Firenze is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, a city that tourists storm every early spring until the end of autumn and sometimes even in winter. Florence is not very big but it is beautiful in all seasons, for its views but above all for the art that can be seen in every corner and breathed in every street. Here's one 48 hour guide with the best of what there is to see, do and eat, of course;)
First let's see where to sleep. There are 4 places that we can recommend with your eyes closed and they are also different in type: a hostel, a camping, a b & b and a hotel. The Camping Michelangelo it is an Elite Club Vacanze camping even if it is rumored that the camping will be closed sooner or later to make a large park. A shame because the location and the view are wonderful. A b & b 5 minutes walk from the Santa Maria Novella station is the Abat Jour b & b. Cheap and valid for a weekend in Florence, to always be in the center but away from traffic. The b & b also offers the use of bicycles to customers. L'Villa Camerata Hostel is part of YHA, the International Youth Hostels Association, is located at the foot of Fiesole and offers beds for € 21 per night. The last accommodation we offer is theHotel Croce di Malta, a hotel that until the mid 800th century he was an ancient nunnery which housed young girls. A romantic setting that offers a beautiful view from its terrace.
Let's move on to the real reason why you decide to pass a weekend in Florence, things to see. Here you are spoiled for choice on what to start seeing and how to do it. If you are passionate about art you will find bread for your teeth, but even if you like the green of the parks you will not be disappointed. First of all don't miss the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo of Florence. Don't miss the Brunelleschi's dome which you can access after having climbed 463 steps and a paid entrance ticket. I recommend then, if you want to visit it and queue up a bit, to go straight to the Uffizi Gallery and to book so as not to miss the Vasarian Corridor, a real gem that I beg you not to miss!
If you love culture and in addition to these paid sites that I recommended you want to see more, here you can also try the Cenacle of San Salvi with a fresco representing theLast Supper, admission is free. In Piazza della Signoria you can admire the Palazzo Vecchio from outside, or decide to enter by paying an entrance ticket of about € 6. Among other goodies here is also the Hall of Geographic Maps which houses a splendid collection of globes and 57 maps printed on leather. A visit to the Ponte Vecchio is also a must, perhaps at sunset for the right souvenir photo.
Who prefers the green and the relaxation of Florence can not fail to read the post about most beautiful parks in Florence among which a particular mention goes to the splendid Boboli Gardens, the Italian garden par excellence, which however is paid. Those who want a free park, even if less "cared for", can take advantage of Gardens of the Fortress.
Wandering around Florence, visit the San Lorenzo district and among other things do not miss the visit to the Porcellino Fountain near the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo.
Now let's move on to the plus side enjoy the Tuscany., food! Eating in Tuscany is a real pleasure and unfortunately we have to give you many addresses here, both for restaurants with typical and local specialties, and for those who want to try something ethnic. First in the post where to eat the Florentine doc find some addresses for a meal for true connoisseurs! Another typical thing is the Florentine crushed, we recommend 3 places to eat the real one, such as the Bellucci pastry shop.
I vegetarians in Florence they won't struggle to find restaurants that suit them, like la Collection in Sant'Ambrogio which is located behind the Basilica of Santa Croce and offers vegetarian and vegan cuisine with dishes and complete meals from € 14. Or Brac, in the Santa Croce area with dishes from € 12.
Advice on where to eat i sweets and ice cream in Florence even in a low cost way, there is no shortage! Squires offers a beautiful view of the Baptistery and Santa Maria del Fiore and has been open since 1939. Volume instead, in Piazza Santo Spirito, it is an excellent meeting place to have a coffee for € 0,80 and finally Chiaroscuro it is excellent for flavored cappuccinos. If you happen to Florence in the summer and if you fancy an ice cream, here is the lowest cost ice cream in Florence, la La Carraia ice cream parlor, the small cone is only 1.50 € or from Mordilatte for an artisan ice cream in via dei Servi a few steps from the Duomo. Those who are not satisfied with a good breakfast or an ice cream and want to try something really sweet and really caloric can not fail to visit Sugar & Spice than with his cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls up to the famous muffins and cupcakes it will literally make you lose your mind.
For those who after a couple of meals based on Tuscan products are in the mood for something ethnic, Advice Niwa for the kitchen Thai, IYOIYO for a real kitchen Japanese also in the heart of Tuscany, tough to eat Moroccan in Florence e Dionisio the Greek restaurant in Florence.
Last note is for the truer and low cost Tuscan cuisine. Among these the famous The is Maiala, the kitchen that is paid for by barter, Gustapanino e Enjoy it for a quick and really low cost lunch between a walk and a cultural visit and the other or Ino the Gourmet Sandwich. An excellent lunch on the Lungarno can be had at Bistrò del Mare, beautiful environment and if you book the dishes online you will save 20% :) Then the taverns are on the agenda in Florence to eat well at ridiculous prices, as per Sabatino, the Osteria da Ganino o From 'Vinattieri a vintage winery. For the tomato soup we recommend theOsteria Pepò or l 'Antica Trattoria da Tito for the pappardelle with wild boar.
