to understand what you’re seeing. A knowledgeable guide is sure to make your museum visit much more pleasurable and worth it.
The Medici Villa della Petraia for the famous Renaissance Italian garden– The impressive country residence is located in the famous Renaissance city. There is a panoramic terrace in the small hamlet of Castello, and from here one can enjoy panoramic views of the whole city. The Brunelleschi family were the first owners of the Medici Villa della Petraia in the 15th century and ever since the villa has been transformed and expanded over the years and today, it looks like a princely residence. What is unique about the residence are the three magnificent terraces, and each of them carries a distinct design. Once you enter the Medici villa, you can feel the illustrious personalities of the owners of the Medici. The lavish decorations, expensive furniture, and beautiful frescoes leave you spellbound because of the magnificence.
Image Credit : Elisa.rolle
Bardini Gardens for nature and parks – Within the city of Florence, lie these magnificent gardens that celebrate nature with well-maintained gardens and parks. It boasts of the Botanical Garden, the colorful iris and rose gardens and lots more. Spread across 4 hectares, one can cover the gardens in just about an hour. The beautiful Bardini Gardens take you away from the crowded city and enjoy a terraced position over the Arno River. The Citrus Garden on the second terrace houses a suggestive Cave of Animals that was made by Giorgio Vasari. Enjoy the chatter of the birds and fluttering of butterflies as you take a stroll across these magnificent gardens. Moreover, each time you get to another terraced level of the garden you get to see a different perspective of the city. One of the winning features of the gardens are those panoramic views of Florence city.
Giotto’s Bell Tower for a suggestive view of the landscape – It is a must to see the beautiful Bell Tower, and you must climb 414 steps to reach the very top! Once there, you get rewarded by those panoramic views of the city. It is indeed a breathtaking experience as you make way to the top of Giotto’s Campanile, which is indeed a distinctive symbol of Florence. Enjoy some memorable moments from the bell tower of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. Get ready to sweat out as there are no elevators here. You can stop at various landings to catch your breath and take shots of the city. Enjoy looking at the Florentine Gothic architecture in the Campanile that dates back to the 1300s and is the result of the artwork of prominent artists and architects of that era. Giotto worked on the bell for three years and placed it next to the church. You will love those detailed and sculpted decorations of the bell tower.