This is the real heart of Florence; with his tower for sweeping views, the octagonal Baptistery, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, full of Gothic and Renaissance sculpture, the Duomo, or cathedral and so on…

Florence is known as the city of art, a place where beauty dominates. In fact, one-tenth of the Italian artistic heritage is concentrated here, with palaces, unique perspectives on the roofs and precious paintings scattered in museums.

Actually there is another Florence, equally beautiful and magical. The "natural" Florence, the unexplored province and the city parks. A dose of freedom and freshness available for all visitors. As its art.
The old Bridge of Florence
The old Bridge, photo by Dennis Jarvis via Flickr

1. Best things to do in Florence

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous museums in the world and we cannot help but suggest a walk in it, drawing through the works instinctively: a real aesthetic and metaphysics experience, which often involves up to the point of feeling "inside the painting ". We advise you to book your ticket online, to bypass the endless rows...

The Loggia dei Lanzi, in Piazza della Signoria is a place out of space and time; sit in the lodge and watch the people pass, thinking about the 1400 atmosphere; Palazzo Vecchio in the background, the ancient sculptures and the magical atmosphere will surprise you...

In front of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, there is the beautiful baptistery. With the door dubbed by Michelangelo "Gates of Paradise". Entirely golden, a real jewel of stunning beauty.

To admire Florence there is nothing better than to devour the steps of the bell tower of Giotto.

The final must is the Ponte Vecchio with the goldsmiths' workshops; try to get out on the river bank of Arno, to admire it from below. Entertainment for refined palates.

Let’s go to the hidden beauty: the first rose garden. In Piazzale Michelangelo you will find a breathtaking view, a fantastic scenery, a landscaped and well done garden with several sculptures of famous people there is as well even a small Japanese oasis.

If you are dog lovers try the area Pettini Burresi, with a lot of green.

In Florence all have a story to tell. No exception monumental trees that can become the stages of a journey in search of coolness in summer.

In the botanical garden near Piazza San Marco has a wonderful tassodio family of Mexican cypress trees, a cypress of Montezuma, a green skyscraper of more than 60 meters. There are many other giants in the garden: a rate of almost 300 years and a cork over 2 centuries.

2. Florence and surroundings

Near Florence, through a park with ferns and redwoods you will find a secret palace that everyone calls castle and only a lucky few can visit: the castle of Sammezzano. The rooms are all different, with amazing accuracy of endless details.

Keep a bit of energy for moving on beautiful Fiesole, Bellosguardo, Bagni di Ripoli. Hills, defined noble, dotted with towers, castles and fortifications that offer relaxing atmospheres and where you can discover the green and the old shops where it was worked glass or ceramic, and terrecotta.

Ribollita is a typical dish,a typical soup of stale bread and vegetables that is prepared traditionally in Tuscany,
Ribollita, tuscany vegetable soup. Toscana, Italy. Photo by Loladear, via Flickr

3. Tastes and local food

What about a good T-bone steak? No doubt about it: the restaurant Trattoria Buca lapie is one of the best places in Florence to eat a T-bone steak with top quality meat, well cooked, crisp outside and soft inside.

The hills also offer other kind good food. Walking through the narrow streets that climb the hills around Florence there are restaurants and taverns with authentic Florentine cuisine. A very poor food experience, with dishes made with bread, olive oil and vegetables, underpinned by strong meat. Examples are the famous hare dolceforte, the duck with orange, the Florentine crepes and the excellent homemade ice cream

Let’t close with ribollita, crostini blacks liver, pappa col pomodoro, beans “all'uccelletta” with sausages.

A lot of good wine, such as Chianti and a good extra virgin olive oil from the hills of Florence, true nectar of the region.

The city of Florence view. Green guide, Tuscany, Italy
Florence view. Photo by Juan Salmoral, via Flickr

4. Where to stay in the city and surroundings

Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in the province of Firenze, organic farms surrounded by vineyards, or small B&B set in Tuscan villages.

Discover all ecofriendly accomodations in Florence

 

Author: Angela Sebastianelli

Cover photo by: Sacha Fernandez, via Flickr

Eco-friendly accommodations

BIO Agriturismo Podere Montisi

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €130.00

BIOAgriturismo Poderaccio

Firenze (fi)

Starting from €65.00

Agriturismo Chiesa a Varena

Città Metropolitana di Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €150.00

B&B La Martellina

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €80.00

Le Lavande Eco House

Florence (Tuscany)

Starting from €500.00

Agriturismo La Fontaccia

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €95.00

Tertulia Forest Coliving Coworking

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €65.00

Agriturismo Fattoria Lavacchio

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €90.00

Oasi Agrituristica Baugiano

Pistoia (Toscana)

Starting from €80.00

BIO Agriturismo La Colombaia

Metropolitan City of Florence (Tuscany)

Starting from €80.00

B&B Eridu your home away from home

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €60.00

Agriturismo Casa Italia, Toscana

Pistoia (Toscana)

Starting from €108.00

Lebbiano Bio Resort

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €79.00

Casa Cares

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €78.00

Casa vacanze Casa al Parco

Firenze (Toscana)

Starting from €59.00