If you’re the sort of traveller who prefers cathedrals to beaches and art museums to amusement parks, Florence may be the destination you’ve been looking for your whole life. Positively overflowing with priceless works of art, architectural triumphs, and fascinating history, Florence is magnet for culture connoisseurs.
Though many people visit Florence by land or air, fewer people realise the advantages of visiting this part of the world by sea. Mediterranean cruises, always popular with those looking to get some sea and sun, are an excellent way to see some of Europe’s finest cultural treasures. With stopovers in top cities like Florence, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy – but chances are you’ll have less than a day to see the sights! When you pull into port in Italy, make sure you’ve got a plan for the day. Our useful itinerary will help you hit all the high points in this Italian gem.
Galleria dell’Accademia
For art lovers, Florence is an all-you-can-eat buffet of Renaissance architecture, sculpture, and painting. It would take years to see it all, but you can make a good start at the Galleria dell’Accademia – often called simply ‘the Accademia’ – best known as the home of Michelangelo’s David. You’ll find David in the place of honour under a domed skylight in the Tribune, where he has stood since the 1880s. This towering 17-foot marble nude statue is one of the art world’s most iconic masterpieces, on par with Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Monet’s Water Lilies. David holds a special place in Florentine hearts: the statue and the biblical hero it represents came to symbolise Florence’s brave defence against the surrounding, much more powerful city-states that threatened its existence during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Of course, there’s much more to see here besides David. The Accademia has an extensive collection of Florentine paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, including works by such artistic luminaries as Paolo Uccello, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Andrea del Sarto, and Giambologna.
Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50121 Firenze, Italy
Tel: +39 055 238 8609
Hours: Tues-Sun 8:15am-6:50pm
Prices: From €8.00. Free on the first Sunday of every month.
The Duomo
Once you’re finished at the Accademia, turn your feet south along Via Ricasoli. It won’t be long before you see an enormous red brick dome towering over you – you’ve reached the famous Duomo.
Formally known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore, this Gothic-Renaissance edifice is commonly referred to by its distinguishing feature – the dome, or duomo. The church took 200 years to build, with the enormous masonry dome proving especially tricky. But thanks to the brilliant engineering of Filippo Brunelleschi, this striking octagonal feature, crowned with a lantern and bronze orb, is the defining feature of the Florence skyline.
Begin at the western end of the cathedral, making sure to take the time to admire the intricate white, green, and red marble façade as well as the three sets of enormous bronze doors. The interior of the cathedral is quite plain in contrast to the elaborate façade, with the exception of the mosaic floor pavements, the 44 stained glass windows, and the colossal 3,600 square-metre fresco of the Last Judgment painted on the ceiling of the dome.
If you’re feeling up for a hike, you can climb to the top of the dome, getting acquainted with the interior fresco along the way! The climb is 463 steps with no elevator, so you’ll certainly be ready for lunch at the end of it. You can also climb the adjacent campanile (bell tower) for similarly stunning views over the city.
Piazza del Duomo, Firenze, Italy
Tel: +39 055 2302885
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00am-4:30pm, Sun 1:30pm-4:45.
Prices: Free admission.
Lunch at Mangia Pizza Firenze & Gelato at Perché No
By now you’ve thoroughly earned a bite to eat. After you leave the cathedral, walk for about five minutes along Via dei Calzaiuoli, pausing at the Piazza della Signoria to toss a coin into the Neptune Fountain (you can’t miss the towering marble sea god presiding over the scene). Then continue along Chiaso dei Baroncelli, and turn right on Via Lambertesca to get to Mangia Pizza, a cosy little spot serving up piping hot pizzas from its wood-fired oven. Topped with thin slices of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, torn basil leaves, or really anything else you can think of, this lunch is Tuscan simplicity at its very best.
Mangia Pizza Firenze
Via Lambertesca 24/26, 50122, Florence, Italy
Tel: +39 055 287595
Hours: Open daily 10:00-7:00pm
Still feeling peckish? You probably passed Peché No gelateria on your way to Mangia Pizza. Eating gelato is practically a rite of passage for travellers in Italy, so choose from a dizzying array of flavours – chocolate, hazelnut, raspberry, lemon, pistachio, coffee – and dig in.
Perché No
Via Tavolini 19r, 50122, Florence, Italy
Tel: 055-239 8969
Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri Noon-11:00pm. Tues Noon-8:00pm. Sat 11:00am-midnight.
Uffizi Gallery
Now that you’re fed and watered, you’re ready for another round of masterpieces. Just around the corner (two minutes’ walk) is the Uffizi Gallery, right on the banks of the Arno River.
One of the most famous art galleries in the world, the Uffizi overflows with Renaissance treasures, most of them left to the State by the fabulously wealthy Medici family. Inside you’ll find Botticelli’s magnificent Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annuciation, Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch, Titian’s sensuous Venus of Urbino, Caravaggio’s Medusa, self portraits by Veláquez and Rembrandt, and so much more. If there are particular pieces you’d like to see, be sure to look them up ahead of time – if you come here without a plan, you might never leave! Another good tip: buy tickets beforehand and skip the hours-long queue.
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Tel: +39 055 238 8651
Hours: Tues-Sun 8:15am-6:50pm
Prices: From €8.00. Free on the first Sunday of every month.
Ponte Vecchio
After leaving the Uffizi Gallery, walk along the Arno to the Ponte Vecchio nearby. One of the most iconic bridges in the world, the Ponte Vecchio (literally ‘old bridge’) has spanned this point of the river for one thousand years. Destroyed or damaged by floods in 1117, 1333, and 1966, the bridge has been continually restored throughout the centuries.
The Ponte Vecchio has been lined with shops since at least the 13th century. Originally home to butchers, fishmongers, and tanners, the Ponte Vecchio today is lined with jewellers, goldsmiths, art dealers, and souvenir sellers. Above the shops, the 16th-century Vasari corridor connects Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the river. This exclusive passageway was used by the Medici family to get around Florence without coming into contact with the common people of the city.
Dinner at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
By now the day is waning, and you’re probably beginning to think about dinner. After you’ve crossed the Ponte Vecchio, and continue down Via de’ Guicciardini for about 300 metres, you’ll see Palazzo Pitti before you – a colossal palace used by the Medici family during the Renaissance. Across the street from the palace you’ll find Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, a lovely wine bar with excellent modern Italian cuisine. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can guide you through the extensive wine selection and recommend accompanying dishes. Even if you’re not a wine enthusiast, you’ll find something you love at Enoteca Pitti Gola.
Piazza Pitti 16, 50125, Florence, Italy
Tel: +39 055 212704
Hours: Open daily excluding Tues and Sun, 1:00pm-11:00pm
How to Get There
Florence’s nearest cruise port is in Livorno, a coastal town 90 minutes’ drive to the west. Even smaller cruise ships can’t sail up the Arno river to dock in Florence proper, so you’ll have to make arrangements to get into the city and back again when you’re finished sightseeing. Look into Florence cruise port transfers with Shuttle Direct – easy to book and unbeatable on comfort and convenience, our transfers are the simplest way to make sure you get the most out of every minute in Florence.
One last tip: ask your driver to swing by the Piazzale Michelangelo on the way out of Florence. This hilltop square has panoramic views of the entire city – the perfect way to say goodbye to this dazzling, incomparable place.
About Shuttle Direct:
Shuttle Direct is the top provider of private and shared transfers throughout Europe and North Africa. Whether you need to get to the airport, to your hotel, or to Piazzale Michelangelo, Shuttle Direct can take you where you need to go with style, comfort, and efficiency.
