Florence & Pisa 5-day Itinerary
Italy
Where to go and what to see in Florence to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
Bucket list experience:
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
For centuries, the Oltrarno neighbourhood south of the river has been known for its artisan workshops, originally established to furnish and decorate the grand palazzi that were built in the area by local aristocrats.
While bureaucracy and rising rents have forced many to re-locate, the narrow streets around Piazza Santo Spirito, Piazza della Passera and Borgo San Frediano are still home to cabinet makers, furniture restorers, picture framers, upholsterers, book-binders and so on.
It’s fun to wander and observe these master craftsmen and women at work; most are happy for you to go into their workshops and have a chat.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Italy
Where to go and what to see in Florence to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
Italy
Where to go and what to see in Florence to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Nicky Swallow.
The best place to start is pretty Piazza della Passera (just southeast of Ponte Santa Trinita). From here, you can explore the narrow streets that radiate from the square and wander across Via Maggio and into Piazza Santo Spirito near which there are more workshops. Or sign up for a guided tour.
Any time of the year is good although in winter, you’ll probably have the streets to yourself. Note that many of the workshops close in August and most close at lunchtime and on Sundays (some on Saturdays too) throughout the year.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.1 miles]
Set on the south bank of the Arno River, the Ferragamo-owned Lungarno is a central, stylish and luxurious place to be based for a stay in Florence.
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Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.3 miles]
Cool, edgy Ferragamo-owned design hotel by the Ponte Vecchio in the heart of the city – the perfect base for sightseeing.
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Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.3 miles]
Set on lively Piazza Santo Spirito, this charming three-star hotel has bags of character in addition to modern facilities and services. The top-floor loggia is a magical spot for an aperitivo.
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Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.5 miles]
A historic hotel well-deserving of its five-star status, the Helvetia & Bristol enjoys a fabulously central location and offers sumptuous rooms, bags of atmosphere and top-notch service.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Tuscany, Italy
A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.
Tuscany, Italy
The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.2 miles]
A ride down the river Arno in a traditional wooden boat or ‘barchetto’ is one of the more unusual ways to see the city.
Best for ages: 4+ | £45 | 1 hour
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.2 miles]
Florence’s oldest bridge spans the Arno at its narrowest point and was spared from bombing by the retreating Germans after World War II. Thronged with tourists, it is famous for its glittering gold shops which replaced the original foul-smelling butcher’s shops in the 1590s.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.2 miles]
Housed in the city’s most imposing palazzo, Florence’s second-largest art gallery is home to masterpieces by Raphael, Rubens, Botticelli and Van Dyck.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.3 miles]
Footwear fantasies in everything from cellophane to gold, by Florence’s legendary shoemaker to the stars.
Best for ages: 10+ | £6
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.5 miles]
This 16th-century palazzo is home to one of Italy’s most innovative public art galleries. Rotating exhibitions showcase artists as diverse as Jeff Koons, Ai Wei-Wei and Bill Viola and Bronzino, Donatello and Pontormo. The ‘Strozzino’ gallery in the basement focuses on contemporary art and peripheral cultural events.
Best for ages: 18+ | £13
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.5 miles]
This imposing palace on Piazza della Signoria has been at the centre of power in Florence since its construction in 1299 and still functions as the town hall. Now partly a museum, its sumptuously decorated rooms reveal magnificent frescoes, coffered ceilings and hidden chambers. Book skip-the-line tickets online here.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.6 miles]
This side chapel of Santa Maria del Carmine church (separate entrance) is decorated with world-class frescoes by 15th-century artists Masaccio, Masolino and Filippino Lippi. Highlights of these seminal works which profoundly influenced the Florentine Renaissance include Masolino’s Temptation of Adam and Eve and Masaccio’s The Tribute Money. Book ahead to climb up and see them up close.
Best for ages: 18+ | £7
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[0.6 miles]
An ex-cinema houses the fabulous private model railway collection belonging to the late Marchese di San Giuliano. The centrepiece is a 280-square metre model, one of the largest in Europe; the landscaping (from mountains to seascapes) is exquisite.
Best for ages: 4+ | £12