What to see in Florence in a day's walk

Staying at Relais Hotel Centrale puts you in the center of it all, just a few meters from Florence Cathedral, an authentic symbol of the city’s artistic and historical greatness.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi’s Dome cast their majestic shadows over the rooftops and streets of Florence, evoking the primal force of art in its best manifestations.

Just a few steps separate you from Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, where the Loggia dei Lanzi sets the stage for sculptural marvels that have continued their marble dance for centuries: Michelangelo’s David anticipates the entrance to the Uffizi Gallery, while the teeming atmosphere of the nearby Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, where the Porcellino Fountain makes a fine display, creates an intriguing duality of sacred and profane.

Much more than a simple passageway over the river, the Ponte Vecchio reflects the sparkle of its goldsmith stores in the fascinated gaze of visitors, towering over the Arno that flows placidly cutting Florence in two, giving it rigor and order: a must-see among the things to see in Florence in a day’s walk.
Thus you arrive at the Oltrarno District, where everyday Florentine life takes the form of artisanal workshops and small art galleries, and hidden corners of greenery offer refuges of quiet.

Florence’s natural lung, the Boboli Gardens is a true oasis of delight in the center behind the Renaissance Pitti Palace, a stunning example of an Italian garden enhanced by statues, fountains and grottos, recently inscribed as a World Heritage Site.
A walk through its peaceful paths is a suspended experience that transports one to another place.

Among the things to see in Florence on a day’s walk, you can’t miss the views visible from its delicate hills and scenic terraces: a short walk will take you to San Miniato al Monte, an ancient monastery that offers a beautiful view of the city and a setting of enveloping intimacy and spirituality.
The most romantic sunset can be admired from the nearby Piazzale Michelangelo, an elegant terrace from which the view sweeps over the surroundings, caressing famous places such as Piazza Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella, until you catch a glimpse of the village of Fiesole on the double hill overlooking the Mugnone valley.

After a day among the beauties and treasures of Florence treat yourself to a stop at one of the city’s typical restaurants, where you can enjoy the famous steak al sangue… but we’ll tell you about that next time!