Visitors to Tuscany come for many reasons. Many come in search of fine art, others to explore the extraordinary countryside. Walkers enjoy the mountain paths, cyclists the rolling hills, summer vacationers the sea coast and islands.
There is a lot to see and do in Tuscany, the difficulty is really where to start. Certainly most should start with Florence, then continue on to Siena or Pisa.
Here I share the TOP things to do & see in Florence and Pisa.
FLORENCE
With its varied selection of museums, galleries, boutiques and storied sites, everyone’s favorite city has something for everyone.
From contemporary art buffs and super foodies to sports fans and serious shoppers. To experience the city to its fullest, you only need to step out into the street.
How to get there
Florence is well-connected with the rest of Italy and with Europe, and is easy to get to by air or land.
The Florence Airport is connected to some of Europe’s major airports such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Bucharest, Frankfurt, Geneva, London Gatwick, Madrid, Munich, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Vienna.
Florence is also a key node on the Italian railway network. It has good connections with the main cities in the north, while to the south Rome is only about an hour and a half away.
Where to stay
As far as where to stay, you essentially have 3 choices: the historical center, outside of the center but still within the city and outside of Florence, in the surrounding countryside.
From the UNESCO acclaimed complex of the cathedral, baptistery, and Giotto’s Campanile to the museums and gardens of the Pitti Palace, on the opposite side of the Arno River.
Florence’s main attractions lie within easy walking distance. There are plenty of places to stay in the centro storico (historic center) and I highly recommend to stay in this area.
Getting around
You can save both time and energy with a Florence City Hop-on Hop-off Tour that stops at 18 of the top attractions in the city, including the must-see view from high above the city at Piazzale Michelangelo.
These are the very best things to do & see in Florence:
1. Florence Cathedral.
Possibly the most celebrated cathedral in the world, the Duomo as it is simply known in Florence is the jewel of the city.
Located in the centre of the old city, the Duomo stands out for miles and creates an imposing sight amongst the other medieval buildings. The exterior and front facade of the Cathedral are monumental – covered in white marble and red, pink and green polychrome designs. The colour and style is breathtaking.
2. Giotto’s Campanile.
Many people believe that Giotto’s Campanile is connected to the Duomo, however it is a separate building in its own right.
The Bell Tower is emblematic of the city of Florence. The free-standing tower is considered the most eloquent example of 14th-century Gothic architecture in the city. The views from the top are truly breathtaking! After 414 steps you will be sweating and breathing deeply, but you’ll have deemed the journey worth it.
3. Palazzo Vecchio.
Whilst the Duomo is the most important religious building, the Palazzo Vecchio is the most important administrative building in Florence.
Originally built in 1299, the Palazzo was designed by the same architects that worked on the Duomo and the church of Santa Croce.
With a square design and a number of crenulations, the building almost looks like a castle, it also has a large bell tower.
4. Ponte Vecchio.
Ponte Vecchio is one of Florence’s landmarks and certainly the most photographed bridge in the city.
The most famous bridge of them all was built at the narrowest point of the Arno and is the only remaining one with houses and shops on it.
5. Piazzale Michelangelo.
With its magnificent panoramic view of the city, is located in the Oltrarno district and probably is the most famous square in Florence.
The view from this observation point is justly famous and has been reproduced on countless postcards and snapshots over the years.
6. Oltrarno area.
The district on the other side of the river from Piazza Della Signoria, is one of the more “intimate” areas of Florence, and in many ways feels like a small town.
In this area you will find a lot of history and art heritage: monuments, museums, churches, palaces, parks: Pitti Palace, Santo Spirito Square, Boboli Gardens, but also handcraft shops, artisan workshops, mosaic-makers, wood carvers, gilders and etc.
7. Uffizi Palace and Gallery.
Located just off of the Piazza della Signoria, it is a renowned art museum. Considered one of the most important Italian museums in the world.
Inside the museum there is an immense collection of Renaissance Art from artists such as Botticelli, Da Vinci, Titian and Raphael. For loves of art and history, the Uffizi Palace will provide hours of engagement.
8. Basilica di San Lorenzo.
Sitting in close proximity to the Duomo, the Basilica di San Lorenzo was constructed under the designs of the powerful Medici family that ruled Florence for many years during the Renaissance.
Inside the church is a plethora of beautiful artwork and decoration including a gold and white gilded ceiling and a superbly decorated dome interior.
9. Piazza della Signoria.
This beautiful piazza is just in front of the Palazzo Vecchio and it hosts many astonishing statues, such as a David replica and the Fountain of Neptune.
The Loggia dei Lanzi (an amazing outdoor sculpture gallery) cherishes the statue of Perseus with the head of Medusa by “Benvenuto Cellini”, the Rape of the Sabine women by Giambologna and many others.
10. Santa Croce.
Behind the geometric marble inlay of its typical Tuscan façade, Santa Croce is both art-filled church and mausoleum for some of Florence’s greatest names.
Among its treasures are several landmarks of Renaissance art.
Must-See Places to Visit near Florence
In the heart of Tuscany, Florence is surrounded by some of the best places to visit in Italy. Some of these, such as Prato and Pistoia, are easy day trips from Florence and not far beyond them is the beautiful town of Lucca or Fiesole.
The beautiful medieval city of Siena lies south of Florence, and on the way here, you can detour to the hill towns of San Gimignano and Volterra.
There are many day tours you can go on from Florence to these cities. North of Florence, Italy’s food capital of Bolonga is just over half an hour by train.
PISA
Located on the western coast of Italy, Pisa is only 20 minutes from the Ligurian Sea and has great transport links to Florence, Livorno and La Spezia.
With a population of just 91,000 it is one of the smaller cities in the Tuscany region, but has historically been one of the most important and influential.
It’s most well-known around the world as the home of the famous Leaning Tower.
How to get there
Getting to Pisa is possible by air, by road and railroad alike. Pisa is the arrival point for many travelers, as it has Tuscany’s largest airport.
Most visitors come to Pisa from Florence, less than an hour away by direct train. The Leaning Tower and surrounding attractions are about a 30-minute walk from the train station.
The Galileo Galilei International Airport of Pisa is the one to service the tourist platform of the city. Given that the airport is located only 1 kilometer southwards from the center of the city, it stands out as one of the main entrance gate in Pisa in particular and in Tuscany in general.
These are the very best things to do & see in Pisa:
1.The Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Every visitor to Pisa probably heads first to what is undoubtedly, the world’s most famous tower – La Torre Pendente. The leaning campanile standing next to the cathedral.
The foundation stone was laid in 1173, when Pisa was Italy’s most powerful maritime republic and its loggia-like tiers were modeled after the cathedral facade.
2. Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
The definitive example of the Pisan architectural style, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a five-aisled Romanesque basilica of white marble designed by Pisan architect Buscheto.
Don’t miss the bronze doors of the Porta di San Ranieri, with scenes from the lives of the Virgin and of Christ.
3. Baptistery.
West of the cathedral, the free-standing baptistery was begun in 1153, carries out the design of the cathedral by using the same building material, patterning with different colors of stone, and by the blind arcading and dwarf galleries.
The baptistery is also notable for its superb acoustics, which the guides usually make a point of demonstrating.
4. Campo Santo.
Located to the side of the Cathedral, this complex is made from the same stone as the other buildings and features a beautiful and peaceful interior courtyard.
Possibly the most well-known part of this complex is the courtyard – the outside walls are lined with ornate arches to create a charming and photogenic scene.
5. Santa Maria della Spina.
This church is located on the left bank of the Arno and it is perhaps the best known of Pisa’s smaller churches and certainly one of its loveliest.
6. Palazzo dei Cavalieri.
Its facade is decorated with sgraffito ornament, coats of arms, and busts of six Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany. The grandeur is enhanced by the projecting roof and the handsome double staircase leading up to the entrance.
7. Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.
The Church of Santo Stéfano, like the palaces surrounding Piazza dei Cavalieri, was designed by Vasari. The two 17th-century side wings were originally changing-rooms for the knights of the Order of St. Stephen, who wore their ceremonial costume for services.
8. Take a walk along the River Arno.
The River Arno is one of the main rivers in Italy and Pisa was built around this waterway. The section of the Arno that runs through Pisa provides a truly beautiful landscape and is an amazing place to simply walk along.
The sunsets here is really beautiful!
9. Borgo Stretto.
If you are looking for a combination of fantastic architecture and high end retail shopping, the Borgo Stretto is the place to visit!
This delightful street is located in the heart of the city and starts at the Piazza Garibaldi next to the Ponte di Mezzo.
Have a nice trip to this beautiful region in Italy!
Your sincerely,
Anny