Florence Holidays & City Breaks

Florence is a city located in central Italy and is the capital of the Tuscany Region. Boasting titles of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the Renaissance movement, the city has become a popular tourist destination. Florence attracts millions of people a year, thanks to its wealth of culture and history that tourists can explore.

Renaissance art is one of Florence’s biggest attractions, with masterpieces dotted around the city in galleries, museums and churches. Don’t miss out on the Uffizi gallery which contains ancient sculptures and paintings from many prestigious artists including the likes of Michelangelo and Boticelli! The city’s rich history is evident in its intricate ancient architecture, found around almost every corner. Particularly remarkable is its gothic cathedral which possesses the largest brick dome in the world.

 

Families can spend their holiday sightseeing, at museums, parks, and playgrounds whilst taking breaks to enjoy delicious gelato! Meanwhile, Florence creates an unforgettable romantic setting for couples with its cobbled streets, beautiful squares, gardens, and galleries.

There are regular flights to Florence from Cork, Dublin, and Shannon with just one stopover. From the airport the city centre is only 8 kilometres away and a private transfer can get you there within 30 minutes.

To learn more about things to do in Florence, the best time to go and local info see here.

Things to do in Florence

Attractions

• Marvel at the works in the Uffizi Gallery
• Take in the amazing views from the Duomo
• Enjoy a hands-on experience at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
• Stroll along the beautiful Giardino dell'Iris

Nightlife 

Florence is one of the best cities in Italy for nightlife! If you want an exciting night making new friends join one of the cities famous pub crawls. If you’re looking for a more relaxed evening there are plenty of rooftop bars where you can sip cocktails as you overlook the city.

Dining Out  

Florence boasts a range of cuisines, from traditional Tuscan dishes to Japanese food. You can’t leave without trying Florence’s speciality, Bistecca alla Fiorentina; a delicious, thick, chargrilled steak seasoned with salt or local herbs.

For Families 

The natural history museum, La Specola is bound to entertain children. With a huge collection of taxidermy it fascinates the little ones whilst also captivating parents who are interested in history and science!

Shopping  

Home to the Gucci Museum, Florence has a very stylish shopping scene. If you’re not looking for high-fashion brands, head to San Donato shopping centre, where there is a variety of stores to cater to your needs.

Rificolona Festival

On the 7th of September every year, Florence hosts the picturesque Rificolona Festival. On this day kids parade through the city’s streets with colourful paper lanterns to honour the Virgin Mary’s birthday.

Best Time to Go 

Spring is the best time to visit with mild weather – peaking at around 18 degrees – allowing sightseeing to be done at ease. This is also the time period in which Iris flowers bloom, which have been the city’s symbol since 1251. Temperatures can reach around 30 degrees in the summertime with 13 hours of sun a day, so don’t forget sun cream!

Local Info

Currency 

Euro is the currency used in Florence.

Time Zone 

Florence is 1 hour ahead of Ireland.

Getting around 

As the city is relatively small a lot can be reached by foot, however you can also makes use of the public transport system made up of buses and trams.