Florence honeymoon guide
Home to many of world's most famous paintings and statues, the medieval city of Florence (or Firenze), is celebrated as the most beautiful city in Italy, and is a must-visit destination for romantics.
Consider the romantic ambience of marbled domes and sacred art of Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance – for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
What to do and see in Florence
Stroll hand-in-hand beneath tiny balconies poking out above narrow cobbled streets into picturesque squares, admire the treasure-crammed glory of Florentine churches and explore beautiful palaces and gardens.
Smooch beside the Neptune Fountain in the romantic sculpture gardens at the Palazzo Vecchio, wander down the Vittolone, an avenue of cypress trees in the sprawling, statue-filled Boboli Gardens near Palazzo Pitti.
Discover the world renowned Uffizi Gallery and Renaissance masterpieces in all their original glory: Michelangelo's statues of Bacchus and David, Botticelli's ‘The Birth of Venus’ and Titian's ‘The Venus of Urbino,’ to name only a few.
Savour a rich, creamy gelato at Bar Vivoli Gelateria or sip a cappuccino on Piazza della Signoria and do a spot of people watching.
Haggle for leather goods at the Mercato di San Lorenzo, browse the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge and take a day trip into the timeless beauty of Tuscany’s rolling countryside to explore renellated palazzos and ancient piazzas.
Major Attractions in Florence
In Florence, you’ll find a perfect backdrop for romance just about everywhere you go, including the following…
Porta del Paradiso
(Gates of Paradise) – The stunning east doors of the Romanesque Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, took 28 years to complete. When finished, Michelangelo declared them “so beautiful they would grace the entrance to Paradise”, which is how they remain known to this day.
Michelangelo's David
Head to the The Accademia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts) to admire the perfect Renaissance nude, a masterpiece of sculpture and a symbol of Italy itself.
Gallerie degli Uffizi
Explore one of the world's great museums and home to the world's single greatest collection of Italian and Florentine art. Discover works by Giotto, Masaccio, Paolo Uccello, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, Caravaggio and more.
Don't miss Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus: the goddess of love is a beauty drawn in the flowing lines and limpid grace of one of the most elegant masters of the early Renaissance.
Piazza del Duomo
Stroll around the holy centre of Florence, mix with the talkative Italian crowd and admire the striking bronze baptistery doors and the glittering pink, white and green marble façade of the cathedral.
Ponte Vecchio
(Old Bridge) – Steal a kiss on the oldest and most famous bridge across the Arno, built in 1345. Browse through jewellery shops that have lined the bridge since at least the 12th century.
Piazza della Signoria
Wander around Tuscany's most famous square and the monumental heart of Florence, an open-air museum of sculpture, dominated by a copy of Michelangelo's David (the original once stood here).
Don’t miss the 14th century Loggia della Signoria, complete with ancient and Renaissance statues (the most celebrated being Bevenuto Cellini's Perseus holding the severed head of Medusa).
The Hills of Florence
Enjoy a romantic walk from Florence up to the Fiesole hills and also discover the hills of San Miniato and Bellosguardo, which rise south of the Arno.
Tuscany
Explore tiny medieval hill towns overlooking rolling landscapes of olive groves and rows of slender cypress trees. Don’t miss the renellated palazzos and soaring towers that circle San Gimignano’s piazzas.
Fine dining
Soak up the city's amorous atmosphere over hearty Florentine fare at a local-style trattoria. Try tagliatelle with wild mushrooms and beef cooked in Chianti wine at I' Cche' c'è c'è (near Piazza Della Signoria).
Head to Il Latini (Piazza Santa Trínita), where scores of prosciutto ham hocks hang from the ceiling, for platters of grilled meats and bowls of steaming ribollita (vegetable soup). At La Giostra (near Santa Croce) try the tortelloni alla Mugellana (handmade potato-stuffed pasta in ragù) or gnocchetti alla Lord Reinolds (potato dumplings in a sauce of stilton and Port).
Shopping tips
For designer fashion head to the modern minimalist boutiques and former palaces along the elegant Via de' Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova and surrounding streets. Here you'll find Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo and Mila Schön. Enjoy haggling at the colourful and noisy San Lorenzo street market or look out for antiques along Via Maggio.
For a range of shops less glitzy than those on the Via de' Tornabuoni, browse from Via Cerretani along Via Roma through the Piazza della Repubblica area, across the Ponte Vecchio with its gold jewellery and up Via Guicciardini on the other side.
Best buys in Florence
Haute couture fashions, handmade shoes, bags, leather goods, jewellery, antiques and perfume.
Where to stay
Florence offers newlyweds an excellent choice of accommodation options for every taste and budget, including the following 5-star hotels…
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Location: Borgo Pinti 99, San Marco - Santissima Annunziata, Florence
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD3,511 per suite
Description: Offering a 2-floor spa and Michelin-star restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is next to the botanical gardens of Giardino della Gherardesca. It offers a wide range of luxury rooms and suites. Spacious and bright, the rooms successfully combine Renaissance décor with a wide range of modern facilities. You will have an LCD TV, DVD player, bathrobes and slippers. The Four Seasons is composed of 2 buildings, the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the ex 16th-century convent, La Villa. There are 4.5 hectares of beautiful gardens in between them. The spa features 9 beauty treatment rooms, a Turkish bath and gym. It opens out onto the upper terrace with pool and hot tub. The hotel's main restaurant, Il Palagio, uses local produce to create the finest Tuscan dishes. With such a central location, you are 15 minutes' walk from Florence Cathedral and the art galleries, the Uffizi and Accademia.
J.K. Place Firenze
Location: Piazza Santa Maria Novella 7, Santa Maria Novella, Florence
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1,790 per room
Description: Just a 7-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella Basilica, J.K. Place enjoys superb panoramic views from its rooftop terrace. It has a sit-down restaurant, free Wi-Fi and luxurious rooms with design features. Rooms at the 5-star J.K. Place are stylish and elegant, and decorated with unique features. Each comes equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV and a DVD player. Some rooms overlook the hotel's gallery or the terrace. A large breakfast is served in the glass-domed courtyard. J.K. Lounge is open until 10:30 pm daily and is ideal for lunch, afternoon tea or an aperitif. A rich menu of Tuscan and Italian cuisine is served for dinner. Santa Maria Novella Train Station is a 5-minute walk from the property. A guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery is available, as well as chauffeurs for wine tours of the Chianti region.
Portrait Firenze
Location: Lungarno Acciaiuoli, 4, Uffizi, Florence
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1,452 per suite
Description: Featuring panoramic views of Florence and the Arno River, Portrait Firenze offers luxurious rooms with handcrafted furniture. This hotel is 30 m from the famous bridge Ponte Vecchio. The suites come with full entertainment systems including an iPad, iPod docking station, and flat-screen TV. Bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries are provided in the Carrara marble bathroom. Guests can enjoy free access to the nearby White Iris Beauty Spa of the sister hotel Continentale, beauty treatments by Comfort Zone at the spa are available at extra costs. Your room has a minibar, but you can also enjoy a cocktail downstairs in the club lounge. The kitchenette is fully equipped and includes a dishwasher and coffee machine. Piazza della Signoria is a 5-minute walk from the property, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is 600 m away. The property is a non-smoking property.
The St. Regis Florence
Location: Piazza Ognissanti 1, Santa Maria Novella, Florence
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD926 per room
Description: Right on the Arno River with stunning views of the Ponte Vecchio, The St. Regis Florence is in a historic building designed by Brunelleschi. Featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, this 5-star hotel features a spa and gym, and luxury rooms with antique furnishings. Each room at the St. Regis features Florentine-style furniture and marble bathrooms. Facilities include a multimedia system with movies, sports and entertainment, a digital jukebox, and free high-speed internet access. The hotel's award-winning Winter Garden by Caino serves modern dishes based on Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine. It received a Michelin star in 2014. At the bar, guests can enjoy the famous champagne ritual, care of chef Michele Giglio. Santa Maria Novella Train Station is just over a quarter mile away, and the cathedral is just over half a kilometer from the property.
Hotel Bernini Palace
Location: Piazza San Firenze 29, Uffizi, Florence
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD585 per room
Description: In a 15th-century building, Hotel Bernini Palace is a 5-minute walk from Florence Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio. It features antique furniture and Murano-glass chandeliers. Some rooms are decorated in a classic style. Others feature Renaissance Florence décor with period tapestry and canopy beds. They all come equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a minibar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Guests can enjoy the panoramic views from the terrace, furnished with tables and chairs. The stylish La Chiostrina Restaurant serves national and international dishes. The lounge bar makes excellent cocktails and a buffet breakfast is provided daily. The lobby at Bernini Palace Hotel is decorated with a mix of Italian and Moroccan styles.
Best time to visit Florence
Anytime, but probably best in spring and early summer (May and June) and autumn (September and October), as July and August are hot and humid.
Spring and autumn average 15°C (59°F), while summer averages 27°C (80°F) with a high of 31°C (87°F) and winter (December to February) averages 8°C (46°F).
Find out about Florence Weather Guide…
Getting to Florence
Florence lies on the River Arno and is the capital of Tuscany, a region in northern Italy that lies between the central Apennines and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The most convenient route to Florence is by air to Peretola Airport (FLR), officially known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, located 5km (3mi) northwest of Florence city centre.
Find out how to get to Florence…
Latest update: Florence: 22 November, 2023
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