Things To Do On Your Own

Bucket List

Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey filled with unforgettable experiences and cultural exploration? Look no further than our Bucket List!!

Galleria degli Uffizi
Florence's largest museum houses hundreds of paintings, ancient Greco-Roman statues, and fascinating archaeological artifacts, illuminating Florence's history as a Renaissance travel hub. It's a must-see for any visitor.
Tickets cost around 26 euros for a visit to the Uffizi, but for 39 euros you can purchase the PassePartout, which additionally gives you access to Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens for the next five days. During the summer, plan to buy your tickets two to three weeks in advance. Purchase tickets at the official website. Arrive a few minutes before your reserved time so you have enough time to pick up your ticket at the Uffizi and get in line.
Galleria dell'Accademia
The Galleria dell'Accademia is dedicated to Michelangelo's David statue, undeniably one of the most famous statues in the world. While this is its most famous exhibit, David is not the only work of art you will find within its walls.
Tickets cost around 13 euros, and should be bought two to three weeks in advance during the summer. Buy your ticket here.
The Duomo
The Duomo, or Brunelleschi's Dome, is the most famous part of Florence's skyline. To this day, it is the largest masonry dome in the world, ever since its completion in the 1400s, standing tall in its position over the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
To climb the dome, you will need to purchase the Brunelleschi Pass, which costs around 30 euros and additionally gives you access to Giotto's Belltower and the Baptistery. Please note that the Duomo climb and the belltower climb are moderately challenging, and can be claustrophobic. Leave any large bags at home and bring good walking shoes. A water bottle is also advised. Purchase your ticket here.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Piazzale Michelangelo is a square with a beautiful view overlooking the entire city, located in the Oltarno region (on the far side of the Arno). Particularly at sunset, it is a remarkable experience and excellent for photography. The square is open to the public for free, and no tickets are required.
Mercato Centrale
The Central Market is the largest market in central Florence, with artisans of all types selling their goods. The market is additionally surrounded by an assortment of excellent restaurants. It is open every day to the general public. If you are looking for a more authentic Italian market experience, consider visiting the Sant'Ambrogio market as well.
Ponte Vecchio
The phrase "ponte vecchio" means "old bridge" in Italian, alluding to its history. At the end of World War II, all of the bridges in Florence were destroyed except for Ponte Vecchio. Today, Ponte Vecchio is home to a thriving market of jewelry sellers, easily recognizable from a distance due to the buildings clustered atop the old bridge.
Santo Spirito Square
Located in the historic Oltarno district, this square is a popular spot for young Italians to enjoy the nightlife of Florence away from tourist saturated streets in central Florence, all in a Spanish-style square.
Sant'Ambrogio Market
While the Central Market is the most well-known market in Florence, those looking for a more authentic Italian market experience should wander further from the center to the Sant'Ambrogio market. This market features a variety of vegetable stands and restaurants and is an excellent place to go grocery shopping.
Fiesole
Fiesole is an affluent suburb of Florence known for its beautiful views and gorgeous architecture. It's an excellent place for a morning hike to observe the architecture, or a sunset aperitivo. Fiesole is most easily reached by the number 7 bus.

Day Trips

There are many interesting day-trip locations just a few hours away from Florence. Most destinations in Italy can be reached by regional train, though you may want to save time by taking a high-speed train when you travel large distances. The official ItaliaRail website can help with planning your route, although it is typically best to buy regional tickets in the station. (Remember that you do book high speed trains ahead of time.) Read more on taking trains in Italy here.

Pisa

Pisa is most famous for its iconic leaning tower. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the free-standing bell tower of Pisa Cathedral, which began to lean to the side as a result of being built on an unstable foundation. However, there's more to Pisa than just the famous bell tower. Pisa has a rich cultural history as a maritime port, and is filled to the brim with churches, palaces, and museums.

The simplest way to get to Pisa is via regional train: there is a direct line between Pisa and Florence, which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs around ten euros. Taxis are an option, and can be faster, but are many times more expensive.

Viareggio

Viareggio is a gorgeous seaside resort town with beautiful beaches and an ocean view. Summer travelers will love the refreshing breeze, especially during the hot months of July and August. However, if you're in Italy during the colder month of February, there is a special treat in store for you: the world famous Carnival of Viareggio, a month-long celebration of Viareggio and its culture and history.

The simplest way to get to Viareggio is to take a regional train to Pisa, and from there take a train or bus to Viareggio. The trip takes about 1.5 hours, and there is no high speed train service.

Lucca

Lucca is a Renaissance-era city, most famous for its nearly intact walls but also featuring a similarly well-preserved city center. You can rent a bike to bike all along the walls, or simply walk them. It additionally hosts several festivals, with the dates varying slightly from year-to-year.

Lucca is close to Viareggio, and thus the best way to get to Lucca is also by train. The trip is only a little bit shorter than the 1.5 hour trip to Viareggio. Since Viareggio, Lucca, and Pisa are all so close together, an overnight stay would allow you to visit all three.

Arezzo

Arezzo is a goldmine of historical sights for the curious traveler. The main square is set off with ancient medieval towers, and everywhere you go you will see the influence of the Romans, most notably including an ancient Roman amphitheater.

Arezzo can be reached by train in about an hour. While Pisa, Viareggio, and Lucca are located to the west of Florence and conveniently clustered, Arezzo is to the east, so if you're trying to hit all the spots, plan accordingly.

Bologna

Bologna is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, which was founded in 1088 and still operating today. Additionally, it's the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, a region known for its rich cuisine: if you're a lasagna lover, Bologna is a must-visit. And of course, like anywhere in Italy, it has its fair share of museums, churches, and fascinating historical sights.

Being two hours away by regional train, and with so many attractions, Bologna certainly can be visited in a day, but if you'd like to see more than the highlights, consider booking an overnight stay. Alternatively, Bologna is serviced by high speed trains, which brings the travel time down to around a half hour, at the cost of a price hike.

Weekend Trips

Thanks to Italy's excellent network of high-speed trains, almost any location in Italy can be a weekend trip. Even better if you can connect with our local site director and/or fellow students for ideas.

Rome and the Vatican (CIS Abroad location) - The current capital of Italy and the center of the Catholic Church, Rome has no shortage of historical sites to visit. The Colosseum is its most famous sight, but there is much more to offer here

The Amalfi Coast (specifically Sorrento, a CIS Abroad location) - Soak in the sun in the cradle of the Amalfi Coast, best known for its lemon groves and its beautiful beaches. While you're down there, be sure to visit Pompeii, or its lesser known sibling Herculaneum.
Milan - a must see for fashion aficionados, containing the world headquarters of many of Italy's most famous brands. However, Milan is also one of Italy's largest cities, with notable contributions to the fields of art, design, education, and research.
Venice - A city so famous it hardly needs introduction, Venice is an excellent candidate for a weekend trip to the land of water.