Don’t know what to do in Florence Italy? In this guide, we will point you toward all of the luxury restaurants, hotels, and experiences Florence has to offer.
Are you dreaming or scheming a plan to escape to Florence? Whether it’s for business or leisure, you’re looking towards the right place. Florence, Italy is full of refined art, fashion, food, and architecture. Every turn you take through town reveals more beauty than the last. Because of the richness of the city, it can be difficult to plan a trip that will give you the experience you’re looking for. Options for fine dining and luxury accommodations are endless. So, we’re here to help by offering prime selections of what to do in Florence, Italy. Keep reading to inspire your travels and make planning hassle-free.
When To Go
The best times of year to visit Florence, Italy is during the late spring or early fall. This allows you to avoid heat and crowds. If that doesn’t work with your schedule, don’t worry. We can help plan a trip that will be smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable for you, no matter what your reason for travel is. All you have to do is decide where you want to go and what you want to do. We’ll handle the rest.
Accommodations
Make your stay part of your experience. It’s up to you whether you’d like to stay in the bustling heart of town or head closer to the hillside. Either way, it should be easy to find authentic, Renaissance-esque places to stay and relax. Featured in Vogue and the Telegraph is Ad*Astra — a darling bed and breakfast overlooking Europe’s largest private garden. Each of the 14 rooms is individually decorated with hand-picked, antique Italian furniture, and many of them boast views of Florentine rooftops and skies. Plus, it’s only a 10-minute walk from the center of Florence. Or, perhaps, you’d like a place that offers a unique experience in-house, like the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. Accommodations go beyond the Fresco Executive Suite or the Royal Suite — the hotel houses a Michelin-starred restaurant and spa. These aren’t the most unique aspects, however. You can go on a private hot air balloon excursion to see the city and surrounding hills from a birdseye view, followed by a picnic from a Michelin-starred chef. Oo-la-la. Finally, the last of many notable places to mention is the Belmond Villa San Michele. This accommodation rests gently above Florence, providing a boutique-style sanctuary on the Fiesole Hills. The place blends modern luxury and Renaissance decor, making visitors feel royal and divine. The hotel’s La Loggia restaurant awaits fine dining and offers cookery classes. You can take on the culture through learning, or sit back in the panoramic pool. It’s up to you.
Dining
We all know that dining is one of the priority activities to indulge in while traveling. What better way to understand a culture than to eat what they eat? Tuscany cuisine is simple yet delicious cooking. Dishes consist of fresh and local ingredients, traditional meats, olive oil bases instead of butter, and a lack of heavy sauces. One of the most famous dishes is the bistecca alla Fiorentina, which is a fine, thick-cut t-bone steak. We could go on for an eternity about delicacies in Florence, but instead, we’ll leave you with a few top-rated, gorgeous eateries to consider. The first is La Bottega del Buon Caffee, a renowned and authentic farm-to-table. This restaurant pays close attention to presentation and elegance and offers a private dining room with a boutique collection of wines. Opt for the chef’s choice or go in to try the 4-course lunch menu. Another notable option is Ristorante Borgo San Jacopo, a true fine-dining experience. The menu boasts unique and flavorful dishes created by chef Claudio Mengoni, such as the risotto with sea urchins, anchovies, and fennel fisella. No matter where you go, save room for a decadent dessert. Or, you can make dessert the motive and seek out the best gelato Florence has to offer. Many note the Gelateria Badiani Pasticceria as this place, as it serves incredibly creamy and rich treats. Regardless of whether you’re eating dessert, salad, or full-on meal, you can’t miss out on Italian wine. These places have selected fine options, but if you want to check out a place focused on the fruit of the Gods, head to Enoteca Pontevecchio SRL, a 5-star winery. They carry wines you can only get in Italy, some of which have been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. If you want to bring a taste of Florence back to your home state, head to the San Lorenzo Market for exquisite olive oil and other culinary gifts. Once you’ve arranged where to stay and eat, you can think about activities you’d like to do and places you’d like to explore in wonder. Here are some of our suggestions.
What To Do In Florence, Italy
When traveling anywhere, you should consider your personal interests and needs. Just because everybody goes to a certain exhibit or place doesn’t mean that you should, if you have little interest in it. Here are a few suggestions based on different categories of attractions to give you some ideas.
Museums and Art
There are endless artistic masterpieces to contemplate on your stay. If you want to avoid wasting time, consider getting a Firenze Card to skip lines at museums (plus, it will save you money). We can also offer luxury VIP tours catered to your interests and needs. Two of the most notable museums to browse are the Il Grande Museo Del Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery. The Il Grande Museo Del Duomo hosts many historical and awe-inspiring views, all in one. You’ll see the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata, and the Opera Museum. In layman’s terms, it’s one destination with hundreds of historical masterpieces and architecture. 25 rooms on 3 floors host over 750 works of art that cover 720 years of history. Get a taste of the Italian history that shaped Florence and the world. Or, you can head over to the Uffizi Gallery, also known as the Galleria degli Uffizi, to see Italian art from the 14th to the 17th centuries. Here, you’ll find works by Botticelli, da Vinci, and Fra Filippo Lippi. If you’re not interested in traditional history or art museums, there might be one that you are interested in: The Gucci Garden.
Shopping
The Gucci Garden is both a museum and a place of shopping. Guccio Gucci himself created the brand in Florence in 1921, so the Garden is a permanent exhibition of iconic pieces. If you want more of a selection, cruise over to the most popular shopping street full of luxury brands, Via De’ Tornabuoni. Here you can buy products from Gucci, Pucci, Versace, Pomellato, Hermes, Tiffany and Cartier, and more. Peruse beautiful works of leather, jewelry, and shoes to find what suits your fancy. Another street worthy of mention is Via del Parione along the river. It offers a more artisanal side of shopping in Old Florence. Find gifts for your loved ones, or snag some souvenirs for yourself.
Experience
Local events happen year-round, which you can find out about in the local English-written publication The Florentine when you visit. Otherwise, you may consider taking a private gondola ride at sunset along the river accompanied by a glass of prosecco. Or attending an event at the performance and entertainment spaces at Manifattura Tabacchi. If you’re interested in hands-on learning and experiences, consider a cooking class or a perfume class. The AquaFlor Firenze gives workshops on artistic perfumery, leaving you with your own unique scent to adorn and take home. Be sure to get some scheduled relaxation in at a worthy place of pampering, such as the Body Care Benessere Day Spa. Here, specialists will treat you with whatever your body and soul needs, whether that be beauty treatments, massage, or access to Turkish baths, jacuzzis, or saunas.
The Details
If you do the dreaming and brainstorming, we’ll handle the details and logistics. We’ll arrange your VIP airport services, your transportation in a vessel of choice (chauffeur services, limousine, motorboat, et cetera), and book any hotels, restaurants, and activities you wish to partake in. All you need to do is relax and enjoy the best part of traveling: the experience.
See Florence
Now that you have a few ideas on what to do in Florence, Italy, it won’t be long before you’re there and soaking in the Tuscan culture. Perhaps if you have some wiggle room in your schedule, you can visit Milan to taste world-renowned foods or soak up the sun on Cagliari beaches. Even if you don’t, there’s plenty to do and see in Florence to fulfill your every desire. Contact us today so we can make the process smooth and extravagant.
