10 Days in Florence and Tuscany

One of the most charming cities in Italy, Florence is well known as the home of Renaissance art and architecture. Visitors have the opportunity to view some of Italy’s most famous artwork and museums. Spend the day navigating the city’s winding cobblestone streets and extraordinary buildings, while learning more about what makes this UNESCO world heritage site so unique. 

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore  

The most famous tourist attraction in Florence, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or Duomo Firenze in Italian, is the world’s fourth-largest church. The cathedral took 140 years to complete and is notable for its unique “dome” structure. At the time of its construction, the dome was an architectural marvel that became a key example of the technological advancements occurring during the renaissance. Most tourists that visit the cathedral opt to climb the 463 steps to a viewing deck located on the roof of the church. As visitors ascend the narrow staircases, they can get a closer look at the magnificent frescoes painted on the cathedral’s ceilings. 

Giotto’s Bell Tower 

Located directly next to the cathedral is Giotto’s Bell Tower. In my opinion, the Bell Tower has an even better view of Florence than the cathedral, with an unobstructed 360-degree view of the city’s skyline. Thanks to the tower’s design, tourists can snap photographs from various heights and vantage points as they climb the building’s stairs. Luckily, there are rarely lines to enter the tower, allowing visitors to make a quick stop at this attraction during a day of sightseeing.   

Piazza Michelangelo 

Located a short distance from the center of Florence, Piazza Michelangelo is a park famous for its panoramic view of the city. One of Florence’s few green spaces, visitors can take a winding walk along the hillside, slowly passing Tuscan trees and manicured gardens. Once arrived at the top, take a seat on the Piazza’s stairs and watch as life goes by in the Tuscan capital. For extra enjoyment, bring a picnic and a bottle of wine. 

Fiesole 

Originally a small town located 5 kilometers outside of Florence, Fiesole was absorbed into Florence’s metropolitan area as early as the 14th century.  Home to multiple university campuses, including the centers of Italian Renaissance Studies for Harvard and Georgetown, Fiesole has a youthful population and charming atmosphere. A perfect place to spend an afternoon, visitors are free to wander the narrow cobblestone streets that overlook Florence and dine in many of the town’s cozy restaurants. To get there, take the ATAF #7 bus from San Marco Square, which will take you directly to the center of Fiesole. 

Piazza della Passera (4 Leoni) 

My absolute favourite neighborhood in Florence, Piazza Della Passera is located across the Ponte Vecchio on the south side of the River Arno. This little known square is filled with fantastic restaurants, boutique stores, art galleries, and a popular gelato shop. In fact, I would highly encourage visitors to spend half a day exploring the cool residential atmosphere of Piazza Della Passera and its surrounding streets. For lunch or dinner grab a meal at restaurant 4 Leoni, a Trattoria featuring delicious homemade pasta and other Italian dishes. During my visit to 4 Leoni I had the pumpkin ravioli with Tuscan prosciutto, which ended up being my best meal in Florence. 

Mercato di San Lorenzo 

Mercato di San Lorenzo is a large indoor market featuring specialty vendors selling regional food and artisanal products. Inside the market, guests can purchase seafood, candy, handmade pizzas, and many other delicacies. Outside of the market, vendors sell leather goods and souvenirs. Due to its central location and affordable prices, I would highly recommend visiting the market in between sight-seeing attractions for a quick and delicious meal. 

Art Museums 

There are approximately 60 art museums in Florence, all of which feature historically significant masterpieces and culturally important works of art. The sheer amount of galleries, paintings, and sculptures can make the task of sightseeing feel overwhelming. There is even a term, known as Stendhal Syndrome, which refers to the profound emotional state that tourists experience after viewing the vast array of artwork in Florence. For this reason, I recommend planning your museum visits ahead of time. The Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell' Accademia are two of the most popular museums, featuring works such as “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli and the statue of “David” by Michelangelo. If you would still like to view more artwork, I would recommend heading to the Palazzo Vecchio. The town hall turned museum is designed with ornate decorations, impressive architecture, and extensive murals by both DaVinci and Michelangelo.

Often compared to neighboring Florence, Siena is a picturesque and serene city located in the Tuscan foothills. Spend the day roaming the city’s wide streets, large town square, and medieval architecture. One of the most beautiful things about Siena is the city’s proximity to the Tuscan countryside. From certain areas of the city, you can see sweeping vistas of green fields and Cypress Trees. I also found the residential streets of Siena more beautiful than nearby Florence, due to their abundance of colour and greenery. 

Duomo of Siena 

Head to Siena’s main cathedral to see a beautiful example of Gothic architecture. The colourful and ornate exterior of the church is remarkably different from the cathedral in Florence and features interesting murals, tile work, and statues inside. If you're short on time, spend your visit examining the outside of the building. There are so many elaborate details sculpted into the stone that it is difficult to catch them all at first glance. 

Piazza del Campo 

Piazza del Campo, located in the heart of Siena, is the city’s main square. The Piazza is situated on a hill, which creates an ideal space to sit and watch the local activity. Grab a coffee from a cafe and take a walk around the square’s shell-shaped exterior. 

Sienese Food 

Siena is home to many unique and traditional dishes. The slow food movement has also become increasingly popular in Siena, which emphasizes the use of local ingredients, traditional preparation methods, and cultural appreciation. If you dine at a local restaurant make sure to try one of Siena’s gastronomic specialties, including pici spaghetti, ribollita stew, rabbit pappardelle, and ricciarelli pastry.

On my last day in Tuscany I decided to travel between two famous destinations; San Gimignano and San Miniato al Monte. The town and monastery are well known for their unique appearance and well-preserved cultural heritage. This day trip was also a great opportunity to see more of rural Tuscany and allowed me to develop a better understanding of what makes the region so special.

San Gimignano 

San Gimignano is a small town that is famous for its well-preserved medieval and romanesque architecture, as well as views of the countryside. The town is remarkably different in its character from other destinations in Tuscany. The combination of its encircling walls, high towers, cobblestone streets, and arched doorways allow visitors a glimpse into the historic past. Spend a couple of hours snacking on world-famous gelato, visiting a local museum, or sipping on Vernaccia white wine while overlooking Tuscany's rolling hills. 

San Miniato al Monte

Known historically as the “Gate of Heaven”, San Miniato is a spectacular church and monastery located one hour from Florence. The church itself is beautiful, with romanesque architecture, high marble columns, and ornate gold leaf decorations. However, what makes this cathedral truly special is its position atop a Tuscan hill overlooking the city of Florence. Outside of the cathedral is a sprawling cemetery with manicured gardens and large tombs. From a distance, San Miniato is equally as beautiful, with its Tuscan rooftop prominent among the surrounding forest.