A city with a cultural and historical significance and a high artistic value as Florence is well worth visiting in a few days. However, if you only have half a day to spend in the city why not taking a chance of a brief tour around it?
We recommend you, below, a quick route through the most important and enchanting artistic attractions and places, and the areas to be dedicated to some shopping.
Leaving from our hotel towards Piazza San Marco (South), turn left until you reach Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
The square which had the artistic contribution of some of the most important artists and architects of the Renaissance offers the view of many monuments and architectural treasures, from the two side porches of the Basilica, with the Spedale degli Innocenti, Brunelleschi’s masterpiece, adorned with the renowned decorations, the “putti” (the babies), in glazed terracotta by Andrea della Robbia, the equestrian monument dedicated to the Grand Duke Ferdinand I by Giambologna and the beautiful Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata, whose many works of art encompassed deserve to be, even if quickly, admired. Proceeding south from the square, take via de’Servi, offering you a magnificent glimpse of Brunelleschi’s Dome and slowly approach the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Turn left until you reach the facade of the Cathedral. Here you can admire the magnificent Piazza San Giovanni, immeasurable artisic heritage.
The long lines of crowd out of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Baptistery and Giotto’s bell tower, as being three of the major cultural attractions in Florence, will make you almost impossible to visit the interiors. Continuing your short trip you can take a few minutes to go for some shopping in one or both of the two main streets following the direction to the river Arno: Via de ‘Calzaiuoli and Via Roma. Inevitable stop for a brief visit to Florence is also the Ponte Vecchio with its precious jewelries and the beautiful scenic views of the river, the beautiful parks overlooking it and the green hill where the renowned panoramic square, Piazzale Michelangelo, stands. Proceeding straight after you have crossed the bridge, walk through via de’Giucciardini until you reach the majestic Pitti Palace square. Whenever you are lucky to be able to enjoy a sunny day we recommended you to have a brief visit to the Boboli gardens, monumental park of Florence situated on the hill raising just behind the Palace and going uphill to a lookout point from which you will have the rare opportunity to join a unique view of the city. Once out of the Palazzo Pitti, go straight until you will reach a small square with an obelisk and turn right into via Mazzetta, turn left into Santo Spirito square, then cross it and turn right to the front of the Church until you will arrive to Via Maggio. This loop route into the core of the ancient district of Florence called “Oltrarno” (Beyond the river Arno), will give you the chance to visit all the antique artisans’ shops, with their valuable and original creations, and the antique dealers.
t is worthy to take a short visit to the Santo Spirito Church, whose sober exterior hides a precious architectural and decorative heritage in addition to the several colorful paintings it hosts. Proceeding from via Maggio towards Ponte Santa Trinita, from which you will be able have a different view of the surroundings and the buildings on the Ponte Vecchio, continue straight on Via de ‘Tornabuoni. This street along with the perpendicular street, Via della Vigna Nuova, hosts some of the most prestigious and valuable Italian brands of clothing, jewels, and lather (Bulgari, Damiani, Pucci, Trussardi, Dior, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and many more). Finally, heading back in the direction of the Dome, take Borgo San Lorenzo, the street going north from the east side of the Baptistery. “San Lorenzo” is the area of the markets and the lather shops.
In the several stalls extending throughout the San Lorenzo area you will be able to find any kind of item such as clothing, souvenirs, lather belts, food at a cheap price. From the area of San Lorenzo head back to Piazza San Marco, and by the time you will have left you can visit the San Marco Church, hosting some wonderful frescoes by Fra’ GiovanniAngelico and site of prominent personalities of the Florentine history such as Fra ‘Girolamo Savonarola. Coming to the end of your quick trip take via la Pira, changing than name in via Lamarmora and you will be back to our Hotel.