Florence: 10 essential locations, don't miss number 1!

I will never be able to forget my trips to Florence. I have visited the wondeful city twice now. but I can definitely say that I will never get tired of seeing it.

It's impressive when you see the photos, newspapers, adverts, movies... But it's more impressive even when you are walking through its little streets, its monuments and especially the beautiful art that this city has.

If you like art, visit it. Even if you don't like art, you should still visit it. Florence is not just for artists, Florence is for all of those who like to see, observe, discover and of course, travel. Fall in love with Florence. Adore Florence.

I'm sure that if you visit it once, and you taste the famous wild boar, you will want to visit it again.

I wouldn't be able to fit all the numerous things to see and enjoy in Venice into any list, although I am going to tell you about the things that have impacted me the most during my two visits, and what you should do during your own visit to this city:

1. Enjoy the sunset at the Michelangelo Plaza

It is recommended to get to high groud to enjoy the sunset with all of Florence underneath you, and furthermore, you can listen to the buskers play their music on the streets while the sun goes down.

If you're an observant person, you can see that there is a replica of Michelangelo in the centre of the plaza and, there are four more statues of Michelangelo that can be found in the Medici Chapel.

If you dare to go even a little bit higher you will be able to enjoy the Saint Miniato Al Monte Basilica.

2. Walk through the Duomo Plaza.

This plaza has to be the start and end of your journey in Florence. In fact, it was for me and I said goodbye to Florence by walking through the Duomo.

In it you can find the three most important locations in Florence, therefore making this the most famous plaza in the city.

The Saint Maria del Fiore Cathedral, the Saint Giovanni Baptistery and the Giotto Bell Tower are the three essential locations that you need to visit, regardless of how little time you have. Impressive!

From the church bell to the dome of the cathedral, there are two viewpoints that will allow you to see incredible views over the city of Florence.

Lastly, the Baptistery highlights the Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise.

3. Comtemplate the Vecchio Bridge

It's beautiful both day and night. They are two different way to see it: at night you will see it illuminated and therefore it will be the one that stands out the most out of all of them, an by day it will still be distinguished from the houses found on it. These suspended houses are home to jewellery shops and other luxurious shops and they actually form part of the attractiveness of this bridge.

4. Have a snack at the Plaza Signora.

Another square that I will always love, and no matter how much I see it I will never get tired of it. From my point of view, it is the most animated area in the whole city.

It is full of street artists that invade this musical square, using it as their own personal stage, and especially during the months with warmer evenings.

Don't hesitate to have something to eat or drink in the many bars that surround the square, and the views... Spectacular!

In terms of monuments, we can see the Veccio Palace there, which is very characteristic of this square, the Neptune Fountain and the Equestrian Monument of Cosimo I.

This square is a total must-see.

5. Visit the Church of the Holy Cross

The Church of the Holy Cross is just as obligatory to see as is the Square of the Holy Cross, where the church is located.

The Church of the Holy Cross is a huge church, the Pantheon of Florence. There are more than 200 tombs in there, among them including Michaelangelo and Machiavelli, as well as others.

6. Go to the Gallery of the Academy of Florence

Without a doubt, together with the Uffizi Gallery, it is the most visited museum in the city. This is maybe because there is a masterful work of art by Michaelangelo, "David".

As well as "David" by Michealangelo, inside the different rooms of the Gallery of the Academy of Florence we can find more sculptures and an exhibition of antique musical instruments.

Whether you like it or not, you like art, and it's just for the sake of seeing the david. It is a must-see!

7. Visit the Bóboli Gardens

A place to give you an escape and distance yourself from the noise of the city, it is found behind the Pitti Palace.

There is an amphitheatre, fountains, sculptures, caves, and many more things. In the centre of these gardens you can find an Egyptian Obelisk.

They are considered to be the biggest gardens in Florence.

8. Don't forget to visit the most visited location in Florence: The Uffizi Gallery.

You could say, from my point of view, that it is the most frequently visited art gallery in Florence.

Between all of its paintings, those that are found in chronologically-orderded rooms, I think that the ones that stand out the most from the rest are: the Birth of Venus, the Adoration of the Magicians, the Venus of Urbino...

Add the Uffizi Gallery to your list of must-sees in Florence!

9. The Saint Maria Novella Church.

Inside this church there are two works of art that stand out: the Trinity and the Crucifix by Brunelleschi.

I recommend that you visit the interior, given that it is a very colourful church and, together with the Church of the Holy Cross, it is one of the most beautiful in Florence.

10. Places close to Florence.

From my point of view, if you have more time in Florence, I recommend you to visit some places close to it, such as: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Cinque Terre... these places are very interesting and have things that will surprise you very much.

The most impressive is San Gimignano , with all its towers, the highest, with all its squares, with all its arches, with thousands and thousands of tourists... Visit it! But do not leave Siena out of it! If it is in August, taking advantage that it is the holidays, it's much better. Do not miss the Festival of Palioin Siena, on July 2 and July 16, it's a very strange holiday, and I liked it very much.

¡Hasta la próxima!

---

Photo gallery