Florence city breaks Short stays and long weekend breaks in Florence
Florence, on the banks of the River Arno that flows under the famous Ponte Vecchi, is literally one giant art gallery! With famous painters such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante all hosting works of art here, Florence is a treasure chest with so many gallaeries to visit.
Everywhere you go in Florence, there is a stark reminder of the power of the Medici family which ruled the city for several centuries - with their lavish palaces, they commisioned many of the works of art you can see today in galleries. Apart from sight seeing, Florence has a very lively nightlife with many cafes, bars and restaurants hugging the sides of the piazzs, often to the sound of live music.
| Top attractions | |
|---|---|
| Il Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore | |
| Galleria degli Uffizi | |
| Piazza della Signoria | |
| The Palazzo Vechio museum and tower | |
| The Ponte Vecchio, built in 1345 | |
| Pitti Palace and beautiful Boboli gardens | |
| Galleria dell' Academia |
Featured villas in Florence
There are plenty of options when choosing your self-carering accommodation in Florence from excellent villas on the ouskirts, often with private swimming pools, or apartments in the city centre. Getting around Florence is similar to Rome - best done on foot. Most of the historical centre is pedestrianised and it's good fun wandering around the old streets finding your way.
See all holiday rentals in Florence
Things to see & do in Florence
Florence is a city that is packed with things to see and do for all ages and it will certainly take more than one visit to everything this magnificent city has to offer.
| A few suggestions | |
|---|---|
| Climb the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo for panoramic views | |
| Wander around the Mercato Centrale for food shopping - especially truffles | |
| Explore Piazza San Lorenzo, the famous leather market | |
| Day trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Twin centre holidays
If you are taking a city break in Florence, which can be exhausting with all the sight seeing, a train up to Milan and then onto the Italian lake district may be the tonic. The Italian Lake District is like no other. It's extremely relaxing within some of the most spectacular scenery you'll ever see.
The most popular lakes that tourists visit from Florence are.....
| Resort | Distance (km) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Como | 141 | 2 hours 15 mins |
| Lake Garda | 72 | 1 hour 40 mins |
| Lake Maggiore | 97 | 1 hour 15 mins |
| Lake Orta | 240 | 2 hour 50 mins |
| Lake Lugano | 213 | 2 hour 40 mins |
Our view on city breaks in Florence
One of the most cultural and artistic cities in the world, Florence takes some beating with almost too much to see and do in a short stay or long weekend break. A great city to visit any time of year and staying in a self catering villa or apartment let's you experience and explore Florence at your own pace.
