Florence Travel Guide

Florence is nothing if not historic. The birthplace of the Renaissance pulls some 10 million visitors each year for its frozen-in-time palaces and legendary attractions, to say nothing of its tourist-friendly Tuscan cuisine and gelato stands. These are the things that also made the city take a hit in recent decades—as the tour groups, buses, and crowds grew, it felt like Florence’s own residents began to disappear. There's a reason, though, that this city has thrived in one way or another since the 14th century. Ever up for reinvention, Florence is modernizing. You can see it on the dining scene, where younger, well-traveled restaurateurs and chefs are loosening some of the stricter culinary rules alongside the enduring trattorie, and in the bar scene, where attention to a properly made cocktail in a swinging barroom is as common as a wine bar. It's evident in new markets and museums, and behind those classic facades, be it hotels or boutiques, where you'll find smart design and influential spaces. Still dreaming of your last visit there 20 years ago? It's time to go back—there's plenty more to see.