Book a Flight to Florence from €100

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo): The city's magnificent marble cathedral, together with the Baptistery, the Campanile and the Cathedral Museum, form a unique architectural and artistic ensemble. Designed by Arnolfo di Campio in 1294, the church was completed in 1436 with the addition of the imposing dome that dominates the city skyline. The work of Filippo Brunelleschi, it represents a feat of engineering and technology for its era. The interior of the vaulted ceiling is decorated with frescoes (1572-9) by Vasari with scenes of the Last Judgement. The platform at the top offers unforgettable panoramic views of the city.
Address: Piazza dell Duomo, https://duomo.firenze.it/en/discover/cathedral

Galleria degli Uffizi: One of the most emblematic galleries in the world with masterpieces of Renaissance art from the 15th and 16th centuries. Housed in an austere palace (1520), designed by Vasari for the Medici family, it contains the huge private collections of the Medici bequeathed to the city in 1743. The 45 halls host masterpieces of the Florentine Renaissance as well as works by prominent Italian and European masters. Among them, Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" (1485) and Giotto's polyptych "Madonna and Child with Saints and Angels".
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi 6, www.uffizi.it/en/the-uffizi 

Basilica Santa Croce: The most famous church in Florence's architectural pantheon is the Franciscan Basilica of the Holy Cross. Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, construction began in 1294 and was completed in the 19th century. Its simple decoration impresses the visitor who stands in awe before the magnificent frescoes of Cappella Bardi and Cappella Peruzzi painted by Giotto, as well as the tombs of great figures of the Italian Renaissance. Among them, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo.
Address: Piazza di Santa Croce 16, www.santacroceopera.it/en 

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella: The city's second most important church was constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries as the seat of the Dominican Order. The main door and the upper portion of the magnificent Romanesque façade in white and green marble bears the signature of Alberti (1470). In the Gothic interior the fresco of the "Holy Trinity" (Trinita, 1428) by Masaccio stands out, one of the most influential works of the Renaissance due to the innovative use of perspective and proportion.
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella 18, Florence, www.smn.it/en 

Piazza de la Signoria: The vast paved square of the Signoria was for centuries the heart of Florentine political life. Here can be found some of the most important sights of the historic city center, such as Palazzo Vecchio (seat of the local government), the Uffizi Gallery and the Loggia del Lanchi (14th century), a magnificent arched arcade and a gallery of sculptures such as Cellini's imposing "Perseus" (1554) and Giambologna's "Rape of a Sabine Women" (1583).
Address: Piazza della Signoria

Galleria dell’ Accademia: The Gallery of Europe's first art academy (1563) now houses a large collection of Gothic and Renaissance paintings and a series of sculptures by Michelangelo. The masterpiece of the collection is Michelangelo's monumental "David" (1501 - 1504), perhaps the most famous work of the Renaissance. Carved out of a 5-meter block of Carrara marble, the imposing figure of David became a symbol of the virtues of the Republic of Florence and its supremacy over its enemies. The statue stood in Piazza della Signoria where it remained until 1873.
Address: Via Ricasoli 58/60, Florence, www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/en 

Palazzo Pitti: Residence of the Medici for nearly two centuries, the imposing palace houses five separate museums and the impressive private art collection of the political dynasty. The grand decoration of the Royal Apartments with elaborate frescoes testifies to their prestige and luxurious life. Don't miss the Palatine Gallery (Galleria Palatina), a veritable treasure trove of Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Among them, works by Raphael, Botticelli, Filippo Lippi, Pietro da Cortona, Titian, Rubens and Caravaggio. Its construction began in 1457 by the Pitti family, rivals of the Medici, only to be sold to the latter due to financial difficulties. 
Address: Piazza de’ Pitti 1, Florence, http://www.uffizi.it/en/pitti-palace 

Basilica of San Lorenzo & Medici Chapels: The parish church of the Medici, it is a monumental building complex and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and decoration. It was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1421 as a Medici mausoleum and is filled with unique works of art by Michelangelo, Donatello and Filippino Lippi. The most impressive part of the church are the chapels with the tombs of many of the family's most prominent ancestors (Cappelle Medicee). Be sure to visit the elaborately decorated marble "Chapel of the Princes" (Capella dei Principi, 1604) with its 16 stone coats of arms, the "New Sacristy" (Sagrestia Nuova) with three sculptural compositions by Michelangelo and the Laurentian Library (Biblioteca Laurenziana Medicea) with its magnificent vestibule (ricetto) and staircase by Michelangelo.
Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo 9, Florence

Ponte Vecchio: A timeless symbol of Florence, the colorful "Old Bridge" (1345) with its characteristic old houses is one of the city's most famous icons. Built on the narrowest part of the Arno River, it has been home for centuries to the jewelers' and goldsmiths' shops that are crowded with people throughout the day. Come for an romantic afternoon passegiata or to see the sun set over the Arno. The view from Ponte Santa Trinita offers a unique experience.

Boboli Gardens: One of the finest and largest Italian gardens, Giardini di Boboli is a magnificent architectural complex of greenery and an open-air sculpture museum. Construction began in 1549 but its doors were not opened to the public until 1766. Don't miss Viottolone, the long promenade among rows of cypress trees and dazzling Renaissance statues that leads to Vaca dell'Isoloto, a small lake (1618) with an island dotted with sculptures. The park is located behind Palazzo Pitti and in the shadow of the imposing Forte di Belvedere, the hill with the fortress by the same name (1590). ts ramparts offer a fine view of the city, the Arno Valley and the hills of Tuscany.
Address: Piazza de’ Pitti 1, Florence

If fashion and style are coded into Italian DNA, bella figura is a daily exercise for Florentines. The city is home to the famous houses of Gucci, Ferragamo and Emilio Pucci. The big names in fashion can be found on Via de' Tornabuoni, where impressive shop windows alternate with exquisite Renaissance palazzos, and also on the neighboring Via della Vigna Nuova.

Florence is the ideal place to shop for fine leather goods, jewelry and antiques. Browse the beautiful antique shops around Via Maggio and Via de' Seragli in the Oltrarno district, stop by the botteghe orafe (the small 16th century jewelry shops) on Ponte Vecchio for authentic traditional designs by old time jewelers or stroll along Via Por Santa Maria for more contemporary design options. Leather goods can be found everywhere in various different varieties. Discover luxury brands on Via de Parione and head to San Lorenzo's large open-air market or Mercato del Porcellino for bargains on clothes, handbags (knock-offs of famous designers), scarves, souvenirs and gifts.

Thanks to its vast artistic tradition in handicrafts, the city features unique specialty shops with paintings, handmade paper, design pieces, textiles and linens. The streets around Santo Spirito Square host the industry’s most interesting addresses, along with the workshops of traditional craftsmen and contemporary interior design studios. This is where the second-hand market of Piazza de Santo Spirito takes place every other Sunday, with stands full of clothes, books, jewelry, pictures, handicrafts. For trinkets and old items, you can also stop by the daily bazaar of the Mercato delle Pulci in Piazza dei Ciompi. Its kiosks always hide surprises when it comes to antiques.

The lively and bustling Mercato Centrale, the two-story indoor food market, promises a feast of color, aromas and authentic seasonal products from the region in a unique atmosphere. 

Tuscan cuisine stands out for the simplicity and excellent quality of local products. Inspired by the "cucina povera" of rural tradition, it is based on "humble" ingredients. Its trademark is unsalted bread, which is used everywhere.

Try fettunta (Tuscan bruschetta) made from baked bread smeared with garlic and olive oil, panzanella (a summer salad with crushed dry bread, tomato, cucumber, onion, lettuce and basil, which is chilled in the fridge), ribolitta (traditional soup of cabbage, beans and day old bread, which is enjoyed reheated), zuppa di fagioli (bean soup), pappa al pomodoro (bread bites cooked in vegetable broth with tomato paste). A favorite pasta dish is pappadelle alla lepre (lasagna with rabbit sauce) while the real king for meat eaters is bistecca alla Fiorentina (a huge grilled T-bone steak, cooked rare). Also crostini fiorentina (small pieces of toast with chicken liver pate) and the renowned pecorino, the cheese of Tuscany. After your meal, savor the sweet traditional Vin Santo wine and the famous cantucci (almond biscuits) or grappa.

The red wines of Tuscany are among Italy's most famous, featuring the wine-producing region of Chianti. Sample Chianti Classico, Brunello from the vineyards of Montalcino (one of the best Italian red wines with an international reputation) or Rosso di Montalcino. The vineyards surrounding San Gimignano produce the white wine Vernaccia. 

The largest concentration of restaurants, bars and enoteche can be found in the bohemian district of Santo Spirito in Oltrarno and in the Santa Croce district.

Essential stops: for a cappuccino or apperitivo at the historic cafés of Piazza della Repubblica, lining up for the best ice cream in town at Gelateria Vivoli (whose history spans a century), at the trippai (canteens) for authentic lampredotto (sandwich bread with boiled tripe and spicy sauce) or trippa (tripe sandwiches), typical Florentine street food.

• Novruz: Azerbaijan's favorite traditional holiday with ancient roots and a dual significance. Azerbaijanis celebrate the coming of spring and the rebirth of nature along with the Persian New Year (Novruz = New Day) as an official national holiday, every year on the day of the Vernal Equinox (March 21). The celebrations begin a month earlier with various customs and rituals (decorating the streets and squares, tree planting, egg painting, preparing special sweets such as pakhlava, fortune-telling), while every Tuesday a bonfire is lit and people jump over the flames. The celebration reaches its peak in the last week with a family dinner (with candles, samani - green wheat grass, khoncha), walking, traditional dancing and singing on the streets, sports games and competitions. Novruz is included in the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO, 2009).

• Baku International Jazz Festival: The love of the Azeri for jazz music is expressed in all its glory at this premier ten-day festival every October (18-27/10). It is an amazing musical experience that deifies jazz music through the meeting of leading musicians and performers of the genre from all over the world with local musicians, including also art exhibitions and themed film screenings; it takes place in iconic venues of the city, such as the Mugham Center.

• F1 Ajerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Since 2017, the eighth race of the F1 World Championship has been held at the Baku City Circuit, Baku’s spectacular Formula 1 road circuit (6 km / 51 laps). The world’s elite F1 drivers meet in epic sprints and dramatic showdowns against the backdrop of Baku’s Old Town and the Promenade. From 28 to 30 April.

• ANIMAFILM (Baku International Animation Festival): One of the most lively and youthful festivals in Baku, dedicated to the art of animation. The festival has a competitive nature and it focuses on a specific theme each year, with films from the emerging local scene of directors and studios, as well as dozens of international productions. The program is also accompanied by conferences, master classes, exhibitions and concerts. Join us at the Nizami Cinema Centre in autumn (September or October).

Transport from the airport

AEGEAN lands at "Amerigo Vespucci" International Airport or Aeroporto di Firenze - Peretola (FLR). Here you will find Duty Free shops, boutiques of famous Italian fashion houses, fashion and optical accessory shops, a bookstore, a gift and souvenir shop. Also, ATM's and a currency exchange office. At the airport there is a café/lounge bar with various Italian snacks, salads and drinks for a light meal, a beer house - restaurant and a gourmet Tuscan restaurant with a fine selection of local wines and food from morning to night. If you wish to make extensive use of Wi-Fi, it's worth gaining access to the airport's VIP Lounge. Entrance is permitted with the purchase of a voucher from the bookstore and the services provided include free WI-FI, self service open bar with ready-made individual snacks, office facilities with PCs, telephones, international newspapers and magazines. It is open from 5:00 to 20:00 and has limited availability.

Amerigo Vespucci International Airport is just 4 km southwest of the city of Florence. The easiest and most affordable way to get to the city center is to take tram line "T2 Vespucci" that connects the airport (Peretola Aeroporto) with the city center (Piazza dell'Unita Italiana) in 20 minutes. Service runs daily between 5:00 - 00:04 (Monday to Thursday), 5:00 - 01:32 (Friday & Saturday) and 5:00 - 00:12 (Sunday). The tram stop is just a 2-minute walk from the arrivals and departures hall. A one way ticket costs €1.50. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket vending machines at all 37 tram stops or online via the "TABNET" app. Please note that the tram only accepts one piece of luggage up to 10 kg and 55X40X20 cm free of charge. For each additional piece of baggage not exceeding 20 kg and 80X45X25 in dimension, an additional ticket is required.

If you take a taxi (the stop is in front of the terminal), there is a fixed fare for the ride to the city center with a starting price of 22 euros (regular service) to 25 euros (public holidays, night service). Additional charges may apply depending on the number and size of luggage. The ride takes 15 minutes (depending on traffic) and passes by all the city's major hotels.