I’m a budget traveler at heart and those on a budget certainly can appreciate things to do on the cheap. And as with any city, there are plenty of fun, free activities, if you only look. This Travel Tip Tuesday, I am tackling one of my favorite cities in Italy. Florence.
Not only can you save money on transportation {Florence is a city very navigable on foot}, but you can while away the hours with many activities that won’t leave you flat broke.
Here are some great things to do for Free or Cheap in Florence.
1. Free Churches. The most famous of the churches is the Duomo, which will obviously will be first on any Florence list, but the Santa Margherita dei Cerchi would make history lovers happy. Though you won’t find any secret frescoes, there is a lot of Dante history in those walls. The church of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are other noteworthy options worth a visit, though both require a small entrance fee.
2. Ponte Vecchio. Visit the unique historic bridge that is the oldest of all six bridges that cross the Arno in Florence. Though once lined with butcher shops, grocers and fishmongers it’s now to home to gold, silver and other fashion boutiques. Thank goodness – it certainly smells much better!
3. Piazzale Michelangelo. Perched high upon a hill in the Oltrarno district, overlooking the Arno River and the entire city of Florence is a little square {read parking lot} that offers up breathtaking views of the city. The square gets its name from the bronze replica of David which stands proudly in the area. Both day and night – it’s the perfect spot to score panoramic pictures of Florence, with the very recognizable Brunelleschi’s Dome. Walk further up the hill for a free visit to San Miniato al Monte, another beautiful church in Florence. Sunsets from this vantage point are priceless.
4. Boboli Gardens. Located behind the Pitti Palace is Florence’s answer to wonderfully landscaped, perfectly manicured Italian gardens. This famous park boasts lovely flowers and green cyprus trees which mingle on shady paths with antique statues and benches. The gardens are a perfect spot for a stroll or an afternoon picnic. Combination garden and palace tickets are discounted after 4pm to a mere € 3.00. However, if you are a citizen of the EU under 18 or over 65, your visit will be free.
5. Piazza della Signoria. Art fans should hang out in this historic main square, home to the Uffizi, for a mixture of art, culture and Italian life. Enjoy the grand architecture of the Palazzo Vecchio, graced by its crenellated tower and flanked by statues which include the Fountain of Neptune and a copy of Michelangelo’s David. Adjacent to the Palazzo is the Loggia dei Lanzi, which serves as an open-air museum. A gallery of statues is set under the cover of beautiful vaulted stone arches. You can also get up close and personal with the horse-and-buggies that rest in the square.
6. Markets. Foodies won’t be disspointed by either of the delicious food markets in Florence. The largest, the Centrale Market is located in the San Lorenzo neighborhood, a short walk away from the Santa Maria Novella train station. Another colorful option is the Sant’Ambrogio market. Don’t forget to bring the camera – those Italian produce stalls are downright picturesque.