walking florence

You can walk almost anywhere in Florence in no time. We stayed in an apartment in the Oltrano section across the Ponte Vecchio for five nights and the only time we took a taxi was when we arrived at the train station (because we didn't know how far it was to the apartment) and the last day back to the TS because it was raining. We actually walked to the TS to get the bus tour we took to San Gimignano and Siena without incident. From the train station to the Duomo is 10 minutes without window shopping and from there it is about 10 minutes north to the Accademia and the same to the south to the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio which is nearby. Get a good map when you get there and you'll have no problem getting around since Florence is mostly flat in the older section of town. Allow time to meander. There's lots to see.

One more thing. If you're healthy and in shape, climb the 428 steps to top of the Duomo. The view of Florence and out into Tuscany is magnificient, and during the climb you can almost reach out and touch the painted dome....I'm 6'2" and actually did it.

Hi. Florence is the easiest walking city in Italy since everything is so compact. We walked from SMN Train station(with our small rolling carryon bags) to the Duomo in less than 15 minutes. After that your minutes from any of the other major sites (Uffizi, Bargello, Academia etc). Also quite flat. Enjoy

Not long, it's 2/3 of a mile from the train station building to the Pizza della Signoria, you asked to the core and that's pretty central. On a flat trail a normal walking pace is 2 to 3 miles per hour. In a city your walking speed can be slower if there are intersections with traffic. But how often you stop and look at things is the main determinant of time to walk it. The route I measured on Google Earth went southeast to the Duomo and then directly south to the Piazza. Some people stop at the Duomo for a couple of hours! (with it being one of the most interesting churches in the world)

Be sure you have a map. The streets go at odd angles & it's easy to get off track. Otherwise, perhaps about 15 minutes.

we were there in May 08 adn stayed close to the Duomo..the walk was about 15 min ...no problem at all jo

Jim, we climbed the Duomo (and you're right - great views) and then climbed to Piazza Michelangelo - which you must do at dusk. The sun setting over the Arno and Ponte Vecchio is incredible! There's a small cafe' at the top of the Piazza and we sat with a bottle of wine and watched the sun go down... But, the next time we did it, we rode the bus!!!!

Ciao,
Ron