Florence Things to Do

You may know that Florence is the capital of Tuscany, and that it’s considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. But this ancient city has plenty of odd bits of trivia up its sleeve that both make for interesting reading and serve as travel tips, too. Here are just a few of the things you probably [...]

Parents who love to travel know the value in exposing their kids to the world’s wonders – but sometimes making Renaissance art interesting to children isn’t an easy task. Italy is a very child-friendly country in which to travel, however, and bringing your kids to Florence can be as much of an education for you as it is for them.

While some cities have clear high and low seasons, others are popular pretty much year-round. Florence, as you might expect, falls into the latter category. Partly because the differences aren’t as stark between Florence at its busiest and Florence at its quietest, there’s really no wrong time of year to visit the Tuscan capital. Still, if you’re looking for some insight to help with your trip planning, here are some tips on what to expect throughout the year so you’ll have a better idea of when to go to Florence.

Gelato is one of the best treats you can get in Italy, and luckily for us it’s found nearly everywhere in the country. But, like any food in Italy, there are some places that do it better than others, and according to many Florence is the place to go for the best gelato in Italy.

Eating well in Italy isn’t terribly difficult, but sometimes eating well on a budget isn’t as easy as you might think. In a city like Florence, which is extremely popular with both Italian and foreign tourists, restaurants that are in sight of famous attractions or have great views overlooking the river tend to be expensive – but of course those are the places most of us see first, since they’re in touristy areas. You can find a good meal in Florence at a budget-friendly price, though, if you know what to look for – and where to look.

The central part of historic Florence is quite walkable – it’s compact, most major sights are close together, and much of it is flat. Still, if you’re planning any short excursions to neighboring towns or simply don’t feel like walking all the way up the hill to get that postcard vantage point view over the city from Piazzale Michelangelo, then it’s a good idea to know about your options for getting around Florence besides just walking.

Twice a year in Florence the streets and shops come alive with the joyous sounds of shoppers finding a bargain. January and July are the times of sales. Mind you, the January sales begin the day after Epiphany, on January 7^th and last into early March so there’s plenty of time, but as always, the best bargains are to be had at the beginning of the season. Florence is a sometimes-overlooked capital of world fashion so when we talk about bargain hunting in Florence, it’s often in the shops of the top fashion houses – Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton.

Like other cities in Italy, Florence has public New Year’s Eve celebrations in its historic center. There are also private parties at clubs around the city, as well as special menus at restaurants, so can find just the activities that suit your style and budget.

There are great reasons for visiting any city in Italy at Christmas, so if your travel plans put you in Florence over the holiday you’ll be pleased to know the Tuscan capital has plenty of Christmas festivities going on. Here are just a few reasons why Christmas in Florence will make your holiday particularly memorable.

One of the distinct pleasures of a visit to Italy is the shopping – and even if your budget doesn’t include coming home with a new Versace handbag or pair of Prada shoes, you can still bring something home from the spoils of outdoor markets like the ones in Florence. What’s more: depending on which market you visit, you can pick up goodies for the kitchen, your closet, or a any other room in the house.