A weekend in: Florence - these are the best Places to Stay
Excellent food, enchanting alleys, nature, culture and one of the oldest museums in the world: a weekend in Florence promises variety and unforgettable memories.
11 February 2022
Even the name of the city brings to mind sunshine, good food and lots of culture: we are talking about Firenze, the capital of Tuscany. Already in the Middle Ages the lively city was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe. It is considered the cradle of the Renaissance. Numerous sights attract more than four million visitors every year. In the ranking of the world's most visited cities, the city of Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci and the Medici ranks 40th. No wonder. After all, a weekend in Florence is enough to completely fall for the beauty of the city.
Check in
Florence is a big city, but the most important buildings, sights, stores and most beautiful corners are clearly arranged around the old town. This has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Trying to get around here by car is like an impossibility. So it is better to take one of the cabs at the airport. These take guests from the airport to the city center at a flat rate of about 25 euros. The streetcar is even faster - and cheaper. In order to get the best starting position for a weekend in Florence, a hotel in the city center is worthwhile. The Savoy Hotel has proved particularly popular. The member of the Rocco Forte Hotels is just perfectly located in Piazza della Repubblica. Already the view out of the window becomes a sightseeing moment here.
Also in a good location, but far more budget-friendly, is the new 25 hours Hotel San Paolino. It is located somewhat away from the typical tourist crowds. But in the more authentic part of town Santa Maria Novella. Here you reside in unusual "Heaven & Hell" rooms in a former monastery.
Day 1 in Florence
A weekend in Florence is best started with an orientation walk. And where better to get an overview than from the highest building in the city? After admiring the famous cathedral from below, it's time to climb the stairs. From Brunelleschi's huge dome you can see over the entire city. We continue to the nearby Casa di Dante. Whether the poet was actually born here is questionable. The remains of the tower house are definitely worth seeing. In the nearby Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio fills you with wonder. Since its completion in 1322, it has served as the city hall. Also located here is Gucci Garden. The recently renovated Palazzo della Mercanzia houses a Gucci boutique, exhibition spaces and Gucci Osteria by 3-star chef Massimo Bottura. Also in the square is a copy of Michelangelo's David.
Afternoon
The Mercato Nuovo awaits around the corner with a variety of leather goods and souvenirs. Art lovers still stop at the Uffizi Gallery. Florence's most famous museum attracts more people than any other art museum in Italy. Tip: Be sure to reserve tickets online beforehand to avoid the queues. Continue across the Ponte Vecchio. On the oldest bridge over the Arno, one jewelry store follows the next. On the other bank, a visit to the Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò is worthwhile. The best thing to do is to order one of the local specialties: lampredotto with mushrooms. Strengthened in this way, we then go up to Piazzale Michelangelo. Built in the 1860s by Giuseppe Poggi, the square offers magnificent views of the city. Numerous copies of Michelangelo's sculptures adorn it. As a way back to the city, a walk through the Rose Garden is worthwhile.
Evening
Where better to dine than at the aforementioned Gucci Osteria? The once best chef in the world - meanwhile also hotel owner by the way - serves only the best from the region. Karime Lopez reigns over the stove. Originally from Mexico City, the young chef created a dream tasting menu. She combines Mexico and Italy with her passion for music and art. The results are dishes like "Purple Corn Tostadas" or "See Deepness." For concluding drinks, the guest garden of the "Irene" restaurant in the Savoy Hotel is recommended. Here you sit right in the middle of the action.
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Day 2
From Florence it is only a stone's throw to Pisa. Trains leave once an hour, tickets can be easily purchased from the vending machines at the station. About an hour later you arrive at the station. From there you walk through the small streets of the old town. A photo stop at the Keith Haring Mural "Tuttomondo" is recommended. And then you turn once or twice and suddenly you are standing in front of it: the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If you want, you can make your way to the top; tickets are available on site. Of course, you should also take a tour of the cathedral. Lunch with a special ambience can be enjoyed at the Trattoria Sant Omobono. It is housed in a church from the 11th century.
Afternoon
Back in Florence, the route leads from the train station via the Basilica Santa Maria Novella. After admiring the impressive building in detail, the route continues via the Catedrale di Santa Maria de Fiore. Here, too, you can't help but admire the architecture. In Via de Tornabuoni you stroll along famous designer stores. Just before the river, the Museo Ferragamo invites you to admire those shoes that once adorned the feet of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Co.
Evening
At least once during a weekend in Florence the second of the local specialties must be on the menu: Bistecca Fiorentina. The Florentine version of a porterhouse or T-bone steak is grilled crispy on the outside and tender pink on the inside. It is served with red wine from Tuscany. The dish is offered in almost every trattoria. However, one of the best places for it is considered to be the Trattoria dall' Oste.
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Day 3
The last few hours in Florence will be dedicated to nature. On the other side of the Arno, in Oltrarno, lies the beautiful Giardino di Boboli. It extends on a slope behind the Palazzo Pitti. The park, laid out by the Medici in 1550, is beautiful. An avenue of cypresses, the Porcelain Museum, the walls of the Grotta Grande, and the many Neoclassical statues make it an Instagram hotspot. In the nearby San Niccolò neighborhood, there are many great bars and restaurants that offer Italian delights at a small price.
The best addresses in Florence
hotel
Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Piazza della Repubblica, 7, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel.: +39 055 27351
Web: roccofortehotels.com
Price: from € 460,-/night
25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino
Piazza di San Paolino, 50123 Florence
Tel.: +39 055 296 6911
Web: 25hours-hotels.com
Price: from about € 162,-/night
Il Tornabuoni Hotel
Via de' Tornabuoni 3, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel.: +39 055 212 645
Web: iltornabuonihotel.it
Price: from € 420,-/night
Restaurants
Gucci Osteria
P.za della Signoria, 10, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel.: +39 055 062 1744
Web: gucciosteria.com
Speciality: tasting menu
Trattoria dall'Oste Chianineria
Via dei Cerchi, 40/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel.: +39 055 213142
Web: trattoriadalloste.com
Speciality: Bistecca Fiorentina
Irene at Hotel Savoy
Piazza della Repubblica, 7, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel.: +39 055 273 5891
Web: roccofortehotels.com
Specialty: Breakfast (Eggs Fiorentina!) & evening drinks.
Trattoria Sant Omobono (Pisa)
Piazza S. Omobono, 6, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
Tel.: +39 050 540847
Web: Facebook
Speciality: Gnocci with duck ragout
Don't miss
Gucci Garden
P.za della Signoria, 10, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Web: gucci.com
To do: shopping & amazement
Musée Salvatore Ferragamo
Piazza di Santa Trinita, 5R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Web: ferragamo.com
To do: admire shoes of Hollywood stars
Uffizi
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Web: uffizi.it
To do: marvel at one of the most important art collections in the world
Giardino di Boboli
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Web: uffizi.it
To do: walking & photography
Enoteca Alessi
Via delle Oche, 27/red, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Web: enotecaalessi.it
To do: buy wine
