A Summer in Florence: Art, River Walks and an Elegant Place to Stay

Florence in summer rewards travellers who slow down.

The city’s headline sights are irresistible, but some of its best moments happen between them: an early walk beside the Arno, a quiet courtyard discovered after lunch or sunset spreading across terracotta rooftops. The secret is to build each day around one beautiful route rather than rushing from landmark to landmark.

Begin With Florence Before the Crowds

Kick off in Piazza del Duomo, then head towards Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi before walking across the Ponte Vecchio. The historic centre is a more peaceful place in the gentle morning light, and you can appreciate the kind of detail that often washes out in the afternoon sun.

From there, cross the bridge into Oltrarno territory. The south bank of the Arno has its own set of rules, with more artisan shops, charming side streets and local haunts. If you have the time, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens could be afternoon diversions; the latter is one of the city’s best places to cool down, with its leafy avenues a pleasant distraction from all the cobblestones.

Save the Best View for Evening

As the temperature begins to drop, head up to Piazzale Michelangelo. The view includes the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and the bridges crossing the Arno River, so don’t skip out on what is one of the most well-loved and visited spots in Florence for a reason. Keep walking to San Miniato al Monte for an even more pleasurable trek that can end with descending back into the center of town.

If you have longer than a weekend in town, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the rest of Tuscany. Fiesole is a quick jaunt out of the city atmosphere of Florence and the rest of the country. The vineyards, hill towns and cypress-lined roads just out of the city are just a trip away, the perfect familial follow-up chapter to a holiday in the city-state.

Choose a Base That Feels Part of the City

When your destination itself is the attraction, your hotel matters. Discovering the best 5-star hotels in Florence? Portrait Firenze is located on the river beyond Ponte Vecchio and could appeal to travellers. It’s a prime position for flitting between the centre and Oltrarno on a trip, with a trip back “home” to a quieter, residential area.

Facing the river with its own appealing style and dedication to guests, the hotel is one to match with a slower-bound holiday. For a meal or an aperitivo on home soil, Caffè dell’Oro is the place to be; there’s no need to trade that river for something else.

Florence isn’t a city to conquer in a weekend. Take your time in each part of town, keep afternoons free and give yourself time in the evenings. A week- or ten-day-long trip to Florence, with Portrait Firenze as your respite, means the city and the wider Tuscan landscape can unfold at exactly the right pace.

Disclaimer: Written in partnership with APG.