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Florence over a June weekend

Posted by (Atlanta, GA, USA) on

Our family of 4, with 17 and 20 year old daughters, are planning to meet in Florence at the end of the month, but only have Sat and Sun there (well, Fri night through Mon morning), which I know are busy weekend days. Top on my list are the Uffizi, Boboli Gardens, Duomo, Santa Croce Church, and Piazza Michelangelo. We are staying near the city center.

If I purchase the Cumulative 3-Day pass to the Uffizi, Pitti, & Boboli; would it be better to get timed entrance at the Uffizi on Sat morning or afternoon? I'm thinking maybe do the Duomo first, lunch, then head to the Uffizi since it's open till almost 7 pm, but don't know when crowds are heaviest. Thinking we would do the Pitti and Boboli on Sun morning, since the churches are closed then.

Thanks for any insights. Restaurant recommendations are welcome, too.

Posted by
1069 posts

The last time I went to the Boboli gardens it was also summer. Nothing was in bloom - it was just a nice walk in the shade. At the top there is a little museum and some beautiful views. From the Pitti Palace you'll be able to look out the windows and see the gardens - maybe doing that will save you some much needed time.

Anyplace that you can do a timed entrance in Florence is worth the reservation fee! Lines can be very off-putting. You're going to have crowds but with a timed entrance that will be one less crowd you have to deal with.

Did someone mention lunch? The Mercato Centrale is my first, second and third choice! The first floor is all vendors, the second floor is all eateries (is that a word?). Each of you can get food from wherever you want and then sit at the tables in the center of the aisle. Great fun, great food.

Posted by
5573 posts

I can only vouch for Florence in February which was obviously quieter than June but still busy nonetheless. We opted for Uffizi tickets for Saturday morning, there wasn't much of a queue but it did get busy as the morning progressed.

Much of it depends on how long you intend to stay there and how interested you are in religious Rennaissance art. It can be a bit repetetive, seeing painting after painting of the same subject matter and to turn a corner and see another corridor filled with statues, simply too many to devote any justifiable time to. I found a morning visit followed by a mid afternoon lunch to be a good balance however June may be a different kettle of fish entirely!

Posted by
18 posts

HI Carol, I'm sure you'll have great time in Florence. A couple of recommendation for lunch...
1. https://www.foodyfarm.it/en/concept/ ...it's a brand new restaurant, very affordable prices, and with a variety of special dishes.
2. All'antico vinaio ...the site is just in italian, they do sandwiches with local ingredients and it's a must for a quick lunch, Via dei Neri 65 R, close to Piazza della Signoria.
For dinner instead, you might want to enjoy http://www.illatini.com/en/ a typical tuscan restaurant!
Regarding the time you plan to visit the locations you have identified, go to the Uffizi first...early in the morning.
I suggest you also https://www.verrazzano.com/en/the-spumantino-in-florence/ a trendy wine bar!
have fun

Posted by
4 posts

We've visited Florence a number of times and would recommend these places to east.

Vini E Vecchi Sapori
Via dei Magazzini, 3r, 50122 Firenze FI
Very small family run restaurant but you need to make reservations. We never miss it!

La Prosciutteria Firenze
If you enjoy cheese, wine, and prosciutto in a very casual setting this is the place. Go for lunch and order the "big board" with house wine. It's casual and fun.

Antica Noe (not the sandwich shop with the same name next door)
Another small family run place that we enjoy.

All of these are close to center city.

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