If you haven’t read the greek myths since your school days, a walk around Florence’s central Piazza della Signoria 1 , with its huge statues of Greek heroes, may bring back memories. The bronze statue of Perseus holding aloft the head of Medusa is particularly breathtaking.
It is on this square – a meeting place for guided tours and those who just want to gossip over a gelato – that you might think you’ve seen Michelangelo’s David. A rookie’s mistake! This one is just a replica, the real David is the showpiece of the Accademia Gallery, where you should head to view for yourself this absolute icon. The pathway to the masterpiece is lined with sculptures of slaves that seem to climb out from the unfinished chiselled stone of their own accord. The closer you get to David, the more buzzing the atmosphere – you know you’re about to see something special.
Your next must-see is the Uffizi Gallery just off Piazza della Signoria. There can be a long wait in high season, so it’s best to book on a tour to avoid the queues. Get ready to witness The Birth of Venus, by Botticelli. For a more unconventional art space and a cool spot in the heat, check out the medieval Bargello Palace. A former prison, it became a museum in 1865, and houses sculptures by Donatello, Cellini and Michelangelo on loan from the Medici collection. A fabulous 13th-century staircase takes you up to more treasures, including chessboards, jewellery, ceramics and household objects.
The heart and soul of the city is the amazing Duomo – its dome designed by Brunelleschi and its campanile, or bell tower, by Giotto. Also well worth a visit are the romantic Boboli Gardens. They were designed for the stylish and demanding wife of Cosimo de’ Medici, Eleonora di Toledo, and sit behind the commanding Palazzo Pitti, a vast Renaissance residence housing collections of paintings, sculptures and costumes.
The best place to enjoy the sunset, and snap yourself a new profile pic against a backdrop of the city and the Tuscan countryside, is the Ponte Vecchio. Originally built in Roman times, the bridge was twice swept away by flooding, before being rebuilt in 1345. Local tradition sees lovers lock padlocks on the bridge before throwing the keys into the river, in a gesture symbolising their eternal love. There were so many the town council had to impose fines to deter the practice, so best to have a smooch instead.
To book a ticket for the major Florentine Museums check Polo Museale Fiorentino or call +39 055 294883 Booking charge: € 4,00