How to get to Florence. How to get from Rome to Florence. Ponte Vecchio – Ponte Vecchio

How to quickly, comfortably and inexpensively get from Pisa to Florence. Cost of train tickets Pisa - Florence 2019, Flixbus buses.

Two magnificent cities- Pisa and Florence are located in Italian Tuscany. - the capital of the region, Pisa and especially its Field of Miracles (the square where the famous Falling tower) is one of the most visited places in the country. The tourist flow from one city to another does not dry out either in winter or in summer. Except that in the low season (November, March and partly February) it becomes a little calmer on the highway and railway stations. At the same time, you can get to Florence from Pisa and back in a little more than an hour: the distance between the cities is only 85 km.

Pisa, despite its popularity, is a small city; one day is enough to explore the historical center. Therefore, having flown there for a couple of days (Pisa airport accepts great amount European low-cost airlines), travelers strive to get to Florence as quickly as possible. This can be done in three ways: by train, bus and individual transfer.

From Pisa to Florence by train

There are two types of trains that connect Florence with Pisa: regionale(they are slower) and regional speed(high-speed). They both cost around €10 one way. The journey by slow train takes about one and a half hours, by fast train - just over an hour. During peak hours, trains from Florence to Pisa and back run every 10-12 minutes. Then the frequency decreases and reaches two trains per hour.

Train regionale from Florence to Pisa / TuscanWanders

Since Italian trains are often late (and may even be cancelled), there is no point in memorizing a specific schedule; just go to the station and buy a ticket for the next flight. Or book a ticket online and, if necessary, wait a little on the platform.

2.Hotel Executive

Address: Via Curtatone 5, Florence

Standard Room with Balcony at Hotel Executive

The 3-star hotel is 5 minutes' walk from Santa Maria Novella Station (Florence S.M.N.), with San Lorenzo and the Duomo also within walking distance. An ancient building from the 15th century, the rooms are decorated in a classical style. There is delivery of food and drinks to the rooms, very tasty breakfasts (Italian assortment).

Transfer from Pisa airport to Florence

The method is exotic at first glance, but quite popular, since we already wrote above that it flies to Pisa airport a large number of European low-cost airlines. Airfare prices are literally ridiculous! Therefore, many fly to Pisa and travel from there to Florence and others, saving a lot of money.

An individual transfer can be ordered both at the hotel and on the official websites of Italian travel agencies. This can be done in Russian (with a clear form to fill out and Russian-language support service) on the Kiwitaxi website. Advantages of the service: fixed prices, known before the trip, meeting with a sign in the arrival hall and a high probability of getting a Russian-speaking driver.

The latter may not be necessary, but it is convenient. Especially if the flight is delayed and you need to coordinate a meeting or there is a desire to chat on the road, learn more about Tuscany, its mentality and prices. There are many Russians in the country, and they willingly work for services such as Kiwitaxi.

What to do in Florence 2019

There is enough entertainment and attractions in Florence for a day, two, or a week. The first day can be devoted to seeing all the significant places and mapping out routes for future walks. Then comes the time of art galleries and museums: the Uffizi, the Pitti Palace, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, etc.

It is interesting to go to the outskirts of Florence for one day: the route includes a visit to one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany and tasting local cheese, wine, prosciutto, pecorino and bruschetta.

The end of your vacation should be devoted to parks and observation platforms. Don't miss the picturesque Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo with panoramic views.

Flights from Moscow to Pisa

S7 airline flies direct flights to Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport once a week and Russian low-cost airline Pobeda three times a week. The cost starts from 4500 rubles. The flight is more than three hours.

No country can compete with Italy in the number of attractions. The most significant of them are concentrated in Rome and Florence. Therefore, the Rome-Florence route is very popular among tourists. The distance between these cities by air is 274 km, and by highway– 350 km.

You can get from Rome to Florence on your own different types transport:

by train;
by bus;
by car;
by plane.

By train

Train timetables from Rome to Florence Stazione di Firenze Santa Maria Novella, compiled very conveniently. From 6 am to 9 pm you can travel from Rome to Florence by train every 15-20 minutes, so choosing a convenient option for how to get there will not be difficult. Most trains depart from the main Rome railway station Termini, some from Tiburtina station. Travelers are offered 4 types of trains:

high speed trains TrenItalia FrecciaRossa (“Red Arrow”) company, traveling non-stop, travel time – 1.5 hours;
high-speed trains TrenItalia FrecciArgento (“Silver Arrow”) - non-stop, travel time - 2 hours;
Intercity fast trains with stops arrive in 3 hours;
Treno Regionale regional trains with many stops take 4.5 hours.

A detailed train schedule can be found on the TrenItalia website. Tickets purchased at Rome train stations before departure must be validated on the platform. The cost of tickets for the fastest trains depends on the class of the car and the train, and ranges from 50-110 euros. A trip to Intercity will cost 32 euros, and on a regional train - about 22. The cost of a ticket for children 4-14 years old is half that.

You can avoid queues at station ticket offices and composting, and you can also save significant money if you purchase tickets online.

To do this, go to the SelectItaly website or, for TrenItalia trains, to Russian language site companies. The cost savings are especially noticeable when purchasing online tickets more than a month in advance. However, such tickets are non-refundable.

By bus

Italy does not have a national bus operator. Each region is served by local companies. There is no official direct flight between Rome and the Tuscan capital of Florence. From Rome you can take a bus in 3 hours and 15-20 euros to the Tuscan city of Siena, and from there you can get to Florence in 45 minutes and about 10 euros. The total travel time, taking into account a possible transfer to another bus, is more than 4 hours.

Some companies purchase permission to travel outside their region. They can organize charter flights Rome-Florence costs 15-20 euros.

Flights from Rome to Florence are also operated by the European bus company Eurolines. Its white buses depart from the Tiburtina bus station in the center of Rome at 17:45. Arrival at the Stazione di Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station at 21:35. An irregular daytime flight may be scheduled - 11:45–15:30. The price of an adult ticket is 25 euros, a child ticket is half that. It is more convenient to purchase tickets on the Russian-language InfoBus website.

By car

How to get to Florence by car? Renting a car in Italy is not a cheap pleasure. To the daily rental cost of 50–70 euros and gasoline costs of approximately 45 euros, you need to add a fee of approximately 15–20 euros for driving on a toll motorway. The main part of the route runs along the picturesque and comfortable A1 Firenze Nord road.

Foreigners and locals use the toll road differently. For Italians, entry and exit are under the yellow TELEPASS signs. They are not charged. Foreigners drive up to a barrier and a machine with a red button. When you press it, a red ticket is issued. It must be paid upon departure. The CASH option involves paying the attendant in cash. When paying using a card, the coupon must be inserted into the machine, which stamps the amount on it. After inserting the card into the same hole, the money is debited from it.

If you plan your trip in advance, you can order a car rental in Russia, on the website. You can minimize rental costs by using the services of the Rentalcars website. It contains information about many car rental companies, so it is not difficult to find the most economical option. In case of full-time rental in Rome, it is recommended to do so away from the center. It will be much cheaper this way.

For a group of 3-4 people, it may be financially feasible to travel to Florence by taxi. Approximate cost: 480 euros. You can order a taxi on the Russian-language website KiwiTaxi.

When using a rental car inside Florence, you should be aware of the strictness of the local traffic police. Free car parks are white and can be used for no more than an hour. When stopping at a paid blue parking lot, the ticket paid using the terminal should be placed under the windshield. Delay in time in both cases threatens with impressive fines.

By plane

A flight from Rome to Florence costs from 63 euros and lasts 1 hour. You need to add 2 hours for pre-flight and post-flight clearance. It also takes time to get from Rome to Fiumicino airport, located 30 km from Rome. The fastest option is half an hour, sold by Leonardo Express trains for 15 euros. Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola Airport is located 5 km from Florence. However, these 10 minutes also need to be added to the total time.

Obviously, in terms of time and money costs, an airplane has no advantages over a bus, and is significantly inferior to high-speed trains.

Flights from Rome are operated by national airline Alitalia at 15:00 and 21:30. The timing of the second flight cannot be called convenient. Online air tickets can be purchased on the Aviasales website. They will come by email. You must print out the ticket and take it with you.

Italy is like a treasury. Each city has its own face, its own history, its own style. Point your finger at the map of Italy and go without hesitation: you will be impressed beyond words. It doesn't matter where you come to Big city or a small town. But in richest collection Among the cultural and historical treasures, one will still stand out - the “flower of Tuscany” Florence.

Florence has long been known as the city that gave the world Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Niccolo Machiavelli, Donatello, Francesco Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio, Benvenuto Cellini, Lorenzo Medici, Filippo Brunelleschi, Amerigo Vespucci.

From here, the Renaissance began throughout Italy, and then throughout Europe. The Tuscan dialect, which Florence spoke and speaks, with the light hand of Dante formed the basis of today's Italian language.

The florin, the famous Florentine coin, served as the standard for the entire Old World for centuries. And today the capital of the Tuscany region is not just a city with a rich historical heritage, it is one of the fashion capitals of the world and a universally recognized tourist center.

Visited Florence

Isn't it a pleasure to wander through the narrow medieval streets where the real Dante and Michelangelo walked? Drinking a cup of cappuccino in an open-air cafe on an ancient square, standing in line to enter the halls of the famous Uffizi Gallery - isn’t that the goal? Hang out in the Old Market or go to the jewelers on Ponte Vecchio ( Old Bridge) - isn't it an adventure?

Florence has a spirit that is unique to it. Strict luxury and simplicity, delicate taste and whimsical imagination are mixed here. Millions of tourists from all over the world come here every year just for this. Let's go too.

How to get to Florence

To find a suitable option, use the website: ru.goeuro.com.

He will help you decide on the method of travel and will immediately suggest plane, train and bus. Specify your points of departure and destination and the date, you will be shown all possible options with the route, departure and arrival times, travel duration and price in rubles. You can also buy a ticket there.

It is not possible to fly directly from Moscow to Florence.

Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport is focused on working with domestic flights. That's why There are three options here:

flight with a transfer in Rome,
difficult route through European cities,
direct flight to Pisa.

Now a little more detail.

With a transfer in Rome

The option is convenient because you can get to Florence from Rome by any means of transport: plane, train, bus, car.

Alitalia airfare to Florence costs from 5000 rubles Look for tickets at Aviasales.ru .

By rail route from Rome to Florence (you need a station Firenze Santa Maria Novella) will take from one and a half to four hours. If you choose high speed trains Frecciarossa, then you will get there in 1.5 hours, and this trip will cost from 25 euros. Train company Italotreno take the same amount of time, but are cheaper - from 10-15 euros. Regional trains(trains) travel about 4 hours, the ticket costs 21.25 euros. Trains leaving stations Roma Termini And Roma Tiburtina.

Information about the schedule and ticket prices is available on the websites: trenitalia.com, italotreno.it.

Bus from Rome will reach Florence in 3.5-4.5 hours. Flights are operated by companies FlixBus, Baltour And Buscenter.it.

Buses leaving the bus station Roma Tiburtina. Bus ticket FlixBus costs from 11.90 euros, Baltour - from 15 euros, Buscenter.it - 14 euros. Tickets can be purchased on the companies' websites.

Difficult route by plane

Composite routes increase travel time, but this is the most cheap option get from Moscow to Florence. The most optimal time and price - airline flight AirMoldova via Chisinau. It will cost you a little more 8 thousand rubles, you will be on the road for about 6 hours, including a 2-hour transfer in Chisinau.

To Florence via Pisa

From Pisa to Florence 107 km.

Pobeda is a domestic low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Aeroflot airline, offering inexpensive flights to European cities. It is especially profitable to fly Pobeda if you travel light. Pobeda flies to Milan, Venice and Pisa

Airline planes fly from Moscow to Pisa "Victory"(flights from airport "Vnukovo" five times a week) and airlines S7(airport "Domodedovo", flight 1 time per week, from June - 5 flights per week). Not long ago the airline "Victory" launched a direct flight to Pisa from St. Petersburg (two flights per week).

There are several ways to get to the capital of Tuscany from Pisa:

1 way

From the airport you go to Pisa train station by company bus CTT Nord. The ticket costs 1.20 euro, is sold at the ticket office at the airport, at the information desk, and in the machine at the bus stop. Travel from the airport to the train station Pisa Centrale five to six minutes.

At the station you change to the regional train to Florence. The ticket costs 8.40 euro.

You will spend an hour - 1 hour 15 minutes on the way. Trains run every 20-30 minutes. Before central station Pisa can also be reached by train. Pisa Mover, website: pisa-mover.com. 8 minutes on the way, ticket - 2.70 euros, and you are at Pisa Centrale train station.

Tickets are sold at the station Pisa Fermata Aeroporto.

Keep in mind: when buying tickets at the airport, they charge a commission of 1 euro for tickets costing up to 20 euros, 2 euros for tickets priced over 20 euros.

You can walk from the airport to the central station, the journey will take 15-20 minutes. First straight from the airport, then turn left about 500 meters, and the station is in front of you.

2 way

Company buses run from Pisa to Florence FlixBus. The journey takes about an hour and a half, the ticket costs from 5 to 7.90 euros. Buses go from the bus station Pietrasantina, it's a half hour walk from the station. In Florence they arrive at the bus station, which is located almost adjacent to the Firenze Santa Maria Novella station.

3 way

Company buses go directly from Pisa airport to Florence Autostradale(website:autostradale.it) and Terravision(website: terravision.eu). Autostradale ticket costs 14 euros, the journey takes a little over an hour. The cost of traveling with Terravision is much cheaper - 4.99 euros, the journey takes 70 minutes. The schedule must be found on the websites.

Where to stay in Florence

Florence is a small city, so the division into districts here is conditional: “in the center” and “near the center.” It’s easier to decide which attraction is closer to which it is more convenient for you to stay. The difference in price will be insignificant.

Websites will help you find housing airbnb.ru(apartments and rooms), booking.com or roomguru.ru(hotels, inns, hostels, guest houses, apartments).

Where to eat in Florence

Tuscan cuisine is magical.

There is even an opinion that French cuisine originated from Tuscan cuisine. Catherine de Medici, having become the wife of the French king, took several chefs and pastry chefs with her to Paris. This is how sauces and olive oil, spinach and artichoke dishes appeared in France.

Tuscan bread cannot be confused with bread from other regions of Italy; many tourists seek out real Florentine steak (bistecca alla fiorentina), and you can enjoy the sweets displayed in store windows, even just looking at them, they are so beautiful.

There are many restaurants and cafes in the center of Florence. Search in historical center An inexpensive establishment with quality food is not worth it in Florence. The food here is of high quality everywhere, prices vary only depending on the level of the establishment.

The rule is the same everywhere: if you want to eat well, eat where the locals eat.

It is located at Borgo de’ Greci, 1 (it’s right at the exit from Piazza Santa Croce, the street leads straight to Palazzo Vecchio). Here you can have breakfast and lunch at quite reasonable prices, and most importantly, OIBO brews divine cappuccino, I tried it myself.

Trattoria Lo Stracotto

Located in Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 17. It is near the Church of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapel, in the very center of the city. Lunch at this trattoria will cost you 30-40 euros.

Osteria Santo Spirito

Located on the other side of the Ponte Vecchio, in the area of Renaissance palazzos. Specializes in Tuscan cuisine. Don’t let the prices for second courses on the menu scare you; you can easily take half a portion (on the porzione ridotta menu). I assure you, you will not remain hungry. The full portions at this osteria are huge. This is where real Florentine steak is served.

Located behind the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore at via Andrea Verocchio, 5R. The cafe is named after a typical Florentine dish. It is prepared from eggs with meat broth, herbs, chicken hearts, scallops and liver. Lunch here will cost about 30 euros, the quality of the food is excellent. Keep in mind, this cafe is popular with Florentines.

Gusta Pizza you will find it at via Maggio, 46R. From Ponte Vecchio turn right, walk a block along the banks of the Arno, then turn left. As knowledgeable people assure you, the best pizza in Florence is baked here, and the prices will please you: the most expensive pizza costs 8 euros.

Trattoria Mario

A small cozy restaurant on via Rosina, 2R. It is only open from Monday to Saturday and only from 12:00 to 15:30. Home cooking, Tuscan recipes, reasonable prices - and if you arrive on time, you are guaranteed a great mood.

Safety in Florence

The main problem of Florence is pickpockets.

You should not leave valuables, jewelry, documents in hotel rooms; even safes can be opened. It is best to carry all your main valuables with you. Even locals carry bags over their shoulders.

If an unpleasant situation arises, contact the police immediately. Police officers in Italy wear a blue uniform (shirt, jacket, trousers, cap), and they always carry an identification card or badge with them. Any person who poses as a police officer but does not have these attributes is a fraud.

Second part of the guide:

A Brief History of Florence

Florence officially arose in 59 BC, as a settlement of Roman veterans. Although it is known that the valley off the banks of the Arno River has been inhabited since ancient times. The settlement was called Florentia (Blooming) because it was founded during the celebration of Floralia - the holiday of spring and the goddess Flora.

From the time of its founding until the late Middle Ages there were periods of prosperity and decline, Florence passed from hand to hand of different rulers. The city of artisans, merchants and bankers became known throughout Europe already in the 12th century.

Along with wealth, political ambitions also grew: Florence wanted to dominate and tried to subjugate neighboring cities in various ways. Internal life was also seething: from the end of the 12th century, the Florentine commune became a republic, moreover, Florence was torn apart by the struggle of two parties: the Guelphs (supporters of the power of the Pope) and the Ghibellines, who supported the power of the Holy Roman Emperor. At the same time, the city grew richer, expanded, and was built up.

The reign of the Medici family began in the 15th century. Under Lorenzo de' Medici, nicknamed the Magnificent, art, philosophy, the humanistic movement and the sciences received a powerful impetus for development. The Florentine school of painting flourished and gave us many wonderful artists, whose creations adorn best museums peace.

Since 1537, Florence has become the capital of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. In 1861, the duchy was abolished, Florence joined the united Italian kingdom, and from 1864 to 1870 the city was the capital of a united Italy.

During World War II, Florence was occupied by German troops. The city was heavily damaged by bombing, and the Nazis, retreating, blew up almost all the bridges over the Arno.

In 1966, Florence suffered a devastating flood. The Arno overflowed its banks, the city center was flooded by 2-3 meters, and about 14,000 works of art were damaged. Many were lost forever, such as frescoes from the walls of the first floors of flooded buildings. Thousands of volunteers, nicknamed “mud angels,” came from all over the world to save the city and art objects.

Hello, dear readers of the Life in Italy blog! Today I dedicate my post to tourists who want to go off the beaten path and perhaps for local residents who want to learn more about their environment. In classic routes, Florence goes next to Siena, but I suggest changing the usual route and staying in this area and traveling from Florence to nearby towns and villages on your own.

Arcetri

In fact, the town is very small and adjacent to Florence, but is independent. Located in a small hilly area south of the center of Florence, extending from Porta San Giorgio, near Forte Belvedere, from San Miniato and Poggio Imperiale to the foot of the Santa Hills -Margherita a Montici and Monteripaldi to the Ema Valley.

Marvelous interesting fact- in 1083, the first document on parchment paper appeared here.

There are many historical buildings, such as the house in which Galileo Galilei lived after his abdication, and where he remained under house arrest and died on January 8, 1642 (it is called the Villa Il Gioiello House Museum).

Other important buildings:

Church of San Leonardo
Monastery of San Matteo
Villa where Francesco Guicciardini died
The famous Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory Arcetri, like a local treasure that the locals are proud of
Torre del Gallo - surviving part of a very ancient fortress

Montaione

The commune of Montaione is located on a hill 35 km southwest of Florence, surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and forest.
The historical center of the city and part of the fortress walls have preserved their ancient, original structure and construction.

Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but the first documents mentioning Montaione date back to the 13th century.
Among the attractions are the church of San Regolo, which is home to the Madonna del Buonconsiglio, Guido da Graziano (late 13th century), many castles and museums such as the Palazzo del Pretorio, which is home to the Civic Museum.

The Church and Convent of San Vivaldo, with works attributed to Giovanni della Robbia, Andrea Sansovino and other artists, is a complex of chapel and church reproducing the topography of Jerusalem's holy places. It was built in Italy in the Middle Ages to allow pilgrims to virtually visit Jerusalem, since the Holy Land was difficult to reach for most of them (and is actually called the Jerusalem of Tuscany).

Since the 13th century, Montaione has been famous for its glassware in the form of bottles, flasks and decanters.

The village is also famous for its production of good wine and the annual white truffle festival held in October.

Fiesole

When visiting Florence, don't forget Fiesole, it is quite likely the settlement from which Florence originated. It is easy to get to as it is located 8 km northeast of Florence. You can take a taxi or take ATAF bus (www.ataf.net) number 7 to the city center.

The first thing you will notice is beautiful views Florence, and then explore the city: City Hall; Cathedral of San Romolo (Cattedrale di San Romolo, Duomo di Fiesole) Romanesque expanded construction in the 13th-14th centuries; The Church of Santa Maria Primerana is the most old church in the city - everyone stands on main square called Piazza Mino.

Fiesole is home to a huge body of archaeological evidence. For example, the Roman theater is still used today for summer events, the Etruscan-Roman temple, the Roman bath, Archaeological Museum and Etruscan walls. Other attractions are the Church of San Francesco, the Bandini Museum, the Church and Convent of San Domenico, and the Abbey of Fiesole (Badia Fiesolana).

Bagno a Ripoli ( Bagno a Ripoli)

Bagno a Ripoli - g tribe of Etruscan origin who took upon themselves important trade center during the Roman Empire. The Romans gave him resort value (hence the name bath) and excavations in Via della Nave (Via della Nave) you can see the remains of buildings from that era.

There are also many castles, Renaissance villas and tower houses. The city is located approximately 7 km southeast of Florence. Three main events really come to life Bagno a Ripoli: Knight Tournament stars in September, antique fair dell'Antella in October and historical dramatization passion of Christ on good friday in Grassina. These events are carefully are prepared by creative city associations and attract many tourists every year what the city does important center culture and conservation folk traditions.

San Casciano in Val di Pesa

A city famous for its production olive oil, wine and excellent products, located 15 kilometers south of Florence.

In the vicinity of San Casciano you can visit the observatory Torre Luciano, visit to the Archer tomb, an Etruscan tomb from the 7th century BC, the San Casciano Museum with its works of sacred art, archaeological finds found in the area and Quattro Pievi (four parish churches: San Pancrazio, Santo Stefano in Campoli, Santa Cecilia in Decimo and San -Giovanni in Sugana), ancient religious buildings with great artistic value And architectural value.

Also big have significance walls from San Casciano, former defensive structure inhistorical center cities, and many beautiful castles (Castello di Bibbione, Castello di Gabbiano, Castello di Pergolato and Castello di Montefiridolfi).

The area of San Casciano is well known for its wine and olive oil production. Especially famous winery brand Antinori.

Vinci

Vinci is located on the hills of Montalbano between the provinces of Pistoia, Prato and Florence, in a green area with olive trees and vineyards. There are many interesting things to see here, and many of them are related to the life of Leonardo: the house in which he was born, just 3 km from Vinci in the middle of the village, the church where he was baptized, and the museum and library with his name. In the city center you will find Guidi Castle, which contains a Leonardo museum and bears with sculpted coats of arms, as well as a ceramic Madonna and Child by Giovanni Della Robbia, created in 1523. Other attractions include the Church of Santa Croce, the wooden display of the Vitruvian Man and Piazza dei Guidi.

Montelupo Fiorentino

About 20 kilometers southwest of Florence, not far from Empoli, is the town of Montelupo Fiorentino, surrounded by walls, green hills and dense forests. The appearance of man in the Montelupo area dates back to the Paleolithic era and evidence of this are the many prehistoric monuments in the area. Be sure to see the Villa Medici dell'Ambrogiana, the parish church of San Giovanni Evangelista and many other churches. Montelupo is famous for its ceramic and glass production, which has a long tradition that has been passed down through generations. There is a ceramics museum and every year in the third week of June, the city comes alive with a ceramics festival.

Borgo San Lorenzo

The largest town, Mugello, is located about 20 kilometers northeast of Florence, and has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The main attractions here are religious buildings such as the Abbey of St. Lawrence, the parish of St. Cresci in Valkava and the Chapel of the Madonna of the Three Rivers. Other sites include the municipal buildings (now the Town Hall), the Villa Pecori Giraldi (built in the 13th century) and the interiors of Liberty, which are housed in the Cini Factory Museum. We recommend visiting not only Borgo San Lorenzo, but the entire area.

Greve in Chianti

Greve in Chianti is considered the gateway to the Chianti region for its strategic location halfway between Florence and Siena. It is located along the Via Chiantigiana road, which is 30 km from Florence and 40 from Siena. In the past, it was advantageously located at the intersection of three major pilgrimage routes, which contributed to the flourishing development of the city.

The starting point of the visit is Piazza Matteotti, surrounded by arcades with small shops selling local products. Houses of crafts, shops, restaurants, hotels that offer handicrafts characterize the area. On the same square is the Neo-Renaissance Town Hall, big statue Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered New York Bay and who was born just a few miles from here.

On the opposite side is the Church of Santa Croce, built on the ruins of a medieval church. A few steps away is the Museum of Sacred Art and another interesting one is the Wine Museum. Less than two kilometers from the center, don't miss it beautiful villages Montefioralle.

Malmantil

It is a village in the municipality of Lastra a Signa, near Florence. The small village was probably built as a military outpost on the road between Florence and Pisa. This is one of the best examples of a fortified medieval village in Tuscany and the current circle dates from 1424. In the center of the short side of the wall there are two doors, which are connected by a single road that runs from northeast to southwest. Every year in May-June a medieval festival takes place within the castle walls.

Florence and Siena are among the most important economic centers Italian region Tuscany. Despite the distance from the sea, in the Middle Ages these were major centers of trade. Today, thousands of tourists visit them every year. Siena annually attracts hundreds of students from different countries. Education here is cheaper than in the student capital of Bologna, and the level of knowledge is not inferior.

Florence is the center of the Tuscany region. Most tourists travel to Siena through it. ABOUT in different ways travel along the route Florence Siena and will be discussed in this article.

Train to Siena

The easiest and most convenient way to travel short distances in Italy is by train. This is cheap and comfortable public transport. Florence-Siena is no exception. The train between cities departs on average once an hour from S. M. Novella station between 6 am and 11 pm. The duration of the trip is 1.5-2 hours. Tickets start from 9 euros. The most convenient way to view the detailed schedule and buy a train ticket is at (cart.italiarail.com).

Traveling by train on this route often requires a change in the city of Empoli. This takes additional time, which may vary depending on train schedules.

The inconvenience of the trip is that the train will take you to Siena outside historical city. Getting there will cost you an additional half hour by bus from the train station. A huge bonus on a train trip will be the view from the window. The route runs through the famous picturesque hills of Tuscany, allowing you to admire them from the train window.

Bus

Unlike the train station, the bus station in Siena is located in the city center. This is a factor that plays a decisive role in the choice public transport from Florence to Siena - many people prefer not to train, but to travel by bus.

To get from Florence to Siena, you can take a SITA bus. It departs from the bus stop near the S. M. Novella station and arrives in Siena at Piazza Gramsci, which is located near the old city walls.

The bus will take you to your destination in at least 1.5 hours. There are several types of flights on this route: direct and regular. A regular bus will make stops along the way and will reach Siena slower than a direct one. Be careful, a bus marked “diretta” is NOT a direct bus. This flight will stop in several cities, including Poggibonsi, and arrive in Siena after a full 2 hours.

The first SITA bus leaves at 6:45, the last at 20:15. Flights depart 2-3 times per hour during the day. On weekends and holidays buses run less frequently.

A bus ticket from Florence to Siena costs 6.5 -7 euros.

On the Italian bus website (fsbusitalia.it) you can find a detailed schedule of buses from SITA and TRA.IN on the route Florence - Siena.

Travel by car

In many cities in Italy it is easy to quickly rent a car and drive around the city without worry. Florence is not one of them. Renting a car quickly and conveniently will not be a problem here, but getting around inside the city will not be possible. By renting a car outside the city, you will make your life much easier.

You can get to Siena by highway in just over an hour. The distance between the cities is about 70 km. Along the way you can find a great bonus in the form of a Chianti winery.

The trip will be more scenic if you use small country roads. First you need to get detailed map terrain, because on tourist map In Italy such small roads may simply not be built. Naturally, you shouldn’t forget about GPS.

The car is great option for travelers who want to see Siena and its picturesque surroundings. In addition to the above, the car allows you to stay in hotels located in the most picturesque places. And they are usually located in places far from big cities and public transport.

It is quite possible to get from Florence to Siena by bicycle in 1 day. Pedaling all day is not the most fun activity. Therefore, it is worth breaking up your trip over several days and staying at a hotel or campsite along the way.

You can rent a bicycle in Florence (.alinarirental.com) or (italycruiserbiketours.com), without any problems, only some rentals require one of the documents or a deposit, the price is set directly by the rental company.

Be prepared for steep ascents and descents as the terrain around Florence is very winding and hilly. It will be better not to take unnecessary things with you, but to take only what is really necessary: water, food and some small items.

Siena has a small airport. It is located 9 kilometers from the city. Florence also has an airport, however, flying from Florence to Siena is not the most best idea. No airline offers direct flights over such a short distance.

Flights with transfers are often expensive, last from 5 hours and deprive the journey of any meaning - better option will be: spend 10 euros and 2 hours while reaching your destination by bus or train.

Hundreds of tourists travel from Siena to Florence for 1 day - there in the morning, back in the evening. Siena is not the largest city and the main attractions can be seen in 1 day. Florence - Siena is a very busy transport route, in order to avoid hitches and difficulties during the trip, you should plan your trip in advance and buy a train or bus ticket online, or purchase tickets immediately upon arrival to all destinations