Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
Where Tuscany begins
You’re likely familiar with the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa.
But did you know it stands within the Square of Miracles alongside other stunning structures? And that the Tuscan city is filled with numerous other attractions and hidden gems waiting to be explored?
We were positively surprised by Pisa and while we unfortunately didn’t have the chance to spend the night, we can easily imagine the city’s streets becoming even more enchanting once the day-trippers depart.
In this guide to where to stay in Pisa, we’ve curated the best hotels across luxury, value for money and budget categories. We hope this helps you plan your stay!
With its international airport, Pisa is the gateway to Tuscany for many travellers. However, we believe it would be a shame to rush through without exploring all Pisa has to offer.
Pisa map and geography
Pretty Pisa is located in the region of Tuscany in central Italy.
How many days you should spend in Pisa depends entirely on your needs and travel plans.
It’s very normal to spend a single day in the city, and we visited Pisa on a day tripfromLucca ourselves.
However, there is more to see than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so you can easily spend a night or two if you have the time.
We imagine it must be wonderful to walk around the city early in the morning or in the afternoon when all the day-trippers are gone.
If you fly to Pisa before embarking on a longer journey around Tuscany, it’s ideal to start with a night in the city.
Later in this travel guide to Pisa, we write more about the best places to stay (including where to stay on a budget).
You can easily spend a day or two wandering through Pisa’s old streets and soak up the Tuscan atmosphere.
Day trips to Pisa
It’s really popular to go on a day trip to Pisa, for example from Lucca, Florence, Livorno, La Spezia (Cinque Terre) or even from Rome.
If you aren’t planning to stay in the city overnight, you can look at some of the day trips to Pisa from other cities below.
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Where to stay in Pisa?
Pisa is a relatively compact city and proximity to the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles are key considerations for most visitors – as well as access to train or plane connections for those not driving around Tuscany.
The city offers a wide range of mid-range hotels providing excellent value for money. Additionally, we’ve curated a selection of hotels offering a slightly higher standard along with two budget-friendly options.
Value for money:Hotel Bologna – Splendid mid-range hotel with everything you need and solid breakfast.
Budget:My Way – One of Pisa’s cheaper hotels within walking distance to both the airport and the train. The Leaning Tower is a 40-minute walk away. A solid option.
Budget:Hotel Caffè Verdi – Comfortable, simple rooms a 15-minute walk from the Leaning Tower. 24-hour reception/café.
There aren’t many luxury hotels in Pisa. If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, consider the Tuscan coast, like the beach town of Viareggio or cities like Lucca and Florence.
Palazzo Cini Luxury Rooms In Pisa
The boutique hotel Palazzo Cini looks like the best hotel in the city of Pisa.
It’s located in a quiet area close to the pedestrian street and lots of restaurants and city life – and only a 15-minute walk from the Leaning Tower.
The decor is classic Tuscan with lots of marble, stone and woodwork but the facilities are modern. Several rooms have bathtubs and functional, stylish bathrooms.
The Grand Duke of Tuscany chose this palace as his summer residence in 1743 and today, it’s a 5-star spa resort complete with hiking trails, a pool, natural hot springs and even a “grotto” with a beautiful pool carved out of stone.
Bagni di Pisa Palace is not really in Pisa as it’s 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes with public transport from the Leaning Tower.
On the other hand, Bagni di Pisa Palace stands out as the most exquisite hotel in the region. For comparable luxury, you have to look all the way to the coastal town of Viareggio, Lucca or Florence.
Whether you’re on a family holiday, a romantic getaway, travelling with friends or exploring solo in Pisa, staying conveniently and comfortably without breaking the bank is always a plus!
Here are the two best mid-range hotels in the city, offering excellent value for money.
Relais dei Mercanti B&B and Suites
Relais dei Mercanti B&B is situated beside a charming square just off the renowned street Borgo Stretto and it’s less than a kilometre from the Leaning Tower. In other words, the location in Pisa couldn’t be much better.
The hotel offers a simple yet pleasant experience; the rooms are clean and spacious (with air conditioning), the service is commendable and guests generally appear happy with their stay.
It’s also possible to rent a small apartment or the deluxe double room with a whirlpool.
The 4-star Hotel Bologna is nothing particularly special but it appears to be a great mid-range hotel with all you need; nice facilities and a good location just south of the Arno River.
Well, if you’re seeking budget-friendly accommodation near the Leaning Tower, we have two options available.
One is situated near the airport and the Central Station (ideal for those without their own transportation) and the other is more centrally located within the city.
While there are cheaper accommodation options available, many of them have bad reviews and we only want to recommend budget hotels that meet our own standards for quality and comfort.
Therefore, read the reviews thoroughly if you’re considering an even cheaper hotel.
My Way
If you travel to/from Pisa by train or plane and just want to stay cheaply and comfortably, we think it’s worth looking at My Way.
It’s a 40-minute walk through the city to reach the Leaning Tower (with half of the journey passing through the charming “cosy” area of Pisa) which we highly recommend experiencing. The Central Station and the airport are easily accessible by foot.
If you opt for a taxi to the tower, the journey only takes 15 minutes.
Please note that some of the rooms share a bathroom.
A 24-hour reception is quite uncommon for a budget hotel. However, the 3-star Hotel Caffè Verdi offers exactly that as it also functions as a café offering affordable sandwiches, pastries and more around the clock.
All the rooms have private bathrooms, wifi and air conditioning.
Hotel Caffè Verdi is a 15-20 minute walk from the Leaning Tower, close to both the Arno River and the Borgo Stretto pedestrian street.
In our complete travel guide to Pisa, we have written all you need to know about the city renowned for its iconic Leaning Tower.
We go into more detail about the best attractions and sights, what to do and see, how long to stay, travel tips, how to get around – and much, much more.
The small church of Santa Maria della Spina on the banks of the Arno River is a must-see in Pisa.
When to visit Pisa
Due to the iconic Leaning Tower, Pisa attracts tourists year-round.
The high season is in July and August when Italians, Europeans and much of the rest of the world enjoy their summer holidays.
July and August are also the hottest months, so if you have the flexibility to plan your trip to Pisa outside of this period, we strongly recommend doing so.
May, June, September and October are good shoulder months with great weather and fewer crowds, although it is always busy in Tuscany after all.
December, January and February are the coldest months (like many other places in Europe).
It rains the most in September, October, November and December.
Via Corso Italia is perfect for a stroll (even with a little bit of rain).
Our best tips for Pisa
Book a ticket in advance(adlink) if you want to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A limited number of tickets are available each day, and visitors are assigned a specific time slot to ascend the tower.
Buy a combination ticket(adlink) to save money if you plan to visit all the buildings on the Square of Miracles. With this ticket, you’ll also enjoy the perk of skipping the queues.
Come early if you want to experience the Leaning Tower (and the rest of Pisa) without too many crowds. Alternatively, you can wait until the end of the day, when most day-trippers have gone home.
Many restaurants close for siesta between lunch and dinner, so keep an eye on the opening hours if you want to eat at a particular restaurant or café during the day.
Expect an additional charge on the restaurant bill. Most restaurants add a “coperto” per guest, which is a fee per person regardless of your order. It is typically between 1 and 3 euros, which you pay in addition to the price of the food. It’s common to receive a small bread basket with butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a starter.
Take care of your belongings. Like many tourist destinations, there is a risk of opportunistic pickpockets. Additionally, car break-ins are not uncommon. If you’re driving to Pisa, it’s advisable not to leave any valuables in your car to minimise the risk.
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
More than just a leaning tower
You’ve probably heard of a lovely Italian city called Pisa because of its world-famous leaning tower.
And while the Leaning Tower of Pisa is of course the main attraction, Pisa offers much more!
The university city has picturesque squares, awe-inspiring churches, charming streets and the Arno River, gracefully winding its way through Pisa before merging into the Ligurian Sea.
Pisa is an essential stop on any Tuscan itinerary in our humble opinion.
In this travel guide to Pisa, you will find all the best things to do and see in Pisa (in addition to the Leaning Tower) + how many days you should spend in the city, where to stay and much more.
Pisa is an exciting city to visit – especially because of the iconic Leaning Tower.You can easily spend a day or two wandering through Pisa’s old streets and soak up the Tuscan atmosphere.
Pisa map and geography
Pretty Pisa is located in the region of Tuscany in central Italy.
1. The Leaning Tower of Pisa – The main reason to visit the city
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an iconic landmark that attracts people from near and far.
The Torre di Pisa (as it is called in Italian) is undoubtedly the main sight in Pisa, and it’s also one of the major highlights of the entire Tuscany region.
And seeing its unique tilt is truly an enjoyable experience.
The free-standing bell tower is famous for its characteristic tilt which it gained due to structural issues encountered during its construction.
Now, exactly because of that tilt, the Leaning Tower of Pisa has become a super popular photo spot, and most days there are a multitude of people posing in silly ways in front of the tower to get the perfect photo.
While admiring the Leaning Tower of Pisa from the outside is free of charge, ascending the tower requires purchasing a ticket – ideally well in advance as the availability is limited and the tickets are issued for specific time slots.
You can also buy a combination ticket(adlink) if you want access to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as the baptistery, Campo Santo, the two museums and the cathedral.
Tip: If you have the opportunity to arrive early or late in the day, you will encounter significantly fewer crowds.
There are slightly different figures on the exact height of the tower but most agree that it leans at an angle of 3.97 degrees.The Leaning Tower is clearly the main attraction in Pisa.
The Square of Miracles (known as Piazza dei Miracoli in Italian) is where you’ll find the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Apart from the tilting architectural wonder, there is actually much more to see at the square. Here, you can leisurely wander and capture plenty of photographs at your own pace.
The Square of Miracles holds immense historical and cultural significance for Pisa – and Italy as a whole – and its significance has led to its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Below we write more about the other impressive buildings on the square.
The Square of Miracles is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, you will find Pisa’s most famous sights.
3. Duomo di Pisa – Pisa Cathedral
Every major Italian city has a duomo (meaning cathedral) and the Pisa Cathedral is right beside the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
In fact, the tower was originally intended as a bell tower for the cathedral. However, it has since surpassed the cathedral in fame and recognition.
That doesn’t make the cathedral any less interesting, though.
The Duomo di Pisa is the oldest structure in the Square of Miracles, and you should definitely take the time to admire the beautiful Romanesque facade.
Inside the cathedral, there are paintings, sculptures and frescoes.
Entry to the cathedral is free, but you’ll need an entrance ticket. These are available at the on-site ticket offices and they are valid for a specific time slot.
If you hold tickets for the other attractions on the Square of Miracles, you’re not bound by a designated time slot and can often bypass queues.
The facade of Pisa Cathedral is truly exquisite.Just look at the details!The “backside” of the cathedral.
4. Battistero di San Giovanni – The baptistery
Often overlooked, we think that the baptistry in the Square of Miracles, Battistero di San Giovanni, is an incredibly beautiful structure in its own right, despite being overshadowed by its towering neighbours.
The impressive round building is positioned in front of the cathedral and with an entrance ticket, you can explore its interior and view the baptism font in the center of the room.
From the top floor, you can also enjoy a unique vantage point overlooking the cathedral, offering a unique perspective on its magnificent facade.
Access to the Battistero di San Giovanni requires buying a ticket. It can either be purchased separately or as a combination ticket(adlink) where you get access to the other attractions on the square, too.
We found the Baptistery to be an incredibly stunning building.
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5. Campo Santo – The Monumental Cemetery
Campo Santo, also known as Camposanto Monumentale (which translates to the Monumental Cemetery), is an oblong building in Gothic style consisting of three chapels, sculptures and frescoes on the walls.
Although it may not be the most eye-catching attraction at The Square of Miracles, the historic cemetery is still worth stopping by.
Like the baptistery, Campo Santo requires a ticket. You can buy a separate ticket for the cemetery or a combination ticket(adlink) with access to several of the attractions on the Square of Miracles.
Gorgeous details at Campo Santo.Camposanto Monumentale translates to the Monumental Cemetery. Photo: Joshua Kettle
6. Walk along the Arno – The river that runs through Pisa
The Arno River is a long waterway that runs through the Tuscan countryside (including the city of Florence) before eventually reaching its destination at Pisa, where it meets the sea.
The river has had a significant role in shaping Pisa’s history and culture – especially in the city’s trade and transport networks.
And it makes Pisa so much more charming!
We enjoyed a relaxing, romantic stroll along the riverbank and we highly recommend setting aside time for a similar experience.
You can also consider crossing the bridge Ponte di Mezzo for a picturesque view of the Arno.
It’s lovely to stroll along the Arno River while enjoying the pleasant atmosphere in Pisa.Ponte di Mezzo crosses the Arno River.
As you stroll along the Arno, make sure to stop by the Gothic church of Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina, situated along the riverbank.
Despite its modest size, the church boasts exquisite details and decorations – and the location is truly unique.
Legend has it that the church once safeguarded a thorn from Jesus’ crown of thorns… We can only guess whether it’s true or not, but the tale has drawn pilgrims to its doors over the centuries.
Unfortunately, you cannot enter Santa Maria della Spina, but the church is fascinating to see from the outside.Santa Maria della Spina is beautifully located next to the river.
8. Piazza dei Cavalieri – The Knights’ Square
The Knights’ Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri) is a spacious square just a 10-minute stroll from the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The square is distinguished by the Palazzo dei Cavalieri (also known as the Palazzo della Carovana).
The palace dates back to the middle of the 16th century and was originally used as the headquarters of a Roman Catholic Tuscan military order.
Today, it serves as the main building of the University of PisaScuola Normale Superiore di Pisa.
Within Piazza dei Cavalieri, you’ll also discover the churches of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri and San Rocco next to several other impressive buildings. Don’t miss the striking statue of Cosimo I, who held the titles of Duke of Florence and later Grand Duke of Tuscany.
The old palace on Piazza dei Cavalieri is used as a university building in Pisa today. Photo: JoJan/CC BYPalazzo dell’Orologio and the Statue of Cosimo I. Photo: JoJan/CC BYPiazza Dante Alighieri is a quaint square close to the Knights’ Square.
9. Sant’Antonio Abate – Church with a colourful mural
Near Pisa’s Central Station stands a church renowned for its distinctive rear wall.
Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate features a striking modern mural titled “Tuttomondo” adorning its wall.
This public artwork, created by American artist Keith Haring, is a rare sight within a traditional church setting which is why we found it interesting to see.
While it’s not one of the top things to do in Pisa, we still wanted to include it in our travel guide. Stop by if you find yourself with plenty of time in Pisa.
“Tuttomondo” is honestly not a must-see in Pisa but we still found it interesting to stop by during our time in the city.American artist Keith Haring painted “Tuttomondo” as one of his last public murals before he passed.While the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate may not initially impress compared to other churches in Tuscany, its modern mural makes it stand out.
10. Borgo Stretto – Narrow pedestrian street
Located between Piazza dei Cavalieri and the Ponte di Mezzo bridge crossing the Arno River, you will find Pisa’s cosy pedestrian street, Borgo Stretto.
This narrow shopping street offers a pleasant ambience for leisurely strolls with lots of terracotta-coloured houses, quaint shops and, of course, Italian cafes where you can savour a quick espresso or indulge in other drinks and snacks.
Statua di Giuseppe Garibaldi marks the end of Borgo Stretto on the way towards Ponte di Mezzo.
11. Via Corso Italia – Shopping street with lots of shops
Across the Ponte di Mezzo lies the primary shopping street, perfect for a stroll if you find yourself south of the river.
Via Corsa Italia stretches all the way to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II (where you’ll find the Sant’Antonio Abate church with the mural), thus connecting the Central Station with the historic city centre.
Along the shopping street, you’ll discover souvenir shops, upscale design boutiques and prominent retailers.
And of course, there’s no shortage of restaurants, cafes and gelaterias.
Via Corso Italia is perfect for a stroll (even with a little bit of rain).
12. Botanical Garden – A green oasis
Pisa’s botanical garden, Orto Botanico di Pisa, is right in the middle of the city only a few minutes south of the Leaning Tower.
The University of Pisa is responsible for maintaining the old garden. Within this green sanctuary, you’ll discover a botanical school, tranquil lakes, greenhouses and a diverse array of exquisite trees, flowers and herbs.
A serene haven for nature enthusiasts or those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
The admission fee for adults is 4 euros in 2024 (~ 4.3 USD). On the first Sunday of the month, the entry is free for all.
Can you spot the blue building? That’s Palazzo Blu.
14. Visit a winery – Taste the local grapes
For wine enthusiasts, the region boasts numerous wineries open for tastings of the local grapes.
Usually, these tours include a visit to the vineyards and the cellars where you get a glimpse into the winemaking process.
Afterwards, you get to indulge in a wine tasting accompanied by insights into each wine’s unique qualities – all while soaking in the scenic vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
The wine tours come in various durations, levels of privacy and price ranges. Read more about each tour by clicking on the options below.
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15. Eat gelato – Enjoy real Italian ice cream
We can’t make a guide to an Italian city without mentioning gelato.
You’ll find excellent gelato shops almost everywhere, offering creamy Italian ice cream that (in our opinion) surpasses the taste of regular ice cream.
When in Italy, gelato is a must!Yum!
16. The best day trips from Pisa
Within a relatively short distance of Pisa, you can visit a multitude of small and large cities, all of which offer staggering amounts of history, art and, not least, fantastic food.
Here are the most prominent cities to consider for day trips from Pisa:
Lucca. In just 30 minutes by train or car, you can reach the charming medieval city of Lucca known for its intact ancient city wall.
Florence. It’s just under an hour by train to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Cinque Terre. Drive to La Spezia in approximately 1 hour by car or train and use local transport to get to the famous five colourful cities.
Siena. It takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes by train (or 1 hour and 45 minutes by car), and then you are in one of Tuscany’s absolute prettiest cities.
Lucca is not far away from Pisa and can easily be reached by train.The historic cathedral in Florence is a must-see if you are in Tuscany.Colourful Cinque Terre is relatively close to Pisa.
Pisa is a relatively compact city and proximity to the Leaning Tower and the Square of Miracles are key considerations for most visitors – as well as access to train or plane connections for those not driving around Tuscany.
The city offers a wide range of mid-range hotels providing excellent value for money. Additionally, we’ve curated a selection of hotels offering a slightly higher standard along with two budget-friendly options.
Value for money:Hotel Bologna – Splendid mid-range hotel with everything you need and solid breakfast.
Budget:My Way – One of Pisa’s cheaper hotels within walking distance to both the airport and the train. The Leaning Tower is a 40-minute walk away. A solid option.
Budget:Hotel Caffè Verdi – Comfortable, simple rooms a 15-minute walk from the Leaning Tower. 24-hour reception/café.
The city is relatively small with nearly all the sights and attractions conveniently located within walking distance of each other.
All the best things to do in Pisa are within walking distance of each other.
How to get to Pisa
By car
If you drive through Italy, you can easily get to Pisa via one of the motorways that pass by the city.
A car is unnecessary in Pisa so you can park it at your hotel or in one of the many parking lots, typically charging a fixed rate per hour or day.
If you’re fortunate, you may find a white parking spot on the street – those are free. In some cases, you may still need to display a parking disc or indicate the parking duration on a piece of paper on the windshield.
Paid parking spaces are marked in blue, while yellow spaces are reserved for special vehicles and should be avoided.
Public car parks
Search for “parking” or “parcheggio” on Google Maps and make sure to read the reviews of the parking lot.
Prices typically vary from 50 cents to 3 euros per hour. Some of them only take coins.
Be aware that there have been incidents of car break-ins in several of the parking lots. It’s advisable not to leave any valuables in your car, even if you’re stopping in Pisa briefly on your way from one city to another. Also if you’re only planning to be away for an hour or two.
Watch out for ZTL
Note that most streets in the historic part of Pisa are designated as a “zona a traffico limitato” (ZTL), meaning it’s a restricted traffic area with specific regulations for driving and parking.
However, access is typically permitted for bicycles, electric cars, motorcycles, and scooters.
Surveillance cameras are in place, and hefty fines can be incurred for violating the regulations.
If your hotel is located within the ZTL, we recommend contacting them in advance if you plan to drive there.
You don’t need a car in Pisa, so park it in a car park (or take the train).
Public transport
It’s easy to get to Pisa by train whether it’s on a day trip or you’re staying in the city for a few days.
Pisa’s Central StationPisa Centrale is located south of the centre.
From there, it takes 25-30 minutes to walk to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Square of Miracles, passing several other interesting sights in Pisa on the way.
The train station, Pisa San Rossore, is even closer, with only a fifteen-minute walk to the square and the tower.
If you visit Pisa on a day trip, you can consider arriving at one train station and departing from the other.
The train stations are connected to several cities in the region, for example, Lucca, Livorno, Florence and Siena.
We took the train from Lucca when we visited Pisa.
Due to the iconic Leaning Tower, Pisa attracts tourists year-round.
The high season is in July and August when Italians, Europeans and much of the rest of the world enjoy their summer holidays.
July and August are also the hottest months, so if you have the flexibility to plan your trip to Pisa outside of this period, we strongly recommend doing so.
May, June, September and October are good shoulder months with great weather and fewer crowds, although it is always busy in Tuscany after all.
December, January and February are the coldest months (like many other places in Europe).
It rains the most in September, October, November and December.
It rained a bit the day we visited Pisa, but we were still in high spirits.Pretty Pisa.
Book a ticket in advance(adlink) if you want to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A limited number of tickets are available each day, and visitors are assigned a specific time slot to ascend the tower.
Buy a combination ticket(adlink) to save money if you plan to visit all the buildings on the Square of Miracles. With this ticket, you’ll also enjoy the perk of skipping the queues.
Come early if you want to experience the Leaning Tower (and the rest of Pisa) without too many crowds. Alternatively, you can wait until the end of the day, when most day-trippers have gone home.
Many restaurants close for siesta between lunch and dinner, so keep an eye on the opening hours if you want to eat at a particular restaurant or café during the day.
Expect an additional charge on the restaurant bill. Most restaurants add a “coperto” per guest, which is a fee per person regardless of your order. It is typically between 1 and 3 euros, which you pay in addition to the price of the food. It’s common to receive a small bread basket with butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a starter.
Take care of your belongings. Like many tourist destinations, there is a risk of opportunistic pickpockets. Additionally, car break-ins are not uncommon. If you’re driving to Pisa, it’s advisable not to leave any valuables in your car to minimise the risk.
Many restaurants in Italy add a “coperto” to the bill. Usually, you will receive a small bread basket as a starter.
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
Firenze, ti amo
It’s nearly impossible to visit Florence without falling in love with the city.
Beyond its world-class architecture and art, the simple pleasure of wandering its charming streets is unparalleled.
Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones who have discovered Florence’s beauty. With its relatively small size, hotel prices tend to skyrocket.
Visiting Florence outside the peak season, particularly in July and August, can help mitigate costs, but beyond that, there’s hardly a true low season.
In this travel guide on where to stay in Florence, we will do our best to guide you to the best hotels in Florence. In which area should you stay? Where not to stay?
We also provide recommendations for hotels across all price ranges. Despite being a relatively expensive city, there are fortunately options for budget-friendly double rooms that still offer comfort and quality.
Our favourites: Where to stay in Florence?
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Luxury: The Place Firenze – An absolutely exquisite 5-star hotel with the best location in the city.
Florence is undoubtedly one of the most romantic cities we have visited.The city boasts an abundance of incredible hotels, though regrettably, they are not all equally affordable.
Florence map and geography
Beautiful Florence is located in central Italy and is the capital of the region called Tuscany.
With almost 1 million inhabitants in the metro area and ~365,000 inhabitants in the city itself, Florence is also Tuscany’s most populous city.
Florence lies in a valley surrounded by hills and the River Arno (plus a few smaller rivers) run through the city.
It’s always challenging to determine precisely how long one should stay in a destination to have a satisfying experience.
However, we can say with certainty that a single day in Florence is not enough, unlike smaller cities in Tuscany such as Pisa, Lucca and Siena, where a shorter visit suffices.
With a weekend in Florence, you can explore the city’s most famous sights, but we would argue that most visitors will find plenty to see and do for 3, 4, or even 5 days.
You might need to be a bit of an art or history enthusiast to find new activities to fill an entire week in Florence. However, the city also serves as a convenient base for exploring the surrounding fascinating region.
During our visit, we spent four full days in Florence (with three nights), and we easily could have used one or two more days.
It’s worth noting that we visited Florence in June, which afforded us an incredible number of daylight hours to explore.
We were very lucky with the weather (and the sunsets) when we visited Florence for four days in June.
If budget permits, the answer to where to stay in Florence is straightforward: the historic centre (Centro Storico).
Here, you’ll be close to all of Florence’s best attractions, with easy access to explore on foot. However, finding affordable accommodations can be challenging.
For better value, consider looking for accommodations slightly outside the city centre.
Advantages of living in the historic centre (Centro Storico):
Wake up with a view of the cathedral.
Stay in the middle of it all.
You simply need to turn your head to encounter art, museums, charming squares, and churches at every corner.
Florence’s historic centre is uniquely beautiful no matter where you look.The cathedral is undoubtedly the main attraction in the city and a must-visit experience. However, Centro Storico offers a plethora of other activities and attractions to explore as well.
Oltrarno – Green surroundings and local atmosphere on the other side of the Arno River
If you cross the Ponte Vecchio bridge from Centro Storico, you will find yourself in Oltrarno (which means “on the other side of the Arno River”).
Despite its proximity to the city centre and popular attractions such as the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens just a stone’s throw away, the area remains tranquil and peaceful, offering a serene retreat.
Particularly around the Santo Spirito church, you’ll find a charming, local atmosphere that’s especially inviting.
Advantages of living in Oltarno:
Green surroundings and more local life.
Stay with the historic centre within walking distance.
Close to Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo (with the best sunset view in town).
Santa Maria Novella – Cheaper accommodation close to the Central Station
Santa Maria Novella Central Station derives its name from the nearby Basilica di Santa Maria Novella and the associated square, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella.
The vicinity of the square and the church presents an excellent lodging option in Florence. Here, you’ll enjoy close proximity to the historic centre while also being slightly removed from the tourist crowds.
Near the Central Station, you may find more budget-friendly accommodations, though it’s worth noting that some streets may lack charm after dark.
We personally stayed on Via del Ponte alle Mosse, a street just west of the station, and found it to be a satisfactory choice.
Overall, the area is most appealing closest to the Arno River.
Advantages of living in Santa Maria Novella:
Stay close to the historic centre for a more affordable price.
San Lorenzo – Family-friendly, historic area north of the centre
Just north of the historic centre lies the area of San Lorenzo.
Named after the church Basilica di San Lorenzo, situated between the food market Mercato Centrale and Palazzo Medici Riccardi, this neighbourhood bears the distinct influence of the Medici family.
Here, you’ll find a perfect blend of historical grandeur and local charm.
Advantages of living in San Lorenzo:
Stay between palaces, street stalls and authentic restaurants.
The cathedral and the historic centre are only a stone’s throw away.
San Lorenzo is a fun mix of being both lively and quiet.
Santa Croce – Cosy area east of the centre
Even if you’re not planning to stay in this area, we highly recommend visiting the Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross), from which the neighbourhood takes its name. It’s undeniably one of Florence’s most beautiful churches.
Located east of the historic center, you’re still very close to all the city’s attractions, yet slightly removed from the busiest tourist areas.
Here, you can immerse yourself in local life and spend hours wandering the charming streets. And be sure not to miss the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio market.
Advantages of living in Santa Croce:
Stay in a strategically located accommodation close to the city’s most famous attractions.
Enjoy the local atmosphere surrounded by cafes, markets and shops.
Experience the perfect blend of culture and street life.
Basilica di Santa Croce is probably the most famous church in Florence after the cathedral (which is only 10 minutes away).
The best hotels in Florence
If you’re looking to indulge and live lavishly, Florence offers ample opportunities. Few other cities in the world boast as many palaces and villas in such close proximity.
For those looking for value for money, there’s also a wide range of accommodations available. However, you may need to stretch your budget a bit more than usual in Italy or opt for lodgings slightly further from the historic centre.
If you’re on a budget, your best options are typically found a bit outside the city centre – unless you’re willing to compromise on quality.
Below, we’ve compiled a selection of Florence’s absolute best hotels, catering to a variety of travellers’ needs.
The best hotels in Florence (in all price ranges):
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Ultra luxury: The St. Regis Florence – Live like the royals with a view of the Arno River.
Luxury: The Place Firenze – An absolutely exquisite 5-star hotel with the city’s best location.
Luxury:Villa Cora – Pompous villa from the 19th century with a pool in Oltrarno.
Florence is a relatively expensive (but certainly also exquisite) pleasure.
The best luxury hotels in Florence
Ultra luxury: The St. Regis Florence
If you can afford to stay at a place like the St. Regis in Florence, you’re likely not arranging hotel bookings yourself… After all, you probably have a personal assistant at your beck and call linked to your black metal credit card.
But… If you prefer to book your ultra luxury hotels yourself (or you happen to be a personal assistant reading this), take a look at what is arguably the best accommodation option in Florence.
The building itself was originally designed in 1432 by Filippo Brunelleschi – the architect behind the cathedral’s magnificent dome and considered one of the pioneers of the Renaissance.
There are numerous fantastic luxury hotels in Florence. However, despite its slightly un-Italian name, we believe that The Place Firenze is one of the most exceptional.
Located right by the beautiful Santa Maria Novella church in the historic centre, this hotel offers an ultra-central location without the tourist crowds. Plus, you can easily walk to all of Florence’s attractions within minutes.
The hotel is also visually stunning with meticulous attention to detail throughout.
5-star Villa Cora is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Florence.
It’s expensive, yes, but not quite as expensive as it looks!
Situated in the Oltrarno district (south of the Arno River) and close to the Boboli Gardens, this hotel is slightly removed from the city’s bustling centre.
However, the hotel provides a shuttle service for convenient transportation to and from the city centre. Landmarks such as Ponte Vecchio are only about a 25-minute walk away.
Drom Florence is situated just south of the Arno River in Oltrarno. Here, you’ll have some distance between you and the tourist hustle and bustle meaning you can enjoy a particularly charming atmosphere.
From the hotel, it’s only a short stroll to Florence’s exquisite gardens, and it’s also within easy reach of the Santo Spirito area with several of the city’s top restaurants.
The hotel’s rooms appear spacious and are equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, wifi and private bathrooms. You can also rent larger apartments with kitchens.
Finding accommodation in Florence that’s both nice, affordable and centrally located isn’t easy, but we’ve got an option for you!
Poggio Baronti B&B is a bed and breakfast approximately 5 kilometres southeast of the centre of Florence. You can reach the city centre by foot in just over an hour, by bus in about 20 minutes or by car in 10 minutes. Additionally, there are restaurants within a 10-15 minute walk.
The rooms feature private bathrooms, air conditioning and wifi. Plus, the reviews are terrific!
Similar to the aforementioned Poggio Baronti, Dimora Salviati offers excellent accommodation a few kilometres outside Florence at an affordable price.
The property is conveniently located only about 2.5 kilometres from Florence, approximately a 30-minute walk or a 12-minute bus ride during the day (after a 5-minute walk to the bus stop).
Situated at the foothills of Florence’s hills, Dimora Salviati provides charming double rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning and wifi.
In our complete travel guide to Florence, we have written about everything you need to know to visit the beautiful capital of Tuscany.
We go into more detail about the best attractions and sights, what to do and see, how long to stay, where to eat, travel tips, getting around the city – and much, much more.
Florence is an ideal city for exploring on foot, which is primarily how we navigated during our visit.
You’ll rarely walk more than 30 minutes between major attractions due to the compact layout of the city.
It feels safe walking and there are well-maintained sidewalks. However, it’s important to remain cautious of traffic, as it can be quite busy and occasionally chaotic.
Public transport
If the distance between point A and point B is a bit far to walk, you can conveniently use one of the nearly 100 bus lines or three tram lines available in the city.
Buy tickets at the stops/stations, inside the buses and in some convenience stores – and remember to validate them when you get on.
We drove to Florence on a road trip through Italy (where we had just lived in Sardinia for more than 6 months), but unless you also plan to drive through Tuscany, we would not recommend renting a car.
There is a lot of traffic in Florence and few (and expensive) parking spaces.
Furthermore, the entire historic district of the city is designated as a “zona a traffico limitato” (ZTL), meaning it’s a restricted traffic area with specific regulations for driving and parking. However, access is typically permitted for bicycles, electric cars, motorcycles, and scooters.
Surveillance cameras are in place, and hefty fines can be incurred for violating the regulations.
If you intend to drive to or around Florence, it is best to familiarise yourself with the city’s ZTLs.
Long-term parking
After unloading our luggage, we drove to a free parking lot next to the Centro commerciale Ponte a Greve and parked there all the time we were in town.
Several hotels in Florence offer parking (for a relatively high price), or you can check parking lots on Google Maps and see if there are any free, unlimited parking spots near where you will be staying. However, don’t count on that if you live centrally.
Although we did not experience any problems with break-ins, we would still recommend that you do not leave anything of value in the car.
How to get to Florence
Car to Florence
Italy’s primary motorway, the A1, passes directly by Florence, making it easy to access the city by car.
However, we advise against driving into the city centre due to congestion, limited parking and the ZTL we mentioned above.
Public transport to Florence
There are regular train connections to Florence Central Station (Santa Maria Novella) from the rest of Italy.
From the Central Station, you can easily walk to your hotel if it is centrally located, or you can continue by bus or tram.
Flights to Florence
There are two airports you can fly to when visiting Florence:
Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), also known as Peretola, is less than 10 kilometres from Florence. From here, you can get into Florence by public transport in approximately 20 minutes.
Pisa International Airport (PSA), also known as Galileo Galilei, is located approximately 80 km from Florence, but is sometimes cheaper to fly to than Peretola. The trip by train to Florence takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Florence can be visited all year round and tourists flock to the city regardless of the season.
The high season is in July and August when Italians, Europeans and much of the rest of the world enjoy their summer holidays.
July and August are also the hottest months, so if you have the flexibility to plan your trip to Florence outside of this period, we strongly recommend doing so.
June and September are good shoulder months with great weather and fewer crowds, although there are still many tourists.
December, January and February are the coldest months (like many other places in Europe).
It rains the most in October, November and December.
Note: On June 24th every year, the San Giovanni Festival is celebrated and large parts of Florence close (including access to the cathedral).
Our weather experience in Florence
We visited Florence in June and enjoyed the fantastic weather. There were of course quite a few tourists, but nowhere near how many there are in the middle of summer.
September is also a good time to visit Florence.
In September 2022, we visited several other cities in Tuscany close to Florence (among others Lucca, Siena and Pisa), and the temperatures and crowds were at a comfortable level.
We’ve personally visited Tuscany in both June and September, finding these months optimal in terms of favourable weather and fewer tourists compared to July and August.
Pre-order tickets online so you avoid spending time queuing for ticket sales at various museums and palaces. Alternatively, buy a Firenze Card(adlink) to skip the queues.
Arrive early or late in the day at the most popular attractions to avoid the long queues that typically occur in the middle of the day.
Many restaurants close for siesta between lunch and dinner, so keep an eye on the opening hours if you want to eat at a particular restaurant or café during the day.
Expect an additional charge on the restaurant bill. Most restaurants add a “coperto” per guest, which is a fee per person regardless of your order. It is typically between 1 and 3 euros, which you pay in addition to the price of the food. It’s common to receive a small bread basket with butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a starter.
Florence is a mecca for food lovers. It is recommended to book a table in advance at the most popular restaurants.
Bring a refillable water bottle with you while exploring Florence so you can easily fill it with free water from the city’s fountains.Florence is jam-packed with art on almost every street and alley.
Sustainable travel tips
To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:
Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
Avoid disposable plastics.
Sort your waste correctly and do not throw it on the ground.
Pay attention to the details in the city as each motif holds a wealth of historical significance.
Thank you for reading
Thank you for reading our travel guide to where to stay in Florence. We hope it has helped you find accommodation in Tuscany’s enchanting capital.
What do you think of Florence?
If you’ve visited before, we’d love to hear where you stayed and your thoughts on the experience.
Don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments below if you haven’t been to Florence yet. We are happy to help.
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
The most beautiful city in Italy
Ciao Firenze!
Florence, Tuscany’s capital, is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, yet there is even more to explore if you visit the gorgeous city.
Delicious gelato, lively squares and ancient buildings – what more can you ask for?
The city offers so many incredible things to do and see that you can easily stay in Florence for months.
Walking through the old streets amidst magnificent churches, captivating architecture and renowned art galleries is an experience in itself.
We visited Florence for four days on a road trip through Italy and enjoyed every moment. Yes, we will even dare to say that Florence is the most beautiful city in Italy!
In this travel guide to Florence, we’re sharing all you need to know about the best things to do and see (sights, landmarks, viewpoints…), where to stay, how long to stay, the best places to eat, when to visit, how to get around, our best travel tips and much more.
Our favourites: Where to stay in Florence?
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Luxury:The Place Firenze – An absolutely exquisite 5-star hotel with the best location in the city.
We get why Florence is called “La Bella” (the beautiful). The whole city exudes beauty.Florence is also known as the “culla del Rinascimento” (cradle of the Renaissance) and has housed both Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
Florence map and geography
Beautiful Florence is located in central Italy and is the capital of the region called Tuscany.
With almost 1 million inhabitants in the metro area and ~365,000 inhabitants in the city itself, Florence is also Tuscany’s most populous city.
Florence lies in a valley surrounded by hills and the River Arno (plus a few smaller rivers) run through the city.
How many days you should spend in Florence depends entirely on your needs and travel plans.
Many people visit the city on a day trip, e.g. from Rome or Pisa – or they stay for a single night on a drive through Italy. But that is almost a sin in our eyes.
You certainly won’t be bored on a weekend trip to Florence, but consider extending your stay to three, four, or five days for an even richer experience.
We stayed 3 nights in the city and spent 4 full days rushing around to experience as much as possible. We could easily have used a day or two more.
If accommodation wasn’t so expensive in Florence, we could imagine it would be a nice city to live in as a student or digital nomad.
The district of Oltrarno (south of the Arno River) is one of the nicest places in Florence.Here you get further away from the city’s tourism and closer to local life.
Firenze Card Official Museum City Pass is a physical card that is valid for 72 hours and gives free access to all of Florence’s 60 (!) museums.
The Firenze Card is the city’s official tourist passport, and with it in hand, you get free entry to, among other things, The Uffizi Gallery, The Accademia Gallery and Brancacci Chapel (the “Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance”).
Some of Florence’s biggest highlights in other words.
Without paying individual entrance fees for each museum, you might find yourself drawn to explore some of the city’s smaller museums, each offering equally enriching experiences.
At various locations, presenting your card at the entrance allows you to bypass queues entirely – a valuable perk, particularly during the bustling summer months.
If you want to see prices and check out which museum entrances and other benefits are included, you can read more about the Firenze Card here (adlink).
Tip: Children under 18 enter for free with an adult who has a Firenze Card.
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The 16 best things to do and see in Florence
Florence is such a beautiful city full of exciting things to do and see for everyone who is just remotely interested in culture, history, art or great food.
And even if you aren’t, pretty much everyone will enjoy strolling around the cosy streets of the historic centre.
Here are what we believe to be the best things to do and see in Florence including attractions, sights, landmarks and viewpoints.
One of the best things to do in Florence is walking around the historic centre (Centro Storico), where you will find some of the most significant and impressive Renaissance architecture in the city.
Walking through Centro Storico feels like stepping back in time.
In addition to the many charming streets, you will find the square Piazza del Duomo with Florence’s famous cathedral, Piazza della Signoria with the city hall Palazzo Vecchio and the replica of Michelangelo’s David statue as well as the almost 400-metre-long shopping street Via del Calzaiuoli.
The historic centre of Florence, known as Centro Storico, serves as the vibrant heart of the city. The biggest and best-known attractions are located here.The entire area is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.You can easily spend many hours (or days!) exploring all the old streets.Florence’s enormous cathedral can be seen from almost the entire historic centre.
2. Il Duomo – The iconic cathedral of Florence
You’ve probably already seen pictures of the famous Il Duomo (officially Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore); Florence’s iconic cathedral.
It’s truly impressive!
The dome, the tower and all the incredible details make it one of the most beautiful churches we have ever seen (perhaps along with the cathedral in nearby Siena and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome).
The Gothic church, built between 1296 and 1436, is the most stunning from the outside, but we also think it is worth going inside.
It’s free to enter the Duomo, but as it’s one of the most popular things to do in Florence, be prepared for a long line. Or come first thing in the morning (preferably before it opens) to avoid the worst mid-day crowds.
Accessing the cathedral’s roof, museum or bell tower (Campanile di Giotto) requires a small fee.
Tip: Dress respectfully – you may be refused entry if you have bare shoulders and/or show too much leg above the knees.
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Wow! Standing in front of the cathedral for the first time was a jaw-dropping experience.Every square metre of the church’s exterior is richly decorated with colours, patterns and sculptures.The enormous dome of the cathedral, built by Brunelleschi, is a symbol of Florence and the entire Renaissance period.For more than 400 years it held the title as the world’s largest dome, and it is still the world’s largest masonry of its kind – surpassed only by more modern steel and concrete domes.It is free to go inside Il Duomo.Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) is 85 metres high and stands right next to the cathedral. The largest of the seven historic bells weighs more than 5 tons.
3. Palazzo Vecchio – A city hall with a panoramic view
Located in the picturesque square Piazza della Signoria, you’ll discover Florence’s town hall Palazzo Vecchio (the old palace).
The unique building is from 1540 (but dates all the way back to 1299), and it is particularly known for the Arnolfo Tower(Torre di Arnolfo), which rises high above the city’s rooftops.
Naturally, we ascended the tower to behold the breathtaking panoramic vista of Florence – an unforgettable experience.
As mentioned, you can also climb the cathedral’s tower, but access to the Arnolfo tower is cheaper (we paid 12.5 euro per person in 2022 which is around 13.5 USD) and from here you can actually see the entire cathedral.
Entrance to the Museum of Palazzo Vecchio and the Arnolfo Tower is included in the Firenze Card (adlink).
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Palazzo Vecchio dominates the central square, Piazza della Signoria.Take a moment to pause and admire the courtyard at the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio – it’s truly captivating.The wealth of detail is incredible.On our way up the tower, we briefly passed Florence’s largest room; Salone dei Cinquecento.The 360-degree view from the Arnolfo Tower is definitely worth climbing all the stairs.The view of the entire cathedral is probably the biggest draw.
4. Piazza della Signoria – Beautiful square with a replica of Michelangelo’s David
The square in front of Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, is a must-see in Florence.
And you will most likely pass by the square quite naturally.
Situated centrally, it’s just a short stroll from both the Ponte Vecchio Bridge and the Galleria degli Uffizi (two of the most popular attractions in Florence).
Piazza della Signoria is one of the most beautiful squares in Florence – and probably the most famous.
In addition to restaurants, cafes and shops, you will also find a lot of statues, a replica of Michelangelo’s David and the big, fascinating Fountain of Neptune.
On the way up the Arnolfo Tower, you get several nice views of the Piazza della Signoria.A replica of Michelangelo’s David (from David and Goliath) standing with a sling in the left hand in front of the Palazzo Vecchio on the square.The big Neptune Fountain is from the mid-16th century when it was supposed to celebrate the marriage of Francesco I de’ Medici and Joanna of Austria.Piazza della Signoria has looked pretty much the same for hundreds of years. This picture was painted by Giuseppe Zocchi at the beginning of the 18th century.
5. Ponte Vecchio – Historic bridge with coloured houses
Spanning the Arno River, the historic stone bridge known as Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) links the Palazzo Vecchio district in the Centro Storico with the Palazzo Pitti and Santo Spirito areas in Oltrarno.
The bridge is one of the most famous things to see in Florence, and of course, you have to see it too.
While the current Ponte Vecchio dates back to 1345, its origins are believed to trace all the way back to Roman times.
Remarkably, it stands as the sole surviving bridge in Florence from World War II, adding to its historical significance.
The bridge is not only stunning to behold from the water and neighbouring bridges like Ponte Santa Trinita and Ponte alle Grazie, but it also offers a unique experience to stroll across, immersing oneself in the charming array of small shops and street entertainment.
We (and many others!) are glad that Ponte Vecchio survived WWII.Today, the bridge is adorned with numerous jewelers occupying the quaint stalls along its length.Walking across Ponte Vecchio is a truly atmospheric experience, whether it’s during the daylight hours or the enchanting evening. Amidst the shops and captivating views of the Arno River, you’re often serenaded by live music.The neighbouring bridge Ponte Santa Trinita from 1569 is the oldest elliptical arch bridge in the world. It was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt in 1958 with original stones from the Arno River.
6. Piazzale Michaelangelo – The best view of Florence
One of the best things to do in Florence is seeing the breathtaking view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo (and it won’t cost you a dime).
The viewpoint is on a hill south of the Arno River a little east of Palazzo Pitti.
Ascending the steep stairs requires a bit of effort, but the reward is well worth it. Alternatively, you can take bus 12 or 13.
We timed our visit with the sunset and although we were certainly not alone, it was truly magical.
At the top, you can see several of the city’s iconic landmarks alongside a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David statue.
There are a few stairs up to Piazzale Michaelangelo. It takes approximately 20 minutes to walk from Ponte Vecchio.From the vantage point, you can see the whole city, including the Arno River with all the bridges, the Palazzo Vecchio and the cathedral.Bring a zoom lens to get pictures like this one.Watching the sunset from Piazzale Michaelangelo was one of the best (free!) experiences we had in Florence.
7. Basilica di San Miniato – Pretty church with a view
Following your visit to Piazzale Michelangelo, we highly recommend ascending a bit further to reach the small but charming Basilica di San Miniato.
Here, you can enjoy expansive views extending far beyond Florence in multiple directions, with notably fewer crowds compared to the bustling square below.
Another beautiful view of Florence. This photo is taken on our way up to the Basilica di San Miniato.Walking from Piazzale Michelangelo to Basilica di San Miniato takes approximately 10 minutes on foot.The delightful bfacade of the Basilica di San Miniato.With approximately 1,000 years of history, it is incredible that the church still stands today. Michelangelo is said to have protected it with mattresses during a siege of Florence in the 16th century.The view from the church is certainly not bad either. It is one of the highest points in the city.The sunset from up there is one of the most beautiful sunsets we’ve ever seen!
8. Galleria degli Uffizi – Italy’s most popular museum
Italy’s most popular museum, Galleria degli Uffizi, has a really large collection of Renaissance paintings.
Like many of Florence’s other buildings, the museum itself is a masterpiece.
At the Galleria degli Uffizi hangs, among other artworks, one of the world’s most famous Renaissance paintings; The Birth of Venus (in Italian: Nascita di Venere), as well as other great works by Botticelli, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio and many more.
The museum offers a captivating experience, and we highly recommend visiting it.
You can end up waiting for several hours if you just turn up on the day during the high season in summer. Because the Galleria degli Uffizi is so popular, we would advise people to buy tickets in advance or arrive early in the day.
The entrance to the museum is included in Firenze Card (adlink).
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You don’t need to be an art connoisseur to appreciate the beauty of the Galleria degli Uffizi.Standing in front of one of the world’s most renowned paintings, The Birth of Venus, it’s difficult not to be deeply impressed.Any list of the world’s best and most important art museums includes the Galleria degli Uffizi.The Uffizi Museum is located between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Arno River.
9. Galleria dell’Accademia – Say hello to the original David
Florence truly is a city of museums, and if you’re even slightly interested in art, you’ve probably heard of Michelangelo’s world-famous statue of David.
The more than 5-metre-high masterpiece from 1504 is found in the Galleria dell’Accademia. Of course, we couldn’t resist paying our respects to it.
Access to the Galleria dell’Accademia is included in the Firenze Card (adlink).
Michelangelo’s David in all his towering glory.He is more than 5 metres tall and carved from one piece of marble.The rest of the museum is also worth seeing. We loved the incredibly colourful paintings.
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10. Palazzo Pitti – Renaissance Palace in the Boboli Gardens
The Renaissance Palace Palazzo Pitti was built for the Pitti family in 1457 and we almost skipped it because there is so much to see in Florence.
Nevertheless, we decided to go there in combination with visiting the Boboli Gardens (as detailed below), and we are glad we did. It was truly breathtaking!
The palace houses several museums, including the Palatina gallery, the Galleria d’arte moderna and museums for clothes, porcelain and silver.
Victoria loves historic palaces and the Palazzo Pitti did not disappoint.
There are also combi tickets(adlink) where you also get access to the Boboli Gardens, Galleria degli Uffizi and/or other galleries. See below.
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Palazzo Pitti is a beautiful palace.The Palatine Gallery, housed within Palazzo Pitti, showcases the extraordinary private art collection amassed by the Medici family and their successors, offering a glimpse into their lavish lifestyles.Everywhere you turn, intricate stucco work, art and decorative embellishments adorn the surroundings.
11. Giardino di Boboli – Florence’s green oasis
The Giardino di Boboli is a nice park adjacent to Palazzo Pitti (tickets are required for the individual attractions or you can buy a combi ticket).
The green oasis is perfect for a little break from the busy city, and you can admire the many sculptures and fountains in peace.
Considering how pompous the palace was, we found the Boboli Gardens somewhat underwhelming. Nonetheless, we’d still recommend a walk through the park if you have the time.
Consider combining a visit to Palazzo Pitti with a stroll in the Boboli Gardens as we did.After a tour of the palace, the garden seemed a bit underwhelming. It’s likely a better approach to explore the Boboli Gardens first.There are great views of the southern part of Florence from the garden.
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12. Piazza di Santa Maria Novella – Cosy square with a beautiful church
Close to Florence’s big cathedral lies Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, home to the stunning (albeit slightly smaller) Santa Maria Novella Church.
The Gothic church from 1357 is known as one of the most spectacular of its kind, and it is clearly the main attraction in the square.
Tip: If you can afford it, we recommend looking into staying at 5-star The Place Firenze(adlink) which is located in Piazza di Santa Maria Novella.
In the Church of Santa Maria Novella and its accompanying monastery, you’ll find some of Florence’s most significant religious artworks on display.The square in front of the church.
13. Il Mercato Centrale – The San Lorenzo Market
The San Lorenzo Market (Mercato Centrale) is a large indoor historical food and produce market in the middle of Florence. It’s worth a visit if you need a little break from the many museums.
Here you can find fruit, vegetables, wine, olive oil and other delicacies from the Tuscany region.
On the top floor, a freshly prepared meal can be purchased; we had an amazing Neapolitan pizza marinara for lunch.
Around the building housing the food market, there’s an outdoor market offering a variety of items such as clothing, jewellery, ceramics and souvenirs.
There is something for everyone at Il Mercato Centrale.We had a perfect Neapolitan pizza.You can buy all kinds of goods at the market outside.
14. Basilica di Santa Croce – The biggest Franciscan church in the world
Basilica of the Holy Cross (as Basilica di Santa Croce is also called) is not as popular as Il Duomo, but the beautiful church is still one of the most beautiful things to see in Florence.
Located on Piazza di Santa Croce only about 800 metres from the cathedral, it is easy to get to.
As the largest Franciscan church in the world, it is especially known for having 16 chapels where, for example, Michelangelo, Dante and Galileo are buried.
Basilica di Santa Croce is probably the most famous church in Florence (after the cathedral).
15. Eat gelato – Enjoy real Italian ice cream
You simply cannot visit Florence (and Italy in general) without eating the creamy Italian ice cream called gelato.
It tastes better than “regular” ice cream, and we have to admit that we try to eat at least one gelato every day when we are in Italy.
We especially liked Eduardo Gelateria, located right next to Il Duomo. You would think that a location next to the most famous attraction in Florence would mean high prices and low quality, but this is definitely not the case. Their gelato was excellent!
We shared a large gelato with four scoops from Eduardo Gelateria by the Florence Cathedral.
16. The best day trips from Florence
Although Rome is formally the capital of Italy, it’s not difficult to argue that Florence is far more central. The city in fact served as the country’s capital from 1865 to 1870.
Within a relatively short distance of Florence, you can visit a multitude of small and large cities, all of which offer staggering amounts of history, art and, not least, fantastic food.
Here are the most prominent cities to consider for day trips from Florence:
Bologna. With a train journey of only approximately 37 minutes, it would be a shame to overlook one of Italy’s other big city gems.
Siena. 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus or 1 hour and 30 minutes by train to one of Tuscany’s absolute prettiest cities.
Lucca. In an hour and a half by train, you can reach the charming medieval city of Lucca known for its intact ancient city wall.
San Gimignano. The Town of Fine Towers is small but very atmospheric, and you can get there by train in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Prato and Pistoia. In approximately half an hour you can take the train to either Prato or Pistoia, both of which are a kind of extension of Florence. They are known as beautiful Tuscan towns with far fewer tourists than Florence.
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Visiting (the Leaning Tower of) Pisa is one of the best day trips from Florence.Lucca is not far away either, and can easily be reached by train.
Here is a map of all the mentioned experiences and sights in Florence.
Where to stay in Florence
Let’s just say it right away: It’s quite expensive to stay in Florence.
Even if you visit Tuscany’s capital outside the tourist season, don’t expect to find particularly cheap accommodation.
Depending on the neighbourhood you choose, there are hotels available at a range of prices that can accommodate most budgets.
Generally, you can spend the night in three different areas in Florence:
In the historic centre (Centro Storico).
South of the Arno River (Oltrarno).
Outside the centre.
The historic centre:
For travellers spending just a few days in Florence, staying in the historic centre (or just on its outskirts) is ideal. Here, you’re within close proximity to all the major attractions and getting around on foot is convenient.
The prices in this area are on average the highest, but in return, you also get bang for your buck when you wake up with a view of Il Duomo.
South of the Arno River:
Staying south of the Arno River in Oltrarno is also a great choice.
You’re still near the city centre and have access to a variety of dining options, but it may be slightly more budget-friendly compared to staying in the heart of the city, as you’re a bit further from the main attractions.
Outside the centre:
If you’re looking to save money, considering hotels located entirely outside the city centre might be a sensible option.
You can typically find more affordable accommodations if you’re willing to take a short train or bus ride into Florence.
Additionally, there are budget-friendly options within walking distance of the Centro Storico, such as around Santa Maria Novella main station. Just be prepared to walk a bit more each day compared to staying directly in the city centre, and note that not all streets in this area are equally charming.
Finding good accommodation options in Florence can be overwhelming. While there are numerous stunning hotels, the price range tends to be on the higher side.
La Pépinière Ristorante Biologico is a charming restaurant where you can have a delicious dinner at very fair prices.
The restaurant is organic and vegan, and here we got some fantastic pizzas with “parmesan” and “ricotta” for dinner.
We can also recommend the “parmesan pieces” with rice syrup for starters.
The Neapolitan pizzas from La Pépinière Ristorante were delicious.
Il Vegano Bistrot
The small café Il Vegano Bistrot offers excellent food at remarkably affordable prices, particularly considering it is organic.
Among other things, you can get burgers, risotto, various types of pasta and spaghetti, soup, lasagna and desserts. A perfect place for a little lunch.
We had a tasty piece of lasagna and a panini with aubergine for lunch as well as a “cheesecake” and a creamy tiramisu (which was not so tiramisu-like, but still good).
In addition to everything being vegan, several dishes are gluten-free.
A large piece of lasagna and a round panini filled us up nicely for lunch.
Eduardo Gelateria
Gelato (creamy Italian ice cream) is one of the best things we know!
And when in Italy, indulging in a gelato or two (or three or four…) is an absolute must.
We had heard good things about Eduardo Gelateria, but since it is right next to the touristy cathedral, we have to admit that we had low expectations.
We were pleasantly surprised!
It was the best gelato we had in Florence.
We shared a cone with four scoops with bacio (chocolate/hazelnut), fondente (dark chocolate) and pistachio. We can easily recommend it.
We got the best gelato in Florence at Eduardo Gelateria right next to the cathedral.
Perché no!
Another great gelateria is Perché no! (translates to “why not”), located on a cosy little street.
The gelateria has a great selection and we were happy they had vegan options.
We tried hazelnut (always delicious!), chocolate and coconut.
If you want to try gelato from several places, a visit to Perché no! is recommended.
Il Mercato Centrale
In an earlier section of the guide, we wrote about the expansive food market San Lorenzo (Il Mercato Centrale), renowned for its array of fresh produce and gourmet delights on the ground floor, with meal options available for purchase on the upper level.
It’s a great place to eat lunch or grab a quick snack to keep up the energy during an eventful day in Florence.
We got a perfect Neapolitan pizza marinara.
We love Neapolitan pizzas and the marinara at Il Mercato Centrale was amazing.
Flower Burger
The vegan chain Flower Burger is worth trying, even if you don’t eat plant-based.
Their sinful burgers are available in several colours, and although they may not be the colours you associate with burgers, don’t be intimidated. Children might even find it fun to choose a brightly coloured burger.
We loved their “cheesy cecio” with chickpea steak and tartare dressing as well as their classic Flower Burger with a bean/seitan steak and BBQ dressing. Their choco-love (lava cake) was also a hit.
The prices are also more than reasonable.
Get a colourful (and sinful) lunch at Flower Burger.
Nirvana
Nirvana is a cosy establishment exuding a spiritual ambience inspired by Indian and Thai culture, featuring murals and tranquil meditation music.
While the restaurant is a bit drawn back from the historic centre, we had the pleasure of savouring a delicious vegan spaghetti carbonara outdoors.
Their pizza with three (vegan) cheeses and extra eggplant was quite good and crispy, but not necessarily worth a detour.
Although the coffee wasn’t the best, the chocolate-pear cake was a delightful conclusion to our lunch.
Victoria got a fabulous spaghetti carbonara in a vegan version.
Universo Vegano
Next to a nice green square, you will find Universo Vegano, which is another vegan restaurant we tried in Florence.
They have a lot of fun desserts on display, but instead, we splurged on pumpkin ravioli and enchiladas (Mexican tortillas with sauce), both of which tasted good.
The atmosphere is quite casual and you are required to order your food at the counter and collect it yourself. While the service wasn’t the friendliest, it could have been just an off day for the staff.
Nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the charming ambience of the square outside where we dined.
Enchiladas from Universo Vegano.
SimBIOsi Organic Cafe
The organic café is conveniently located next to the Galleria dell’Accademia, offering a fantastic cup of coffee.
We shared a large cappuccino with oat milk and a V60 with Brazilian coffee. Both quenched the coffee thirst.
Unfortunately, we can’t recommend their açai bowl, which was too runny, and the bread in their avocado toast was quite dry – so better stick to the coffee.
The açai bowl was unfortunately not the best, but the coffee at SimBIOsi was great.
How to get around Florence
Walk
Florence is an ideal city for exploring on foot, which is primarily how we navigated during our visit.
You’ll rarely walk more than 30 minutes between major attractions due to the compact layout of the city.
It feels safe walking and there are well-maintained sidewalks. However, it’s important to remain cautious of traffic, as it can be quite busy and occasionally chaotic.
Public transport
If the distance between point A and point B is a bit far to walk, you can conveniently use one of the nearly 100 bus lines or three tram lines available in the city.
Buy tickets at the stops/stations, inside the buses and in some convenience stores – and remember to validate them when you get on.
We drove to Florence on a road trip through Italy (where we had just lived in Sardinia for more than 6 months), but unless you also plan to drive through Tuscany, we would not recommend renting a car.
There is a lot of traffic in Florence and few (and expensive) parking spaces.
Furthermore, the entire historic district of the city is designated as a “zona a traffico limitato” (ZTL), meaning it’s a restricted traffic area with specific regulations for driving and parking. However, access is typically permitted for bicycles, electric cars, motorcycles, and scooters.
Surveillance cameras are in place, and hefty fines can be incurred for violating the regulations.
If you intend to drive to or around Florence, it is best to familiarise yourself with the city’s ZTLs.
Long-term parking
After unloading our luggage, we drove to a free parking lot next to the Centro commerciale Ponte a Greve and parked there all the time we were in town.
Several hotels in Florence offer parking (for a relatively high price), or you can check parking lots on Google Maps and see if there are any free, unlimited parking spots near where you will be staying. However, don’t count on that if you live centrally.
Although we did not experience any problems with break-ins, we would still recommend that you do not leave anything of value in the car.
How to get to Florence
Car to Florence
Italy’s primary motorway, the A1, passes directly by Florence, making it easy to access the city by car.
However, we advise against driving into the city centre due to congestion, limited parking and the ZTL we mentioned above.
Public transport to Florence
There are regular train connections to Florence Central Station (Santa Maria Novella) from the rest of Italy.
From the Central Station, you can easily walk to your hotel if it is centrally located, or you can continue by bus or tram.
Flights to Florence
There are two airports you can fly to when visiting Florence:
Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), also known as Peretola, is less than 10 kilometres from Florence. From here, you can get into Florence by public transport in approximately 20 minutes.
Pisa International Airport (PSA), also known as Galileo Galilei, is located approximately 80 km from Florence, but is sometimes cheaper to fly to than Peretola. The trip by train to Florence takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Florence is well-connected to the rest of Italy and many big European cities.
When to visit Florence
Florence can be visited all year round and tourists flock to the city regardless of the season.
The high season is in July and August when Italians, Europeans and much of the rest of the world enjoy their summer holidays.
July and August are also the hottest months, so if you have the flexibility to plan your trip to Florence outside of this period, we strongly recommend doing so.
June and September are good shoulder months with great weather and fewer crowds, although there are still many tourists.
December, January and February are the coldest months (like many other places in Europe).
It rains the most in October, November and December.
Note: On June 24th every year, the San Giovanni Festival is celebrated and large parts of Florence close (including access to the cathedral).
Our weather experience in Florence
We visited Florence in June and enjoyed the fantastic weather. There were of course quite a few tourists, but nowhere near how many there are in the middle of summer.
September is also a good time to visit Florence.
In September 2022, we visited several other cities in Tuscany close to Florence (among others Lucca, Siena and Pisa), and the temperatures and crowds were at a comfortable level.
We’ve personally visited Tuscany in both June and September, finding these months optimal in terms of favourable weather and fewer tourists compared to July and August.
Pre-order tickets online so you avoid spending time queuing for ticket sales at various museums and palaces. Alternatively, buy a Firenze Card(adlink) to skip the queues.
Arrive early or late in the day at the most popular attractions to avoid the long queues that typically occur in the middle of the day.
Many restaurants close for siesta between lunch and dinner, so keep an eye on the opening hours if you want to eat at a particular restaurant or café during the day.
Expect an additional charge on the restaurant bill. Most restaurants add a “coperto” per guest, which is a fee per person regardless of your order. It is typically between 1 and 3 euros, which you pay in addition to the price of the food. It’s common to receive a small bread basket with butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a starter.
Florence is a mecca for food lovers. It is recommended to book a table in advance at the most popular restaurants.
Bring a refillable water bottle with you while exploring Florence so you can easily fill it with free water from the city’s fountains.Florence is jam-packed with art on almost every street and alley.
Sustainable travel tips
To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:
Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
Avoid disposable plastics.
Sort your waste correctly and do not throw it on the ground.
We saw many turtles around Florence but never found out exactly what they represent. Maybe you can enlighten us?
Thank you for reading
Thank you for reading our travel guide to Florence. We hope it has been helpful!
What do you think of Florence?
If you’ve already been to Tuscany’s stunning capital, it would be great to hear your best tips and tricks on what to do and see.
Don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments below if you haven’t been to Florence yet. We are happy to help.
We hope you will enjoy your time in Florence as much as we did.
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
Advertisement disclaimer: During our time in Tuscany, we got a complimentary stay at Vegan Agrivilla I Pini. Also, some of the links in this article are affiliate links (including links to Amazon) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
Rustic luxury in the rolling hills of Tuscany
Vegan Agrivilla I Pini is a special place.
We knew it from the moment we heard about it back in 2019 when we visited LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel in South Tyrol which is run by the same lovely family.
Since then we have been dreaming of visiting the farmhouse and experiencing the Tuscan culture, food and architecture.
Apart from the agrivilla being 100% vegan (which is obviously paradise for us), the rustic and minimalistic design is so incredibly aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
On a trip through Italy in September/October 2022, we finally had the chance to visit for a few days!
Even though the weather wasn’t the best, we had a beautiful and relaxing time in the Italian countryside and got to taste some delicious food.
Let us tell you more and show you the place in this review!
Agrivilla I Pini has been created with an incredible attention to detail.
The location
Just a 20-minute walk (or short drive) from the medieval town of San Gimignano, Vegan Agrivilla I Pini is nestled between the famous Tuscan rolling hills.
Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves (some of them are their own!), the farmhouse provides the peace and quiet you want from a vacation.
Historically, the place has provided shelter to pilgrims along the ancient road Via Francigena for hundreds of years and today, you can find sanctuary within the same walls.
Note: There is no Wi-Fi in the room. In the public spaces, the connection is turned off at 10 pm to better enjoy a calm, mindful night.
There are 11 unique rooms to stay in at I Pini. This is “Botanica”.
Vegan food
As the name indicates, Vegan Agrivilla I Pini is a vegan place serving 100% plant-based farm kitchen-inspired meals.
I Pini is a holistic haven for the plant-curious offering Tuscan homemade delicacies from their own vegetable garden as well as their very own wine and olive oil.
Not only is it organic; it’s biodynamic and veganic meaning the utmost care has been taken to ensure that biodiversity is thriving and nature is taken care off in a respectable and healthy way.
All that is not produced here is bought locally and in-season, which is just great to know.
I Pini’s own olive grove and vineyard is located adjacent to the villa.The biodynamic and veganic garden produces beautiful vegetables that are used directly in the kitchen.
Dinner
Every night a four-course menu with a mix of innovative dishes and more classic ones with a twist is served.
The menu contains seasonal vegetables and ingredients and the flavours are exquisite.
Like at LA VIMEA and Paradiso Pure.Living, we tried so many combinations and ways to prepare the food we haven’t tried before. The pumpkin soup we had as a starter on our last night was out of this world. The best one we have ever had!
Thursdays are pizza nights and the pizzas are made with different bases (tomato, “cheese”, onion, pumpkin) and vegetable pairings.
They kept the pizzas coming until we were all very full… And then we had tiramisu for dessert. Yum!
This pumpkin soup was simply wonderful.Homemade gnocchi.Followed by this chocolaty indulgence.The pizza night at I Pini was a fun experience.
Breakfast
For breakfast, we had warm oatmeal as a starter along with a thin kind of yoghurt with granola and a small biscuit followed by a bigger platter with an assortment of fruits, salad, cake, bread with jam and a local chickpea kind-of-omelet called cecine.
The variations changed a bit daily.
Breakfast is served from 8 to 10 am.
There’s no breakfast buffet at I Pini – instead we got served this varied platter full of delicacies.
On sunny and warm days, lounging by the sustainable outdoor saltwater pool must be amazing!
Unfortunately, it was a bit too windy and rainy when we visited, so we didn’t jump in – but we enjoyed a walk around the property and saw their own olive groves and vineyards.
There’s also a cosy library with many books and cook books in different languages for everyone to read.
The outdoor areas at I Pini invite you to relax deeply and enjoy the surroundings.
What to do around Vegan Agrivilla I Pini
The medieval town of San Gimignano is just a 5 minute drive or a 20 minute (steep) walk away. In our opinion, it’s a must to visit if you stay at Vegan Agrivilla I Pini!
The town has some cool viewpoints (we liked the view from the tower Torre Grossa), charming cobblestoned streets with lots of restaurants and artisanal shops as well as several gelaterias.
We also visited Sentierelsa (the Elsa Trail) which is 20-25 minutes away by car but unfortunately, the rain had made it all muddy and the water was just brown, so we wouldn’t recommend it after heavy rains. Otherwise, and especially in summer, the water looks perfectly blue and it would be a nice place for a swim in the heat.
If you use I Pini as your base for a little longer than three nights, you can also consider visiting Tuscan gems like Siena, Florence, Lucca or Pisa on day trips.
San Gimignano is one of Tuscany’s finest and most well-preserved medieval towns.Visiting early or late in the day is highly recommended for a more atmospheric experience.
Vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian – we’re sure the food will surprise you with amazing colours and combinations you haven’t thought of before. The culinary experience at Vegan Agrivilla I Pini is definitely one of the best reasons to stay here.
If you value being surrounded by rustic, elegant beauty, this is also the place for you. Liking the pictures we have included here so far? Then imagine living in them!
And finally, if you need some peace and quiet away from the digital world or a romantic holiday with room for deep talks and quality time, you’re going to love staying at Vegan Agrivilla I Pini in the Tuscan countryside.
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
Advertisement disclaimer: During our time in Northern Italy, we got a complimentary stay at Paradiso Pure.Living. As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
Vegetarian luxury at 2,000 metres
Hotel Paradiso Pure.Living is the first 100% vegetarian hotel in the Dolomites.
Being run by the same lovely people as the 100% vegan LA VIMEA in nearby Naturno and Vegan Agrivilla I Pini in Tuscany, we knew that the quality of our stay would be high. And we were not disappointed!
The hotel is located directly on the Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi plateau in a secluded yet central position.
Up here, the views are nothing short of magnificent. It’s quiet, too, which is just what we needed for deep relaxation and introspection. The food, amenities and service make the whole thing come together in perfect symphony.
Paradiso Pure.Living is like an oasis in the middle of what is already an amazing outdoor area – filled with trails that make staying here in all seasons a unique experience.
The hotel is surrounded by nature in one of the prettiest spots in the Dolomites.There are endless trails to explore.And mountains in all directions.
Location
Paradiso Pure.Living is located on the Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi plateau at 2,000 metres of altitude, granting immediate access to the ski slopes in winter and the hiking trails in summer.
For outdoor lovers, this is obviously ideal.
Normally, Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi can only be reached by cable car to reduce traffic.
But if you’re staying in one of the few hotels on up here (like Paradiso Pure.Living) in summer, it’s allowed to drive directly to the hotel when checking in and once again when checking out. In winter, there’s a free transfer from the Compatsch parking lot 4 kilometres away.
That also means that you are virtually alone up here in the early mornings and late at night when the cable cars aren’t running.
Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi is the largest high plateau in Europe.The hotel is located 2,000 metres above sea level, making for lovely temperatures in summer and lots of snow in winter.Hiking here is just perfect.Just wow. You can spot Seceda in the background.Enjoy the sundeck on warm summer days with a cool drink.Paradiso Pure.Living is all about living consciously, sustainably and in connection with nature.
The room
Our room at Paradiso Pure.Living had a big terrace with a direct south looking view towards the jagged edges of the Rosszähne / Denti di Terrarossa mountains.
Waking up in the mountains is such a nice feeling and simply admiring the changing light and views throughout the day from the balcony can make many hours go by in serenity.
The bed was huge and very comfortable. We slept like babies, which might also have been helped by the fresh mountain air and daily hikes.
Our sofa made the room feel almost like an apartment, and space definitely wasn’t an issue.
We loved the fact that the bathroom articles were from Pure Green Cosmetics’ organic and plant-based Nature line.
The indoor salt-water swimming pool is the perfect place to move your body a little or just relax in the warm water after a day of skiing or hiking.
Just outside there’s also a warm salt-water whirlpool which can be used in both summertime and wintertime.
Both pools share a fantastic view to the iconic Sassolungo / Langkofel and Sasso Piatto / Plattkofel mountains. So cool!
A whirlpool with a (magnificent) view.There’s also a big indoor pool.
Spa
We were quite impressed with the spa at Paradiso Pure.Living.
There are several ways to warm yourself: a hay sauna (with wild local herbs from the alpine meadows!), a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna as well as a steam bath.
The infrared sauna was really interesting to try – warming mainly the spine in a very different way than with pure heat energy.
Meditation music plays throughout the whole area at a low volume helping to reduce any levels of stress. We liked the relaxation area, inviting us to contemplate and let go of tension.
The sauna is perfect for warming up in winter.Relax in the spa area.
Gym
The Canali gym at Paradiso Pure.Living is small but has enough equipment for you to get a solid workout in.
For cardio, there are two treadmills and two bicycle stations.
For strength, there is a kettlebell, a versatile station called The Rack as well as two strength machines. There’s also a mat on the floor for stretching and other exercises.
The Canali gym at Paradiso Pure.Living.
Vegan food
Good food is taken very seriously at Paradiso Pure.Living.
Most of the produce is locally bought and organic.
It seemed like the main supplier was from nearby Bozen / Bolzano and biodynamically certified.
Paradiso Pure.Living is the first all-vegetarian hotel in the Dolomites.Each dish was packed with flavours and textures.Everything from the food to the furniture is selected with the utmost care for nature.The desserts were the perfect endings to the five-course meals.
Breakfast buffet
We were very impressed by the all-vegetarian breakfast buffet at Paradiso Pure.Living.
Allergens were clearly marked and so were the vegan items (of which there were plenty!)
Here’s an overview of the vegan breakfast options:
Hot savoury dishes: Tofu scramble and roasted potatoes.
Cold savoury dishes: Green salad, tomato salad, legumes-cereals-vegetables salad.
Plant milks and yoghurts (including oat kefir).
Bread: Homemade rye wholemeal, box, rusk and mixed.
If you’re looking to recharge your energy, there are few places better to do so than at Paradiso Pure.Living.
Even if you aren’t strictly vegetarian or vegan, you’ll love the food – and feel lighter after each delicious meal.
The rooms are beautiful, the service is top-notch and the location…
Well, the photos do hopefully speak for themselves, but it’s hard to accurately capture the calm of the secluded position on the plateau. It was a very unique feeling staying in such splendour directly in nature.
Paradiso Pure.Living is a special place. Especially for skiers, hikers, mountain lovers and people who simply want to wind down and relax knowing that their every need is taken care of.
Cows dot the landscape at Seiser Alm / Alpe di Siusi.We felt at peace here.There are so many spots from which to enjoy the nature and amazing surroundings.Even in June there was still some snow around the peaks.Visiting in summer means comfortable temperatures and flowers everywhere.We had such a fantastic time at Paradiso Pure.Living (adlink) and hope you will, too!
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
Advertisement disclaimer: During our time in Northern Italy, we got a complimentary stay at LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (including links to Amazon) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
The four-star LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel is not only eco-conscious, animal-friendly or vegetarian – it’s 100% vegan.
In fact, it’s Italy’s first completely vegan hotel, which is awesome!
Everything is made without animals; not simply the food (which is organic too!), but also the furniture, duvets, toiletries and more.
Of course, you don’t have to be a vegan to stay at LA VIMEA. If you don’t actively look it up, you’ll most likely not even realise that it’s a vegan hotel. You’ll just enjoy the tranquillity and friendly service.
With a central location in Naturno in South Tyrol, the adult-only LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel is the perfect place to stay for an active and holistic holiday in Northern Italy.
Arriving at the vegan hotel LA VIMEA, we were greeted with some of Naturno’s famous 315 days of sunshine a year.The rejuvenating bathing pond.
The location
LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel is located in Naturno/Naturns in South Tyrol, Northern Italy in the Val Venosta valley.
Merano is just 15 kilometres away.
South Tyrol is a unique province of Italy as German is more widely spoken than Italian and it remains fairly autonomous. It’s also the wealthiest province in Italy.
The landscape is diverse, and along apple orchards, you’ll find old chapels, castles and monasteries as well as an abundance of pristine nature.
On rainy days, there are also quite a few interesting museums in the area.
Mountain view from our balcony.About 62,3% of the population in South Tyrol speaks German while 23.4% speaks Italian (Wikipedia).
Sound environment
The hotel is located on a quiet side street, and once you step inside the grounds, it feels like you’re much farther away from the (relatively mellow) action of Naturno than you actually are.
This is also due to LA VIMEA’s focus on its sound environment.
LA VIMEA is quiet!
Even with a full dining room, the acoustics are fantastic, and all you can hear is the conversation with your partner and the relaxing background music. We loved this.
LA VIMEA is strikingly quiet.
Map
Vegan food
Though there are plenty of other great reasons for staying at LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel, we were mainly persuaded by the food.
All vegan, organic and locally sourced produce? In Italy? Count us in!
Of course, they also do their best to secure the best seasonal fruits and vegetables to preserve nutrients and taste – often from their own farm in Tuscany, Vegan Agrivilla I Pini.
Every room includes a breakfast buffet (from 07.30 to 10.30) along with a nightly five course dinner (starts between 19.00 and 20.30).
LA VIMEA also caters to gluten-free, raw diets and all kinds of allergies.
You can choose between dining inside or outside in the serene garden.
We were thrilled with the breakfast buffet at LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel.
The choices were all absolutely delicious and healthy-tasting without losing any kind of punch or flavour – which you might otherwise sometimes expect from restaurants that want to “let the produce shine”…
This is a difficult balance to master, and LA VIMEA does it so well.
The “sinful” desserts were indeed sweet but not too sweet. The pie was very tasty without being too salty. The granola was crunchy without being sugary. Kudos!
Just to name a few of the things available at the breakfast buffet: There was a juicer where you could juice your own veggies (so yum), organic and Fair Trade coffee (including almond or oat milk cappuccinos), tea, fresh fruit, the best porridge ever, bliss balls, pancakes (both “regular” and made from buckwheat), rice and daal, roasted veggies in season (eggplant, sweet potato, pumpkin…), bread, nut butter, granola with healthy toppings and more.
We’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking on this one as this is a breakfast buffet that you simply have to treat yourself to!
LA VIMEA’s breakfast buffet is 100% vegan, organic and delicious.Juice your own fruits and vegetables in the juicer.
Five course dinner
Buona sera, dinner is served!
The cuisine at LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel is creative and deceivingly simple.
Our impression was that the kitchen really wanted to highlight the taste of each of the carefully chosen ingredients – and they surely accomplished that – along with serving a delightful dining experience.
The experience was unpretentious yet luxurious in its execution.
If you wish to have a beer or a glass of wine paired with your dinner, there’s a skilled sommelier on staff that can help you choose a suitable vegan option.
Some nights they serve pizzas from the wood-fired oven outside.
Facilities
Swimming
There are two swimming pools at LA VIMEA: a saltwater pool inside and a non-heated pond pool outside.
There are plenty of sun chairs on the deck and in the garden to kick back and enjoy a good read.
To get warmed up, jump into the cute barrel-shaped forest sauna, or go inside the wellness area and take a pick between the Finnish sauna, the bio-sauna, the hot stone lounge or the infrared cabin.
Cool down in the pond on warm days.Or swim in the heated saltwater pool inside.The forest sauna is really charming.
Mindful activities
Every day, one of the following mindful activities are offered for free to guests at LA VIMEA: Vinyasa yoga, pranayama yoga, yin & yang yoga, soft flow yoga, sound meditation, forest bathing and mindful meditation.
Just sign up at the front desk beforehand and you’re welcome to join.
All classes are great for beginners and advanced students alike.
It’s also possible to book private sessions with a yoga teacher.
The yoga room at LA VIMEA.A stay at LA VIMEA is perfect for recharging both body and mind.
Tie your laces and become immersed in nature just minutes from the hotel.
There are plenty of options for avid hikers as well as casual strollers.
A walk along the Adige river is soothing for the mind, or why not take up the challenge and climb one of the high peaks surrounding the valley?
If you prefer two wheels to two feet, you can rent a mountain bike or E-bike directly from LA VIMEA and explore the surrounding area and experience the hospitable South Tyrolean countryside.
Afterwards, you surely deserve a relaxing massage or a holistic treatment at LA VIMEA’s spa (including Ayurveda treatments).
There are mountains and nature to explore all around LA VIMEA.
Room
Our sky loft was very inviting with a fantastic view of the valley from our large balcony.
The room was super spacious and we immediately felt at home.
We slept peacefully in the soft beds in organic and Fair Trade cotton. The blanket is made from organic tencel fibres and the mattress is biodegradable.
For unwinding at night, there are nice and calming lighting options.
The bathroom includes both a shower and a bathtub, and, of course, all of the toiletries are vegan.
There are a few different rooms to choose from at LA VIMEA, all with balconies or terraces.Wifi is turned off at 22.00 for a relaxing night’s sleep.
Who should stay at LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel?
If you identify yourself as vegan and want to visit South Tyrol, staying at LA VIMEA Vegan Hotel is a no-brainer.
No longer do you have to ask about which options are vegan at the breakfast buffet or worry about whether or not down was used in your duvet or if you’re sitting in a leather sofa.
LA VIMEA has taken care of everything so all there’s left to do is to relax and enjoy the wonderful hospitality!
If you care about the environment, you’ll also appreciate staying at LA VIMEA as the hotel only uses green energy and solar power, avoids plastic as much as possible and even sources its wood sustainably from the local area.
Even if you don’t stay at LA VIMEA for their commitment to their sustainable values, you’ll love the food, the caring staff (who, as far as we could tell, all spoke German, Italian and English), the peaceful atmosphere as well as the wonderful area.
We had a perfect stay at LA VIMEA and can’t wait to return one day!
Finding ourselves in the region once more, we were invited for a second stay at LA VIMEA in June 2021.
As is evident from the review from the time, we have looked forward to returning ever since September 2019. And to our delight, the hotel was exactly as good as we had remembered it.
Actually, it was not only as good. It was better!
The whole team felt even friendlier and service-minded (though we didn’t think that would be possible).
And the quality of the dinners had improved, too.
This time around, the plates were even more colourful, flavourful and varied. So impressive.
Once again, LA VIMEA enchanted us. The utmost care for every detail. The smiles. The bird song. The mountains. The food…
Needless to say, we hope to make this whole “returning to LA VIMEA” a recurring thing!
Returning to LA VIMEA for a second stay was a beautiful experience.The view from our room was amazing.The five-course all-vegan dinner at LA VIMEA is gourmet food made from scratch with organic, local ingredients + love.Gnocchi to die for.How creative is this plate of polenta??See you soon, LA VIMEA!
Vernago Lake
Located only 15 minutes away by car, Lago di Vernago (Vernagt-Stausee) is a nature gem waiting to be discovered.
The trail around the lake takes 1.5-2 hours to hike, and apart from a short stretch along the not-very-busy road, you walk in forest on gentle trails with magnificent lake views among cows and alpacas.
To make it even better, there are a few suspension bridges complete with waterfalls and roaring water along the way, adding to the excitement.
If you have the time, we strongly recommend you hike around the nearby Lago di Vernago while visiting LA VIMEA.The trail is just-the-right-amount of challenging. And the views are gorgeous.Suspension bridges scream adventure, and here they’re made even better with accompanying waterfalls.
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (including links to Amazon) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
The many faces of Milan
Milan is both fast and slow – though in a more deliberate way than other Italian metropolises. It’s measured, meticulous, sharp.
The city centre is as busy as one might expect from one of Europe’s richest and fastest growing cities, but you needn’t stray far from the noise to discover the quiet, more romantic sides of the city.
Everywhere in Milan, it’s possible to seek out secret streets, beautiful churches, cosy parks and old world cafés where Italians discuss politics and football exactly as they have done for centuries.
On just a single day you can experience ancient Italy with incredible art and architecture along with the sustainable buildings, fashion, nightlife and fusion cuisine of modern Italy.
We spent a couple of days in Milan when we visited northern Italy in August 2016. It was Alexander’s third visit and once again the city proved that it holds a lifetime of discoveries.
We have gathered our 5 best reasons to visit Milan in this article, though there surely are many more. Benvenuti!
The main tourist attraction of Milan is the magnificent cathedral, Duomo di Milano, located in the middle of the city.
The cathedral took over 500 years to build (1386-1965) and is the third largest church in the world. It’s 158 meters long, 92 meters wide and 108 meters high. It has 135 spires and more than 2.000 statues.
The gigantic size of the church and the incredible amount of details make the building hugely impressive.
The interior of Duomo di Milano is an amazing sight, but the roof of the church is what truly sets it apart.
For a small additional price, you can climb the long flight of stairs or take an elevator to get to the top.
Up there you can admire the statues and spires from a new perspective – and the views make for dropped jaws as well as stunning photographs. On clear days one can be lucky to see all the way to the Alps.
Endless spires and statues on the roof of the Duomo di Milano.
How to visit Milan Cathedral like a pro
It’s possible to buy a ticket that gives access to both the church and the roof.
The cheapest option is to take the (almost 1.000!) steps.
Alternatively, you can pay an additional fee and use the elevator. The queue to the elevator is usually longer than the one to the stairs.
Both options are located on the left side of the church when looking at the entrance (the corner closest to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II).
The cathedral is extremely popular amongst tourists, so if you have enough time in Milan, we can highly recommend to enjoy the view of the city from the roof in the afternoon sun and then wait to see the inside of the Duomo until the next morning.
If you’re out early enough (preferably right when it opens), you can get the whole splendid room to yourself.
When we arrived at 9 in the morning, we were the first ones to get in because we had already bought our tickets the day before. The only queue was the one to the ticket booths.
When we left the church there was a long queue to get in.
In the afternoon, you can expect around 30 to 60 minutes of queuing – at least in the popular summer months…
It’s a good idea to cover your knees and shoulders before entering the church. This is not a requirement when visiting the roof.
If you rise early, you can get the Duomo di Milano all to yourself.View of the modern city from the top of the cathedral.
2. World-class shopping
Milan is Italy’s fashion capital and it’s internationally recognized as one of the world’s most important fashion cities along with London, Paris and New York.
Virtually all Italian brands have headquarters here, including Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Prada, Miu Miu, Valentino, Versace, Moschino and Bottega Veneta.
Many other international brands also have large flagship stores in the city, and if you are into high-end shopping, Milan is an obvious choice for your next spending spree.
If you aren’t into shopping in expensive brand stores (like us!), there are also cheaper shopping options in Milan and several local independent designer stores selling quality wares – as well as a host of outlets on the outskirts of town.
In the streets that make up Quadrilatero della moda, shops from almost all of the world’s major fashion brands are found, and the area is known to be one of the most important fashion districts in the world.
Even if you are not very fashion-oriented, it’s interesting to get a glimpse of the exclusive lifestyle in the extravagant window displays and either shake your head or get inspired by the flaunted Ferraris and Prada bags.
The area is generally considered to be the square made from the four streets Via Monte Napoleone, Via Alessandro Manzoni, Via della Spiga and Corso Venezia.
Shopping in style at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Located right next to Duomo di Milano, you’ll find the world’s oldest shopping centre: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, built in 1867.
One can also argue that it is the world’s most beautiful.
Here you will find the stores of famous fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Armani and Gucci plus the original, first Prada store.
In addition to the shops, there are a few cafés inside the galleria (including a Gucci café) from where you can watch the crowds and enjoy an expensive cup of coffee.
3. Mouthwatering Italian food
If you are travelling for food, you will not be disappointed by the food scene of Milan.
The city is considered to be the centre of northern Italian cuisine.
In the region of Lombardy (of which Milan is the capital), butter is traditionally used instead of olive oil and rice and corn often substitute the otherwise ubiquitous pasta.
Milan’s countless restaurants are obvious places to taste specialities like Milanese risotto, polenta and osso buco.
However, there is no reason to adhere exclusively to the region’s historically anchored dishes when eating in Milan.
Our favourite Italian food is by far the Neapolitan pizza (unless gelato counts); give the classic version with tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and basil leaves a try at Solo Pizza and get a glimpse into the fiery ovens of Southern Italy.
The Margherita and vegetable calzone from Solo Pizza was delicious.
Go for an aperitivo
After work (at around 18.00-20.00) many Milanese flock to the countless bars of the city to get an aperitivo which involves a drink – or two – as well as some light snacks before dinner.
When buying a drink, you will typically get access to a buffet where you can snack away your hunger.
Every bar does it differently, but it’s not rare to find small sandwiches, pasta, pizza-pieces, cold or hot salads as well as a selection of cheeses.
The price of drinks often increases during the aperitivo time which makes up for the “free buffet”. Either way, it can be a fun experience and many bars serve food that you would otherwise be happy to pay for.
The usual choices include dry and bitter drinks like Vermouth, Aperol Spritz and Campari – but wine and beer are also perfectly acceptable these days.
The aperitivo is considered to be a social event, so don’t be too surprised if just one drink leads to new acquaintances.
For eating, flee from the Duomo
There are undoubtedly many excellent restaurants close to the cathedral, but…
If you want to experience the wonderful Milanese cuisine like a local, with the locals, you have to walk away from the historic centre.
Milan is packed with great places to go out for dinner, many of which are hidden behind unpretentious facades in residential areas.
So just go out and explore the city, follow your nose and let’s hear about it in the comments if you’ve found a secret gem!
4. Castles, parks and canals
The beautiful streets of Milan are inviting you to go on long city walks, so don’t be afraid to take a few detours to your next destination.
We can particularly recommend the southern and western parts of the city.
For example, visit the Sforza Castle, an ancient fortification, which later became the rich Sforza family’s pompous home.
It’s free to walk around the complex, but the indoor museums have entrance fees.
Just next to the Sforza castle you’ll find the pleasant park Parco Sempione, where you can relax and take it slow for a few hours.
South of the Duomo, the Navigli neighbourhood will charm you with its calming canals.
They originate from the 12th century, where the waterways were used to ship materials to build the famous cathedral.
The area can feel like a breath of fresh air away from the city’s intense shopping areas – but if you miss the shopping, visit the canals when there’s a flea market on Saturdays.
The quality of the goods is generally not as high as in the Quadrilatero della moda, but it can be fun to browse the stalls.
When visiting Navigli in the evening, there are ample opportunities to get your aperitivo on in one of the area’s many funky bars.
Go for a walk in Parco Sempione and take a look into the Sforza castle.Enjoy a peaceful walk along the canals of Navigli.Milan is filled with both new and old architecture.
5. The heart of the region
Milan is a great base for exploring the northern parts of Italy.
The trains from the Central Station of Milan can take you to the whole region, and you can comfortably reach cities like Bologna, Genoa, Florence and Turin in less than two hours.
When we visited Milan, we got there from Bergamo. From Milan, we later went to Lake Como by train. Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore are also within easy reach.
The train system is easy to use; the trains run regularly, tickets are reasonably priced and if you need help, an information desk with (hopefully!) at least one English-speaking employee is nearby.
Bergamo is only an hour away from Milan.Romantic Lake Como.
There are certainly many more good reasons to visit Milan – especially if you are a history and art buff.
Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is only the tip of the iceberg, and you can certainly spend days visiting all of Milan’s magnificent churches and museums.
Tell us if we’ve forgotten anything – and share your best tips for visiting Milan in the comments!
Map
Find the areas, restaurants and attractions we have written about in the article on the map below. Click on the icon in the top left corner to get an overview.
Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (including links to Amazon) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
118 islands and more than 400 bridges
The floating city has been a dream destination of ours for years.
Italy is one of our favourite countries and with Venice being such a unique city, we simply had to visit at least once in our lives.
In June 2018 we went to Italy for the third time together to stay in The Dolomites. The purpose of our trip was mainly to work on this blog/website but luckily we also took some days off to go exploring.
It felt like the perfect time to go on a day trip to wonderful Venice!
We went early in the morning with high expectations of cosy narrow streets, pastel-coloured houses and captivating canals – and we got exactly what we had hoped for.
Having researched online (and been to many touristic places before) we also feared that there would be huge crowds and street vendors. That’s why we decided to go on a Tuesday.
Of course, there were many people near the famous sights (Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Bridge of Sighs etc.) but we were surprised to have many of the streets to ourselves.
As for the sellers, they hung out at the same spots as the crowds and after politely declining their selfie sticks, roses and pigeon feed (which is illegal by the way), it actually wasn’t as bad as we had imagined.
Venice was pleasantly hassle-free and we really enjoyed walking around hand in hand for hours.
While it’s not possible to see every part of Venice in one day, you can definitely get the feel of it.
We stayed until the sun had dipped way under the horizon and after 20 kilometres of walking, 8 scoops of gelato (yes really) + countless bridges and narrow streets, we can say that it truly is romantic.
Getting lost in the maze of canals is an experience we will never forget.
When in Venice, dance!
The Bridge of Sighs, built in 1600 from white limestone.The Grand Canal is the highway of Venice.With just one chance of a sunset in Venice, we must say we got pretty lucky.Santa Maria della Salute.It felt like every single house in Venice was just pretty.We fell in love with the gelato from Suso. They also offer delicious vegan options.The famed Rialto Bridge – oldest of the four bridges spanning Venice’s Grand Canal.Moon rising over one of the narrower canals.
Our best tips for a day trip to Venice:
We tried three different gelaterias: Alaska (not gelato-like at all), GROM (a great high-quality Italian gelato chain) and Suso (omg, yes, go have your gelato from this place).
Early in the morning and in the evening, all the crowds are gone and the atmosphere changes completely. Go see the most popular attractions at this time if you want to avoid the cruise ship hordes and loud families.
We survived (and actually had a really great time!) without a gondola ride.
But “how can you go to Venice without sailing in a gondola?” you may think. We know, it’s a must. But it’s also €80 for 30 minutes which felt a bit pricey for us.
The gondolas ARE super cute and romantic and if you’ve always dreamt about it (or don’t care about the price) please go ahead and enjoy it.
If you’re in doubt, just know that we support you spending those euros on pizzas and gelatos instead.
Go get lost! Venice is charming all over, so pack away your map and GPS.
Cars are not allowed in the city, so expect to walk a lot or take the water taxis.
If you need to park your car outside the city, you have a few options. Most convenient (and most expensive) is Garage San Marco Venezia. We parked at Tronchetto just a little further away and paid €21 for 24 hours of parking. From there we could easily walk to the historic city centre.
A cheaper option is to park in Mestre on the mainland and take a short ride on a train or bus to Venice.
Bridge of Sighs.Neapolitan pizza from Rossopomodoro.The Grand Canal by the Rialto Bridge.Saint Mark’s Basilica – almost a thousand years old!If this isn’t romantic, we don’t know what is.What a perfect way to end a beautiful day.
We ♥ Italy! – a Travel Video from Rome, Naples & Procida
Behind the scenes
From oh so romantic Rome we travelled to the Bay of Naples where we climbed an active volcano (the only one on Europe’s mainland!), ate the best pizzas in the world in Naples and chilled out in the water surrounding Procida – probably Italy’s most beautiful island. We love Italy!
Shot on Panasonic GH5 (7-14mm & 12-35mm 2.8) and DJI Mavic Pro.
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