Describing Florence is a challenge that has captivated many over the years: artists, historians, travellers and writers alike. Each one brought a fresh new perspective of their own to the task.

Experience Florence does the same, adopting an unconventional approach in terms of both the topics covered and the format used.

Various topics promote every kind of tourism imaginable in the city: from the traditional artistic and museum tours, a must-see in Florence, to activities for families and children, via sports and urban trekking among the area's leafy hills. And there's more: food and wine, crafts, tradition, fashion, shopping, and all kinds of cultural events for both young and old.

Every theme has its place in this dynamic and interactive digital booklet, which includes an innovative combination of photo galleries, videos and writing.

Experience Florence takes you inside the city, giving you the chance to get to know every aspect of it and to truly experience its unique culture, history and beauty.

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Describing Florence's museums means describing the city's history. The historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an open-air gallery where you can admire the facades of the awe-inspiring basilicas and cathedrals that form its unmistakable skyline, and see the lavish palaces that tell the story of the different periods of the city's history: from the birthplace of the Renaissance to the capital of Italy, all the way through to the first half of the twentieth century when Florence became a hub for the avant-garde.

When you visit Florence's museums and see the works housed in them, you are not just delving into the history of a city and its treasures. Rather, you are acknowledging the cultural imaginary that has contributed to the creation of Western civilisation as we know it, laying the foundations for the aesthetic, educational, scientific, culinary, political and artistic principles that surround us today.

Thanks to the foresight of the last representative of the House of Medici, Anna Maria Luisa, who ensured that the fall of a dynasty did not bring about the death of Florence's culture, the city now preserves its heritage in a vast network of museums, where a constant process of restoration, preservation and renovation aims to establish Florence as the art and history capital of the world.

The inestimable historical and artistic value of the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, the Bargello National Museum, Palazzo Pitti and the Medici Chapels sits alongside buildings that examine more recent history, such as the Museo Novecento and the temporary exhibitions at Forte di Belvedere and Palazzo Strozzi. The choices on offer range from Palazzo Vecchio, a museum and still the centre of administrative power even today, to the more recent scientific, academic and fashion museums.

Listing the great artists and masterpieces housed in the museums that preserve Florence's immense heritage would perhaps be redundant given their fame. However, admiring this vast treasure trove certainly is not - this heritage belongs not only to Florence, but to humanity as a whole. It is our history, preserved and accessible to all.

You can visit all of Florence's museums and monuments with a single pass called Firenze Card. It includes entry to 70 attractions, is valid for 72 hours and can be reactivated for another 48 hours (Firenze Card Restart). Firenzecard+ is also available, offering additional services (public transport) and discounts in retail shops. Find out more on the Firenzecard website.

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Florence has an incredibly varied programme of events all year round: music, dance, theatre, cinema, exhibitions, fairs and much more.

The jewel in the crown of classical music is the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, in its new home in the Cascine Park. Its extensive programme runs almost year round, and culminates with the world-renowned Maggio Musicale Festival, in the month of May. Other high-quality and equally active musical organisations are the Amici della Musica, the Orchestra della Toscana and the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina.

Some of the most popular trade fairs are undoubtedly the “International Handicrafts Trade Fair” at the Fortezza da Basso (April), the fashion shows of "Pitti Immagine" (January and June), and the “International Antiques Fair” (October, odd years).

Cinema lovers will delight in a whole series of film festivals that Florence hosts throughout the year. There is the International Documentary Film Festival ("Festival dei Popoli"), the French cinema Festival (France Odeon), the middle-eastern film festival (Middle East Now), the Korea Film Festival, the Indian film festival (River to River).

From June-September, the number of cinemas in the city multiplies with all the outdoor summer venues and arenas in the historic centre (in recent years in the Piazzale degli Uffizi) and also in the outlying neighbourhoods.

Every winter for the last few years, Florence has been illuminated during December by “F-Light", the festival of lights, while in summer the city comes alive with hundreds of events as part of "Estate Fiorentina". Its jam-packed calendar includes all kinds of art and entertainment which take place across the entire city, from the historic centre to the suburbs, from April to October. Don’t miss the great concerts in the Amphitheatre of the Cascine Park (Florence Rocks at the Visarno Arena), at Tuscany Hall and other venues in the city.

The amphitheatre in Cascine Park, the Visarno Arena and the Tuscany Hall all host national and international artists for major concerts that are not be missed. Then there's the "Michelangiolesca", a week of events dedicated to the Renaissance's most famous artist, which takes place in mid-July on the anniversary of his Florentine funeral.

All this and so much more - Florence has a busy schedule!

For more details on the events happening in the city, you can visit the website, Firenze Eventi, and download the app, Firenze UP. 

For more information about events throughout the entire metropolitan area, go to the dedicated Firenzeturismo.it section.

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Calcio fiorentino, the Scoppio del Carro, the Festa della Rificolona. These are just a few of our folk traditions whose origins are lost in the mists of time, and which attract thousands of locals and tourists every year. They are a legacy of the city's ancient past, often with religious origins that coalesced with rural culture around specific historical events. Taking part in these events means understanding more about the city, its history, and its identity.

Calcio fiorentino (Florentine football) is an old and very "tough" sport which sees four teams corresponding to the city's four traditional districts face off against each other in a tournament whose final is played on 24th June, the Feast Day of St John the Baptist (the city's patron saint). Each match is preceded by a dramatic parade depicting the history of the Florentine Republic. The festivities for the city's patron saint culminate in a dazzling fireworks display that lights up the sky - the traditional Fochi.

The Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) dates back to the First Crusade, when flints from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem were brought back to Florence. To this day, the stones are still used to light the holy fire. On Easter morning, to cap off a series of historical processions, the cart is placed between the Duomo and the Baptistery. During Mass, a mechanical "dove" flies along the central aisle of the Duomo towards the cart, eventually lighting the colourful fireworks. If the display goes well, this is considered a good omen for the city.

On the evening of 7th September, children and adults alike give the city a happy glow with their rificolone, which are colourful paper lanterns. Processions from all over the city congregate in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, where it all began: on the Nativity of Mary, a fair was held (the Fierucola) and farmers, merchants and pilgrims came from far and wide with their traditional lanterns.

In recent years, many other popular traditions have been revived, such as the Procession of the Magi. This choreographed parade, which takes places on Epiphany, starts from Piazza Pitti and finishes in front of the Cathedral, led by the Three Wise Men on horseback.

For more information on Florence's folk traditions, take a look at the dedicated section on the City of Florence website.

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Drawing on a long line of inspiration stretching from the fantastic performances staged by the Medici in their palaces through to the birth of opera thanks to the Camerata de' Bardi in the seventeenth century, Florence remains the ideal city to enjoy an opera, a concert or a quality play, in venues which are historic and charming yet modern and functional.

The Niccolini, just a stone's throw from the cathedral, is the oldest theatre in Florence. Built in 1650, it has now been totally restored and hosts a season of plays and concerts every year.

The Teatro della Pergola, open to the paying public as early as 1718, is the first example of a theatre "all'italiana" (Italian style). This style is characterised by horseshoe shapes, with various types of boxes and rococo decorations. The theatre puts on a great season every year.

The Teatro Verdi is located in the Santa Croce district, close to the famous square of the same name. Built on the site of the old city jail, Le Stinche, it has been open since the latter half of the nineteenth century. It focuses on musicals, dance and concerts, and is also home to the Orchestra della Toscana.

And to make sure you don't miss out, you should also check out the new Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. This modern, multi-functional building with perfect acoustics has an opera house capable of holding 1800 people and a concert hall for 1200. It opened in 2014 and is located in Cascine Park, just a few minutes from Santa Maria Novella station. It is home to the Orchestra and Choir of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, as well as its most famous and long-running festival: the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

Other theatres from across the spectrum, from folk to contemporary experimental theatre via cabaret and comedy, are the Puccini, the Cantiere Florida, the Goldoni, the Rifredi, the Le Laudi, the Di Cestello and the Lumière.

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In Florence, there are works that you will not find on display in the galleries of the city's prestigious museums. These works are less eye-catching and less celebrated. But they are equal in terms of wisdom and sophistication, the fruits of passion, skill, research, innovation and tradition. The result of something created away from the spotlight. Works that are replicated even though each one is unique.

Handicraft has made Florence famous throughout the world, a calling card to rival its artistic heritage. Gold, leather, glass, ceramics, silk, perfumes, tailoring, embroidery, shoe-making and much more. Jewellery that takes shape in Florence's artisan workshops - in the Oltrarno, in the districts of Santo Spirito, San Niccolò and San Frediano, or near Ponte Vecchio and Santa Maria Novella - and eventually wins over discerning customers who care about detail and quality materials.

An artisan world that lives hidden inside the city's workshops, the beating heart of Florentine manufacturing. The director Cinzia TH Torrini told the story of this world masterfully in her documentary "Florence, world capital of arts and crafts", a film that takes us into a world where people preserve priceless human capital by handing it down through the generations. According to the artisans, the Renaissance began in the workshops: at the time, these were open spaces where workers could mingle to find work and learn new skills.

Today, an artisan culture centre is the new enterprise by Officina Creativa, housed in the Old Convent in Oltrarno: a place where handicrafts are welcomed, taught and promoted; a portal dedicated to Florentine artisan production was recently created: www.firenzecreativa.it

And it is this vocation for handicrafts which has led to the creation of important events dedicated to the industry. Major exhibitions and trade fairs are held annually in prestigious locations, with the aim of bringing our concept of the artisan up-to-date and promoting Tuscan craftsmanship in Italy and worldwide. Meanwhile, smaller markets or fierucole take place weekly and monthly in the city's historic districts. Handicrafts will always have their place in Florence.

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The twentieth century had a profound impact on Florence's art, architecture and urban planning, both in the historic centre and in some of the suburbs. 

The ideal starting point for any itinerary should be the Museo Novecento (20th Century Museum), housed in the Ex-Leopoldine Complex in Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Recently opened and equipped with modern multimedia technology, the museum retraces the stages of this unique artistic period, during which Florence was an undisputed hub. Over 300 works are on display, including names such as De Chirico, Morandi, Rosai, Sironi, Casorati, De Pisis, Fontana, Vedova and Magnelli. 

Santa Maria Novella railway station, designed by a group of architects led by Giovanni Michelucci, is a masterpiece from the '30s. Michelucci was also responsible for the hyper-modern Church of the Autostrada in northern Florence.

Another distinctive feature of the Tuscan capital is its Art Nouveau houses. The most notable examples, by Giovanni Michelazzi, are the Casa Galleria in Borgo Ognissanti, the Villino Broggi-Caraceni in Via Scipione Ammirato, and the Villino Lampredi in Via Giano della Bella.

We should also mention the extremely sophisticated decor of Florence's most beautiful cinema: the Odeon, by Marcello Piacentini, which opened in 1922.

The Marino Marini Museum, dedicated to one of the greatest Italian sculptors of the twentieth century, is respectfully housed in the ancient church of San Pancrazio.

Two examples of rationalist architecture from the 1930s are the Artemio Franchi football stadium (home to Fiorentina football club in the Campo di Marte neighbourhood), designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, and the School of Aerial Warfate (in Cascine Park), by Raffaello Fagnoni.

And last but by no means least, the beautiful Art Nouveau stained glass windows of several luxury hotels in the city centre, designed by Galileo Chini.

Of course, these are just a few starting points to help you create your own brand-new itinerary of 20th-century Florence.

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Can you understand the purity of a form by touching it? Can you appreciate the elegant organisation of a public space without being able to get around it independently? Is it right to give up travelling just because age and infirmity mean you can no longer afford to tire yourself out?

The answer to these questions lies in the name that UNESCO gives to the sites it protects: the historic centre of Florence is a World Heritage Site. This means that the city can be visited by everyone, including those who are less able.

The city therefore provides facilities and services for tourists with specific requirements, ranging from mobility aids, such as free wheelchair rental, to small and quiet electric vehicles, and large-scale tourist services. As part of these services, the city is increasing the amount of fully-accessible accommodation, providing lists of museums and attractions with no architectural impediments, and offering themed sensory tours.

There are tours for visitors with special needs at the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Gallery of Modern Art. Tactile tours for the visually impaired are on offer at the Palazzo Davanzati, the Marino Marini Museum, the Galileo Museum and the Museum of Natural History, and olfactory visits to the Botanical Gardens are also available.

To learn more about accessible tourism, visit the website: Firenzeturismo/Florence without barriers. Recently developed for people in wheelchairs are the App Kimap and Passepartour. This series of printed paper guides offers various wheelchair-accessible itineraries, and is distributed in Tourist InfoPoints such as the one in Piazza Stazione 4 - where there is also an information service in sign language, E-LIS, for the deaf – and wheelchairs that can be booked at no charge.

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The city of Florence always has something up its sleeve for those who want to admire its beauty, letting you discover it in new and exciting ways. This is the experience you get when you scale its heights and admire it from an unconventional viewpoint.

The best time to do so is in summer, when the rooftop terraces of the city's hotels open their doors to guests and the public, usually starting in the evening with an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink and snack). Unforgettable views await: roofs bathed in the glow of romantic sunsets, and night skies where the city's illuminated monuments stand out like shining stars. Not to be missed is the view from Piazzale Michelangelo, which can also be reached by taking "the ramps" - recently restored with its water play - from the San Niccolò Tower.

The city's towers are another option for those seeking a different perspective.

Torre di Arnolfo, the jewel in the crown of the Palazzo Vecchio, stretches toward the sky like a pointing finger. This monument is open all year round. As it towers above the building itself, the climb will quite literally take your breath away, but the unforgettable view of the city is worth it ten times over.

Alternatively, try the two former guard towers, San Niccolò and della Zecca. They now stand alone as the remains of the old city walls, which were demolished in the late nineteenth century, and allow you to enjoy unusual views of the city. They are open during summer for guided tours or accompanied visits.

Torre San Niccolò is the only one of the city's old gates whose height has never been reduced. Once you conquer its 160 steps, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Florence from the left bank of the River Arno. The name of Torre della Zecca, on the right bank of the river, commemorates the tower's erstwhile function as the place where Florence's coins were minted using hammers powered by the water flowing past.

And of course, we can’t forget the truly stunning panoramas offered by Brunelleschi's Dome and the Cathedral's bell tower (or campanile).

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Florence is the perfect city for families with children. It has Egyptian mummies, dinosaur skeletons and fossilised whales, medieval suits of armour, frescoes with demons and devils, wax figures of the human body which can be taken to pieces, and Galileo's telescopes. It is a city full of history and stories, waiting to be discovered in its streets and squares, and in its museums with trails and activities designed especially for little ones.

Visiting the city with kids is like a big game, and the first task is finding the museums that best stimulate their natural curiosity. Without forgetting that exposing them to art means moulding the tourists of tomorrow, well-informed "connoisseurs".

In recent years, the number of trails designed specially for families has increased exponentially, both in the major museums and in the most important temporary exhibitions held in the city's various venues.

The Palazzo Strozzi Foundation offers a "Family Kit", containing material for both children and adults designed to help you experience the exhibition in the most entertaining and creative way possible. 

The Mus.e Association, which works to enhance the Florentine Civic Museums and other museums in the city of Florence, in collaboration with the l’Istituto degli Innocenti, offers Firenze for families, an illustrated map and booklet for families listing not only places in the city to visit but also in its surroundings, with more than 80 family-friendly spots including museums, palaces, squares, gardens and monuments. The Family Tour provides ideas for routes along city streets or to explore its symbolic places equipped with explorers’ backpacks and an App. For smaller children, there is the Firenze Game, a time-travel app that helps them learn about the secrets of Florence.

And for science-lovers, the "A tutta scienza!" initiative promoted by the Galileo Museum includes a series of themed tours and workshops that introduce kids to the world of science and its history through play.

Many museums offer different options for different age groups, with activities ranging from exciting guided tours to interactive workshops, available in various languages.

For more information on child-friendly activities, and to download a map designed with them in mind, visit Firenzeturismo/Children.

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The Italian term "enogastronomia" describes the link that develops in an area between the community and its local food and wine products. More and more people want to experience and taste this relationship for themselves, hence the popularity of food & wine tourism: a journey to discover the flavours and aromas of a region.

Traditional Florentine cuisine is simple and flavoursome: from the famous Chianina beef steak, known as "bistecca alla fiorentina" after the city, to traditional "peasant food" such as “pappa al pomodoro” and “ribollita” (both thick soups). Not to mention tripe or “lampredotto”, a classic dish made of the abomasum, the fourth stomach of a cow, which you can sample at various stalls dotted around the city known as lampredottai in the city's fine street food tradition. Accompanied by a glass of Chianti, of course.

And let's not forget that gelato was invented in Florence thanks to the ingenuity of Bernardo Buontalenti: artisan gelato is the pride of the city, along with the “Gelato Festival”, which promotes exactly this kind of craftsmanship.

The city has more than its fair share of excellent culinary hotspots, with something to suit all tastes and needs. In the San Lorenzo district you will find the historic Central Market, built between 1870 and 1874 by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, and now renovated as a major food and wine hub. The Sant'Ambrogio Market was also built by the same architect around the same time, and today houses stalls selling quality local produce. 

While walking through the city's streets, it is easy to stumble across historic shops, taverns and vinai (wine cellars) which serve excellent traditional dishes, Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses. The city also offers a wide range of ethnic restaurants, with cuisines from Asia to Africa, and from Latin America to the Middle East.

Florence can offer dining experiences to suit all tastes and budgets, from typical trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants with a wide selection of fine Tuscan and Italian wines and haute cuisine.

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Italian fashion as it is known around the world today originated in Florence, in the White Hall of Palazzo Pitti to be more specific, with the runway shows organised by Giovanni Battista Giorgini. Dresses, haute-couture and high-end boutique accessories were on offer to international buyers as early as the '50s. Pitti Immagine has come a long way from its origins in the White Hall: it is now the leading brand for fashion industry trade fairs. A genuine company that promotes the industry and fashion design in general, it has helped to make Florence a renowned destination in terms of modern style and savoir-vivre, alongside its art and historical heritage.

Florence's leading role as a fashion city is also partly down to the brands born on the banks of the Arno, where they set out to conquer the world. As well as their boutiques, Gucci and Ferragamo, to name just a couple, have opened museums telling the story of their fashion houses and paying tribute to their creativity.

The big-name brands can be found in the heart of the historic centre, in the streets that make up the city's "chic" district: Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova, Via Calzaiuoli, Via Porta Rossa and Via Strozzi. This is also where we find the go-to boutique for fashion addicts: Luisa Via Roma. Like any major city, the centre of Florence has many internationally-renowned single-brand stores, and several quality department stores.

As well as the big names, you also have the option of shopping in small fashion boutiques with an impressive array of locally-made clothes and accessories, often by creative young designers.

The appeal of shopping in Florence also lies in the city's artisan traditions. Between Via Maggio and Via de' Fossi on both sides of the Arno, you can find significant antique shops and art galleries. The city's goldsmiths reside on the historic Ponte Vecchio, while the handmade jewellery on offer in the Oltrarno district is truly superb.

High quality purchases can also be made at some of the "Historical Businesses" in Florence, a series of retail businesses that are part of Florentine tradition and identity.

The leather industry is also worth mentioning: bags, shoes and accessories are the jewel in the crown of the Tuscan leather district, and you can find a wide variety in the shops scattered throughout the Santa Croce area, as well as in the historic centre.

Speaking of shopping, we can't forget the city's well-loved markets, like San Lorenzo and the Mercato Nuovo or Porcellino.

The latter's nickname derives from the bronze statue of a boar adorning the fountain (commonly called "il porcellino"); a very popular legend among visitors to the city would have it that rubbing the animal's snout brings good luck.

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The historic centre of Florence was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982: along with this important recognition comes great responsibility and a series of challenges, including the safeguarding of the city's identity.

Florence is all about museums, churches, architecture, art and craftsmanship, but its identity also rests on tradition, on the daily lifestyle, made up of meetings in piazzas, roads linked to trade for centuries, consolidated rituals and habits like having a coffee in favourite venue.

Shops, cafes, pharmacies, bookstores, historic hotels and artisan workshops; many businesses boast a tradition in the territory lasting decades and, in some cases, even centuries, businesses that are part of the city’s most authentic soul and that, along with the many monuments, are its identifying trademark, making it unique both for its inhabitants and for those coming to visit.

In the field of craftsmanship in particular, Florence has been a producer of excellence since the Middle Ages and preserves ancient crafting techniques that have often been handed down from father to son. The artistic crafts encompass a wide range from jewellery to ceramics, fashion, paper-making, semi-precious stone marquetry, and work in leather, glass, marble and metals.

A visit to the Florentine Historical Businesses ("Attività Economiche Storiche e Tradizionali Fiorentine") is a different way to approach Florence, getting to know the city through the historical production and traditions that have made it famous the world over.

We invite you then to stop and enjoy one of the great nineteenth-century cafes, have lunch in one of the local trattorias where artists and market vendors mingle, stay in a historic hotel, or stroll through the numerous shops of goldsmiths and watchmakers, into the heavenly worlds of ancient papers and fabrics, meeting artists, blacksmiths, ceramists, framers: you’ll discover the centuries-old traditions of a city that jealously preserves its past while presenting itself in a modern new light.

For more information, go to the dedicated sections of Firenze Turismo and Destination Florence.

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In April 2016, 150 wedding planners from over 50 countries around the world came together in Florence for the third “Destination Wedding Planners Congress”. The choice of the Tuscan capital as the venue was no accident.  It has long been a popular destination for luxury VIP weddings and much more (from David Bowie and Iman to Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, and from the actress Melissa Joan Hart to the scions of major industrial families, such as the recent Indian wedding of Rohan Mehta and Roshni), and today Florence holds 50% of Tuscany's tourist weddings, and an astonishing 19% of the global wedding market share.

Expectations are high on the most beautiful day of your life, and Florence's enchanting views and venues will not disappoint. The magnificent views from the terraces of Piazzale Michelangelo and Forte Belvedere, scenic walks along Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita, the magical arrangements of the Rose Garden and Boboli Gardens, the regal grandeur of the Red Hall at Palazzo Vecchio, and the aesthetic and historical value of the countless villas located in the surrounding hills and within the city walls: these are just some of the venues that Florence has to offer for those who want to celebrate their wedding in the city, along with professional facilities which specialise in tourist weddings - the Convention & Visitors Bureau.

But there's more besides weddings. Romance is part of Florence's DNA: from the admiration of the Supreme Poet, Dante, for his muse Beatrice Portinari, to the intense love between the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio and the actress Eleonora Duse, which was set against the enchanting backdrop of the Settignano hills.

Many couples choose Florence to show their love for one another, and the city is not lacking in events catering for this.

Whether it's for a romantic weekend or to make things official with an "I do", Florence has everything you need. For more information, go to the website: www.tuscanyforweddings.com.

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The city of Florence is a favourite destination for students from all over the world, with about 50 foreign universities. Of course, they are joined by the University of Florence, which has more than 50,000 students, as well as higher education institutions such as IED, ISIA and Polimoda.

It is therefore no surprise, whether in winter or summer, to find the streets of the city centre packed not only with passing tourists, but also with young people who want to experience the city on a deeper level, getting to know its culture as well as its entertainment.

Piazza Santo Spirito is the heart of one of the most charming parts of Oltrarno. In addition to being a daytime hub with its various market stalls, the square is also home to many nightspots such as cocktail bars and restaurants, and is a very popular meeting place among young people.

Some of the main spots where young people hang out are the former Monastery of Murate, which has a cafe and two squares that are perfect for socialising, and the "urban beach" on the River Arno in summer, which is one of the venues for the "Estate Fiorentina". There's also the Oblate Library, whose reading rooms remain open until midnight, while the panoramic roof terrace is the ideal spot to relax or chat.

Florence has no shortage of entertainment venues, from large concert arenas such as the Mandela Forum, the Tuscany hall and Flog, to smaller venues that offer live music, tucked away in the streets and squares of the historic centre. There you will also find a wealth of literary cafes where you can read, study, work or spend an evening with friends.

And in summer there's even more on offer: bars pop up in the gardens at Fortezza da Basso and on the beach along the banks of the Arno, perfect for enjoying the warm weather al fresco in a lively, bustling atmosphere. Summer also opens up new places, as small spaces hidden among the larger buildings of the city centre are rediscovered, salvaged after years of neglect and returned to the city.

For more information about events in the city, from April to October, go to the website of Estate Fiorentina.

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Why should you organise a conference in Florence? There are many reasons. Everyone agrees that the city is beautiful, but the key factor is the proximity of the train station to the conference centre, the conference centre to the historic centre, and the historic centre to high-quality accommodation. Everything is close by and convenient.

The city is perfectly equipped for this purpose, a veritable stronghold of conference centres including Fortezza da Basso, Palazzo dei Congressi and Palazzo degli Affari, all managed by an organisation, Firenze Fiera, which can take care of all the logistics.

Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau, which recently celebrated its twenty-year anniversary, is in charge of promoting the industry. The consortium brings together various industry professionals, providing versatile venues, technology and expertise. This is the world of MICE: “Meetings Incentives Congress Events”.

Luxury hotels in extraordinary locations, for a stay of the highest quality where you can use prestigious conference venues and enjoy superb catering.

The city, with its museums, palaces, and churches, acts as a backdrop, a priceless reminder of the art forms that were born and perfected on the banks of the Arno. And we can't forget the shopping on offer!

In short, Florence is the place to be for major international meetings, which are a key aspect of the city's visitor industry.

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Why only stay in Florence when there’s so much more to see all around? The municipalities that make up Florence and the Florentine Area are excellent testimonials to the quality of the territory. These seventeen municipalities differ widely but have strong identifying features.

• In the hills or along the Arno River

Counted among these are places of great artistic and historical interest, such as Fiesole, founded by the Etruscans and set on a hill, Impruneta, famous for the kilns where terracotta is produced and for the centuries-old Marian shrine. And the treasures of Bagno a Ripoli are also in the hills: the Oratory of Santa Caterina in Rimezzano, the Bigallo Hostel, and the villas.

The oldest part of Calenzano was a hillside fortification, while the beauties of Sesto Fiorentino range from the Etruscan tombs in the plain to the villas in the hills.

Another hillside town is Lastra a Signa, which casts an eye on the course of the Arno that separates it from Signa: the river’s course, after passing through Florence, is also the element that joins the towns of Rignano sull'Arno, Figline and Incisa Valdarno, new Florentine lands.

• The so-called "plain"

As well as Sesto, Scandicci is also in the plain (but with some lovely hilly spots) as well as Campi Bisenzio, each with its own characteristics and a common feature: proximity to the city.

• Almost in the mountains

There is an entire area whose landscape is hilly and verging on mountainside, and this involves the eastern sector: Reggello, Pelago and the Forest of Vallombrosa, of chestnuts, beeches and fir trees that guard the Abbey to which St. Giovanni Gualberto and his followers retreated in 1036.

Pontassieve, a Florentine "walled land", Rufina, an important wine-making centre, Londa, gateway to the "Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park".

And finally Vaglia, which takes us to the Mugello, with its most precious "gem", the Medicean Park of Pratolino, a UNESCO site, a legacy of Francesco I dei Medici.

Learn more details about the surroundings of Florence at Firenzeturismo.it.

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The fact that Florence is nestled in the Arno Valley and completely surrounded by rolling hills means that lush greenery, the countryside and nature are just a short distance from the historic centre. It is therefore easy to take a stroll beyond the city walls or go on hikes (whether long or short, and easy or difficult), and these activities are very popular among those who love trekking but still want to stay in the city.

We walk to get away from the stress of day-to-day life, to do some exercise, and to retrace the steps that our ancestors took. We walk to discover the shapes and colours of the land.

The hills around Florence are dotted with cypresses, olive trees, and vineyards. There are rural churches and villas, summer houses from the past, and restored or completely rebuilt farmhouses strewn across the landscape without ever invading or spoiling it. There are tiny villages and the roads that once connected them to the city. Without the traffic of yesteryear, these roads are now suitable for walkers. There are also many hidden nooks and crannies to discover during a relaxing stroll.

The most popular hill walk among tourists, along the Viale dei Colli, is a relaxing alternative way to see Florence, as is walking along the banks of the Arno on a spring day.

To find out more, the City of Florence has created Florence: The Walking City, a project available in either brochure or app form, containing eighteen circular routes of various types, ranging from the banks of the Arno to the hills that surround the city.

Today we are rediscovering ancient paths beyond the Camino de Santiago and the local stretch of Via Francigena, and Florence itself is a crossroads of various routes that linked towns to each other or led to pilgrimage sites: Via Bolognese, Via Lauretana, Via Pistoiese and Via Imprunetina.

For further information, go to the page dedicated to Walks at Firenzeturismo.it.

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Sport, whether it is played or "just" watched, is in the soul of Florence and its people. While the city boasts many facilities where all kinds of sports can be played, mostly around Cascine Park and Campo di Marte, in recent years it has increasingly played host to top-level sporting events.

As everyone knows, one of Florence's great loves is Fiorentina, the football club founded in 1926. At the Artemio Franchi Stadium, the historic home of the Viola (a reference to their distinctive purple kit), fans organise unforgettable displays for big matches.

Other memorable events include the Cycling Road World Championships in 2013, the first ever edition of the “Trisome Games” (the Olympic Games for athletes with Down's syndrome) in July 2016, and the international rugby match against South Africa, with test matches to follow against Argentina (2017) and Samoa (2018). And don't forget world figure skating at the Mandela Forum in January, and the deal with football's Lega Pro, which has chosen Florence and the Artemio Franchi Stadium as the permanent venue for its promotion play-offs, with a series of additional events over ten days involving other venues throughout the city.

Florence is also a city of runners: running is perhaps the city's most visible sport, with various races suitable for all levels, from amateurs to professionals. The Firenze Marathon is Italy's second-largest marathon in terms of the number of participants, with 10,000 runners from over 70 countries. The route, which covers the traditional distance of 42 km and 195 metres, winds arounds the city, taking in all of its symbolic sites. It takes place on the last Sunday of November every year. Other extremely popular running events are Guarda Firenze, Deejay Ten, the Vivicittà Half Marathon, Notturna di San Giovanni and Corri la Vita. Florence is also the starting point for the heroic 100 km del Passatore, a race which connects the Tuscan capital with the city of Faenza.

Don't forget the Florence Bike Festival (April) at Cascine Park, which culminates in the Gran Fondo, a long-distance bike race with over 3000 participants.

So, sports fans from all around the world, welcome to Florence!

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The beauty of Florence lies not only in its priceless artistic heritage, but also in its landscape, between its green hills and its splendid parks, where art and nature combine wonderfully to create an indescribable charm.

When we talk about gardens and Florence, our thoughts turn straight away to the man who made their name: Niccolò Tribolo, the ''architect of the Medici gardens", and inventor of the "Italian-style garden". One of his most important creations lies behind Palazzo Pitti: the Boboli Garden. Commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici, the garden is a veritable outdoor museum, full of statues, large fountains, natural architecture and artificial grottos. Tribolo was also responsible for the Medici gardens at Villa La Petraia and Villa Reale di Castello.

Florence's green lung is undoubtedly the immense Cascine Park, with 160 hectares which stretch for over 3 km along the right bank of the Arno. Today, it is the perfect spot for those who want to play sports, enjoy the greenery, or attend major events, especially in summer. At the entrance there is a visitor centre where you can learn more about the features of the park and the events being held there.

On the other side of the city, running along the opposite bank of the Arno, we find the large “Parco dell’Albereta e dell’Anconella”, where you can run, walk or ride your bicycle.

A stone's throw from Piazzale Michelangelo lie the Rose Garden (with 350 types of rose and sculptures by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon), and the Iris Garden (home of a prestigious international competition). The Orticultura Garden has a nineteenth-century feel - characterised by the greenhouse/tepidarium by Giacomo Roster (a magnificent structure made of iron and glass) - as does the park at Villa Stibbert, designed in line with the eclectic tastes of the owner and avid collector, Frederick Stibbert.

Florence is full of private monumental gardens whose presence is hinted at by tree tops towering above perimeter walls. The Torrigiani Garden is the largest private garden in Florence, designed in the Romantic style in the nineteenth century, while the Corsini al Prato Garden hosts the event "Artigianato e Palazzo".

Just outside Florence, we find the ever-popular Garden of Villa Gamberaia, set amongst the stunning landscape of Settignano. There’s also the unmissable Medicean Park of Pratolino, known as Villa Demidoff, whose 78 hectares of land include an enormous sculpture by Giambologna, "The Appennine Colossus".

Opening soon on the slopes of Settignano is the park, Grande Parco del Mensola.

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EXPERIENCE FLORENCE

Project conceived by

City of Florence - Department for Economic Activities - Tourism and Economic development

Co-funded by

MiBACT - Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, Ministerial Decree of 13th December 2010

Coordinated by

City of Florence - Department for Economic Activities - Tourism and Economic development

Produced by

Associazione Mus.e

Written by

Francesca Galluzzi, Andrea Giordani, Salvatore Cherchi

Photo credits

All photos, unless stated otherwise in the Other creators section, are by: Carlotta Nucci, Emiliano Cribari and Noemi Coen

Video credits

All videos, unless stated otherwise in the Other creators section, are by: Francesco Cacchiani/Bunker Studio. All videos were edited by Francesco Cacchiani/Bunker Studio.

Other creators

For the Museums section, we would like to thank the following for kindly allowing us to use their photographs: Antonio Quattrone and Ambra Nepi Communicazione for "Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore"; Stefano Casati for "Museum of the Innocents"; Mauro Sani for "Baptistery of Saint John", and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism for "Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery and Palazzo Pitti".

For the Events section, we would like to thank the following for kindly allowing us to use their photographs: Mauro Sani for "F-Light"; Lorenzo Hervatin for "Michelangiolesca", and Studio PRG and Marco Borrelli for the concert at the Artemio Franchi Stadium and the show in Piazza Santissima Annunziata.

For the Traditions section, we would like to thank the following for kindly allowing us to use their photographs: the Press Office of the City of Florence for "Explosion of the Cart", and Mauro Sani for "Historic Florentine football", "Marzocco Trophy", "Procession of the Magi", "Explosion of the Cart" and "Parade of the Florentine Republic". Finally, we thank the editors of RTV38 and Italia 7 for giving us permission to use their videos, "Historic Florentine football" and "Explosion of the Cart" respectively.

For the Theatre section, we would like to thank the following for kindly allowing us to use their photographs: Pietro Paolini, Michele Borzoni and Simone Donati (TerraProject/Contrasto) for "Teatro dell’Opera/Maggio Musicale Fiorentino".

For the Handicraft section, we thank Cinzia TH Torrini for kindly giving us permission to use video clips from her short film "Florence, world capital of arts and crafts"; Studio Neri Torrigiani for kindly giving us permission to use their photos and videos of "Artigianato e Palazzo"; Firenze Fiera/Studio Riprese Firenze for kindly allowing us to use their photos and videos of the "International Handicrafts Trade Fair", and Associazione Ponte Vecchio for kindly allowing us to use their photographs of the goldsmiths.

For the Florence in the twentieth century section, we would like to thank the following for kindly allowing us to use their photographs: Pietro Savorelli for "Museo Novecento"; Andrea Aleardi (Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci) for "Santa Maria Novella railway station, detail", and the Historical Archive of the City of Florence for "Artemio Franchi Stadium".

For the Florence on high section, we would like to thank the following for kindly allowing us to use their photographs: Mauro Sani for the towers as seen from the outside, and Lorenzo Valloriani for the interior of the Torre di Arnolfo; David Castagnetti for his cooperation with Bunker Studio in shooting.

For the Families and Children section, we would like to thank the following for kindly allowing us to use their photographs: the Galileo Museum and the Museum/Institute of the Innocents for their respective workshops: "A tutta scienza" and "Kids' Workshop"; Simona Fossi and Lorenzo Valloriani for the "Mus.e" workshops, and Alessandro Moggi and Martino Margheri of the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation for the "Family Kit".

For the Florence, city of Romance section, we would like to thank Toscana Promozione for kindly allowing us to use their "Wedding" videos; Federica Gambacciani and Stefano Santioli for their photographs and Marco Guarducci for his videos of the "Bacio al Piazzale", and Niccolò di Vito (Tecnoconference/Studio Riprese Firenze) for allowing us to his images of the "DWP2016".

For the Young People section, we thank Studio PRG and Marco Borrelli for allowing us to use their photographs of the concerts at the Obihall and the Cascine amphitheatre, and Davide Castagnetti for his kind cooperation with Bunker Studio in producing the videos.

For the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events section, we would like to thank Firenze Fiera/Studio Riprese Firenze for kindly allowing us to use their photos and videos, and Associazione Mus.e for giving us permission to use their images of the "Arms Room" at Palazzo Vecchio.

For the Fashion and Shopping section, we would like to thank Vanni Bassetti and AKA Studio for their photos of "Pitti Immagine"; Studio VDT for kindly allowing us to use their videos of "Pitti Uomo"; Associazione Via Maggio and Guido Cozzi for kindly letting us use their photos of Via Maggio.

For the Sport in Florence section, we would like to thank the following: Associazione Corri La Vita Onlus for their photos and Juri Ciani for his videos of "Corri la Vita"; Radio Deejay for allowing us to use their photos/videos of "Deejay Ten"; Florence Marathon for allowing us to use their photos/videos of the "Florence Marathon"; Mauro Sani for allowing us to use his photos of the men's volleyball tournament (Obihall), the women's (Santa Croce), and the Streetball Italian Tour 2015 (Santa Croce); Giulio Monasta - City of Florence Sports Service, for kindly allowing us to use photos of the World Cycling Championships and Trisome Games 2016, rugby matches and the Artemio Franchi Stadium, and ACF Fiorentina for the photos of Fiorentina football club.

For the Walk Florence section, we would like to thank the archives of the Tourism Office of the City of Florence for kindly allowing us to use their images: "Via San Leonardo, Forte Belvedere", "Via Vecchia Fiesolana", "Cascine Park", "Collina di Castello", and "Information stand, Florence: The Walking City".

For the Parks and Green Spaces section, we would like to thank the archives of the Tourism Office of the City of Florence for kindly allowing us to use their images: "Boboli Garden", "Pratolino Park", "Gardens, Villa La Pietraia", "Gardens, Villa di Castello", and "Bardini Garden".

Associazione Mus.e and the City of Florence Tourism Service would like to thank the following for their kind collaboration in developing this project:

Alessandro Bellucci, Marco Mannucci (Le Nozze di Figaro); Andrea di Meo, Graziano Raveggi (Galleria degli Uffizi); Antonietta Bonelli (Westin Excelsior), Maria Rita Bellini (Hotel Antica Torre), Giancarlo Carniani (Hotel Plaza Lucchesi), Amerigo Franchetti (Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo), Lenny Vignoli (Hotel Pitti Palace al Ponte Vecchio); Barbara Del Bene (Firenze Fiera); Cristina Matteuzzi (Enoteca Pinchiorri); Bruno Botticelli (Botticelli Antichità); Daniele Milazzo (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino); Carlotta Ferrari (Firenze Convention Bureau); Diana Salvetti (Firenze Fiera, Mostra dell’Artigianato); Elisa Salvadori (Luisa Via Roma); Federica Momentè (Istituto degli Innocenti); Francesco Giannattasio (ZetaEffe Galleria); Gabriella Sorelli (Museo Marino Marini); Gherardo Turchi (Gallori Turchi Antichità); Gloria Germani, Valentina Torrini (Cinema Odeon); La Cité; Off Bar; Easy Living; Le Murate; La Casa del Vino; Osteria di San Niccolò; Fiaschetteria Nuvoli; Irene Balzani, Martino Margheri (Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi); Irene Marcheschi (Bacio al Piazzale); Lisa Grotti (Tecnoconference); Marco Ferri (Opera Laboratori); Matteo Brighenti, Simona Mammoli (Fondazione Teatro della Toscana); Mauro Sani (Photo); Olivia Turchi (Giovanni Turchi Antichità); Orazio Nencioni (Street Chef); Paola D’Agostino (Museo Nazionale del Bargello); Monica Bietti (Museo delle Cappelle Medicee); Raffaella Peluso, Elisa Canzi, Giaele Monaci (LIS, Museo di Palazzo Vecchio); Riccardo Basile (Orchestra della Toscana); Riccardo Ventrella (Teatro della Pergola); Roberto Casamonti (Tornabuoni Arte Contemporary Art) Roberto Ruta (Ufficio Stampa Pitti Immagine); Sabina Bernacchini (Museo Galileo); Salvatore La Spina (Firenze-Musei); Studio Neri Torrigiani; Vieri, Susanna e Raffaele Torrigiani; Valentina Fioravanti (Mercato Centrale); Vincenzo Fiorini (Fiorini Antichità).

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