City Skyline: The Spectacular View of Florence From Torre de Arnolfo

This is the spectacular view of Florence from Torre de Arnolfo. As you know, Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance. The city, wherever you go, is full of incredible art from the middle ages. You’ll find works of Dante, Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, and other Italian masters in one city. Stunning frescoes? Check. Incredible sculptures? Check. Amazing architecture? Check. Great literature? Check. My dilemma was: Where do I start?

The narrow, cobblestone streets had me feeling that I was truly in ancient Italy. Once tagged as the “Athens of the Middle Ages” many of the things to do and see here are concentrated in the Historical Centre, a UNESCO-World Heritage Site. In the middle of it, you’ll find the stunning Florence Cathedral which the locals refer to as “Duomo.” From here, it’s an easy walk to the Academia where you’ll find Michelangelo’s original statue of “David.” You can also walk to Uffizi Gallery and marvel at its colossal statues outside its building. Nearby, Ponte Vecchio has been there for centuries and you might find something to splurge your money on.

Where to see the spectacular views of the Florence skyline. The best view of Florence would be on the top of Torre de Arnolfo. It’s got the best view of the city’s skyline. Most of the postcards you see and buy were taken from here.

A Day in Florence

Yes, it is possible if your purpose is just to see the usual tourist attractions in the Historical Center. You can do these sights: Academia, Duomo and Baptistry, Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio. I have to warn you though that the queue at the Academia is brutally long. So you better start there – be the first in the queue in the morning.

And oh, I find the gelato here in Florence better than the gelatos in any city I’ve been to in Italy. Don’t be shy to get a large scoop! 😀

City Skyline: The Spectacular View of Florence From Torre de Arnolfo

How to Save Money and Time in Florence

Every tourist attraction in Florence seems to have a long queue outside. My mistake was not listening to my friend who told me to buy a ticket in advance. I told myself that I’d wake up and go early. Unfortunately, no matter how early I was, there were always people who were earlier than me. So, I had to join the long queue against my will. Whether you are going to see the Statue of David or go inside Uffizi Gallery, it is wise to buy your tickets in advance. Joining a tour saves time and you learn more about the city. Click the links below to see what you can do in Florence.

Where to stay in Florence

If you’re looking for a hostel in Florence that’s near the Duomo, you’ll never go wrong with the Academy Hostel. It is a few minutes walk to the Santa Maria del Fiore, aka, the Duomo, the city’s most famous landmark The train station is less than 10 minutes’ walk from here. The hostel is loved by those who have stayed here. It’s a clean and fun hostel. There are other hostels you can choose from these websites: HostelWorld, and Booking.com.