{"id":21571,"date":"2022-03-22T16:11:20","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T16:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/?p=21571"},"modified":"2022-08-22T23:09:13","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T23:09:13","slug":"self-guided-walking-tour-florence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-florence\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Self Guided Walking Tour of Florence"},"content":{"rendered":"

With so much to see in the great Renaissance capital,\u00a0where should you even begin? The great thing about Florence is that you can see a lot just by taking a walk through the city center. Without even hopping on a bus or grabbing a taxi, you can experience a beautiful open-air museum.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Pedestrian
Florence is a city best explored on foot. Photo credit: Jackie Jabson<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Discover the beauty of Florentine architecture from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and even peek at some masterpieces by the great artists of the time. This self guided walking tour of Florence will take you to explore so much of what the city has to offer, plus grab some delicious local food along the way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Start at Santa Maria Novella<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re in Florence for just a quick day trip, it\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll arrive by train and start your day at the Santa Maria Novella station. If you\u2019re already feeling a little peckish for a quick Italian <\/span>caff\u00e9 e cornetto,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0step right outside to the <\/span>Mo Si Caffetteria<\/span><\/a> on Via Masaccio. But save some space\u2014we\u2019ll be walking you past some more delicious pastry shops soon!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive right into Florence\u2019s history at the <\/span>Santa Maria Novella complex<\/span><\/a>. A beautiful church from the outside, this historic structure also houses gardens, courtyards, ancient living quarters, and a traditional perfume shop.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are short on time, you can just take a peek into the church for free;\u00a0otherwise, it\u2019s definitely worth buying a ticket to explore the whole complex.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Fa\u00e7ade
The Santa Maria Novella church is conveniently located right near the train station. Photo credit: Eleonora Altomare<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stop at the Market<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

From here you can circle back to Florence\u2019s main market, <\/span>Mercato Centrale<\/span><\/a> and the San Lorenzo Market. Get a taste of Florence’s local life by exploring the indoor food stands, and get your leather shopping done with a browse through the famous outdoor leather market.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And if all that shopping gets you hungry,\u00a0luckily Casa del Vino\u2014a local classic\u2014is right there for you. Grab a delicious <\/span>panino<\/span><\/i><\/a> and glass of quality wine to give you the energy to keep exploring.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Overhead
Florence’s best-known market is a great place to grab a bite after exploring the stalls! Photo credit: Mercato Centrale<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Head into Central Florence<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Circle around the Basilica of San Lorenzo to make your way to the main attraction: the famous Duomo and Brunelleschi\u2019s incredible dome.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a quick turn down Borgo San Lorenzo, your jaw is sure to drop at the large open piazza which houses the Duomo and its baptistry.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, if you can spare the time, the church, baptistry, and bell tower are all wonderful spots to visit. The art inside is unforgettable, and the view from the top of the bell tower will give you a whole new perspective of Brunelleschi\u2019s dome.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you find yourself extra captivated by the work on the Duomo, you can even visit the <\/span>Duomo Museum<\/span><\/a> located just behind it. Here you can see more of the original works that were housed in the church, as well as historic plans used in the building’s construction.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"View
Discover the passion and work that brought Florence’s famous Duomo to life at the Duomo Museum. Photo credit: Maegan White<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Time for Another Snack<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When in Italy, how can you resist grabbing a bite of anything and everything? We like to think the best part of travel is the food, so don\u2019t miss any opportunity to snack!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your sweet tooth is acting up, head down Via Roma for a stop into <\/span>Caffe Gilli<\/span><\/a> for a coffee and sweet pastry. But if you think you\u2019d better eat something a little more nutritious first, take Via dei Calzaiuoli to the corner of Via dei Cimatori for authentic<\/span> Florentine street food<\/span><\/a>. It’s here where you\u2019ll find the incredible I Due Fratellini, whipping up delicious <\/span>panini <\/span><\/i>since 1875.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Close
Panini are the essential Florentine street food.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Keep heading down Via dei Calzaiuoli and you\u2019ll soon reach the Piazza della Signoria. Here you can see a replica of Michelangelo\u2019s David in its original location, plus a few other statues of the Uffizi collection.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is also where the <\/span>Gucci Museum and Cafe<\/span><\/a> are located if you are interested in seeing this fashionable side of Florence\u2019s history.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before heading to the line for the Uffizi, you might want to take a walk around the block to see the fun Fontana del Porcellino, Florence\u2019s wild boar fountain. Rubbing its snout will ensure you make it back to Florence one day!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Woman
Don’t forget to rub the boar’s nose! Photo credit: UI International Programs<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re looking for the entrance to the Uffizi, head to the corner of Palazzo Vecchio to the Piazzale degli Uffizi. You\u2019ll find the entrance right under the porticoes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But if you didn\u2019t manage to get tickets to the <\/span>famous museum<\/span><\/a>\u2014or don\u2019t have time for it on this day trip\u2014there\u2019s still plenty more to see in Florence!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Long
Inside the iconic Uffizi. Photo credit: Sergei Wing<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ponte Vecchio<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Continue your self guided walking tour of Florence with a walk across the famous Ponte Vecchio, lined with historic shops (mainly jewelry and souvenir shops these days).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The name (literally \u201cOld Bridge\u201d) comes from the fact this is actually where the oldest bridge connecting both sides of Florence stood. This is where Florence has been connected ever since Ancient Roman times.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To the right, you can wander deeper into the Oltrarno neighborhood, which is a great place to find amazing food. And if you <\/span>need a caffeine fix<\/span><\/a>, within just a few steps you\u2019ll find <\/span>Ditta Artigianale,<\/span><\/a> where you can enjoy a freshly roasted specialty coffee.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But to keep sightseeing, and making the most out of your day in Florence, head down Via de’ Guicciardini to catch a glimpse of Pitti Palace.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"View
Ponte Vecchio connects the city center with the vibrant Oltrarno neighborhood. Photo credit: Bianca Ackermann<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pitti Palace & Piazzale Michelangelo<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pitti Palace is another great museum of Florence that is worth checking out. But even if you aren\u2019t in the mood for a museum, you may still want to buy a ticket for the view.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Behind the Pitti Palace are the Boboli Gardens, a beautiful and peaceful spot where you can lounge for the afternoon, taking in a bit of Florentine history while also getting off the busy streets. The extra great part of visiting these gardens is the wonderful view they will give you of the whole city of Florence.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you skip out on this view, the last scenic stop we have for you will make up for it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Head back down to walk along the river until you turn at Piazza Poggi to head up a little ways to Piazzale Michelangelo.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This is the spot you\u2019ll especially want to be at when there\u2019s a nice sunset, but any time of day provides a great view of the whole city.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But after all this walking, it\u2019s time to kick back and eat!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"View
Piazzale Michelangelo offers one of the most gorgeous views over Florence. Photo credit: Sergei Wing<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aperitivo & Dinner<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our favorite spot for a little tradition of evening wine and snacks is definitely <\/span>Le Volpi e L\u2019Uva,<\/span><\/a> you\u2019ll find it nestled just around the corner from Ponte Vecchio. Here you can enjoy a<\/span> local wine by the glass<\/span><\/a> (plus other regional wines too) with a mixed plate of cheese and cured meats to get your appetite going.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to dinner, you\u2019re quite close to the Oltrarno neighborhood, one of our favorite places in town for food. <\/span>Here\u2019s a list of the places we\u2019d send you.<\/span><\/a> But our top recommendation: Il Santo Bevitore for a modern expression of delicious Tuscan cuisine.<\/span> The most delicious way to end your self guided walking tour of Florence!<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to upgrade your experience by exploring Florence alongside an expert guide? Join our\u00a0Dine Around Florence food tour<\/a><\/strong> to <\/strong>discover local secrets and sample more of the city\u2019s best bites!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With so much to see in the great Renaissance capital,\u00a0where should you even begin? The great thing about Florence is that you can see a lot just by taking a walk through the city center. Without even hopping on a bus or grabbing a taxi, you can experience a beautiful open-air museum.\u00a0\u00a0 Discover the beauty […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":21572,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"2normal","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[2071,2077],"tags":[188,2111],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDevour Tours<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-florence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Ultimate Self Guided Walking Tour of Florence - Devour Tours\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This self guided walking tour of Florence will give you a look at all of the city's most iconic sights, with plenty of delicious local food along the way.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21571\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Devour Tours\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DevourToursCo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-03-22T16:11:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-08-22T23:09:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/florence-street-P.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Evelyn Hill\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@devourtours\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@devourtours\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Evelyn Hill\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-florence\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-florence\/\",\"name\":\"The Ultimate Self Guided Walking Tour of Florence - Devour Tours\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-03-22T16:11:20+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-22T23:09:13+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/f9595f82b21097c804862acb03f02ab5\"},\"description\":\"This self guided walking tour of Florence will give you a look at all of the city's most iconic sights, with plenty of delicious local food along the way.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-florence\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-florence\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/self-guided-walking-tour-florence\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Ultimate Self Guided Walking Tour of Florence\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/\",\"name\":\"Devour Tours\",\"description\":\"Food & Drink Tours In Europe & USA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/f9595f82b21097c804862acb03f02ab5\",\"name\":\"Evelyn Hill\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/2.gravatar.com\/avatar\/baa817266df4b88eacb4fca8fdcdc0f5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/2.gravatar.com\/avatar\/baa817266df4b88eacb4fca8fdcdc0f5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Evelyn Hill\"},\"description\":\"An Italy local for nearly 10 years, Evelyn has traveled to nearly every region getting overly excited about cute doors and nonni cafes. 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