Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)

A single great museum comprising the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry of San Giovanni, the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum. If you haven’t seen this, you haven’t seen Florence. You can buy one ticket (€ 10) and see everything. From both the Dome and the bell tower you will enjoy a magic view of the city, so it’s better to choose only one “peak”. Tickets can be purchased in the box office on the Duomo Square, or online http://www.museumflorence.com/en

Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery)

It is one of the largest and most important museums of European art and the most visited museum in Italy.

Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Giorgione, Titian … To avoid the queues, it is better to pay € 4 more and book tickets online. In this case you will be in the VIP queue.

Website: http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/musei/index.php? ..

Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)

One of the most attractive places in Florence for jewelry lovers. It is a shopping arcade, located on the bridge.

There are jewelry stores and shops since 1600, but it is not necessary to buy rings and bracelets here, unless you want to make a very romantic gesture. You can easily find jewelry in tiny streets and alleys, saving money. And on the Ponte Vecchio just relax and relisj the view. Imagine how many jewels are floating on the bottom of the river Arno, if jewelers host this place for more than 400 years!

Basilica di Santa Croce (Church of the Holy Cross)

Basilica of Santa Croce is situated near the bridge Ponte alla Grazie, in the center of Florence. The world’s largest Franciscan church, it’s also famous for frescoes of Giotto and tombs of great men of Italy: Dante Alighieri, Galileo, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Gioacchino Rossini. The Basilica is open every day from 9.30 to 17.00.

After visiting this place you will need to come back “down to earth”. as quick as possible. The best option is the most famous flea market. At Mercato dei Ciompi (or Mercato delle Pulci) you can find anything from Russian medals and portraits of kings, to Barbie dolls and rare Vatican coins. Also, there is antique furniture made by Florentine artists in 20th century. The market is open every day from 10.00 to 17.00

Mercato centrale (Central Market)

In fact it is not a market, it is a gastronomic paradise!

The building celebrated its 140th anniversary and changed the image (April 2014): outside it’s all the same, but inside it’s a mix of restaurants, pubs, shopping arcades, stands and waiters in funny hats.

On the ground floor you can make purchases like at a normal grocery market, from 07.00 to 14.00. It is obvious that it is better to come early in the morning: food is fresh and there are no queues.

On the second floor (10.00 — 24.00) you will find 500 randomly set chairs and stools in front of cafes and restaurants where they cook whatever you want. Oh, yes. There are 18 TV screens ( it is a favorite place of sport fans).

Location: Quarter of San Lorenzo, 5 minutes from the railway station, Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 50123 Florence, Italy