I am so excited to share with you my highlights and recommendations following my solo trip to Florence, Italy. My name is Emily is this is my travel guide to visiting the capital city of the Tuscany region. I have been solo travelling the past five years and share my tips and recommendations of the places I have explored with my travel guides. I hope this can help you to feel confident when exploring Florence and even inspire you to embrace the thrill and freedom of solo travel too.

Florence has long been on my solo travel wish list and I decided to visit for a three day getaway the first week of April. It was perfectly timed for the start of spring and even though it was busy, the city was nowhere near as crowded as it can be in the height of summer. Three days in Florence was just enough time to experience all the main sites and attractions whilst experiencing all the best the city has to offer. Florence is known as the city of art and has a rich history, with famous artists like Michelangelo and Da Vinci once living here. It’s safe to say Florence lived up to the high expectation! No words can express just how charming and magical Florence is. With it’s historic cobbled streets, Renaissance architecture and beautiful monuments, I can see why so many fall in love with the city. And let’s not forget food - fresh pasta, delicious coffee, gelato and the list goes on!

STAYING AND GETTING AROUND Florence

Florence can be reached by air by Florence Peretola Airport with is located 10km outside the city or by nearby Pisa Airport with a one hour connection by train. I took the latter option and have to say the train system in Italy is a great option and very affordable. You can pre-book tickets online on italiarail.com or purchase your ticket directly at the train station. TOP TIP: For regional trains it is required that your train ticket be validated. This can be done at the station or online through checking in on Italiarail.com using your order number. If you do not validate your ticket, you could be subjected to a fine of up to €100.

The city of Florence I would class as a walking city and is ideal for solo travellers. If you are someone who lives to aimlessly wander and happening on unexpected gems and sites at every turn, then Florence is the city for you! There is no underground system in Florence, with the main transport option being trams, taxis or buses. I suggest you pack some comfortable footwear and get ready to enjoy exploring Florence on foot.

I recommend staying in the historic centre in the city near Florence’s spectacular Cathedral (more on this later). Florence has a great range of accommodation to suit every budget, from hostels with private rooms, budget hotels, all the way luxury hotels.

So let’s get into it! Here are my recommendations for places to see and activities to enjoy in the city of Florence!

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and piazza del Duomo

Quite possibly the most iconic and famous spot in the city, a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or the Duomo is a must! The building itself is a work of art and took nearly 600 years to build due its extravagant and intricate marble exterior. The Piazza includes six must see sites: the Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, The Baptistery of St. John, Opera del Duomo Museum, and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata.

TOP TIP: Don’t waste precious hours queuing to see inside the Cathedral. Instead, pre-book a climb of the dome as part of a Brunelleschi Pass. This includes access to all six sites and guarantees you a slot to climb the dome. Not only will you skip the lines to step inside, you will get to see the spectacular fresco inside the dome up close and enjoy the best panoramic views of Florence from the top. I recommend booking one of the first slots of the day so you then have time to climb the Bell Tower and visit the other sites before the large queues form.

UFFIZI GALLERY AND Galleria dell’Accademia

No trip to the city of art is complete without enjoying Florence’s famous galleries and museums! Did you know Florence has 72 you can enjoy? If you are limited for time, then there are two galleries you have to see above all else: the Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Accademia. The Uffixzi gallery is one of the largest and most famous art galleries in Italy, home to Renaissance paintings and sculptures, including works from Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Galleria dell’Accademia is home to the world famous statue of Michelangelo’s David, along with works by Botticelli and a fascinating sculpture room with original casts from Lorenzo Bartolini and other Italian artists. Don’t miss the musical instrument room, where you can see original pianos crafted by the instrument’s inventor Bartolomeo Cristofori.

TOP TIP: A Firenze card might be a good money saving option if you plan to visit many galleries and museums in Florence. The Firenze card is a 3-day official museum pass for the city of Florence which includes a 72 hour pass to access more than 60 museums for one set price of €85. I made the mistake of not getting a card and on reflection would have saved myself at least €30 if I had invested in one.

PIAZZA della Signoria AND palazzo veccio

A stroll through Piazza della Signoria will give you the wow factor from the moment you first set foot here. In this square you will find the impressive fountain of Neptune, a free open air sculpture gallery Loggia dei Lanzi and the impressive Palazzo Veccio. No visit to Florence is complete without getting some insight into the great Medici family. I highly recommend visiting the Palazzo Veccio where the family used to live, which houses a museum where some of the Medici art collection is displayed. The Palazzo Vecchio also used to serve as a government building and today is the city hall of Florence. The interior is spectacular and you can also climb the tower for impressive views of the city.

Piazzale Michelangelo and rose garden

Make sure not to miss catching a beautiful sunset with sweeping views of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo and enjoy a stroll through the Rose Garden along the way. Usually you will find musicians playing at the steps to entertain the crowds that create a fun atmosphere to a magical sunset evening. The piazzale is located on the other side of the Arno river, so allow yourself around 20 minutes to make the walk from the historic city centre.

TOP TIP: Arrive early if you want to get a spot on the steps as it will get busy with people all hoping to get a good spot to enjoy the sunset. Too many people? Don’t fret. Instead walk a further five minutes up to Terrazza San Miniato or Basilica di San Miniato where you can enjoy the sunset higher up with less crowds.

Ponte Vecchio

One of the Florence’s most photographed landmarks, the colourful Ponte Vecchio bridge spans across the Arno River and a must see during a trip to Florence. Today is is lined with jewellery shops, but this bridge has quite a history. The current bridge was rebuilt after a flood in 1345, with the earliest documented record dating back to 966. It was also the only bridge not the be destroyed during the Nazi invasion in World War Two. I love the colourful shutters and shops and almost looked stacked on top of one another.

TOP TIP: If you plan to visit the Uffizi Gallery, you can now book to walk the Corridoio Vasariano, the corridor built in 1565 for the Medici family. The corridor meant that the family could reach their new residence Palazzo Pitti, located on the other side of the Arno river, from Palazzo Vecchio.

Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens

If you do end up walking the Corridoio Vasariano, you will arrive at the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. This was the former home of the Medici family and is the epitome of grandeur and opulence you can only expect from the Medici’s. Stroll through the splendour of the palace rooms before stepping outside to enjoy some tranquility in the landscaped Boboli gardens. Here you will get some great views overlooking the city of Florence and enjoy an escape from the hustle and bustle.

Today the Palace is in fact divided into five museums: the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Museum of Russian Icons, the Palatine Gallery, the Imperial and Royal Apartments, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion. If you’re a fellow fashion enthusiast, do not miss the Costume and Fashion museum. It has original garments worn by the Medici’s, as well as pieces from icons of Italian and global fashion including Gucci, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino.

eNJOY tUSCAN WINE FROM A WINE WINDOW

If you want to enjoy one of Florence’s more unique experiences, then you have to treat yourself to a glass of wine from one the city’s wine windows or a ‘buchetta del vino’. They are quite literally small windows in the wall where you ring a bell and you will be served a glass through the tiny hatch. They were first used during the bubonic plague in the 17th century to serve wine with as little human contact as possible. In fact, back in 2020 when the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Italy, some of these windows were re-opened and used once again for their intended purpose! There are believed to be over 150 of these wine windows in Florence, but only a few of them are still functional. There are plenty to be found around the historic centre.

Santa Croce Basilica

This is the largest Franciscan church in the world situated on Piazza di Santa Croce, located a 10 minute walk away from Florence’s Cathedral. The impressive facade is another example of the work of Arnolfo di Cambio, who was the architect behind many of Florence’s impressive landmarks I’ve mentioned above. What makes this church so famous is that it is the final resting place of many famous Italian artists, most notably Michelangelo and Galileo. Inside you will find chapels with frescoes painted by artists including Giotto, Brunelleschi and Donatello. The whole building is so impressive and has original stained-glass windows ranging from the 14th to the 19th centuries still in tact.

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN FLORENCE

It’s no secret that Florence is a culinary hotspot. But did you know the most signature dish in Florence is not pasta or pizza? It is in fact the Florentine steak. Bad news for solo travellers though as the Florentine steak is so large is traditional shared with a minimum of two people. Finding the best places to eat in a new city can be overwhelming, so I’m sharing my recommendations of places I found in Florence to help!

Breakfast / Brunch spots in Florence: recommended to me by a local, try Floret Artistan Kithcen and Bar or Le Vespe

The Florence Panini: a classic Florentine sandwich is a traditional regional street food you must try in Florence. There are several places you can try one for yourself including the popular All'Antico Vinaio (the queues can be very long), Da' Vinattieri and I' Girone De' Ghiotti.

Gelato: Let’s face it, you can’t visit Italy without treating yourself to some gelato! One of my favourite places I tried was next to the Duomo called Edoardo made from pure organic ingredients, along with Gelateria dei Neri. I would also recommend having an affogato (Italian espressp poured over gelato) at the internet sensation Vivoli.

Dinner in Florence: If you want to enjoy classic Tuscan cuisine, I recommend Osteria del Corso for pasta lovers, Boccadarno if you’re a fan of seafood and Trattoria L’Ortone if you have someone to share a Florentine steak with.

Florence’s street food markets: Florence is home to several food markets, serving fresh dishes and local produce, that are well worth a visit. The Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood and Mercato Sant’Ambrogio are the most popular in city.

Best day trips from Florence

If you plan to spend a little more time exploring Tuscany, there are several destinations worth visiting as part of a day trip from Florence. With direct train lines from Florence Santa Maria Novella station, here are a few places I would recommend visiting:

Pisa - Don’t miss your chance to see the world famous leaning tower of Pisa! Located 50 minutes by train from Florence, book to climb this iconic landmark as well as visit the beautiful Cathedral and Baptistry close by.

Lucca - This charming walled medieval town, known as the town of a hundred churches, is just over an hour by train from Florence and was one my favourite spots in Tuscany. The town sits within old defensive walls and is home to an historic centre with a maze of medieval cobbled streets. Make sure to visit the oval Piazza dell’Anfiteatro and climb the bell tower of Cattedrale di San Martino for incredible views overlooking the town.

Siena - Take a step back in time with a visit to the historic medieval city of Siena located about an hour and 15 minutes from Florence by train. Make sure to visit the historic centre which is home to Siena’s iconic Piazza del Campo and Cathedral and get lost in the maze of charming narrow streets and alleys.

Thank you so much for reading my travel guide to visiting the city of Florence. I hope this has given you ideas and inspiration to help plan your own trip to this Italian jewell. I’d love for you to share your comments or questions here.

A guide to visiting Florence