Things to do in Florence Italy for 1 Day
Monday, August 21, 2017
#WalkwithChaMikeinFlorence
Visit Duomo Cathedral and climb the Bell Tower
The Duomo Cathedral or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the main church of Florence, Italy. The cathedral complex is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site making it a major tourist attraction in Florence. It is one of Italy's largest cathedral and it remains to be the largest brick dome ever constructed.
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| Duomo Cathedral |
How to go:
A short walk from Florence main train station SM Novella. You will be walking around the vicinity because the piazza is exclusive for pedestrians only.
Opening Time:
Mondays - Saturdays | 10:00 am
Sundays | 1:00 pm
Ticket Fee:
Entry to the cathedral is free
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| The very exquisite architecture |
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| My Assassin's Creed |
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| A pedestrian zone square |
Giotto Campanile
If you want a magnificent panoramic view of Florence, the best way is to climb the Giotto tower. Here you can see a stunning view of the city with the best angle of Duomo. You have to climb 414 step though (yes climb, no elevators available!) but the view is worth it!
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| Giotto Campanile |
How to go:
Located just beside the cathedral
Opening Time:
Mondays - Saturdays | 8:30 am
Ticket Fee:
€ 15 | for all areas in the Duomo good for 48 hours from the time of purchase
Battistero
Cupola (463 steps)
Campanile (414 steps)
Santa Reparata
Museum
You have to take note that the line for the ticket can get very long so it is advisable to purchase online HERE. We weren't able to purchase in advance so we had to wait in line for 45 minutes.
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| Waiting in line for 45 minutes |
Because we were only interested in going up the Campanile, we didn't visit all the other areas in the Duomo Cathedral.
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| Our Duomo tickets |
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| Here we go! |
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| The assassin follows me |
First Level
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| View from the first level |
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| The campanile can give you a nice angle of the Dome |
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| Resting a bit before we go up again |
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| Another pose of the Assassin (he is really loving the entire experience) |
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| A free photo op at the campanile |
Second Level
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| The view is getter better and better |
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| One of the many bells at the campanile |
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| Of course this one had to take a photo too |
Topmost Level
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| Upon reaching the top I thought I was gonna quit. It was so tiring, but the view made me feel better |
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| Red bricked roofs, it was such a beauty! |
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| 414 steps, baby! |
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| We actually made it! |
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| We had to take many photos here |
Appreciate Art at the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is said to be one of the most important and largest museums in Italy. It is also the most visited museum in the country which holds priceless collections from Italian renaissance artists. So it is a must that we should visit this museum.
The Uffizi Gallery is said to be one of the most important and largest museums in Italy. It is also the most visited museum in the country which holds priceless collections from Italian renaissance artists. So it is a must that we should visit this museum.
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| Uffizi Gallery |
How to go:
10 minute walk from SM Novella Station.
Located at the heart of Florence just right next to Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio.
Opening Time:
Tuesdays- Sundays | 8:15 am - 6:50 pm
Ticket Fee:
€ 17 | It can be very crowded and the line for purchasing tickets can be long so it is advisable to book it online HERE just like we did. It can really save you a lot of waiting time. Also take note that there is a strict time you should comply with, there is also a separate line for the online purchases to exchange for the official ticket
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| Line for the online purchases. Believe me this was way shorter than the other line |
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| We got our tickets in a jiffy! |
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| My Florence OOTD |
Pink Long Sleeves | Uniqlo
Black Coat | Forever 21
Blue Jeans | Jag
Pink Sneaker | Adidas
Sling Bag | Longchamp
Sunnies | Georgina Sasha
Black Coat | Forever 21
Blue Jeans | Jag
Pink Sneaker | Adidas
Sling Bag | Longchamp
Sunnies | Georgina Sasha
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| Uffizi Hallway |
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| This hallway makes a nice backdrop |
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| Ceiling full of art |
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| Different sculptures |
From all the artworks inside the museum you should not miss the following:
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
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| Birth of Venus |
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| Still can't believe I saw the real thing! |
Primavera by Sandro Botticelli
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| Primavera |
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| Reality shot of the famous painting |
The Adoration of Magi by Leonardo da Vinci
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| The Adoration of Magi |
The Baptism of Christ by Andrea del Verrochio
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| The Baptism of Christ |
Medusa by Michelangelo Marisa da Caravaggio
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| Medusa |
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| Another masterpiece... shot... :) |
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| Lovely Uffizi at night <3 |
Check out Michelangelo's David at Galleria dell'Accademia
Galleria dell'Accademia is also an art gallery in Florence best known as the home of Michelangelo's David.
Galleria dell'Accademia is also an art gallery in Florence best known as the home of Michelangelo's David.
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| Galleria dell'Accademia |
How to go:
15 minute walk from SM Novella Station
Opening Time:
Tuesdays - Sundays | 8:15 am - 7:15 pm
Mondays | 8:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Closed Mondays afternoon, December 25 and January 1
Ticket Fee:
€ 16.60 | Skip the long line and book online HERE like what we did. There is a separate queue for online purchase to exchange the print out to an official ticket. You also have to be there 20 mins before the actual time.
Opening Time:
Tuesdays - Sundays | 8:15 am - 7:15 pm
Mondays | 8:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Closed Mondays afternoon, December 25 and January 1
Ticket Fee:
€ 16.60 | Skip the long line and book online HERE like what we did. There is a separate queue for online purchase to exchange the print out to an official ticket. You also have to be there 20 mins before the actual time.
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| Line for the online purchases |
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| Our Galleria dell'Accademia tickets. It was a fast transaction |
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| Outside the museum, waiting for our turn |
Our only purpose here is to see the marvelous sculpture of David, we did some snapshots and did a little roaming before we left.
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| David is a marble statue of a nude male representing the biblical hero David |
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| Said to be one of the greatest masterpieces ever created by mankind |
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| Even his back looks good |
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| David is said to be one of the most impressive sculptures thus its popularity |
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| You will see so many replicas of David in Florence but I must say the original is still worth visiting |
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| Sorry, I just had to do it |
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| The Assassin and David |
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| Other sculptures at the gallery |
Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio which means old bridge is a medieval stone bridge over the Arno River. It is the very first bridge ever constructed and now a pedestrian zone area with numerous shops along the stretch.
Ponte Vecchio which means old bridge is a medieval stone bridge over the Arno River. It is the very first bridge ever constructed and now a pedestrian zone area with numerous shops along the stretch.
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| Ponte Vecchio |
How to go:
About 20 minutes stroll from SM Novella Station.
It is close to Uffizi Gallery.
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| Visited it at night |
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| This was just right beside the Uffizi so it was not really hard to find |
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| The bridge can be very romantic at night |
Is a square right next to the Uffizi Gallery and where the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence town hall is located. It has several restaurants and shops, you can also see here copy of prominent statues.
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| Piazza della Signoria |
How to go:
10 minute walk from SM Novella Station.
Located at the heart of Florence just right next to Uffizi Gallery
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| Statue of Cosimo I de Medici |
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| Palazzo Vecchio |
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| A copy of Michelangelo's David |
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| Palazzo Vecchio at night |
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| Loggia dei Lanzi |
Witness the Sunset at the Piazzale Michelangelo
For another stunning panoramic view of Florence, go up the Piazza Michelangelo as it is one of the most popular lookouts in the city. It is a bit far from the center but there are options on how to reach it.
For another stunning panoramic view of Florence, go up the Piazza Michelangelo as it is one of the most popular lookouts in the city. It is a bit far from the center but there are options on how to reach it.
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| View from Piazzale Michelangelo |
How to go:
Walk | Follow the foot path going up, it will take about 20 minutes
Bus | Number 12 at SM Novella Station
Taxi | This was what we opted to use as we were so tired from all the walking we had (we endured the 414 steps at the campanile) Paid €8 euros for a one way trip of 4 persons which was not really bad.
We took a bus going down though.
Walk | Follow the foot path going up, it will take about 20 minutes
Bus | Number 12 at SM Novella Station
Taxi | This was what we opted to use as we were so tired from all the walking we had (we endured the 414 steps at the campanile) Paid €8 euros for a one way trip of 4 persons which was not really bad.
We took a bus going down though.
Ticket Fee:
FREE
FREE
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| It was packed. Trying our best to avoid the crowd in all our photos |
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| Another Assassin's creed pose |
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| Together with the crowd of people we waited for dusk |
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| Lovely view isn't it? |
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| Closer look at the Duomo during nightfall |
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| Sunset <3 |
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| The bunch of tourists waiting for the sun to set |
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| Bronze cast of David facing Florence |
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| Souvenir stalls at the Piazzale |
San Lorenzo Market is divided into two categories, one is Mercato Central which is a two level indoor food market and the other one is an outdoor market selling all kinds of leather items, souvenirs and clothing. Since Italy is well known for its authentic leather goods we didn't pass the chance of visiting this market. We even bought leather items for me and for our mothers.
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| San Lorenzo Leather Market |
How to go:
7 minute walk from S.M. Novella Station
Opening Time:
Tuesdays - Saturdays | 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
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| Different leather items, they are authentic but the quality I may say is not as good as the designers ones |
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| Any kind of shopping is fun! |
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| ChaMike enjoying leather shopping |
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| Bought 3 bags (for our moms and myself) and a wallet for Mike |
Eat Tuscan Cuisine and Drink Wine
Italian cuisine is known worldwide but in each city there is a specialty cuisine. In Florence steaks are also a speciality especially the Bistecca alla Fiorentina. We tried ordering steaks, pasta and Chianti wine.
Ristorante Il Bargello
We had our first Florentine meal in Piazza della Signoria just beside the famous Palazzo Vecchio. Ristorante Il Bargello is an old favorite restaurant that serves special dishes in typical Florentine style.
Italian cuisine is known worldwide but in each city there is a specialty cuisine. In Florence steaks are also a speciality especially the Bistecca alla Fiorentina. We tried ordering steaks, pasta and Chianti wine.
Ristorante Il Bargello
We had our first Florentine meal in Piazza della Signoria just beside the famous Palazzo Vecchio. Ristorante Il Bargello is an old favorite restaurant that serves special dishes in typical Florentine style.
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| Restaurant beside Palazzo Vecchio |
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| Ristorante Il Bargello |
We ordered the following:
Penne pomodoro | € 7.50
Penne with Bolognese sauce
Pennette alla Fiorentina | € 8.50
Pennette Fiorentine style
Braciola di maiale alla Contadina con patate sauce | € 15.50
Porkchop contadina style with sautéed potatoes
Entrecote alla Chiantigiana con patate prezzemolate | € 17.50
Steak in Chianti wine with parsley potatoes
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| Complimentary bread |
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| Pasta and Steak for dinner |
Eating steak was a good break from all the pasta and pizza we had during the past days we were in Venice.
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| ChaMike and D'Mufs |
Fiorino D'Oro
Located at Piazza della Repubblica, this restaurant caught our attention because of its lovely interiors. Because it was our last night in Florence, we didn't let this chance pass by not trying a Chianti wine. Chianti is said to be where the best wines are made.
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| Fiorino d'oro |
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| Piazza della Repubblica |
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| Chianti Red Wine |
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| Complimentary bread |
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| Our Florentine dinner is composed of potatoes, pasta and steaks |
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| Cheers! |
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| Last night in Florence with these two |
San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale
For a cheaper Italian meal option, go here. This was where we had our lunch. First floor is a traditional market that sells vegetables, fruits and meat. On the second level is a huge foodcourt with 500 seats and different food stands selling all sorts of Italian delicacies.
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| San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale |
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| Different offerings |
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| Tried a fresh juice |
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| Deep fried meat. Not really a good choice for lunch |
Eat Gelato
It is said that gelato originated in Florence so eating a gelato or Italian ice cream is truly a MUST here. The best tasting gelato we tried here is a popular gelato chain called Amorino.
Amorino
A gelato brand based in Orly but has numerous branches all over the world. We went here for two nights because we really love the creaminess and taste of their gelato. We even met a Pinay staff named Chanelle who helped us choose which gelato to order.
Price for Cup
Piccola | € 2.70
Normale | € 3.60
Grande | € 4.60
Grandissama | € 5.60
Gigante | € 8.60
It is said that gelato originated in Florence so eating a gelato or Italian ice cream is truly a MUST here. The best tasting gelato we tried here is a popular gelato chain called Amorino.
Amorino
A gelato brand based in Orly but has numerous branches all over the world. We went here for two nights because we really love the creaminess and taste of their gelato. We even met a Pinay staff named Chanelle who helped us choose which gelato to order.
Price for Cup
Piccola | € 2.70
Normale | € 3.60
Grande | € 4.60
Grandissama | € 5.60
Gigante | € 8.60
Price for Cone
Piccolo | € 2.70
Normale | € 3.60
Grande | € 4.60
with macaron € 1.80
Even if you order a piccolo you can choose 3 different flavors, my faves are pistachio, salted caramel and stracciatella and I added a macaron of free chocolate easter bunny. It was so GOOD!!!
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| Amorino Gelato |
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| A gem! |
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| This is Chanelle |
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| Best gelato with the best staff! |
Listen to street music
There are street performers everywhere you go in Europe - Florence being the city of arts is no exception. We were marveled by a particular opera singer and cello player performing at night at the Uffizi gallery. We stayed there while we listened and appreciated their pieces. Talk about a free opera show!
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| Street opera music! |
It was a very tiring and long 1 and 1/2 days in Florence but we accomplished a lot because of careful planning and the proximity of all the attractions it offered. After Florence we went to Pisa for a half day tour and ended our Italy trip to Rome where we spent 2 full days. Next on the blog.
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