Florence, Renaissance capital in Tuscany, Italy
Florence is a city in Tuscany whose historic center is crossed by the Arno River and extends along both riverbanks. Medieval stone bridges and modern crossings connect the two halves, while narrow lanes, open squares, and marble churches shape the cityscape.
The city began as a Roman settlement in the first century BC and grew into an important trade center during the Middle Ages. The Medici family ruled from the 15th to the 18th century, supporting artists, architects, and thinkers whose work shaped European cultural life.
Florentines often eat lunch at simple trattorias, where you order dishes like lampredotto or ribollita and share wooden tables with locals. Craft traditions remain alive throughout the city: goldsmiths work in narrow lanes near the Ponte Vecchio, while bookbinders and marble cutters keep their workshops in the Oltrarno and Santo Spirito neighborhoods.
The historic center is easy to explore on foot, as many streets are closed to car traffic and most sights sit close to each other. The main train station, Santa Maria Novella, connects the city to Rome, Milan, and Venice through regular high-speed services.
The city coat of arms shows a red lily on a white background, even though the iris flower actually blooms in violet and was only depicted in red during the Middle Ages. The Vasari Corridor stretches one kilometer (3,280 feet) above street level, linking Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti while passing through the Uffizi and crossing the Ponte Vecchio.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
