Florence, Italy- Our Favorite Italian Holiday
“What I have dreamed in an hour is worth more than what you have done in four.” Lorenzo de' Medici
8/20/20257 min read
We’ve been to Florence twice, and each visit makes us fall for its blend of graceful history, the best food in Italy, and walking-friendly charm all over again. It’s our favorite city in Italy, and this trip only reinforced why.
Our wanderings always start at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, standing proudly in the bustling Piazza del Duomo. On our first trip, we climbed to the top of Brunelleschi's dome—such a Florence cliché, but one that truly delivers. The view? Totally worth the cost and booking ahead. We recommend booking an early morning tour—not only do you avoid crowds, but finishing your climb by mid-morning means you’ll enjoy the square more quietly. And don’t forget: the Duomo’s history intertwines with the Medici's rise to power and their patronage of Renaissance art.
Next, we headed over to Basilica of Santa Croce, one of those “off-the-beaten-path” gems with a resume you’ll admire. As you walk there take your time admiring all the sights and shops which makes walking the streets of Florence an adventure in itself. The Basilica is the final resting place of some huge names—Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini, and even a cenotaph for Dante (who’s actually buried in Ravenna). Equal parts beautiful and humbling—and a quieter nod to the minds that shaped Florence. We find it less busy than the Duomo area, but worth the steps to get there.
Next, stroll toward the Ponte Vecchio, we always pause on the east bank. That vantage point captures the bridge in full—perfect for photos. The shops lining it are full of jewelry, leather goods, and sweet souvenirs if you're looking to bring something home. I remember our first visit and buying leather gloves that fit my hand to a T! I still use them to this day as the quality of great fitting Italian leather gloves is priceless.
We next land at Piazza della Signoria, another favorite hangout. Find a café to sip espresso or a spritz and soak in the statues—the Fountain of Neptune, the replica of Michelangelo's David (of course we recommend seeing the real one in the Accademia), and the Palazzo Vecchio. All of these make for a perfect Italian scene, which what the city is famous for.
Shopping time—first up is the Mercato del Porcellino (also called Mercato Nuovo). This is our go-to spot to buy leather goods and other souvenirs. They mark up their prices so don’t be afraid to haggle to get the best price. Also, don’t buy the first thing you love because you’re sure to see another. Don’t leave without rubbing the boar statue’s nose, then drop a coin in its jaws—local lore says if it falls through the grate, you’ll be lucky in love or travel.
From there, we make our way to the Mercato Centrale, where the ground floor is produce and upstairs is a buzzing food court—think arancini, calzones, sliced meats, fresh mozzarella, espresso… all perfectly paced for lunch or on-the-go snacks. Great food, great vibe.
When it’s time for a good meal, one of our favorite spots is Giannino in San Lorenzo https://www.gianninoinflorence.com/ Amazing traditional dishes with generous portions at a reasonable price. It has a cozy vibe that hits the spot after a day of walking.
Overall Recommendations:
If Florence is on your itinerary (and it really should be):
•First-timers & architecture lovers: Book an early climb up the Duomo.
•Cultural explorers: Visit Santa Croce to pay respects to Florence's greatest minds.
•Coffee & people-watchers: Lounge in Piazza della Signoria for a quick rest before shopping.
•Souvenir hunters: Swing by Porcellino for luck and Mercato Centrale for snacks.
•Comfort-food fans: Treat yourself to an amazing Italian dinner at Giannino—it’s the perfect ending to a day in Florence.
Whether it's the culture, art, the alleys, or just good food, Florence still steals our hearts every time.
We’ve been to Florence twice, and each visit makes us fall for its blend of graceful history, the best food in Italy, and walking-friendly charm all over again. It’s our favorite city in Italy, and this trip only reinforced why.
Our wanderings always start at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, standing proudly in the bustling Piazza del Duomo. On our first trip, we climbed to the top of Brunelleschi's dome—such a Florence cliché, but one that truly delivers. The view? Totally worth the cost and booking ahead. We recommend booking an early morning tour—not only do you avoid crowds, but finishing your climb by mid-morning means you’ll enjoy the square more quietly. And don’t forget: the Duomo’s history intertwines with the Medici's rise to power and their patronage of Renaissance art.
Next, we headed over to Basilica of Santa Croce, one of those “off-the-beaten-path” gems with a resume you’ll admire. As you walk there take your time admiring all the sights and shops which makes walking the streets of Florence an adventure in itself. The Basilica is the final resting place of some huge names—Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini, and even a cenotaph for Dante (who’s actually buried in Ravenna). Equal parts beautiful and humbling—and a quieter nod to the minds that shaped Florence. We find it less busy than the Duomo area, but worth the steps to get there.
Next, stroll toward the Ponte Vecchio, we always pause on the east bank. That vantage point captures the bridge in full—perfect for photos. The shops lining it are full of jewelry, leather goods, and sweet souvenirs if you're looking to bring something home. I remember our first visit and buying leather gloves that fit my hand to a T! I still use them to this day as the quality of great fitting Italian leather gloves is priceless.
We next land at Piazza della Signoria, another favorite hangout. Find a café to sip espresso or a spritz and soak in the statues—the Fountain of Neptune, the replica of Michelangelo's David (of course we recommend seeing the real one in the Accademia), and the Palazzo Vecchio. All of these make for a perfect Italian scene, which what the city is famous for.
Shopping time—first up is the Mercato del Porcellino (also called Mercato Nuovo). This is our go-to spot to buy leather goods and other souvenirs. They mark up their prices so don’t be afraid to haggle to get the best price. Also, don’t buy the first thing you love because you’re sure to see another. Don’t leave without rubbing the boar statue’s nose, then drop a coin in its jaws—local lore says if it falls through the grate, you’ll be lucky in love or travel.
From there, we make our way to the Mercato Centrale, where the ground floor is produce and upstairs is a buzzing food court—think arancini, calzones, sliced meats, fresh mozzarella, espresso… all perfectly paced for lunch or on-the-go snacks. Great food, great vibe.
When it’s time for a good meal, one of our favorite spots is Giannino in San Lorenzo https://www.gianninoinflorence.com/ Amazing traditional dishes with generous portions at a reasonable price. It has a cozy vibe that hits the spot after a day of walking.
Overall Recommendations:
If Florence is on your itinerary (and it really should be):
•First-timers & architecture lovers: Book an early climb up the Duomo.
•Cultural explorers: Visit Santa Croce to pay respects to Florence's greatest minds.
•Coffee & people-watchers: Lounge in Piazza della Signoria for a quick rest before shopping.
•Souvenir hunters: Swing by Porcellino for luck and Mercato Centrale for snacks.
•Comfort-food fans: Treat yourself to an amazing Italian dinner at Giannino—it’s the perfect ending to a day in Florence.
Whether it's the culture, art, the alleys, or just good food, Florence still steals our hearts every time.
