Discover Florence with This Perfect Walking Guide

You can begin your walk in the most famous Italian belvedere, Piazzale Michelangelo. From this big square, you can admire one of the most spectacular panoramas you will see in your life. This is the perfect spot to see (from the top) the beauty of Florence and the most spectacular buildings that make the city one of the greatest destinations in the world – and take amazing pictures, of course.

From Piazzale Michelangelo, walk down to the Arno River, and reach the neighbourhood of San Niccolò. This is one of the coolest areas of Florence, full of pubs and bars frequented mostly by locals. In this neighbourhood, there is the Bardini Garden, less famous and smaller than Boboli, but magnificent. The garden, which is a lovely spot to enjoy a beautiful time in the city, hosts many flowers and trees, including a big area of lovely wisteria that, every spring, blossoms and colours everything.

No trip to Florence is complete without a walk over Ponte Vecchio. This is the oldest bridge in the city, the only one which survived the bombs of World War II, and, now, it is home to some of the most expensive and elegant jewels of Italy. If you don’t want to actually shop here, you can always stop in to take a look.

Be sure to continue to the Santa Croce neighbourhood for a free glimpse at one of the most spectacular buildings in town, the Basilica of Santa Croce. A visit inside is a must, too, because many of the most influential men of all times, such as popes, artists, writers and painters, are buried here. There is an entrance fee.

It’s time for a climb: reach the top of the dome of the Cathedral of Florence for breathtaking views over the city. The climb is tough (463 steps in total), and, if you are claustrophobic, it could be really hard. The vistas from the top are well worth the effort, though.

After that climb, you really deserve a rest. The best place to get that is the Central Market in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood, only a three-minute walk from the cathedral. This is the main market in Florence where locals come to buy food, but it is also a good spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. A large selection of bars and restaurants is located on the first floor of the market.

This church is still underrated by the tourists simply because it is near the central station, and many don’t even know it exists. But the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest churches in Florence and has a fabulous façade and a beautiful cloister. It also holds extraordinary works of art, including Masaccio’s Trinità, Giotto’s Crucifix and a fresco by Ghirlandaio.

Piazza della Repubblica, the main square in Florence, is the central point of the city. The ancient Romans used this place to calculate the distances of the town. Every tourist will cross this square during his or her tour of Florence at some point, so you will not miss it. This big square is surrounded by the most famous and elegant cafes in town and is the perfect spot for sipping an espresso before continuing your visits around the city.

It’s time to cross the Arno River and stroll in the narrow streets of Oltrarno, the coolest neighbourhood in town. This area is full of boutiques, bars, restaurants, designers shops and nice squares mostly frequented by locals. The main one is Santo Spirito, a beautiful square with a big fountain, perfect for spending summer nights in town, drinking fresh cocktails at one of the local bars.

There is no better way to end your walking tour of Florence than with a visit to Boboli Garden. This big garden is hidden behind the magnificent Palazzo Pitti, the former residence of the Medici family, and is one of the most famous gardens in the world. It’s like an open-air museum with statues, fountains, caves and natural labyrinths that will keep you occupied for hours. For those who want to visit a real museum, there are plenty of options. Palazzo Pitti, indeed, includes seven museums, but the most important is, no doubt, the Galleria del Costume, a fashion art gallery that explains the history of fashion in Florence – the city where Made in Italy was born.