Thoughts and advice on Florence?

[goodtimesahead]

So I am thinking of booking a short trip to Florence.

I would like advice on the main things to see there (so I can book a hotel nearby)

Has anyone e been early May? As I have found cheaper flights then and wondering if it's a nice time of year to go.

Any other tips or advice you can give about Florence would be great

We were there in Sept. I imagine May would be lovely. How long do you have there?

I havnt booked yet but I think 3-4 days

That's exactly how long we were there (arrived early evening, stayed 4 nights, so 3 full days).

We spent one day just wandering - ended up walking over 10 miles! We did queue to get in the Duomo (free, but you have to wait), but if you have any intention of going up the Dome or the bell tower, you can buy a ticket and queue for much less time. We went over the river to the Piazza Michelangelo and walked back to the piazzas and churches near Ponte Vespucci - it's really lovely for eating and drinking round there. Piazza Michelangelo is the perfect place to be at sunset - the view is stunning (and it's quite a spectacle with hundreds of people there to watch it). We went to all the main squares too (Santa Croce, Republica etc). We also visited the world's (I think) oldest pharmacy, which is right near the train station. It was used in the film Hannibal, so googling that would tell you its name. Definitely worth popping in to - a stunning building.

We spent most of a day at Fiesole. 20 mins away on the no 7 bus. A lovely 'suburb' high on the hills outside the city. There are lovely views over the city; a monastary, Roman/Etruscan ruins (inc Amphitheater/ baths etc) and lovely bars/restaurants. I'd really recommend it.

We didn't go the the uffizi. We're not massive art lovers, and it struck me as something you had to really want to do, as you'd need most of a day to get the most out of it. We did go and see David at the Accademia though!

It's a really lovely city. I particularly liked the area 'over' the river (so the opposite side to the Uffizi, Duomo etc).
I'd definitely recommend lunch or cocktails (or both) at the restaurant on the top of the department store in Piazza Republica. You have the most amazing view of the Duomo, and the food (and wine) was lovely. You also have to try the T bone steak they serve everywhere - it's the dish the city is known for. Make sure you're hungry!
Also try and see the Duomo at different times of day. It's lovely against a bright blue sky, but also at dusk and when it's dark. It's really an amazing building.

We stayed slightly out of the city centre, but only 3 tram stops (5-7 mins) away. I'd really recommend the place - the owner was lovely and so helpful www.villinofiorentino.com

Za Za restaurant has amazing pasta.

I think May would be a lovely time to go. We visited in August and it was so hot, especially climbing up all the towers!

Kinda weekend plan:

The Pitti Palace’s Boboli gardens are great for a picnic.

Photos attached for food recommendations

Artwork recommendations:

Duomo: Florentine’s Pietà & Magdelane

The Uffizi: The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, Primavera by Botticelli, Judith Slaying Holofernes by Gentileschi, Madonna & Child by Lippi, Medusa by Caravaggio, Doni Tondo by Michelangelo

Accademia Gallery: David, Prisoners by Michelangelo, Rape of the Sabines Giambologna, Tree of Life by Buonaguida and Venus and Cupid by Vasari

Church of Santa Felicita: Entombment of Christ Pontormo (Mannerism)

Thursday Train Rome/Florence checkin 3pm

Friday FlorenceFocus Duomo Complex
Saturday FlorenceFocus Uffizi Gallery or/& Galleria dell'Accademia

Sunday Train Florence/Venice

May is the perfect time to go! Visit Palazzo Davanti - amazing house right in the centre of town. Go to the terrace on the top floor of Rinascente department store for great views. I recommend going on a guided tour of the duomo too.

FLORENCE restaurant recommendation

Aperitivo at “LA CASA DEL VINO “ mercato centrale area address: via dellʼariento 16 R
Allʼantico vinaio sandwich and coldcuts board. address: via dei Neri 76r

Le Volpi e lʼuva, for aperitivo and good wine
( need to be reserved near ponte vecchio ). Address: piazza dei rossi 1r

Osteria “i Brindellone” for dinner. Address : piazza Piattellina 10.

Panoramic aperitivo to see all Florence on the rooftop of “La Rinascente”.
Address :piazza della Repubblica

Also, whilst I remember, if you haven't booked flights yet... Flights to Pisa were a LOT cheaper than flights to Florence, and it's a very easy train ride between the 2 (there's a hopper from Pisa airport to Pisa Centrale, and loads of trains to Florence from there).

May would be lovely - warm without being oppressive & fewer tourists. Agree with all the suggestions above & depending on how long you are there fitting in a train trip to Siena. We stayed at the Hotel Kraft - the rooms are fine (if not wow!) but it has a rooftop pool and restaurant and absolutely fantastic views across the city. Sitting up there at 6pm with a glass of wine on a lounger and hearing the bells toll across the city Is one of my favourite memories! The pool is open from the Spring onwards and it should be warm enough to use in May.

We're just back from Florence, went for half term. We have 3DC and they actually quite enjoyed the Uffizzi (we got the Florence Scavenger Hunt which was a big help), and it was a much more manageable size than the Louvre. The Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella mentioned above is fab, we were staying about 5 mins away so I went there without the kids. We spent a day just walking about enjoying the atmosphere but the DC needed a break from the beggars so we also had a day in Lucca which was fabulous, beautiful churches and we had a carzy bike ride round the city walls which was great fun. Lunch upstairs at the Mercato Centrale was good. We also enjoyed the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Watch out for the modified street signs.

consider buying the Firenze card - we thought it was well worth it - not necessarily much cheaper but saved a lot of time!
otherwise there were long lines just to buy tickets

David is a must. I was truly stunned by his beauty.

You can take a day trip to Pisa and see the leaning tower, it’s a couple of hours on the train.

Personally I would not waste time on Pisa. Apart from the tower the place is a complete dump.

Agree! Go to Siena instead.