The hills and valleys of Chianti surround the monumental landmark city of Florence and it is only natural that a stay in Chianti includes a trip to discover the beauty of Florence, which is also the capital of Tuscany. Positioned to the north of the vineyards and olive groves of Chianti, nestled between the Arno River and the Apennine mountains, Florence is an easy day trip from Chianti. To explore Florence means to adventure into the Renaissance City to visit its many museums, churches, markets and squares.
Florence is an intriguing combination of historical monuments, amazing architecture, artistic masterpieces and the birthplace of political and creative visionaries who have changed the world. VisitFlorence.com, our website dedicated to helping you navigate this exciting city, will guide you along as you follow the Chiantigiana road through the “colli fiorentini” or hills of Florence past the prestigious villas and Tuscan farms to reach the cobblestone streets of this incredible historical city.
Plan Your Visit
Follow the tips our VisitFlorence team offers with practical information on where to park and how to get around the city. We live in Florence and have collected knowledge about travelling to the city by plane or train and moving around by bus or taxi (we don’t recommend driving if possible). The website offers everyday information concerning the weather, insight into skipping lines at the main museums, which restaurants to eat at and where to find the best shopping. Along with dynamic and interesting itineraries for a stay of two or three days, you will also find details about making reservations at museums and about what there is to see. VisitFlorence has even visited and reviewed accommodations, both in and near Florence, giving you details of where to find romantic or budget wise solutions.
Design Your Own Itinerary
What to see in Florence? We suggest itineraries in Florence that follow the Arno River as it winds itself through the heart of the city, passing by the Uffizi Museum, Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. VisitFlorence offers tried and true recommendations: get the best panoramic views from Piazza Michelangelo (and from Forte Belvedere), follow the sounds of the San Lorenzo leather market and the aroma of a cooking class to learn to make handmade pasta or where to find the best gelato. You will even find a monthly calendar where you can seek out folkloristic and traditional events to follow the constantly changing colors of Florence.
Plan a visit which includes a 360° picture of Italian history, from the Etruscan walls in Fiesole and the Roman remains in the Florentine city streets. Include the dizzying heights of Brunelleschi's Dome, one of the world’s largest cathedrals and the Renaissance palaces which once housed the competing Medici, Strozzi and Pitti families. Gaze upon the breathtaking works of art hidden in churches like Santa Croce, San Miniato, Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo.
Organized in an easy-to-use grid, you will find also find useful maps for exploring the city and where to buy tickets so you can skip the long lines for the ever popular museums in Florence.
A trip to Florence is the perfect start if you truly want to appreciate the origins of Chianti and the heartbeat of Tuscany.
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