48 Hours in Florence - Day 1

BeautiFlorence

Rome and Florence are two cities that are often clumped up in a single trip because of the ease of commute between the two.

We pre-booked two return tickets to/fro Roma Termini station via Trenitalia, which was about 50 pounds pp. It could have been cheaper if we were able to buy the super economy tickets.

Travel tip: For inter-region train tickets (e.g. Rome - Florence), it is strongly advised to book in advance, otherwise you will have to pay the full ticket price for that day which will be very expensive compared to tickets bought weeks in advance. For train tickets within the region, there is no price difference between tickets bought ahead and on the day itself.

Checking in to the train: either you print out your tickets or show the bar code from your smart device. Be at the station at least half an hour before your time of departure. The travel time took about 1.5 hours along scenic routes and on board a comfortable train with electric sockets and free wifi. We arrived at Santa Maria Novella station at around lunch time.

The station is very close to our hotel, i.e. about 5 minutes on foot, and so we checked in first at Hotel Balcony and then headed out to explore the charming Florence.

Lunch at Mercato Centrale

Also known as Mercato di San Lorenzo, Mercato Centrale is located between via dell'Ariento, via Sant'Antonino, via Panicale and Piazza del Mercato Centrale. It is located in the first floor of the covered market in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood. On the ground floor are a myriad of shops selling ingredients for Tuscan cuisine. In the first floor are loads of seating areas and a whole range of shops selling excellent but budget-friendly food with generous servings. It's a fun space for foodies to explore Tuscan food. There are also toilet facilities available. Recommended length of stay: minimum of 1 hour

Mercato Centrale

Opinion: the best place for budget eats is Mercato Centrale - you can buy food for take away and eat it anywhere while enjoying the charming streets of Florence.

Carbonara and pizza 

Duomo - Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral

Duomo Last Judgment frescoes

Clad in white, red and green marble, this majestic cathedral used to be the largest church in Europe when it was completed in the 15th century. Now, the cathedral comes 3rd after St. Peter's Basilica and St. Paul's. The cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, the Virgin of the Flower, a clear allusion to the lily which is the symbol of the city of Florence.

Duomo side door

Things to note about the cathedral complex:

- The clock located on top of the entrance: designed by Paolo Uccello in 1433 in accordance to the ora italica, where the 24th hour of the day ended at sunset - still works

- The Last Judgment frescoes on the dome: designed by Giorgio Vasari; climb 463 steps to view this amazing work of art up close

- Climbing the Filippo Brunelleschi's Cupola: egg-shaped dome constructed without scaffolding; climb up to view the frescoes up close and enjoy impressive views of the city

- Giotto's Bell Tower: most beautiful campanile in Italy; climb around 400 steps for breathtaking city views

- Baptristry: made of white Carrara and green Prato marble; marvel at the South Door, North Door and the East Door, which Michelangelo called the Gates of Paradise

Santa Maria del Fiore

Recommended length of stay: ~2 hours (depends on the queue)

Piazza Della Repubblica

This piazza is Florence's city centre since the Roman times. It is the original site of the Roman Forum. One of the largest squares of the city, it also served as an "old market," or known as Mercato Vecchio. Today, it usually is full of street artists, especially during warmer months. Length of stay: 30 minutes

Piazza Della Repubblica

Piazza Della Signoria

Palazzo Vecchio

The centre of politics, this is where the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's town hall, is located. Facing the P. Vecchio, on the right is an arcaded loggia, Loggia dei Lanzi, named after the German mercenaries who stood guard over the palace. Today it provides tired tourists a covered seating while marvelling at ancient Renaissance statues. Recommended length of stay: ~30 minutes

Loggia dei Lanzi

Gelato in Piazza Santa Croce

Gelato in Piazza Santa Croce

Piazza where the Basilica of Santa Croce is located, which is where Michelangelo is buried together with Rossini, Macchiavelli, and Galileo Galilei. Recommended length of stay: 30 minutes

Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

If you fancy a bit of a scenic walk with a reward after, from Ponte Alle Grazie, turn left, walk along the river bank and up through Piazza Poggi to Piazalle Michelangelo for majestic panoramic views of Florence.

Piazza Poggi

The square is especially more popular during sunrise and sunset as it offers stunning views of the city skyline. You can also ride either bus 12 or 13 to get here, but I highly recommend walking instead. Recommended length of stay: ~1 hour

Piazzale Michelangelo

Ponte Vecchio

Benvenuto Cellini

The most famous bridge in Florence, Ponte Vecchio or "Old Bridge" used to be the only bridge across the Arno until 1218. It was originally lined with shops by fishmongers, butchers, and tanners, which caused industrial waste, and consequently, a pretty rank stench on the area. That's why it was later decreed that only shops by goldsmiths and jewellers can be put up to improve the wellbeing of all.  One of the most famous goldsmiths, Benvenuto Cellini, is honoured with a bust in the middle of the bridge. The main purpose of the construction of the bridge was to connect the Uffizi to the Palazzo Pitti when the Medici family moved to the latter from Palazzo Vecchio. Recommended length of stay: ~30 minutes

Aperitivo at Signorvino

Signorvino

The best place for excellent aperitivo with a nice view of Ponte Vecchio is Signorvino. The place is dedicated to providing excellent tasting Italian wine combined with simply cooked but equally tasty and quality meals served in a chill and relaxing venue. The prices are relatively budget-friendly too. Recommended length of stay: ~1 hour

Opinion: buy a bottle of wine (very budget friendly but excellent quality!) and enjoy it while people-watching somewhere in the city (and maybe while chowing down food from Mercato Centrale too).

Dinner at Del Fagioli

Florentine Steak at Del Fagioli

For one of the best tasting Florentine steaks, head out to Del Fagioli at Corso dei Tintori. A traditional trattoria with an open-view kitchen offering a wide range of freshly cooked Tuscan meat dishes and grills. The place is usually packed with both locals and tourists alike because of the great food that they serve - definitely worth every euro. Recommended length of stay: ~1 hour

Duomo at night

Expenses:
- Lunch (2 pax): 19 euros -> 9.50 euros
- Gelato: 4 euros
- Aperitivo (2 pax): 25 euros -> 12.50 euros
- Dinner (2 pax): 80 euros -> 40 euros

Total: 66 euros