Planning to visit the Tuscan capital but don’t have plans on where to go yet? Well, we’ve got you covered! This article will help you decide which iconic streets in Florence to go to find the best shot for your photo op.
Florence offers the ideal street for you, whether you want to splurge on designer products, buy some hand-crafted leather goods, or just take in the ambiance and historical sites of the city.
This is a city that’s renowned for its beauty and history. It is home to famous points of interest such as the Duomo, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. But did you know the city has much more to offer than just its main attractions? In fact, several iconic streets in Florence deserve your attention if you’re planning on visiting this fantastic place. So here are our top picks!
12 Most Iconic Streets in Florence, Italy
Discover the 12 most iconic streets in Florence, Italy, that showcase the city’s beauty and charm.
1. Via de’ Tornabuoni
In Florence, the Via de’ Tornabuoni is the place to go for high-end shopping. Along this street are shops of some of the most prestigious Italian luxury brands like Fendi, Gucci, and Bvlgari (as shown in the photo above).
You can also go to historic palaces and museums, such as the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum and the Palazzo Spini Feroni, in addition to shopping for apparel, cosmetics, and jewelry in the city’s businesses.
Suppose you want to treat yourself while you’re out shopping along Via de’ Tornabuoni. In that case, you may stop by Olfattorio Bar a Parfums Florence to pick up some high-end fragrances from one of their luxury brands. Between the Palazzo Antinori and the Saint Trinity Bridge is where you will find the Via de’ Tornabuoni.
Even though the area is pedestrian-only, it’s one of the most famous streets in Florence, Italy. You should probably visit early in the day to avoid having to fight your way through masses of people.
2. Via della Vigna Nuova
If you’re looking for a street to explore in Florence, Italy, look no further than Via della Vigna Nuova.
The Duomo’s imposing presence dominates the city’s historic core, transporting visitors back in time to Florence’s golden Renaissance era. It’s easy to picture the city as it was in ancient times while you take a stroll on this street. And if you want to go on a shopping spree, jewelry and clothing stores are just around the corner.
In English, Via della Vigna Nuova translates to “the path of the new vineyard.” However, nowadays, you won’t find a grapevine anywhere in sight.
3. Via de’ Neri
Via de’ Neri is one of the most famous streets in Florence. This is a street that is located in close proximity to key tourist attractions in the center of Florence, such as the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio.
In addition, it’s home to some of the most well-known sandwich shops and pizzerias in all of Florence.
You will definitely have a good time walking down this street because it has a lot of character and charming shopfronts.
4. Via Camillo Cavour
Via Cavour is a main street in Florence, Italy. It is named after Camillo Cavour, the first Prime Minister of Italy.
Countless Renaissance-era palaces and museums contribute to the area’s popularity. There are numerous cafés and restaurants, as well as plenty of shops selling goods and clothing. Visit the exhibits in Riccardi Medici Palace that span four centuries of Florence’s artistic development.
Starting at the Riccardi Medici Palace, stroll north through Piazza San Marco and Piazza della Libertà to take in the sights and sounds of this historic street. From Via Camillo Cavour, you can easily reach Florence landmarks, including the Duomo and the Accademia Gallery.
5. Viali di Circonvallazione
Photo by Freepenguin via Wikimedia Commons
The Viali di Circonvallazione are a network of wide boulevards with six lanes that roughly follows the same path as Florence’s old walls. As a result, these viali define the limits of the city’s historic core, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The large boulevards, which were constructed in 1865, were supposed to be similar in appearance to the boulevards that are seen in Paris. They are among the best paths to take if you want to get a look at a variety of important landmarks in Florence.
While you head along these iconic Florence streets, you should make plans to stop on a number of bridges, and other points of interest. Must-sees include Piazza Beccaria, Ponte alla Vittoria, Piazza Vittorio Veneto. However, we strongly advise staying away from this heavily used route during the peak hours.
6 – 7. Via dei Calzaiuoli & Via Roma
Photo by Freepenguin via Wikimedia Commons
If you’re looking for iconic streets in Florence, look no further than Via dei Calzaiuoli and Via Roma. These iconic streets run parallel to one another and constitute the primary commercial district of Florence.
Both of these streets lead to the Piazza della Signoria, another one of Florence’s important squares, and connect it to the famous Piazza del Duomo.
You go to the adjacent La Rinascente department store if you are interested in doing some shopping for clothing. This department store is located in a historic building and has six storeys filled with stores selling both clothing and homeware. On the rooftop, you can sip a refreshing drink while taking in the sights of the city.
8. Via Maggio
Via Maggio is one of the most famous and also among the oldest streets in Florence. It’s lined with many historic buildings, including the Palazzo Spini Feroni.
This part of town and this city’s history are inextricably intertwined with the street, which has long served as a throbbing center for artistic expression and cultural vitality.
The Oltrarno neighborhood is home to the Via Maggio, which is a continuation of Via Tornabuoni across the river. It links the Pitti Palace neighborhood’s Piazza San Felice with Ponte Santa Trinita.
You may find galleries and antique shops along the old street. In addition, many of the city’s most prominent aristocratic families, like the Pitti, Corsini, Capponi, and Ridolfi, have grand palaces here.
9. Via Santo Spirito
Via Santo Spirito, located between the Ponte Vecchio and the Ponte a Santa Trinita in Oltrarno, is one of the streets that flourished when Florence extended beyond the third city wall and yet has its medieval layout and architecture.
Via Santo Spirito also goes by the names Borgo San Frediano and Borgo San Jacopo. This roadway leads east from the Porta San Frediano entrance to the Ponte Vecchio.
You can learn about the Florentine way of life through excursions to the city’s many palaces, historic residences, and workshops.
10. Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio, built in 1345, is Florence’s oldest surviving bridge, making it one of the most iconic streets in Italy.
In addition to its popularity among history buffs, the Ponte Vecchio is also a popular destination for tourists in search of unique items, jewelry, and silver. Although the bridge has two stories, the upper level is off-limits save for scheduled events.
The Vasari Corridor is the place to go if you want to see Ponte Vecchio from above. Walking along the riverbanks or taking a boat tour can give you a great perspective of the bridge if you just want to look at it and appreciate its medieval construction.
11. Via dei Serragli
The Oltrarno neighborhood’s Via dei Serragli is home to a wide variety of stores run by local artisans, which attract a larger crowd of visitors.
This is one of the nicest streets in Florence to shop on if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind items like leather goods, apparel, and vintage home decor.
The city gate of Porta Romana, built in the 13th century, may be accessed by Via dei Serragli, which continues on to the Arno River. A picnic in the park is a great way to relax from the hustle and bustle of city life.
12. Lungarno Torrigiani
Lungarno Torrigiani is the expanse of the southern bank of the Arno river in Florence, extending from Via de ‘Bardi to the Ponte alle Grazie. This scenic area offers a remarkable vantage point to admire prominent landmarks such as the iconic Ponte Vecchio, the Vasari Corridor, and Uffizi. This stretch provides an extraordinary viewpoint to appreciate these architectural and historical marvels.
Right around the corner from Lungarno Torrigiani lies a bustling street filled to the brim with tantalizing restaurants, majestic palaces, and vibrant live music spots.
For an unforgettable experience, time your visit just before the sun dips below the horizon to soak in breathtaking city views. And once the night sets in, treat yourself to a delectable dinner or groove to the rhythm of live music at one of the cozy restaurants or lively music clubs in the vicinity.
Lungarno Torrigiani got its name from the proud owners of Palazzo Tempi for a while – the Torrigiani family. This is historical tidbit adds a touch of charm to the story of this iconic place.
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