Florence
Florence (Firenze) is the most important city in Tuscany and is famous all over the world for its art and culture. There is so much to see and do that we couldn’t possible list everything. We have, however, tried to include some information you may find useful if you are planning on visiting the city for the day or staying for a short holiday, but we would recommend getting hold of a good guide book if you are intending on doing any form of sightseeing.
Please note that Florence is always busy with tourists, however if you venture away from the obvious tourist spots you can get away from the crowds quite easily.
Main events in Florence in June:
Week beginning 18 June: Pitti-Uomo fashion show
24 June: San Giovanni Battista, patron saint of the city. Feast in Piazza San Lorenzo with fireworks.
Museums info:
Uffizzi and Accademia
The two main museums in Florence are the Uffizzi Galleries (includes Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus) and the Accademia (includes Michelangelo’s David).
If you wish to visit either of these museums then you will need pre-booked tickets to avoid the very long queues. Many hotels offer museum booking. Check with your hotel first to see if they can make the booking for you.
You can order advanced tickets and reservations from online booking agencies. Be sure you are not just getting an advance ticket - but also a reservation time, or you may still end up waiting in line. Read below for details on the museums:
Uffizi Gallery
Loggiato degli Uffizi tel-055 23885
8.30am-18.50pm (also Sun) Closed Mon.
Ticket (full price): €6.50
Information and booking: Firenze Musei, Tel: +39 055294883
Booking charge: € 3,00 per person
Accademia Gallery
Via Ricasoli,60 tel-055 2388609
8.30am-18.50pm (also Sun) closed Mon
Ticket (full price): €6.50
Information and booking: Firenze Musei, Tel: +39 055294883
Booking charge: € 3,00 per person.
Other places of interest
Boboli Gardens
Piazza Pitti tel-055 218741
9am-7.30pm(June,July,Aug.)
Fantastic open gardens set behind the palazzo Pitti. You can walk all the way up to Piazzale Michelangelo and get a superb view over the city.
Brancacci Chapel
Piazza del Carmine tel-055 238 2195
10am-5pm closed Tues.
Medici Chapel
Piazza Madonna tel- 055 2388602
8.30am-1.30pm
Palazzo Vecchio and Monumental Quarters
Piazza Signoria tel- 055 276 8465
Mon.-Fri. 9.30am-2pm
Bargello Museum
Via del Proconsolo,4 tel-055 238 8606
8.30am-1.50pm
Chapel of the Magi and Palazzo Medici-Riccardi
Via Cavour,1 tel-055 276 0340
9am-1pm/3pm-6pm closed Wed.
Opera of Santa Croce
Piazza santa Croce,16 tel- 055 244 619
10am-12.30pm/2.30pm-6.30pm summer hours
closed Wed.
San Lorenzo Market
Piazza San Lorenzo, Via dell'Ariento
Foodstuffs, fruits and vegetables - covered market
Mon-Sat, mornings only
Clothing, leather goods, souvenirs, etc – outdoor market
Closed Mon. and Tues.
…..and much, much more besides (including the Duomo and the Battistero)
Tourist Information offices:
Via Cavour,1r
Tel. 055 290 832
infoturismo@provincia.fi.it
Piazza Statione3b
Tel. 055 211 145
turismo3@comune.fi.it
Borgo La Croce29r
Tel 055 234 0444
info.scroce@comune.fi.it