TORNABUONI'S GUIDE TO EXPLORING FLORENCE

CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE IN FLORENCE

When visiting Tornabuoni, many customers ask for suggestions on what to see and do while in Florence. Besides shopping for authentic leather pieces and eating your way through Italy, there are numerous activities to fill your days. Whether you are interested in the history, culture, fashion, or wining and dining, we have compiled a unique list of must-sees to satisfy every traveler.
First, understanding the background of the area helps to make the most of your time in Florence. Florence is located in the region of Tuscany. Many people visit the city and say, “I want to visit Tuscany while I’m here,” but word of the wise, you’re already here! The area of Tuscany encompasses many amazing places to visit - Chianti, Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca and Pisa, to name a few!
The city of Florence is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, literally meaning ‘rebirth’. It was a time of transition and influence of this is visible in both the art and architecture. Walking through the streets and exploring the numerous museums and churches of Florence will give you insight into the Renaissance movement.
Leather craftsmanship in Florence also has roots dating back hundreds of years and it is still one of the biggest industries in the city. In fact, the vast majority of Italian leather is produced in the area of Tuscany. Originally, guilds were formed to protect the craft as well as control the quality of leather. Today there is a wide variety in the quality of leather and we suggest buying from stores who guarantee their products are authentic, Made in Italy, leather pieces. We are happy to educate you further when you visit Tornabuoni.

NOW THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A DECENT BACKGROUND,
LET'S DIVE INTO OUR SUGGESTIONS WHEN VISITING
FLORENCE!


The Duomo Catedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore


One of the most famous sights in all of Florence is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as ‘The Duomo,’ which means “cathedral” in Italian. The structure itself is astonishing and is truly an architectural spectacle towering over the city. The construction took over 100 years to complete, with the final completion in 1436.
The construction of the dome was designed and built based on the revolutionary ideas of Filippo Brunelleschi. The interior of the cathedral is somewhat barren with its Gothic design, however, the dome is truly unbelievable.

Looking up into the dome you will see the entire scene of The Last Judgement, a Catholic belief which states that upon death each soul will be judged and sent to heaven, purgatory, or hell.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of the cathedral, take some time to explore its museum, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, located just behind the Duomo. The entrance to the cathedral is free and we recommend arriving early because the line tends to get long. If you don’t mind the hike, buy a ticket in advance to climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome; the view is incredible.

Fun facts about the Duomo:

  • Not only did Brunelleschi invent the revolutionary construction of the dome, he’s also buried in the cathedral.
  • The copper ball at the top of the dome fell off in the 1600’s during a powerful lightning storm. The impact made an indentation in the ground towards the back of the dome and today you can see a round slab marking the area where it landed...the ball remained intact and was remounted about two years later after its plunge.
  • Piazza del Duomo is notoriously windy, so much so that it is hard at times to walk around the cathedral. There is a legend that goes with this strong wind called the “Rifrullo del diavolo.” Legend has it that the devil once was chasing a priest, trying to steal his soul. When the priest escaped and outwitted the devil, the devil has since then remained there and his strong breath creates a whirlwind around the cathedral, trying to catch his next victim.

THE OLD BRIDGE,
PONTE VECCHIO

Ponte Vecchio in English means the “Old Bridge”. The bridge dates back to the 1300’s and is not only the first bridge built in the city, but also the oldest bridge. It was the only bridge to survive the destruction of World War II.
You will find opulent gold stores and picturesque views of the buildings along the Arno River. If you are searching for a gold piece to remember your time in Florence, we recommend doing some research and comparing prices in other locations throughout the city.
Take some time to visit the gold stores in Piazza Santa Croce. The shops along the Ponte Vecchio tend to have higher prices, but they sure do have beautiful, high-quality pieces.

EXPLORE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARNO, OLTRARNO

When most people arrive in Florence, they have their traditional list of sights to explore such as the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens, and David at the Accademia. These places are absolutely worth seeing but if you’d like to see a different version of Florence, we recommend checking out the neighborhoods of the Oltrarno district as well. The word ‘Oltrarno’ means other side of the Arno River. The Oltrarno is a bit more calm, less touristy, and offers a better view of the classic day-to-day Italian lifestyle.
Cross over the Ponte Vecchio and you’ll head right to Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens. Piazza Santo Spirito and San Niccolò are beautiful areas, both offering that ‘Italian neighborhood vibe’ which is not so easily seen closer to the main tourist attractions.
Piazza Santo Spirito is a beautiful square with a fountain located in the middle and restaurants lining the exterior. Each restaurant offers great Tuscan dishes as well as outdoor dining. In addition to restaurants, there are cute cafes to also enjoy a drink. We recommend testing out the famous ‘Spritz’ cocktail, a delicious and refreshing drink served over ice.
If you head to Piazza Santo Spirito in the morning, you’ll find unique outdoor markets. There is a daily market showcasing fresh local produce and every second Sunday of the month, you'll find a great vintage and antique market.
San Niccolò is a great area to take a breather prior to walking uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo. There are a handful of cute restaurants and wine bars. The streets are lined with cobblestones and vines creep up along the buildings. From here you can see the old city walls which lead to Piazzale Michelangelo.

MICHELANGELO SQUARE,
PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO

If you are looking for a panoramic view to capture the essence of the city, this is the best place to go. Piazzale Michelangelo is a large piazza that overlooks the entire city, the walk is quite beautiful and definitely recommended if you are not too intimidated by the incline. If you walk through the area of San Nicolò, you can stop off in the Rose Garden for a few minutes to catch your breath.
The neighborhood and the views are truly wonderful. If you plan ahead, bring some snacks and/or wine, and take a seat along the main steps of the piazza so you can watch an epic sunset over the city. It gets crowded at sunset so we recommend going a tad bit earlier to stake your claim on a spot. If you don’t feel like packing snacks, you can always stop at the cafe located right by the steps.

TORNABUONI LEATHER STORE

We couldn’t compile a list of must-see sights in Florence without our store Tornabuoni! If you are looking for a special gift, crafted from the finest Italian leather in Tuscany, we have you covered. Our diverse collection at Tornabuoni offers something for everybody, whether you are looking for professional, casual or evening pieces. You will always find that our collection incorporates elegant and classic design, with high quality craftsmanship. It is our commitment at Tornabuoni to ensure that your purchase is not only made with confidence but with complete satisfaction.

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE
RESTAURANTS & TIPS FOR DINING

Let’s start with a few quick rules...first rule of thumb when searching for delicious dishes is to not go to a restaurant that has staff outside ‘harassing’ you in the streets to come dine at their establishment. These places are touristy, and in most situations they are overpriced in addition to offering a mediocre version of Italian cuisine. If you see a restaurant that doesn’t have someone standing outside asking you to come in, the next step is to make sure they don’t have entree photos on their menus; it’s another sure sign they are touristy. Entree photos are of course helpful to understand what you are ordering, but it is a better idea to use Google translate.
When dining out, take note that there are some extra charges you pay for various additions to your experience. For instance, just about every ‘sit-down’ restaurant charges a cover charge per person, typically €2 per person. Bread and water are not always free additions to the meal. Water is often served in bottles unless you ask for tap water. Also keep in mind that if you get a coffee or gelato somewhere you will pay more to sit down rather than to drink or eat at the counter space provided or on the go; prior to you paying, the establishment should ask you whether you will be sitting but if they don’t, you should remember to tell them your preference.

Dining in restaurants is a relaxing experience to locals and you will notice that this behavior is reinforced with the service. Restaurant staff will not frequently come by your table unless you politely make eye contact and wave to them.

They do this, not because they are lazy and don’t care, it’s because the focus on dining in Italy is all about enjoying the food! Meals don’t need to be three hours long, but understand that their ‘food culture’ is not typically to rush. They won’t bring you the check unless you ask; again, this is not to annoy you, it’s because they don’t want you to feel that you must leave as soon as you put your fork down.

Lastly, be sure to tip when you have enjoyed the service at a restaurant. It is a common misconception that people should not tip. Add a few extra euro or up to five euro if you felt you had good service.

OUR RESTAURANT RECOMMANDTATIONS:

  • Trattoria 13 Gobbi - Offers excellent Tuscan cuisine. Florence is famous for their steak (bistecca fiorentina) and this place serves up an amazing one! Don’t worry if you’re not a big steak eater, truly everything on their menu is delicious. The dishes they are famous for are written in red text on their menu. The rigatoni and cheesecake are out of this world!
    Address: Via del Porcellana, 9R
  • Tamerò - Offers a nice spin on traditional Tuscan dishes as well as excellent pizza. You can see the cooking in action as you enter the restaurant; pasta and pizza dough are made fresh, by hand. Address: Piazza Santo Spirito, 7
  • Trattoria i 4 Leoni - tucked away in a little piazza this place offers a charming experience as well as delicious Tuscan dishes.
    Address: Via de' Vellutini, 1R
  • I Due Fratellini - If you prefer to not have a long, drawn out lunch, a panino (i.e. sandwich) is perfect. This place is a walkup counter and you order to- go. It has a list of all the panini but you can choose to make your own.
    Address: Via dei Cimatori, 38R
  • Le Vespe Cafè - Italians don’t typically eat a big breakfast and you won’t find many choices in town other than the pastries served at each cafe bar. This place offers fresh, yummy dishes for breakfast and lunch. It is almost always busy but they have mastered the art of rotating the crowds that come each morning.
    Address: Via Ghibellina, 76R
  • Impressione Chongqing - Sometimes you just simply get tired of eating only Italian food. This place offers the best Chinese food in town. It is always packed and is typically a little chaotic inside but they know what they’re doing and have very quick service. You can also order take-away if you prefer to not eat there.
    Address: Via Sant'Antonino, 34R
These are just a few of our suggestions while you are in Florence. There are of course many other activities you could choose to fill your time while visiting this beautiful city. Above all else, we hope you enjoy your time in Florence and hope to meet you at our store in Piazza Duomo!
Tornabuoni Leather Store
Piazza Duomo 21/22 R
50121, Florence.
Italy
Tel +39 366 312 5991
Tornabuni Leather Store A.D s.r.l Piazza Duomo, 21/22r, 50122 - Firenze (Fi)