Weekend in Florence and surroundings: what to do and what to see

Is one weekend enough to visit Florence? Of course, not. However, even in two or three days you can admire a privileged glimpse of our wonderful city.

It is precisely for this reason that in the next few lines we have tried to propose a September itinerary of things to do and see if you are in Florence: let's discover them together.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

We begin with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, one of the symbols of the city, with its richly decorated baptistery and bell tower. The church can be visited free of charge, unlike Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery and Brunelleschi's dome that require the purchase of a ticket and a reservation, which must be made in advance by choosing the visiting time: this is the website for reservations.

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is one of the most famous squares in Florence, second only to Piazza del Duomo. Overlooking this open area is Palazzo Vecchio, the symbol of historic Florentine municipal power and, at present, the seat of the City Council. Inside the palace, it is possible to enjoy some must-see works such as those by Donatello and Michelangelo.

Ponte Vecchio

Speaking of symbols of Florence, the Ponte Vecchio is an unfailing postcard to take with you, with its artisan workshops and the Vasari Corridor that allowed members of the Medici family to go from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti without going out into the street. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that after six years of closure, the Vasari Corridor will finally reopen to the public in the fall of 2022: the reopening dates have not yet been made official, but all updates will be shared on this page of the Uffizi website.

The Galleries

If you are in Florence and have a few hours to spare, the city's most important Galleries are a must for all art lovers. The Uffizi houses extremely rich collections that include some of the most celebrated masterpieces by Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Since it is impossible to visit the museum in a short time, it is best to focus only on the collections you are most interested in.

In addition, or as an alternative, there is the Accademia with statues by Michelangelo and, among them, the David. Michelangelo's David that can be admired in Piazza della Signoria is only a replica, while the one located in the Accademia is the artist's original creation. Among other excellences that can be visited, the Accademia also houses a wonderful hall of musical instruments, including an original viola by Stradivari, unique in the world.

Palazzo Pitti

In our itinerary we certainly cannot fail to include Palazzo Pitti, the historic residence of the Medici family. The Palatina Gallery within the palace includes several works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, as well as a gallery dedicated to Florentine Macchiaioli painters.

Behind Palazzo Pitti you can stroll through the marvelous Boboli Garden, a classic Italian garden that inspired so many European courts. While walking through the Garden you can admire statues, grottoes, fountains and other attractions of inestimable historical and cultural value.

Where to stay for a weekend in Florence: Palazzo Castri 1874

We would like to take this opportunity to remind all those who wish to plan their Florentine stay that our 4-star superior boutique hotel is well positioned in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the train station, thus allowing you to plan your favorite itinerary from a strategic location.