Firenze
・Artistic exterior of the Duomo
・The world’s oldest pharmacy
【City description】
Florence is the capital of Tuscany. It is said to be the center of the Renaissance, and is home to world-famous masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “David” and Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus.” The city’s name comes from Flora, the goddess of flowers, and in the Middle Ages it developed through wool textiles and finance, and there was a time when Florence’s currency became the basic currency of Europe. The cityscape is also very beautiful, and the city center is registered as a World Heritage Site, and is also known as a “Museum without ceilings.”
【Overall rating】
★★★★★
【Time required】
11h30
【Budget】
118 – 128 euros
【Fatigue】
★★★★★
【Map and access in Italy】
①Milan: Duomo and the Last Supper
②Venice: City of water with canals
③Florence: Renaissance city
④Pisa: Leaning Tower and Miracle Square
⑤Rome: Capital of Italy
⑥Vatican: Smallest country in the world
Florence can be reached by train in approximately 1.5 hours from Rome and 2 hours from Milan.
Check out Italy’s tourist information here!
【Contents】
★=Must-see spots
◎=Recommended spots
- Itinerary Map
- ①Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station
- ②Medici Chapels
- ③Basilica of San Lorenzo
- ④Laurentian Medici Library
- ⑤Gallery of the Academy of Florence★
- ⑥Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore★
- ⑦Giotto’s Bell Tower★
- ⑧Baptistery of St. John◎
- ⑨Palazzo Vecchio Museum★
- ⑩Uffizi Galleries★
- ⑪Ponte Vecchio★
- ⑫Pitti Palace◎
- ⑬Basilica of Santa Maria Novella◎
- ⑭Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella◎
- Other Cities Recommended in Italy
Itinerary Map
Navigation
【Start】①Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station
★Route time required：10 min
Go straight through the square in front of the station ⇒ Proceed down the street to the left of the church ⇒ Turn left at the first intersection ⇒ Enter through the brown door with “CAPPELLE MEDICEE” written on it on your right
★Route time required：a few minutes
Continue along the street and turn right at the corner ⇒ Enter the church on your right
④Laurentian Medici Library
★Route time required：10 min
Leave the cathedral and follow the road to the left of the square ⇒ turn left at the second intersection ⇒ you will see the museum on your right
★Route time required：10 min
Return the way you came ⇒ Continue straight ⇒ You will arrive at the cathedral
★Proceed to the tower next to the cathedral
⑦Giotto’s Bell Tower★Go to the small building in front of the cathedral
⑧Baptistery of St. John
★Route Time required: 5 minutes
From the chapel, return to the cathedral and turn right. The palace is on the left in the next square.
★Route Time required: a few minutes
Leave the palace and turn left ⇒ you will see the museum on your left
★Route Time required: 5 minutes
Continue along the road ⇒ When you reach the river, turn right ⇒ You will reach a bridge
★Route Time required: 5 minutes
Cross the bridge and go straight, you will see the fort on your left
★Route Time required: 20 minutes
Follow the road back ⇒ turn left just before the bridge ⇒ turn right at the first intersection ⇒ cross the bridge ⇒ turn left immediately and continue along the river ⇒ turn right at the next bridge and follow the no-entry road ⇒ you will arrive at the square in front of the church
★Route Time required: a few minutes
Turn right at Church Square ⇒ You will see a shop with beauty products displayed in the show window on your right
★Route Time required: a few minutes
Continue along the street ⇒ turn right at the first intersection ⇒ return to the station
Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station
・If you open the enlarge button on the top right corner on your smartphone, this model course will be displayed on Google Maps along with its location information.
・You can also quickly return to this map from the table of contents in the sidebar (if using a smartphone, select “Go to table of contents” from the menu at the bottom of the screen).
【Start】
①Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station
★Route time required：10 min
Go straight through the square in front of the station ⇒ Proceed down the street to the left of the church ⇒ Turn left at the first intersection ⇒ Enter through the brown door with “CAPPELLE MEDICEE” written on it on your right
②Medici Chapels
Cappelle Medicee
Time required: 40 min
Admission fee: 9 euros
Opening hour: 8h15 am – 6h50 pm
Closed: Tuesday, 1/6, 12/25
This chapel was built as an extension of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, but the entrance to visit is separate from the basilica. It was built under the orders of the Medici family, who were the de facto rulers of the Renaissance and later ruled the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
During the tour, you can see two buildings: the New Sacristy and the Chapel of the Princes, the latter of which was designed by Michelangelo. The Chapel of the Princes is enshrined as the resting place of the Tuscan monarchs, and its walls and floors are decorated with marble of various colors and types, creating a luxurious interior. The ceiling paintings in particular are worth seeing, depicting the New and Old Testaments.
The opening hours change depending on the day of the week, so you will need to visit later on the days when it is open in the afternoon.
★Route time required：a few minutes
Continue along the street and turn right at the corner ⇒ Enter the church on your right
③Basilica of San Lorenzo
Basilica di San Lorenzo
Time required: 20 min
Admission fee: 9 euros
Opening hour: 10 am – 5h30 pm
Closed: Sunday, 1/1, 1/6, 8/10
It is one of the oldest churches in Florence and has existed since the 4th century. It was used as a cathedral for 300 years, and the “New Sacristy” and “Prince’s Chapel” of the Medici Chapels were added through expansion funded by the Medici family.
Michelangelo was commissioned to design the facade in front of the entrance, but it remains unfinished to this day. The interior is completely different from the exterior, with decorations even on the floors and ceilings. Various paintings are displayed on the walls, and you can also enter the crypt and old sacristy.
④Laurentian Medici Library
Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana
Time required: 20 min
Admission fee: 3 euros
Opening hour: 9h30 am – 1h30 pm
Closed: weekend and national holiday
This library is adjacent to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, and can be entered from the left side of the entrance to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, or through the cloister after entering the Basilica of San Lorenzo. The Medici monarchs had Michelangelo build it as a place to store their ancient documents.
The area in front of the reading room, called the Hall of the Stairs, is a distinctive architectural feature. The stairs are designed to look like flowing lava, and the walls are made in a style called “Coupled columns,” with two columns lined up. It is said that Michelangelo was the first to use this style.
The reading room has chairs lined up like in a church, and a catalog is written on the side of the chairs. The stained glass depicts Tuscan monarchs, and you can also see some ancient documents.
★Route time required：10 min
Leave the cathedral and follow the road to the left of the square ⇒ turn left at the second intersection ⇒ you will see the museum on your right
⑤Gallery of the Academy of Florence★
Galleria dell’Accademia
Time required: 1h
Admission fee: 16 euros
Opening hour: 8h15 am – 6h50 pm
Closed: Monday, 1/1, 12/25
This museum was built in the 16th century and is famous for its statue of David by Michelangelo. When you enter the museum, you can see the statue of David at the end of a room lined with sculptures on both sides. It is 5.17 meters tall and shows the giant aiming to throw a rock in a battle. The museum is mainly composed of sculptures and religious paintings, and there is an exhibition of musical instruments at the end.
★Route time required：10 min
Return the way you came ⇒ Continue straight ⇒ You will arrive at the cathedral
⑥Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore★
Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
Time required: 40 min
Admission fee: 0 euro
Opening hour: 10h15 am – 3h45 pm
Closed: Sunday
This cathedral has a domed roof that symbolizes Florence. The dome is in the late Renaissance style and is the largest masonry dome in the world. The exterior of the cathedral, which was completed in the 15th century after more than 140 years, is in the neo-Gothic style with green and pink colors on a white marble base. The interior is more subdued than the exterior, but the fresco “The Last Judgment” inside the dome is a must-see.
The cathedral itself can be visited for free, but you can pay to visit the observation deck called the cupola at the top of the dome, the terrace on the middle floor, and Santa Reparata, the predecessor of the cathedral inside the cathedral. However, both require you to climb stairs, and the next stop, Giotto’s bell tower, also requires you to climb stairs, so it is recommended that you decide based on your physical strength. The entrance to the cupola and terrace is located to the right after leaving the cathedral and walking along the wall of the cathedral. Currently, you need to purchase a joint ticket to visit the cupola and Giotto’s bell tower. There are three types of joint tickets, all of which are valid for three days.
①BRUNELLESCHI PASS
All-inclusive set
Admission fee: 30 euros
Contents: Cupola + Giotto’s Bell Tower + Baptistery of St. John + Museum + Santa Reparata
②GIOTTO PASS
Set from ① without the cupola
Admission fee: 20 euros
Contents: Giotto’s Bell Tower + Baptistery of St. John + Museum + Santa Reparata
③GHIBERTI PASS
Set from ① without the cupola and Giotto’s Bell Tower
Admission fee: 15 euros
Contents: Baptistery of St. John + Museum + Santa Reparata
For more information, please see here.
【Ticket reservation site】
https://operaduomofirenze.skiperformance.com/en/store#/en/buy
Please note that the terrace is not included in these combined tickets and you will need to inquire by email.
【Terrace】
Time required: 40 min
Admission fee: 25 euros
Opening hours: 10h15 am – 6h15 pm
*Please check the following contact information as the opening hours vary depending on the day
【Contact information】
commerciale@duomo.firenze.it
booking@duomo.firenze.it
★Proceed to the tower next to the cathedral
⑦Giotto’s Bell Tower★
Campanile di Giotto
Time required: 40 min
Admission fee: 20 – 30 euros
Opening hour: 8h15 am – 6h45 pm
Closed: No
This is the cathedral’s bell tower, built in the 14th century, and is 84 meters tall. Like the cathedral, it has a Gothic-style exterior, and Giotto is the name of the architect who built the bell tower. Giotto was only able to complete the first floor during his lifetime, and his successor completed the rest above. You can reach the top by climbing 414 steps and enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Florence. You can also get a good view of the dome of the cathedral next door. There are places to rest along the way, so it’s recommended to go at your own pace. You will need to purchase the combined ticket BRUNELLESCHI PASS or GIOTTO PASS introduced earlier.
★Go to the small building in front of the cathedral
⑧Baptistery of St. John◎
Battistero di San Giovanni
Time required: 15 min
Admission fee: 15 – 30 euros
Opening hour: 8h30 am – 7h30 pm
Closed: No
This is a baptismal place belonging to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, where Dante, author of the Divine Comedy, was also baptized. In fact, it is older than the Cathedral and the Giotto Bell Tower, having been completed in the 11th century. Like the other two, it is built in the Romanesque style. Inside, you can see a flask painting of “The Last Judgment” painted in the 13th century. You will need one of the joint tickets mentioned above to visit.
★Route Time required: 5 minutes
From the chapel, return to the cathedral and turn right. The palace is on the left in the next square.
⑨Palazzo Vecchio Museum★
Palazzo Vecchio
Time required: 40 min
Admission fee: 12.50 euros
Opening hour: 9 am – 7 pm
(until 2 pm on Thursday)
Closed: No
This palace was built in the 14th century. It was originally built as the government building of the Republic of Florence, but is now used as a city hall and museum. There is a replica of the statue of David at the entrance, but the real David in the Accademia Gallery was moved from here.
The museum is on the second and third floors, but please note that the ticket office is on the first floor. The main attraction is the “Hall of 500”, which was built to accommodate 500 people as its name suggests. It is said that the painting on the wall of this hall contains a phantom work by Leonardo da Vinci. The other rooms are also covered with paintings not only on the walls but also on the ceilings, making it a luxurious structure worthy of being called a palace.
You can also climb the Torre di Arnolfo for an additional 12.50 euros, but you will need to climb the stairs here as well, so if you have already climbed the cathedral or Giotto’s bell tower, there is no need to bother climbing it.
★Route Time required: a few minutes
Leave the palace and turn left ⇒ you will see the museum on your left
⑩Uffizi Galleries★
Galleria degli Uffizi
Time required: 2h
Admission fee: 25 euros
Opening hour: 8h15 am – 6h30 pm
Closed: Monday, 12/25
This is the most popular art museum in Florence. The museum was originally a government building built in the 16th century, and Vizzi means “office.” Perhaps for that reason, many of the exhibits are viewed by entering and exiting the rooms from the corridors.
The highlight is Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus.”
There are also many other world-famous works, such as Botticelli’s “Primavera,” Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Annunciation,” “The Adoration of the Magi,” and works by Michelangelo and Raphael.
The museum limits the number of people allowed in at one time, so if you don’t buy your tickets online in advance, you may end up waiting for hours.
【Ticket purchase site】
https://www.uffizi.it/en/tickets
★Route Time required: 5 minutes
Continue along the road ⇒ When you reach the river, turn right ⇒ You will reach a bridge
⑪Ponte Vecchio★
Ponte Vecchio
Time required: 15 min
Admission fee: 0 euro
This is a bridge with a building over the Arno River. Vecchio means “old” and was built in the 13th century as the oldest bridge in Florence. The building on the bridge was a jewelry store, and it is said that this was the only bridge left standing when it was attacked during the World War.
★Route Time required: 5 minutes
Cross the bridge and go straight, you will see the fort on your left
⑫Pitti Palace◎
Palazzo Pitti
Time required: 2h
Admission fee: 16 euros
Opening hour: 8h15 am – 6h30 pm
Closed: Monday, 1/1, 12/25
This art museum is located inside the Pitti Palace, which also houses the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Costume Museum, and the ticket is a joint ticket for all of them. The palace originally belonged to the Pitti merchants, but was acquired by the Medici family and took on its current form. As a result, even though it is a museum, the interior is luxurious and enjoyable.
Most of the exhibits are paintings, and Raphael’s works are particularly famous. There are also works by Rubens and Botticelli. The museum is on the second floor, through the courtyard, so be careful not to get lost.
★Route Time required: 20 minutes
Follow the road back ⇒ turn left just before the bridge ⇒ turn right at the first intersection ⇒ cross the bridge ⇒ turn left immediately and continue along the river ⇒ turn right at the next bridge and follow the no-entry road ⇒ you will arrive at the square in front of the church
⑬Basilica of Santa Maria Novella◎
Basilique Santa Maria Novella
Time required: 20 min
Admission fee: 7.50 euros
Opening hour: 9 am – 5h30 pm
(from 11 am on Friday, from 1 pm on Sunday)
Closed: No
This is the church with the spire that you can see in the square in front of the station. It has the same exterior as the cathedral and Giotto’s bell tower, and the interior also incorporates Gothic style, but it was actually the first Gothic church built in Florence.
Inside, a huge 45m wooden cross hangs from the ceiling, and you can see many images of Christ crucified just like this cross throughout the church. There are huge fresco paintings on the walls, and the fresco paintings in the small chapel accessed from the cloister are particularly impressive.
★Route Time required: a few minutes
Turn right at Church Square ⇒ You will see a shop with beauty products displayed in the show window on your right
⑭Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella◎
Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Time required: 20 min
Opening hour: 9h30 am – 8 pm
Closed: No
This is the world’s oldest surviving pharmacy. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when a Dominican monastery mixed herbs and sold them as medicines. In the 17th century, it began selling to the general public as a pharmacy, and became a purveyor to the Medici royal family.
Although it is called a pharmacy, it currently mainly sells perfumes and other beauty products. The high quality of its products is highly regarded around the world, and the interior of the pharmacy itself is decorated in a way that makes it hard to believe it is a pharmacy, as it is the oldest in the world, so we recommend stopping by after picking up some souvenirs.
★Route Time required: a few minutes
Continue along the street ⇒ turn right at the first intersection ⇒ return to the station
【Goal】
Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station
Other Cities Recommended in Italy
Information about Your Best Trip
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