Spending 48 hours in romantic and sophisticated Florence

Romantic and sophisticated Florence has long been one of the top tourist destinations in Europe, with a temperate climate, stunning architecture and plenty to see and do. If you are only coming to Florence for a short break it’s important you make the most of it. Here are our top things to see and do if you are only able to spend a couple of days in this beautiful city.

You can easily get lost in the pretty cobbled streets of Florence, and simply wandering around allowing it to happen is half the fun. However, if you want to get some serious culture then head to one of the city’s top museums. Arriving early is always advisable, particularly during high tourist season as queue’s can become dishearteningly long. The Uffizi gallery is where you can admire some of the most revered paintings in the world, and if you only have time for one this is the place to go. However the Gallerie dell'Accademia and the Palazzo Pitti and its stunning gardens are also definitely worth a peek.

Florence is an architecture lover’s dream, and even if you know nothing about it, you can’t fail to be impressed at the beautiful buildings of the city. The Duomo, the Piazza della Signoria and the breath-taking façade of the 14th-century Palazzo Vecchio will not disappoint. Likewise the Florence Catherdral, the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Plazzo Medici Riccardi should be high on your list of places to see.

Take a stroll along Ponte Vecchio – the city’s famous bridge built in 1345 and browse the pretty jewellery shops that line either side. Shoppers will be in heaven in Florence with fantastic boutiques and designer shops a plenty. Exquisite leather can be found at Scuola del Cuoio, glamorous shoes and bags can be purchased at the Ferragamo Store and Museum, and you can find delicate ceramics at Sbigoli.

Florence is a city where you can feast like a king. If you want to try authentic Italian food then Il Guscio, Cocotrippone, or All'Antico Vinaio are great for excellent, fresh, delicious food, cooked with genuine care. Great lunch places such as Panini Toscani, Salumeria Verdi offer well filled sandwiches, paninis and pizza slices which are served piping hot and tasty, and will keep you fuelled up until dinner time.