Florence

Piazzale degli Uffizi· Cheap

Outstanding fine art museum with Renaissance paintings and sculptures from classical antiquity. It's in a late 16th-century palazzo designed by Vasari, in two wings enclosing a long narrow courtyard, effectively a street, an innovation in…

Enter by right hand door in west facade; disabled access on south flank

The cathedral interior is to a basilica pattern; it's vast and at first feels dark and empty. Give your eyes time to adjust, and admire the stained glass windows, funeral monument of Bishop d'Orso, and altar of St Zanobius.

Via de Proconsolo 4· Cheap

Used as a barracks and prison until the 19th century, this museum houses some of the best Renaissance and Mannerist sculpture. Big names here include Michelangelo, Donatello, Ammannati, Bandinelli, Andrea and Jacopo Sansovino, Desiderio da…

Via Ricasoli 58-60· Cheap

Highlights are Michelangelo's original David (the one in Piazza della Signoria is a copy) and his unfinished Slaves. It also includes Florentine painting, a museum of musical instruments, and Russian icons.

Octagonal plan, with a pyramidal roof covering its dome. It's famous for its bronze doors by Andrea Pisano (14th century) and Lorenzo Ghiberti (15th century) and a beautiful interior vault decorated with 13th-century mosaics.

Directly behind the dome end of the cathedral

This houses original artworks from the Duomo and surrounding religious buildings, including sculptures by Donatello, a Michelangelo Pietà (different from his version in Saint Peter's, Rome) and the losing entries in the 1401 contest to…

Piazza Santo Spirito 4

Italian language and cultural school for foreigners. The structure and the contents of the programmes for the levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Discover Florence with your camera and with a professional photography teacher (a Vogue-featured American photographer) and an official Florence guide at your side.

from the city of Florence, take the Autostradale Firenze - Siena and the SR2; the spa is on a lefthand turnoff from the R2, approximately 13 km south of the city of Florence

The thermal waters of Impruneta spring from two sources and are used to treat respiratory diseases, liver, gastrointestinal, and skin allergies.

Via Alfani 68

Italian language school specializing in one-to-one, personalized and small group (max 4 people) full immersion courses.

Via dei Rustici 7

Italian language school offering language and cultural courses since 1982.

It's a big square on a hill, but somewhat distant from the traditional tourist sites. It's easy to reach it even on foot using the stairs called "Rampe di San Niccolò".

Via dei Cimatori, 38R

Good street food: panini (Mar 2024) and wine+ (Oct 2018) from a tiny hole in the wall. Patrons eat on the sidewalk while resting their glass of wine on small shelves nested along the street wall.

ground floor of Mercato Centrale· Moderate

Seafood. Excellent fried calamari and grilled fish fillet with vegetables. You can find also fresh oysters. Be there early, as it gets packed very easily.

Corner of Via del Corso· Cheap

Reliable local eatery. Local produce and meats are prepared simply using traditional recipes and time-honoured tradition. Some pastas are made fresh daily, so ask for the daily special.

Corner of Via de' Vecchietti· Cheap

Although there is a menu at the entrance, it is better to go straight in and pick what you like. You can also order Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

near Piazza SMN· Moderate

Not that you'd admit to wanting a break from Italian food, but this small friendly Sri Lankan restaurant makes a refreshing change. Ayubowan!

Close to Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti· Moderate

A hostel in a historic Florentine noble palace built in the 14th century and modified in the 17th century. Rooms are occasionally clean.

Piazza San Giovanni, 6· Expensive

Large choice of double bedrooms. Services are in common and some of the guestrooms boast a fantastic view of the Duomo. Internet connection and breakfast also available.

Close to SMN train station· Moderate

Never mind the renaissance-kitsch walls. Rooms are clean and rates include breakfast, dinner (except Saturdays) and internet access.

close to Pitti Palace· Expensive

This B&B has just the one room, the Camera Verde. They feature gourmet meals and cooking classes directed by Chef Vary.

Campo di Marte, 10 min from the center by bus· Pricey

A converted 19th-century convent. Rooms are clean and quiet. Has dorm bunks and private rooms.

Via dell'Oriuolo 49· Expensive

A small B&B, rooms with private bathroom and shower, A/C, LCD TV, free Wi-Fi.