Florence, one day.
Discussion
My highlights were Santa Croce, the baptistry and the outside of the Duomo.
The Uffizi is good for a walkabout to see all the ceiling panels, the Primavera, Birth of Venus and the restored Davinci. The Galleria is alright (it would be the highlight of most other cities, but in Florence there is a lot to see) - I suppose one has to see David.
Some people find the Duomo disappointing inside - it's not as ornamental as the other churches. The queue looks long but takes maybe 20 minutes. There's usually a shorter queue for climbing to the top which is a separate entrance (45 minutes all in to queue, climp up and come back down).
There will be queues. The Firenze card is worth getting if you are more pushed for time than for money - you still have to queue for some things, just not as much.
The Uffizi is good for a walkabout to see all the ceiling panels, the Primavera, Birth of Venus and the restored Davinci. The Galleria is alright (it would be the highlight of most other cities, but in Florence there is a lot to see) - I suppose one has to see David.
Some people find the Duomo disappointing inside - it's not as ornamental as the other churches. The queue looks long but takes maybe 20 minutes. There's usually a shorter queue for climbing to the top which is a separate entrance (45 minutes all in to queue, climp up and come back down).
There will be queues. The Firenze card is worth getting if you are more pushed for time than for money - you still have to queue for some things, just not as much.
PS You can't just turn up to visit the Duomo inside. You have to book tickets for a time slot. They are sold out for on the day, so you have to book for the day after and most of those will be sold out too. We turned up to the ticket office at 10am and there were just tickets left for 4pm the day after. I imagine you can book online for these time slots in advance.
I was there 2 weeks ago.
Book duomo now for your trip.
Do the uffizi gallery, book advanced tickets for a specific time slot on the day (you can cut the queues).
Do the boboli gardens.
Do not eat anywhere near the ponte vecchio - overpriced undersized frozen crap.
Eat near the duomo, some lovely outdoor restaurants at genuinely reasonable prices.
It will be hotter than you think, take a hat and lots of water.
Apart from that, just wander and enjoy.
Book duomo now for your trip.
Do the uffizi gallery, book advanced tickets for a specific time slot on the day (you can cut the queues).
Do the boboli gardens.
Do not eat anywhere near the ponte vecchio - overpriced undersized frozen crap.
Eat near the duomo, some lovely outdoor restaurants at genuinely reasonable prices.
It will be hotter than you think, take a hat and lots of water.
Apart from that, just wander and enjoy.
OpulentBob said:
Do the boboli gardens.
It will be hotter than you think, take a hat and lots of water.
Oh yes, it can get very hot, with associated grumpiness if that's not your thing. I would skip the Boboli gardens if you are rushed, especially if it's hot.The gardens themselves are not all that, but the view is good.It will be hotter than you think, take a hat and lots of water.
There is a pottery museum at the top: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xCXS_siS8
One other thing - an alternative to climbing the Duomo is to climb the tower next to it. If you have the Firenze card you just walk straight in.
OpulentBob said:
I was there 2 weeks ago.
Book duomo now for your trip.
Do the uffizi gallery, book advanced tickets for a specific time slot on the day (you can cut the queues).
Do the boboli gardens.
Do not eat anywhere near the ponte vecchio - overpriced undersized frozen crap.
Eat near the duomo, some lovely outdoor restaurants at genuinely reasonable prices.
It will be hotter than you think, take a hat and lots of water.
Apart from that, just wander and enjoy.
Could you clarify Bob, are you talking about climbing the Duomo, a guided tour or just regular access?Book duomo now for your trip.
Do the uffizi gallery, book advanced tickets for a specific time slot on the day (you can cut the queues).
Do the boboli gardens.
Do not eat anywhere near the ponte vecchio - overpriced undersized frozen crap.
Eat near the duomo, some lovely outdoor restaurants at genuinely reasonable prices.
It will be hotter than you think, take a hat and lots of water.
Apart from that, just wander and enjoy.
Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
REALIST123 said:
Could you clarify Bob, are you talking about climbing the Duomo, a guided tour or just regular access?
Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
You have to book a timed slot for climbing the dome. There will be a side/second queue halfway down the main queue, much shorter, just for climbing. You enter through a side door, climb the dome and you do not see the church itself.Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
For just entering the main church, no climbing, you join the main queue whenever you like, it winds around the side for maybe 100 yards, you enter via the front, it might take 20-30 minute to queue.
montecristo said:
REALIST123 said:
Could you clarify Bob, are you talking about climbing the Duomo, a guided tour or just regular access?
Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
You have to book a timed slot for climbing the dome. There will be a side/second queue halfway down the main queue, much shorter, just for climbing. You enter through a side door, climb the dome and you do not see the church itself.Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
For just entering the main church, no climbing, you join the main queue whenever you like, it winds around the side for maybe 100 yards, you enter via the front, it might take 20-30 minute to queue.
Thanks, that's how I remember it!
montecristo said:
REALIST123 said:
Could you clarify Bob, are you talking about climbing the Duomo, a guided tour or just regular access?
Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
You have to book a timed slot for climbing the dome. There will be a side/second queue halfway down the main queue, much shorter, just for climbing. You enter through a side door, climb the dome and you do not see the church itself.Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
For just entering the main church, no climbing, you join the main queue whenever you like, it winds around the side for maybe 100 yards, you enter via the front, it might take 20-30 minute to queue.
Have a lovely time, it's a lovely city.
OpulentBob said:
montecristo said:
REALIST123 said:
Could you clarify Bob, are you talking about climbing the Duomo, a guided tour or just regular access?
Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
You have to book a timed slot for climbing the dome. There will be a side/second queue halfway down the main queue, much shorter, just for climbing. You enter through a side door, climb the dome and you do not see the church itself.Been there a few times but never booked. However, the last visit was s few years ago, though going again in a couple of weeks.
For just entering the main church, no climbing, you join the main queue whenever you like, it winds around the side for maybe 100 yards, you enter via the front, it might take 20-30 minute to queue.
Have a lovely time, it's a lovely city.
Thanks Bob.
If you only have a day I wouldn't bother with the Galleria or the Uffizi. You won't have enough time without detracting from the overall experience and will feel short changed.
I would focus on taking the city in. By all means do the Duomo. Boboli gardens are nice enough. Ponte Vecchio and some shopping. Then on the other side of Ponte Vecchio walk up the hill to Piazza Michelangelo to take in THE best views of Florence. Pitti Palace is over there too. But might be stretching the time you have. Just walking around the city and taking it all in will give you a great desire to go back there for a proper stay IMO.
For lunch, on the "non-Uffizi/Duomo" side of the Ponte Vecchio (same side as Piazza Michelangelo) turn left (if walking from the Uffizi/Duomo) and walk along the street. On the river we had a meal in a surprisingly good place which I think was called the Golden View Open Bar. I was a bit concerned that it would be way too touristy. But it was great with fantastic food, decent service and great food and wine. (One caveat - this was a few years ago now).
I'd also suggest having cakes and coffee/drinks in Cafe Gilli in Piazza della Republica. Chill out, people watch and have some top notch tiramisu
I would focus on taking the city in. By all means do the Duomo. Boboli gardens are nice enough. Ponte Vecchio and some shopping. Then on the other side of Ponte Vecchio walk up the hill to Piazza Michelangelo to take in THE best views of Florence. Pitti Palace is over there too. But might be stretching the time you have. Just walking around the city and taking it all in will give you a great desire to go back there for a proper stay IMO.
For lunch, on the "non-Uffizi/Duomo" side of the Ponte Vecchio (same side as Piazza Michelangelo) turn left (if walking from the Uffizi/Duomo) and walk along the street. On the river we had a meal in a surprisingly good place which I think was called the Golden View Open Bar. I was a bit concerned that it would be way too touristy. But it was great with fantastic food, decent service and great food and wine. (One caveat - this was a few years ago now).
I'd also suggest having cakes and coffee/drinks in Cafe Gilli in Piazza della Republica. Chill out, people watch and have some top notch tiramisu
Just come back from Florence a few weeks ago and for me I would perhaps do the following:
Walking Tour - Ours was £25 lasted 3 hours and was excellent. Great way to see the main sights, lots of history and a real insight to Florence.
Duomo - Queuing just to go in the cathedral is free, but if you want to climb the Duomo or the Tower you need to book in advance. If you know the dates I would book now.
Uffizi and Galleria are great but if your short on time can take a while to queue even with tickets. Great while inside but perhaps not for one day.
Santa Croche church is great and worth a visit, and beautiful from the outside.
Perhaps head up to Piazza Michelangelo for a view over the city?
Walking Tour - Ours was £25 lasted 3 hours and was excellent. Great way to see the main sights, lots of history and a real insight to Florence.
Duomo - Queuing just to go in the cathedral is free, but if you want to climb the Duomo or the Tower you need to book in advance. If you know the dates I would book now.
Uffizi and Galleria are great but if your short on time can take a while to queue even with tickets. Great while inside but perhaps not for one day.
Santa Croche church is great and worth a visit, and beautiful from the outside.
Perhaps head up to Piazza Michelangelo for a view over the city?
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