Everything worth seeing and trying if you find yourself in Florence for the Fiorentina - AEK match.
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is a city that feels like a living Renaissance painting. With its imposing monuments, cobbled streets, grand palaces and impressive museums, it is one of the most captivating destinations in Italy and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The city draws football attention these days, as AEK is hosted by Fiorentina for the 4th matchday of the Group Phase of the Conference League, at the «Artemio Franchi» stadium, on Thursday 27 November. If you find yourself there even for two days, its worth seeing the citys impressive sights and tasting the local cuisine.
The sights of Florence
Florence is a museum city, filled with impressive monuments down every narrow lane. Start your stroll at the imposing Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore, with Brunelleschis distinctive dome and Giottos bell tower. If you have time, you can climb up to enjoy views over the entire city. Continue towards the Ponte Vecchio, the famous medieval bridge with tiny jewelry shops. A walk along the Arno River is well worth it, especially at sunset.
If you have a little extra time, visit the famous Galleria degli Uffizi, home to masterpieces by Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Piazza della Signoria, one of Italys most emblematic squares, will impress you at once with its buildings and the artworks it hosts, such as Palazzo Vecchio - a work from the early 13th century and the historic seat of the Florentine government -, the replica of Michelangelos David and the Fountain of Neptune.
Another great museum in the city is the Galleria dell Accademia, part of which operates as a School of Fine Arts, where you will see the original statue of David, Michelangelos supreme sculpture. For the best view of the city, head to Piazzale Michelangelo, the square where Florence unfolds before your eyes in all its architectural grandeur.
What to try
From the culinary treasures you can discover in the citys markets to its trattorias and award-winning restaurants, the food in Florence is exceptional. Respect for tradition and simple ingredients defines Tuscan cuisine. Be sure to try the famed bistecca alla fiorentina, the most popular local dish, which is a truly enormous steak from the local cattle breeds Chianina or Maremmara. If youre a tripe lover, indulge in a plate of trippa alla fiorentina (braised tripe), or a lampredotto (tripe sandwich).
Dont miss a stroll through the central market Mercato Centrale. There youll wander among stalls brimming with every kind of street food, from pizzas and pasta to gelato. Try traditional cuisine at Trattoria Sostanza, Trattoria Mario, Trattoria Sabatino and Trattoria DallOste. For pizza try Il Pizzaiuolo, Gusta Pizza and Giotto Pizzeria Firenze, while for beer head to Il Pallaio. For gelato visit Perché no!, Vivoli and Gelateria La Carraia.
