The birthplace of the Renaissance

Surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills, the beautiful city of Florence is one of Europe’s most enchanting and historically influential cities. If anywhere in the world can claim to have shaped modern Western consciousness, it is Florence’s grand piazzas and palazzos.

Florentine art and architecture flourished throughout the Late Medieval period. One powerful banking family, the Medicis, rose out of this time to become de facto rulers of the city and were central to ushering in the Renaissance proper. Keen to display their wealth, they were patrons to scholars who scoured the libraries of Europe for Greek and Arabic works of natural science, philosophy and mathematics, and commissioned pieces by locals such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli.

Today, the marks of this great epoch cannot be missed in Florence. The world’s greatest Renaissance artworks and sculpture can be found at every turn in the historical centre, an area that can be traversed on foot in under an hour but would take infinitely longer to properly explore.

Centred around the Piazza della Signoria are the crenellated walls of the Palazzo Vecchio, the arches of Loggia dei Lanzi, under which one can find restored Roman sculptures and Cellini’s bronze Perseus, and the vast Palazzo degli Uffizi, home to the Medici’s collections.

Nearby is the Piazza del Duomo, flanked by the famous cathedral, Giotto’s towering Campanile, and the octagonal Florence Baptistery. The Bargello National Museum safeguards Italy‘s most comprehensive collection of Tuscan Renaissance sculpture, and to the north, the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze houses Michelangelo’s David. Cross the Ponte Vecchio to the quieter south bank of the Arno River to reach the Medici family palace and stroll through the sprawling Boboli Gardens. Pisa is also an easy day trip from the city, while the vineyards and villas surrounding are a destination in themselves.

Combined with a constant thrum of tourists, Florence can be overwhelming. Let our experts craft your time in this incredible city, with privately guided tours sculpted around your interests and passions, off the beaten track excursions and hand-picked hotels. We can also get you into our favourite restaurants, whether fine dining affairs with sweeping views or a hidden local gem tucked away from the crowds.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our destination specialists

See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia

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Delve into the romance of the Renaissance as you visit the Duomo and Giotto’s Campanile along with the Academia Gallery, home of Michelangelo’s incredible David.

Take a cooking class with a Florentine chef

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Discover the secrets of Italian cooking with a class led by an expert chef

Soak up Tuscany's rural views

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Explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside and its scattered Medieval towns.

Climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa

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Marvel at the leaning tower of Pisa and ascend to the top of this incredible structure.

A word from one of our experts

It’s one of the world’s most exciting cities for artistic and cultural richness and yet so unimposing. Florence is dotted with first-class restaurants, chilled out bars and a lot of fun for people of all ages. Make sure you head up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for the best view over the city!

Melania Siriu headshot
Melania Siriu

Senior Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Florence

There are many incredible places to stay in Florence. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Florence

Villa Cora
Overlooking the historic Boboli Gardens, near to Florence’s centre, Villa Cora is an exquisitely restored 19th century palace that offers a step back into the grandeur of neoclassical Florence, with eclectic and occasionally bizarre artistic styles of the period. Built at a time when Florence was the cosmopolitan capital of the newly created Kingdom of Italy, Villa Cora earned its reputation by hosting guests such as Princess Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and the Russian composer Tchaikovsky, being considered the most beautiful residence of the Tuscan capital. It became a grand hotel in 1960, during another of Florence’s most stylish periods. The hotel has 44 rooms and suites, divided into the main villa and in two adjacent buildings. The majority are in the main villa, split over four floors, each of which has been characterised around a theme, one with extravagant frescoes, another taking Moorish influence from the Orient. Villino Eugenia is a small guesthouse overlooking the Boboli Gardens, containing 13 accommodations, each decorated and furnished according to the bourgeois styles of the late 19th century. Lastly, La Follie, a small guesthouse located at the edge of the park that surrounds Villa Cora has a particular charm and discretion with only two rooms for complete privacy. Le Bistrot Restaurant offers seasonal produce, during the winter months in the splendid Moorish Room with its domed ceiling with original frescoes by Antonio Caremmi, and in the summer outdoors in the winter garden by the side of the swimming pool, where guests can relax in an elegant yet informal environment. The Benè spa is located on the lower floor of Villino Eugenia and is equipped with a small gym, tepidarium, sauna and Turkish hammam. The wellness centre offers Asian and European massages as well as beauty treatments. There is also a large heated outdoor pool shaded by vast oak trees.
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Florence

Belmond Villa San Michele
Set amidst lush trees and terraced gardens, the Belmond Villa San Michelle enjoys the most perfect view over Florence from its hilltop position. Dating back to a 15th century monastery, the renaissance villa’s facade has been attributed to Michelangelo, as much a part of Italy’s heritage as the cathedrals and galleries down the hill. Today, Belmond Villa San Michele is recognised as one of the country’s finest boutique hotels. Each of the 20 rooms and 25 suites are unique, with sumptuous antiques, along with cotto-tile flooring and bright Florentine textiles. Separate from the main building, the exquisite Limonaia Villa contains three suites located in the convent’s former orangery, all with incredible views. These can be connected together to create perhaps the most glamorous villa in Tuscany, a unique haven for families and groups of friends, or for a special occasion such as a wedding or exclusive party. Belmond Villa San Michelle is naturally a favourite among honeymooners, however there are special services tailored towards family adventures, and world famous the cookery school is a destination in itself. A huge range of activities are on offer, such as exclusive historical tours and rafting under the Ponte Vecchio, and there is a complimentary shuttle to and from Florence itself. At the hotel, relax amongst the immaculate gardens and at the spa, swim in the panoramic pool or take part in one of the renowned culinary classes. Dining options here include one of the best restaurants in Florence – the romantic La Loggia – and more laid back cuisine at the Pool Restaurant, each with their own bar, as well as the Cloister Bar in the old monastery.
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Why book with Jacada?

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Florence tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Meet your Europe team

When to visit

Italy is a year-round destination. Summers can get very hot and crowds do swell, so spring and early autumn are great times to visit. The best time to visit Tuscany is during the early autumn months of September and October, and the late spring months of April and May. During these periods temperatures are comfortable, and the rolling hills are peaceful. It’s an ideal time to visit vineyards, go bike riding and wander the streets of Florence.

Towns and cities

April–October

History and art

September–October

Coast and countryside

May–September

When Is the Best Time to Go to Italy?

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Plan your trip to Florence

Whatever you want from your adventure in Florence, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Don't take our word for it

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.