Art, culture, food and wine, Florence has it all. A city rich in beauty, it is an open museum, and simply walking its streets offers a mesmerising collection of architecture, sculpture, dining options and stylish shopping. With over 70 museums to explore, not including its many churches full of artistic treasures, you are spoilt for choice in what to see, do, and experience in the Tuscan capital. Unlock the best way to spend 48 hours in Florence.
DAY 1
Morning
Enjoy breakfast at Strozzi Bistrò, tucked within the courtyard of the 16th-century palazzo of the same name. Try a simple breakfast, Italian style, of espresso and a delicate pastry before wandering along the elegant Via de’ Tornabuoni, peering into the showrooms of luxury labels of Armani, Gucci, Pucci and Prada, Florence’s most chic of streets. Stop for a shop on nearby Borgo Santi Apostoli. Here, you’ll find fashionable and bold statement jewellery from legendary Florentine designer Angela Caputi (at number 44-46r). Continue your shoe lust at Museo Salvatore Ferragamo within stunning 13th-century Palazzo Spini Feroni on Piazza di Santa Trinita. The fashion house’s flagship store is here, as well as a museum detailing Salvatore Ferragamo’s journey to Hollywood back to his Italian roots with a display of vintage shoes, including some in their archive dating back to the 1930s.
Afternoon
Cross Ponte Santa Trinita and window shop along Via Maggio with its mix of antique stores and new fashion outlets. Turn left onto Sdrucciolo de’ Pitti and head to Piazza de’ Pitti to Pitti Gola & Cantina (at number 16), a contemporary wine bar in an antique bookstore, for a light lunch with wine to match. Then, wile away the afternoon at Museum of Costume and Fashion within the southern wing of Palazzo Pitti. Take in the glamorous gowns and vintage accessories from the 18th century to the present day. Come dusk, grab a seat in the leafy square of Piazza Santo Spirito to people watch over a Spritz or two as the sunset colours change on the facade of the square’s 15th-century church.
DAY 2
Morning
Breakfast like a local at Cibréo Caffé in the residential neighbourhood of Sant’Ambrogio. Its outside terrace is ideal to sip a cappuccino and watch the locals going about their morning routine. For early risers, peruse the food, flowers and homewares in the neighbouring market of the same name. Stroll through the streets of Santa Croce and admire its leather stores and 700-year-old church. Pop into Scuola Del Cuoio (Via San Giuseppe 5r), nestled in a quiet courtyard where artisans work under exposed brick arches, hand-making leather bags while inside the main building, leather trinkets are on sale under 15th-century frescoes. Meander the laneways until you reach Piazza della Signoria. Here, you can admire the David statue, a copy dating from 1910, that overlooks the piazza, then search for the Lion House in Palazzo Vecchio, where Cosimo Medici the Elder kept his private collection of feline friends. This medieval palace with its 94-meter high tower remains the political seat of Florence today (the mayor has his office here). Inside the stately room, Salone dei Cinquecento is a must-see, created for the grand council of 500 members, as are the old Medici apartments where the city’s most famous family lived until the mid- 1500s.
Afternoon
Head south and cross the Arno over the famed Ponte Vecchio with its glittering jewellery stores. Dating back to the 14th century, it’s the oldest existing bridge in the city. Don’t forget to stop for a quick picture by the bust of Cellini looking downriver towards Ponte Santa Trinita. Then, there is a window shop along the medieval Via de’ Bardi for artisan crafts, including handmade paper and leather-bound books at Il Torchio (at number 17) by artisan Erin Ciulla. Further along on Via di San Niccolò, visit the magical atelier of Alessandro Dari (at 115r), complete with a museum dedicated to his jewellery creations. Follow your nose on to Via del Monte alle Croci, where you’ll find the gate to the Rose Garden, where entry is free. Tucked into the city’s southern hills, this heavenly park has 400 varieties of roses and 12 modern sculptures by Belgian Jean-Michel Folon. Then, take the final steps to Piazzale Michelangelo, an open space created in the 19th century offering a panoramic view for postcard-worthy photos of the city below. Popular, particularly at sunset, you can buy wine from one of the local street vendors and sit on the steps to sip and see the colours of the city change as the day ends, teasing you with breathtaking views looking down the river Arno – just a few ways to enjoy 48 hours in Florence.
Photo © Lorenzo Turroni
