Florence is a city that never fails to delight, inspire, entertain and indulge. For more than two centuries, this charming capital city of Tuscany has captured the hearts of visitors. Whether you visit for its architectural splendor, its artistic masterpieces, its renowned cuisine or come to admire the beautiful surrounding landscape, a weekend in Florence is always a treat.

It’s easy to add a weekend or extra few days to an existing itinerary and is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of the city and experience the best of what Florence has to offer. It’s also just the right amount of time to fall in love. In fact, Florence is now one of the most sought after destinations, especially from June to September. Though no season is really “off season” in Firenza, March and November make for a quieter visit (if you aren’t afraid of potentially capricious weather).

Florence can be reached easily by a quick flight from most major European cities (only 1 hour from Zurich) and train service from Venice, Milan or Rome is 2 hours or less. Once you arrive, you won’t need a car. It’s much easier to take public transport from the airport as much of the city center is restricted to vehicles. The central train station is only a ten minute walk from Florence’s most iconic landmark, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Another splendid stop only minutes from the central station is the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Completed in the 15th century, it contains frescos from some of the most important Florentine masters. For fragrance lovers, visit the original Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella, housed inside a frescoed palace. It’s the perfect excuse to wander through the Santa Maria neighborhood and pick up a souvenir for yourself or a loved one. Arrive early if you want to avoid the line. You can buy the same scent created for Catherine de Medici for her marriage to the future King of France in 1533.

Of course no visit to Florence would be complete without a visit to see the iconic masterpiece, Michelangelo’s David. It is located in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze and as you would expect, is one of the most popular attractions in the world. For the best experience, advance tickets are highly recommended as is hiring an experienced guide. There are endless treasures to be found here, many of which you might miss without the expertise and knowledge of a local historian. It’s also imperative to visit the Uffizi Galleries, which houses priceless paintings and sculpture from the middle ages to our modern era. A 3-day FirenzeCard is a great way to access more than sixty museums and galleries.

By now you’ve probably done quite a bit of exploring and worked up an appetite. One of the best options to taste as much of the local flavor as possible, is with a visit to il Mercato Centrale. The ground floor is overflowing with fresh food vendors from spices and coffee to seasonal vegetables and butchers, seafood, shellfish and cheese. There are a few popular finished food stalls, where the locals grab their favorites like earthy tripe (a local specialty) or aromatic porchetta sandwich. The upper floor can only be described as a bustling Florentine food court, selling ready-to-eat everything: appetizers with a glass of wine, focaccia, fried seafood and even Florentine steaks, grilled to order. If you wish to learn how to cook your own lunch, book a class with Lorenzo de’ Medici cooking school.

Dinner options are almost endless. Decide between a ristorante (classic white tablecloths, sometimes with a dress code), trattoria (family-run bistro with rustic fare), an osteria (casual bar with light dishes) or enoteca (wine focused bar with small bites). If you’ve managed to save room for dessert, take a stroll to people-watch or see the sun set from the Ponte Vecchio, another Florence landmark. Along the way, grab a gelato from any place that looks appealing. The longer the line, the better the flavor. Some of the best in the city can be found on the south side of the river Arno, by crossing the Ponte Vecchio and walking towards the Piazza de Santa Maria Soprarno.

There’s no better home base for exploring the Tuscan countryside. If you need a break from the bustle of the city, but don’t wish to rent a car and drive, several hilltop towns can be reached by train. These include Arezzo, Certaldo or Lucca. Alternatively, you can opt for a driver that is also a licensed guide to take you exploring, hiking, or wine tasting. See our additional Tuscan blog for more inspiration. Tuscan wines are world-renowned and most vineyards and wineries offer tastings, cellar tours and even picnic lunches in the countryside. Autumn visits are particularly special. It’s the perfect time of year to go truffle hunting with hounds or taste the warm flavors of pasta cinghiale or porcini mushrooms.

If you only have a few days to spare and are looking to add a short Italian adventure to your existing holiday, Florence makes an excellent destination. If you have more time, it’s the ideal city to begin a trip into Tuscany and beyond. That’s why it’s one of our favorite places to suggest, any time of year. We would love to share our first-hand knowledge of Florence with you, so you too can fall in love with the city Italians call “La Bella”.